• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

My Football Writer

My Football Writer Norwich City news… comment… analysis

Norwich City – news, comment and analysis

Find the best betting sites
  • Home
  • About us
  • The Team
  • Archives Index
  • Patreon
  • ADVERTISE
  • Contact us
FINAL WORD: Lack of options and loss of dressing room leaders is hitting City hard

FINAL WORD: Lack of options and loss of dressing room leaders is hitting City hard

9th October 2019 By Joe Hinchliffe 10 Comments

Please share

It is getting harder by the week to look for the positives in City’s fledging Premier League campaign.

Since the 3-2 victory over Manchester City the Canaries have lost three on the bounce, scoring just one goal. It’s not as though the games have been tight either, Norwich have comprehensively lost all three games.

Back-to-back 2-0 defeats away at Burnley and Crystal Palace were hard to take initially, but on reflection, both teams are incredibly well organised and, as two established Premier League clubs that traditionally finish clear of the relegation zone, they are teams that find a way to pick up points year-on-year. In many ways, the blueprint for Norwich.

I had begrudgingly put those defeats down to a learning curve.

However, the 5-1 home defeat to Aston Villa was – with the best will in the world – excruciating. I’d be lying if I said this latest result hasn’t changed my outlook on City’s season so far.

There is, of course, the unavoidable caveat of the club’s current injury crisis and whilst I don’t want to devote yet more column inches to bemoaning the Canaries injury woes, it’s undoubtedly leaving Daniel Farke with his hands tied and therefore must be discussed to some degree.

I want to address the crisis from a different angle, a more objective angle that has been borne out of the weekend’s frustration.

It is without doubt, a crisis. In the first eight weeks of the season, City players have accumulatively lost 367 days to injury. Manchester United, City’s next opponent at Carrow Road, have lost the second most days to injury – 183. That’s 184 days less than Norwich, in eight weeks!

City are a Michael McGovern injury away from having to field 19-year-old Archie Mair in goal. It really is unprecedented.

The knock-on effect of all these injuries is creating a selection headache for Farke. The team clearly needs rotating, current performances are not good enough, but it’s becoming impossible for the Head Coach.

The defence is haemorrhaging goals, again failing to see out the first 15 minutes against Villa. The long-term loss of Timm Klose and Zimmermann is proving to be costly.

The problems at centre back are intrinsically linked to the lack of options in central midfield. The leaky defence needs protection and the current options of Mo Leitner and Kenny McLean aren’t offering enough of that.

Yet, with the absence of Tom Trybull, Alex Tettey and Louis Thompson (on loan at Shrewsbury) there are no options on the bench. Ideally, you would slot loanee Ibrahim Amadou into the defensive midfielder role, but with no fit centre backs, Farke’s hands remain tied. It must be frustrating.

However, and this is where we can start to look at the problem objectively, aside from the problems in central defence and central midfield, the Canaries starting eleven looks fairly familiar.

I keep hearing the phrase ‘We’ve got four or five first-teamers injured’ or words to that effect, but have we?

Of the eleven that started against Villa, eight of them, in my opinion, are first-choice options. The front four of Teemu Pukki, Emi Buendia, Marco Stiepermann and Todd Cantwell is as you would expect it. Some people will argue Onrl Hernandez would start over Cantwell, but both were fit for Anfield and Cantwell started the game.

At full-back, Jamal Lewis and Max Aarons are without question first-choice options, both of whom started at the weekend, although it’s since been confirmed that Lewis has had to pull out of the Northern Ireland squad with a knee injury, as well as his elbow issue.

After Ben Godfrey’s fairly promising start to the season, which included a call up to the England U21 side, being entrusted with the captain’s armband on a couple of occasions and his superior mobility over the rest of City’s centre back options, it’s hard to argue that Godfrey is not a starter.

Even in the problem area of central midfield, it’s hard to omit Mo Leitner from a fully fit starting eleven, especially when played next to Trybull. You may argue that Mario Vrancic would start but it’s certainly up for debate.

My point is, of the players that started on Saturday, only McGovern, Amadou and McLean would usually find themselves omitted from the starting eleven if the squad is fully fit. That’s three players.

The loss of dressing room leaders such as Tim Krul, Klose, Tettey and Zimmermann shouldn’t be underestimated, neither should the loss of key players such as Trybull. I can’t help but think the presence of Klose in Norwich’s young backline and Trybull or Tettey protecting the defence would go some way to solving defensive frailties. They are incredibly important players for the club.

With the exception of Aarons returning to fitness, Tettey picking up an injury at Burnley and the goalkeeper situation, the starting eleven has remained largely unchanged during the last three games but shows no sign of increased cohesion.

This is naturally a cause for concern; however, Norwich are incredibly inexperienced at this level.

The players that are fit are playing through the pain barrier. Godfrey is heading to Munich for a hernia operation during this international break, Lewis’ inclusion in the squad for Bournemouth squad is presumably in doubt at this moment in time and prior to kick off against Villa, Cantwell had missed two days of training through injury.

