Norwich vs Brentford

[MagpieBee]

Big game for both clubs. Brentford could close the gap to the automatics to just a point, while Norwich would overtake us on GD with a win.

Would love revenge for the last game, but can see Norwich picking us apart a bit. Big strong strikers have done well against us of late, so can see Jerome getting a couple. Probably a loss here unfortunately.

Button

Odubajo Dean Tarkowski Bidwell

Jota Diagouraga Douglas Judge Pritchard

Gray

 

[Munkiki]

Win and we're finally back in the top six, lose/draw and we could find ourselves adrift again. Defend like we have been and there's no chance we're winning this.

17 goals in our last three games at Carrow Road, odds on a 0-0? Incidentally only three of those goals have been scored my end, what's that all about?

 

[SUTSS]

This is about as close to a must win as you can get at this stage of the season.

It will be interesting to see if Bassong is in the squad.

 

[mpmbee]

Fairly confident a defeat is coming up. I don't think our defence will be able to contain Norwich' strikeforce, Jerome is the best striker I've seen this season. Mind you if out midfield and Gray are on their game then we definately have goals in us. Revenge for that unjust 3-0 would be very nice.

 

[mpmbee]

Jota just scored a class goal on the break, great performance so far.

 

[mpmbee]

1-1 now, soft goal to give away

 

[MagpieBee]

1-1 now, soft goal to give away

Not there today. Seems we are doing well though. Watford losing is good for us

 

[mpmbee]

Not there today. Seems we are doing well though. Watford losing is good for us

Neither I've got the game on a stream. Hope we keep this up.

 

[mpmbee]

2-1 up now, Pritchard penalty. Norwich should have had two red cards.

 

[SUTSS]

We were very poor today which is no surprise considering we were essentially playing without a central midfield. If the ref sees that Johnson tackle in the first half then he's gone and how Turner hasn't picked up a second yellow at any point is a miracle.

 

[mpmbee]

Great win for us, some of our passing in midfield was sublime.

 

[MagpieBee]

I cannot believe what I've been seeing this season. 1 point off the automatics, despite a poor run over Christmas. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we'd be in this position.

Hope we can get another top quality striker in to help Gray, if he gets injured we would be screwed.

Probably out most important away win of the season.

 

[Hooray]

Brentford are probably the best side I've seen at Carrow Road this season. Deserved their win.

We were shite though. Really shite.

 

[mpmbee]

What a save that was from Button. He has turned into a brilliant keeper.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

What a win for Brentford!! The tinpot dream is on

 

[Munkiki]

No complaints. Brentford were the far superior side, the scoreline really flatters us. They could and probably should have been at least 3 goals to the good after about 15 minutes, us being level at half-time was absurd. Pretty thankful it only ended 2-1 tbh. There were four occasions where our defence was nowhere to be seen and a Brentford player was in front of goal with only Ruddy to beat, still don't know 1) how they didn't score any of them and 2) how Ruddy was only forced into 1 save from them. Brentford seem to have this issue with taking their chances against us - cost them earlier in the season, didn't yesterday courtesy of a daft gift of a penalty (I can only assume we felt sorry for them that we were level despite them completely dominating us).

Our defence is a disaster anyway and so, at 2pm, upon seeing our midfield partnership was going to be Johnson and Whittaker (I know we have injuries/suspensions but seriously playing a right-back who can't defend in midfield alongside a midfielder who can't pass... wut?) I wrote the game off. Obviously hoped to be proved wrong but no such luck, as expected it was as if we'd didn't even have a midfield. Given how shoddy the defence is, it's incredibly important to have some decent cover in front of them. Really missed Tettey/O'Neil in that respect. Feel that if we had one or both of them available, we would've at least given Brentford a game.

