| Struggled physically today 17:41 - Apr 6 with 1710 views | SomethingBlue |
Before this weekend I'd have taken finishing it ahead of Leeds in any shape or form so, in that regard, all OK. We have work to do though if we're to get the required results against Watford & Boro sides that are both in their best form of the season. Today was a rare one where we've really lacked physically – you could sense after a minute or two that Norwich were sharper to the tackle and that never really changed for 95 minutes. We were a yard off it and didn't really manage to form any connections anywhere on the pitch. It looked like one match too many after a draining week or so – a few of the guys out there clearly struggling and we could really do with Hirst & Burns being ready to make a big impact in the last three games.
Tuanzebe incident – never a foul in a million years – clearly upped the ante around the place and I can see why McKenna pointed to it, but pretty certain he knows that was an off day all round and we didn't help ourselves in the next 10 minutes by inviting the ref to give free-kicks in silly areas.
Thought Morsy and Luongo were swamped in there, Morsy in particular had perhaps the worst game I've seen from him at Town until the last 15 or so when he started to influence things. Didn't help us bring others into the game. Silver lining that he didn't get booked when he absolutely should have.
Fortunately it can't be marked down as a disaster but you do sense it's going to take an extraordinary effort from here. It's probably a good thing that Watford is on Weds rather than Tues for the extra day's recovery. Big high on Monday, significant low today, probably more of both to come in the next four weeks, on we go.
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| Struggled physically today on 17:55 - Apr 6 with 1611 views | le2blue |
I enjoy reading your summaries, and slightly pessimistic, or maybe realistic, view on things to help us all stay grounded.
Disappointing game today and you're right that Morsy was definitely off his usual high standards, I also thought that playing it up to Kiefer without the runners going ahead of him played into Norwich's hands and meant we were ineffective going forwards. Thought we really missed Wes today and that Omari didnt seem up for the fight.
Not only is it good that Watford game is on Wednesday for recovery, it will also mean that Ramadan has ended and Morsy and Ali will be able to fuel more normally. The good thing about McKenna's team is that they've been excellent at bouncing back into winnings runs, lets hope that continues. |  | | |
| Struggled physically today on 17:57 - Apr 6 with 1571 views | LankHenners |
Understandable why he doesn't want to make much of it but wouldn't surprise me at all if the 'illness in the camp' is hitting more than a few people pretty hard. Hopefully the extra day gives some a chance to shake it off.
Two home games back to back is a really good way to put disappointment behind and move on - as you say they're both playing really well, 'Boro in particular, Watford still have this strange Jekyll/Hyde nature about them, but I'd back us at PR against anybody. |  |
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| Struggled physically today on 18:02 - Apr 6 with 1504 views | EastTownBlue |
| Struggled physically today on 17:57 - Apr 6 by LankHenners |
Understandable why he doesn't want to make much of it but wouldn't surprise me at all if the 'illness in the camp' is hitting more than a few people pretty hard. Hopefully the extra day gives some a chance to shake it off.
Two home games back to back is a really good way to put disappointment behind and move on - as you say they're both playing really well, 'Boro in particular, Watford still have this strange Jekyll/Hyde nature about them, but I'd back us at PR against anybody. |
In addition to that, perhaps in the end the enforced two week break before the final three games will be helpful in terms of rest and seeing the return of Hirst and Burns ? | | | |
| Struggled physically today on 18:04 - Apr 6 with 1481 views | textbackup |
SM’s worse game by some way for me today.