My honest opinion is that Farke currently has most of his first-team available, but they are in desperate need of rotation either through niggling injuries or form. Those that are injured are key players in terms of leadership and experience and this is having a profound effect on performance and belief.

Perhaps Patrick Roberts could be more involved, especially when you consider we are yet to see the best of Stiepermann and Buendia. However, in the grand scheme of things Farke’s hands remain tied in terms of rotation. He is having to field the players that are available to him, regardless of whether they are first choice, out of form, or in need of a rest.

Perhaps the international break can provide a silver lining as it gives injured players two weeks to potentially return to fitness. Farke has gone on record saying that the Bournemouth game is a realistic return date for Krul and hopefully, others can follow suit.

The squad finds itself in exceptional circumstances and in desperate need of rotation, but when you weigh up the pros and cons is it worth rushing a player or two back from injury? It could, of course, exacerbate the situation further.

Make no mistake, City are up against it at the moment and in all likelihood that will continue to be the case for the remainder of the season, injuries or not. Those that are fit will need to brush themselves off and go again, as will us fans.

As frustrating as it has been in recent weeks, there isn’t an alternative.


Please share

Filed Under: Column

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marco says

    9th October 2019 at 8:23 am

    Pretty much agree, but where’s the high press and energy gone ?- last season we were robbing opponents in their half. This season opponents are robbing us and we don’t win anything back.
    Villa, it was said, had us worked out: disposes us as we play out and attack in numbers. We have no plan B (underlined by the late, late substitutions too late to change the game) so we keep on with the same tactics and endure the same result.
    Currently we have no midfield protection for two defensive midfielders playing in central defence.
    Let’s get that high energy back.

    8
    Reply
  2. Billy Whiz says

    9th October 2019 at 10:39 am

    A very honest reality check, keeping faith with the players that won promotion is admirable but lack of investment may well be the undoing of a stay in the premier league, the 1 – 5 mauling by Aston Villa was no fluke with AVFC performances on the up each week, The Int Break has come at the right time for Norwich who must get back to basics doing what they do best with ( as Marco says ) the high press, I think its too early to panic Norwich have a decent squad and a great manager, the fans can help with continued support the results will come, remember this is the supposedly the best league in the world it was never going to be easy..

    6
    Reply
  3. Stewart Lewis says

    9th October 2019 at 10:47 am

    A fair and (as we need to be) dispassionate analysis, Gary.

    The only point on which I disagree – or at least question whether it’s a distortion – is your suggestion that eight of Saturday’s starting XI would be first choice. I think you put it better elsewhere in the article, when you listed Krul, Zimmermann, Klose and Trybull (plus possibly others) as key players unavailable to Daniel Farke.

    Together with Amadou playing in his secondary position, Godfrey and Cantwell playing through pain, and everyone a bit jaded because of limited resources, we have a truly tough situation.

    That said, Daniel and his coaches need to find some ways to make us harder to beat. I’ve faith that they will.

    1
    Reply
    • Gary Gowers says

      9th October 2019 at 11:14 am

      My bad Stew … clicked the wrong box! This is very much Joe’s piece, not mine!

      Reply
  4. JohnF says

    9th October 2019 at 11:20 am

    Totally agree Gary. However, I noted last year that even when he had the chance to rotate the squad Farke preferred to stick with the same team until injury intervened. He never used substitutions as a way of resting players.
    I think this approach has been found out in the premier league where opponents are better athletes and that much stronger than last year.
    I think Amadou will be a good replacement for the Tettey of old as the holding midfield player as he looks to have the strength required at this level.
    Our defensive problems all stem from our weak midfield so trying anybody from our defenders alongside Godfrey to allow Amadou to move into midfield may be our best bet at the moment.

    3
    Reply
    • Gary Gowers says

      9th October 2019 at 12:26 pm

      Cheers JohnF …. my mistake, but it was very much Joe’s piece, not mine!

      Reply
  5. Andrew Delf says

    9th October 2019 at 12:37 pm

    Rather luckily sitting in a bar in Turkey saved me from having to witness the latest defeat, what wasn’t so lucky was sitting beside a Villa supporter who became more gleeful by the moment as we listened the Radio Norfolk commentary. The recent run is not what we would like however the injury list is without precedence in my opinion. The international break break should offer us some welcome returns to the squad. Sometimes it is just one or two players that provide the glue to turn a disparate team into a well gelled one, hopefully this will be the case soon. As for Herr Farke and his learning curve I am of no doubt that he will be working overtime to resolve the issues within the team. Last year we peaked the championship mountain and ahead this season is an even bigger mountain to start ascending. At this early part of this season we are yet to leave base camp but we will and overtake some of the stragglers on the way

    2
    Reply
  6. Alex B says

    9th October 2019 at 1:35 pm

    Hi Joe

    This has been a great read.