Miss the days when we were Brentford (it wasn't really that long ago but it feels like a lifetime). A team of lesser-heard of players but ones hungry for success, ones that'll run through brick walls for each other (and the manager). One of the reasons why I didn't want us to get promoted to the Premier League in the first place - you go up a team, you come down a squad of individuals. Makes me laugh when certain Norwich fans go on about our squad. 1) it's not nearly as good as they seem to think it is and 2) football is a team game. Rather a team of nobodies who work their asses off than a squad of "somebodies" who don't and think they're better than they are. The difference was clear to see yesterday. Brentford wanted it, we expected it. They were first, second and third to every ball. We were left chasing shadows. I'd love to see Brentford go up but part of me wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Anyway, there is zero chance of this team going up. I predicted 8th at the beginning of the season and although a couple of times they've made me think I might be wrong, I'm pretty confident that I'll be proven right. I'd be amazed if we made the play-offs, definitely think there are at least six teams better than us.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

So what happened when you came to Dean Court? Why couldn't you be crap that day instead of the best side in the division for a day!

 

[MagpieBee]

No complaints. Brentford were the far superior side, the scoreline really flatters us. They could and probably should have been at least 3 goals to the good after about 15 minutes, us being level at half-time was absurd. Pretty thankful it only ended 2-1 tbh. There were four occasions where our defence was nowhere to be seen and a Brentford player was in front of goal with only Ruddy to beat, still don't know 1) how they didn't score any of them and 2) how Ruddy was only forced into 1 save from them. Brentford seem to have this issue with taking their chances against us - cost them earlier in the season, didn't yesterday courtesy of a daft gift of a penalty (I can only assume we felt sorry for them that we were level despite them completely dominating us).

Our defence is a disaster anyway and so, at 2pm, upon seeing our midfield partnership was going to be Johnson and Whittaker (I know we have injuries/suspensions but seriously playing a right-back who can't defend in midfield alongside a midfielder who can't pass... wut?) I wrote the game off. Obviously hoped to be proved wrong but no such luck, as expected it was as if we'd didn't even have a midfield. Given how shoddy the defence is, it's incredibly important to have some decent cover in front of them. Really missed Tettey/O'Neil in that respect. Feel that if we had one or both of them available, we would've at least given Brentford a game.

Miss the days when we were Brentford (it wasn't really that long ago but it feels like a lifetime). A team of lesser-heard of players but ones hungry for success, ones that'll run through brick walls for each other (and the manager). One of the reasons why I didn't want us to get promoted to the Premier League in the first place - you go up a team, you come down a squad of individuals. Makes me laugh when certain Norwich fans go on about our squad. 1) it's not nearly as good as they seem to think it is and 2) football is a team game. Rather a team of nobodies who work their asses off than a squad of "somebodies" who don't and think they're better than they are. The difference was clear to see yesterday. Brentford wanted it, we expected it. They were first, second and third to every ball. We were left chasing shadows. I'd love to see Brentford go up but part of me wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Anyway, there is zero chance of this team going up. I predicted 8th at the beginning of the season and although a couple of times they've made me think I might be wrong, I'm pretty confident that I'll be proven right. I'd be amazed if we made the play-offs, definitely think there are at least six teams better than us.

You are spot on about the key area we need to improve, taking chances. Can think of quite a few games this season where we haven't got anything because of not taking chances (most obvious one being the last game against you). When we do take chances, we win (only team still not to have dropped any points having taken the lead this season).

We've tried to bring in some more strikers, but finding it really tough within our budget constraints. (Less transfer fee, more wages are the problem).

However, Gray has been amazing, despite missing a lot of chances. Has developed into a quality striker who causes a lot of problems for teams, and his all round game is improving massively game by game. He just needs someone to take the pressure off and keep the pressure / quality up off the bench.

Agree with you re the prem. Much like League 1, missing out on promotion in this league for a couple of years might actually be a lot better for us long term, allow us to build a fan base moving into the new stadium.