Fumbled the ball, loose passes, caught the wrong side a couple of occasions. Very unlike him |  |
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| Struggled physically today on 18:04 - Apr 6 with 1478 views | gringoblue |
I thought the first 25 minutes was good, without ever really threatening. Omari got in some good positions (and was also not picked out a couple of times) but wasn't really positive enough, as though he didn't think he could beat the full back. We also had some really promising breaks (Broady, Chaplin, Luongo) where Norwich players committed cynical fouls and were not booked for it. After the Tuanzebe incident we really struggled, until the subs came on. |  | | |
| Struggled physically today on 18:05 - Apr 6 with 1455 views | ITFCSG |
| Struggled physically today on 18:02 - Apr 6 by EastTownBlue |
In addition to that, perhaps in the end the enforced two week break before the final three games will be helpful in terms of rest and seeing the return of Hirst and Burns ? |
If Hirst and Burns start they have to be 'plug-and-play' ready, no point throwing them on the pitch like Moore today if still unfit or lacking match fitness | | | |
| Struggled physically today on 18:11 - Apr 6 with 1356 views | SitfcB |
| Struggled physically today on 18:04 - Apr 6 by textbackup |
SM’s worse game by some way for me today.
Fumbled the ball, loose passes, caught the wrong side a couple of occasions. Very unlike him |
Think the players were playing the occasion and not the game, got to them a bit maybe, nervous. A shame but it’s done now. F’king sh!t.
Roll on Wednesday. |  |
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| Struggled physically today on 18:11 - Apr 6 with 1355 views | AndrewRatcliffITFC |
| Struggled physically today on 18:04 - Apr 6 by gringoblue |
I thought the first 25 minutes was good, without ever really threatening. Omari got in some good positions (and was also not picked out a couple of times) but wasn't really positive enough, as though he didn't think he could beat the full back. We also had some really promising breaks (Broady, Chaplin, Luongo) where Norwich players committed cynical fouls and were not booked for it. After the Tuanzebe incident we really struggled, until the subs came on. |
"not picked out a couple of times" .....he spent a lot of the time with his hand in the air in acres of space, two quick passes and he would have been on the front foot, we were too slow getting the ball out to him. Frustrating! | | | |
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| Struggled physically today on 18:14 - Apr 6 with 1316 views | Churchman |
| Struggled physically today on 17:55 - Apr 6 by le2blue |
I enjoy reading your summaries, and slightly pessimistic, or maybe realistic, view on things to help us all stay grounded.
Disappointing game today and you're right that Morsy was definitely off his usual high standards, I also thought that playing it up to Kiefer without the runners going ahead of him played into Norwich's hands and meant we were ineffective going forwards. Thought we really missed Wes today and that Omari didnt seem up for the fight.
Not only is it good that Watford game is on Wednesday for recovery, it will also mean that Ramadan has ended and Morsy and Ali will be able to fuel more normally. The good thing about McKenna's team is that they've been excellent at bouncing back into winnings runs, lets hope that continues. |
I don’t think it should be underestimated how much the games at Blackburn and Mondays monumental effort took out of them physically and mentally. Especially Monday.
Before Easter, would I have taken six points from nine given the opposition? Actually yes. I hoped we’d be within a game of top two after these three tough games and we are.
I’m not just trying to make myself feel better about today’s game (which I am), I genuinely hoped for that.
Top two requires a Herculean effort. But it’s there for us to give it a real go. |  | | |
| Struggled physically today on 18:14 - Apr 6 with 1305 views | bluefunk |
Re Morsy, that’s the second game in a row where we’ve been dominated in midfield for large parts of the game. Luongos lack of the pace to get away from tackles when he wins them has been really evident this week and meant we really didn’t get going until Taylor’s addition, which also helped Morsy. I really didn’t expect to see Luongo start today. |  | | |
| Struggled physically today on 18:18 - Apr 6 with 1241 views | GlasgowBlue |
I thought that this was the day for a three man midfield. Morsy and Travis holding with Taylor slightly forward.
I know it sounds strange to change a formation that has served us so well but we are now entering tournament type football. [Post edited 6 Apr 18:26]
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| Struggled physically today on 18:21 - Apr 6 with 1208 views | NthQldITFC |
| Struggled physically today on 18:11 - Apr 6 by SitfcB |
Think the players were playing the occasion and not the game, got to them a bit maybe, nervous. A shame but it’s done now. F’king sh!t.