    Last season the Mantra was everyone is playing their part even the injured were backing the first team and that the players not selected were showing leadership off the pitch.

    So we’re has that leadership gone surely Hanley has been passing his experience on to the younger CB on the training pitch.

    Leadership doesn’t have to come from them on game day but from the squad everyday when they are together.

    Injures have wrecked Farke’s planning and it has been commented there is no plan B in reality does he have players that can change it to plan B or has the system we play so embedded that plan B Is not an option.

    We can only hope that the injuries start to recede so that other players can be rested but maybe unbeknown to one and all plans might be afoot to use U23 CB to bolster the squad.

    Onwards and upwards

    OTBC

    1
    Reply
    • Cyprus Canary says

      10th October 2019 at 7:08 pm

      He could change his tactics and play a bit deeper as we did against Man City! His resources are limited and that is exactly why plan B should be in operation. I feel that the injury crisis is masking the real problems.

      1
      Reply
  7. Canarylad says

    9th October 2019 at 2:17 pm

    The same players that are missing or playing, leaked goals at a lower level last season, I would expect the very least the same, plus perhaps more given the opposition.

    1) The same players are being asked to play the same way with Zonal Marking. last season proved that there were problems. This has not been addressed in any way shape or form. Same Players Opposition tbetter quality. I do not think that Hanley can effectively play this system or play out from the back. To play both of these methods player must be capable to both.plus defend.

    Looking back at last season and so far this, only Godfrey can I select to do this. Klose possibly can but is prone to lapses and mistakes. Zimmo have not seen at this level . Hanley cannot, he is a little old fashioned centre back no disrespects in that If in doubt .hit row Z .. I would rather see Row Z hit instead of the net.

    2) Amadou brought in to replace/cover/give a hand to Tettey & Trybul As I am sure Thompson was never really considered to make it for this season, but I feel L1 is too low, to be a real value, only for pitch time.
    Failure to get in a centre back of least the same standard or better, has brought about the ineffectiveness of Amadou having to play elsewhere other than what he was acquired to play.

    Injuries always will happen, but not in this amount, if the injured player/s in the squad, it makes little difference if he was expected to start or not, He is injured cannot play or be used as cover . It does make a large difference managers options cut.

    It boils down to bad luck and failure in recruitment for once

    4
    Reply

Leave a Reply to Stewart Lewis Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

FIND MY FOOTBALL WRITER ON

As featured on NewsNow: Norwich City news” style=

Norwich City News 24/7

@NorwichCityMFW latest

Tweets by @NorwichCityMFW

#NCFC LATEST

mdfootyprogs MATCHDAY FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES @mdfootyprogs ·
33m

Norwich City v Wigan Athletic Official Matchday Programme 2022/2023 is now available via our website http://MATCHDAYFOOTBALLPROGRAMMES.COM #FootballProgramme #MatchdayProgramme #OfficialMatchdayProgramme #NCFC #WAFC #NorwichCity #WiganAthletic @NorwichCityFC @LaticsOfficial

Reply on Twitter 1557305667807068160 Retweet on Twitter 1557305667807068160 Like on Twitter 1557305667807068160 Twitter 1557305667807068160
tomdunning19 Thomas Dunning @tomdunning19 ·
35m

WE GOT ANGUS , ANGUS IN GOAL #NCFC

Reply on Twitter 1557305270396764160 Retweet on Twitter 1557305270396764160 Like on Twitter 1557305270396764160 Twitter 1557305270396764160
justkickittv The "Just Kick It!" Podcast @justkickittv ·
35m

Wallpaper worthy 😏💯 #NCFC

Reply on Twitter 1557305165887246337 Retweet on Twitter 1557305165887246337 Like on Twitter 1557305165887246337 Twitter 1557305165887246337
mobymooby Pete Morgan @mobymooby ·
35m

We were sat behind the goal when @JacobLungi scored this amazing goal. The weird thing was that when the ball got to this point it looked like it was coming straight at us and sailing way over the bar. The dip on it was incredible #ncfc

Reply on Twitter 1557305112133074944 Retweet on Twitter 1557305112133074944 2 Like on Twitter 1557305112133074944 1 Twitter 1557305112133074944
pinkun The Pink Un @pinkun ·
36m

An impressive 9⃣0⃣ minutes from Danel Sinani 👏

Would you like to see him start against Hull City?

#NCFC

Reply on Twitter 1557304899431432193 Retweet on Twitter 1557304899431432193 Like on Twitter 1557304899431432193 Twitter 1557304899431432193
Load More...

Copyright © 2022 21VC Ltd | All rights reserved | Not to be reproduced without prior permission.

Disclaimer: The information on this website consists of personal opinions. Whilst we have taken all reasonable steps to ensure that the information contained on these Web pages is accurate and correct at the time of writing we do not accept any liability whatsover for any loss or damage caused by reliance on this information.

We do not accept any responsibility for information contained in other websites to which this site links. We strongly advise users to check any information before acting or relying on it.

Developed and Hosted by