Having said that, never seen Brentford in the top division, and never thought it might happen (only just coming round the possibility that we might) and would love to see us up there at some point, and if it could happen while we are still at Griffin Park that would be amazing.

 

[Munkiki]

So what happened when you came to Dean Court? Why couldn't you be crap that day instead of the best side in the division for a day!

not entirely sure how that happened but I don't think it's a coincidence that we looked better defensively with Tettey & O'Neil on the pitch and Whittaker off it. Also although the Martin/Turner partnership isn't particularly good, it's infinitely better than a Cuellar/Turner one.

A shame that Ryan Bennett got injured... what... five minutes after making his return? Also not helping that Russ appears to be showing solidarity with Whittaker by being absolute garbage when playing RB or that Olsson has been average at best this season.

 

[mpmbee]

What a save!

 

[markwwfc1992]

No complaints. Brentford were the far superior side, the scoreline really flatters us. They could and probably should have been at least 3 goals to the good after about 15 minutes, us being level at half-time was absurd. Pretty thankful it only ended 2-1 tbh. There were four occasions where our defence was nowhere to be seen and a Brentford player was in front of goal with only Ruddy to beat, still don't know 1) how they didn't score any of them and 2) how Ruddy was only forced into 1 save from them. Brentford seem to have this issue with taking their chances against us - cost them earlier in the season, didn't yesterday courtesy of a daft gift of a penalty (I can only assume we felt sorry for them that we were level despite them completely dominating us).

Our defence is a disaster anyway and so, at 2pm, upon seeing our midfield partnership was going to be Johnson and Whittaker (I know we have injuries/suspensions but seriously playing a right-back who can't defend in midfield alongside a midfielder who can't pass... wut?) I wrote the game off. Obviously hoped to be proved wrong but no such luck, as expected it was as if we'd didn't even have a midfield. Given how shoddy the defence is, it's incredibly important to have some decent cover in front of them. Really missed Tettey/O'Neil in that respect. Feel that if we had one or both of them available, we would've at least given Brentford a game.

Miss the days when we were Brentford (it wasn't really that long ago but it feels like a lifetime). A team of lesser-heard of players but ones hungry for success, ones that'll run through brick walls for each other (and the manager). One of the reasons why I didn't want us to get promoted to the Premier League in the first place - you go up a team, you come down a squad of individuals. Makes me laugh when certain Norwich fans go on about our squad. 1) it's not nearly as good as they seem to think it is and 2) football is a team game. Rather a team of nobodies who work their asses off than a squad of "somebodies" who don't and think they're better than they are. The difference was clear to see yesterday. Brentford wanted it, we expected it. They were first, second and third to every ball. We were left chasing shadows. I'd love to see Brentford go up but part of me wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Anyway, there is zero chance of this team going up. I predicted 8th at the beginning of the season and although a couple of times they've made me think I might be wrong, I'm pretty confident that I'll be proven right. I'd be amazed if we made the play-offs, definitely think there are at least six teams better than us.

Good post, can really relate your situation to what happen at Wolves a couple of years ago. We went up with not the most talented players in the division, but as you said they would bleed for the shirt. When we were promoted to the PL we changed our policy to shelling out a lot of money for more 'reknown footballers' who didn't seem to care if we won or lost, as long as they picked up their wage slip after each week (Jamie O'Hara and Roger Johnson fell under this category).

We were relegated twice in successive years by signing and playing people who didn't care about the club. Luckily since Kenny Jacket came in he's changed the image of the club, going back to the years of signing lesser known players maybe, or promoting academy players who cared about the club and wanted to progress themselves as well as our league status. I would imagine players like Kourtney Hause, Dominic Iorfa, Danny Batth, Jack Price, Lee Evans, etc aren't exactly well known in the public eye as established footballers, but since all of them have come through our academy teams, they have been brilliant for the first XI. Give me unknown kids who have passion for the club any day over overpaid mercenaries like pisshead Roger Johnson.