Roll on Wednesday. |
That seems so unlike our lads that I'm thinking this illness thing is or has been fairly significant. |  |
| # WE ARE STEALING THE FUTURE FROM OUR CHILDREN --- WE MUST CHANGE COURSE # | | Poll: | It's driving me nuts |
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| Struggled physically today on 18:22 - Apr 6 with 1192 views | pointofblue |
| Struggled physically today on 18:18 - Apr 6 by GlasgowBlue |
I thought that this was the day for a three man midfield. Morsy and Travis holding with Taylor slightly forward.
I know it sounds strange to change a formation that has served us so well but we are now entering tournament type football. [Post edited 6 Apr 18:26]
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There's been warnings of our midfield being dominated over the past few games. There's another thread where there is split opinion, understandably, but I'd be tempted to switch to a wing back system for the Watford game and play with Morsy, Travis and Taylor in the middle. | |
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| Struggled physically today on 18:24 - Apr 6 with 1174 views | Dubtractor |
| Struggled physically today on 18:14 - Apr 6 by bluefunk |
Re Morsy, that’s the second game in a row where we’ve been dominated in midfield for large parts of the game. Luongos lack of the pace to get away from tackles when he wins them has been really evident this week and meant we really didn’t get going until Taylor’s addition, which also helped Morsy. I really didn’t expect to see Luongo start today. |
Luongo hasn't been as effective since the turn of the year has he? Struggled a bit today, and also against Southampton on Monday.
Not playing badly by any means, but him and Morsy have bossed games for us and that's not been the case as much recently.
Will be interesting to see if Taylor gets a start on Wednesday. |  |
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| Struggled physically today on 18:24 - Apr 6 with 1167 views | Ryorry |
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| Struggled physically today on 18:30 - Apr 6 with 1090 views | GlasgowBlue |
| Struggled physically today on 18:22 - Apr 6 by pointofblue |
There's been warnings of our midfield being dominated over the past few games. There's another thread where there is split opinion, understandably, but I'd be tempted to switch to a wing back system for the Watford game and play with Morsy, Travis and Taylor in the middle. |
I suggested a wing back system for certain games at various times of the season.Sometimes I think we need to mix it up and give the opposition something different to think about.
W are now in a mini tournament of five games and maybe we should approach each team differently, rather than stick to a rigid formation. no matter how successful that formation has been. | |
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| Struggled physically today on 19:59 - Apr 6 with 722 views | FrimleyBlue |
| Struggled physically today on 18:14 - Apr 6 by Churchman |
I don’t think it should be underestimated how much the games at Blackburn and Mondays monumental effort took out of them physically and mentally. Especially Monday.
Before Easter, would I have taken six points from nine given the opposition? Actually yes. I hoped we’d be within a game of top two after these three tough games and we are.
I’m not just trying to make myself feel better about today’s game (which I am), I genuinely hoped for that.
Top two requires a Herculean effort. But it’s there for us to give it a real go. |
I think it's a reminder that we are in the championship. One of the hardest leagues to get out of ( in the right direction anyway) and we've just lost only our 6th game of the season.
The fact is what 8 out of 10 seasons we wouldn't be sitting with 5 games left praying we win everyone. You expect a draw. A loss. Etc winning champ games in a few is a massive achievement.
Take away parachute payments etc etc. And just focusing on the football and games left.. who ever finishes 2nd has had a brilliant final 5 games. |  |
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| Struggled physically today on 20:08 - Apr 6 with 669 views | NthQldITFC |
| Struggled physically today on 18:22 - Apr 6 by pointofblue |
There's been warnings of our midfield being dominated over the past few games. There's another thread where there is split opinion, understandably, but I'd be tempted to switch to a wing back system for the Watford game and play with Morsy, Travis and Taylor in the middle. |
I can certainly see the logic of it, but I'm more persuaded by the argument of "don't change a winning (usually) system". You could maybe play Harness as a deeper version of Broadhead earlier in games, leaving the wing more to Leif, and with Chappers a little more central.
Or play Taylor instead of Chaplin as a hybrid 8/10 (I believe that's the terminology!) [Post edited 6 Apr 20:09]
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| # WE ARE STEALING THE FUTURE FROM OUR CHILDREN --- WE MUST CHANGE COURSE # | | Poll: | It's driving me nuts |
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