A good game for the neutral? An overall fair result? Or merely an indicator of how our performances are likely to ebb and flow until this wretched transfer window is laid to rest? All three in my book.
Gary G summed up the game itself perfectly yesterday so I’ll just add a few observations.
Nothing has changed much at the back. It would be easy to castigate Ollie Skipp for a very naive push on Preston’s Ben Davies to give away a penalty and possibly for going awol when Scott Sinclair was given the freedom of the empty Barclay end just before half time, but he’s a young lad and has much to learn. That’s why Spurs loaned him to us in the first place of course. I really like him.
Interestingly midway through the second half Ben Godfrey – he of the heroic goal-line block – swapped sides with the very off-colour Zimbo which could have been for an obscure tactical reason, or, can we expect to see Ben Gibson at Bournemouth, which I think is quite possibly going to be the case. Gibson did not come here to sit on his butt and his time may have come.
Possibly the Bee Gees first gig.
Looking further forward, Kenny McLean has come in for a lot of stick and there is an argument for Godfrey to move further forward thus allowing a centre-back combo of Gibson and Zimbo. I don’t think Farke will go for that option as he seems adamant Godfrey is exclusively a centre-back and McLean appears to be the first name on the teamsheet after Tim Krul.
At the top of the shop, Teemu Pukki looks to have got a little bit of his mojo back courtesy of a break from the hapless Declan Rudd, with the same keeper denying him at the end with a terrific stop from the Finn’s instinctive near-post flick.
Onel Hernandez was outmuscled far too many times and when Adam Idah replaced him a tiring Preston rearguard did not like it. The enigmatic Przemyslaw Placheta missed an easier chance than he scored but oh boy did he keep his head up so there must be a big old bushel of self-belief there. I was really pleased for the lad when he got the equaliser, which led to a fair result, IMO anyway.
As for the early injury to Kieran Dowell, it looked as if they tried to give him the chance to run off an ankle problem but it didn’t work out and he had to quit for Placheta. As I understand it, any kind of ankle problem has to be encased in a protective boot these days and you can’t walk in one of those without crutches so let’s hope it’s all precautionary.
Our Emi has had suspensions plus a couple of niggling injuries. The latest one seems to be an aching shin after a training knock as late as Friday. Some conspiracy theorists are about but, for now, I’m taking it at face value. Who knows?
And then we have the typically passive-angry Daniel Farke who is saying the Max Aarons-Barca rumours emerged at just the wrong time. I’m not buying that one as Max will have been kept informed by his agents and the interest from the wobbling Catalan giants will hardly have come as a shock to him.
Max was still my man of the match on Saturday in any case – we’ll have to let it roll.
Surprisingly I found iFollow incredibly easy to navigate and the picture quality was really rather good. I wasn’t expecting the bonus of commentary from the Radio Norfolk team of Chris Goreham and on this occasion Darren Eadie, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I wasn’t quite so keen on the half time interlude but like all of us I’ve got a mute button and deployed it accordingly.
And wasn’t it wonderful to see [and hear] the mighty thousand who gave us so much backing!
Most of them hardly looked like Ultras but they did their bit and I hope they all had a fantastic afternoon.
I’ll join you all when full capacity is restored.
A very enjoyable read Martin on this lovely sunny morning before the onset of Autumn with a vengeance and households up and down the country turning the central heating back on.
IMO, a fair result on Saturday and I feel the team just needs to become a bit more ‘street-wise’ to some of the tactics that our opponents will use to thwart our natural passing game.
A needless penalty, but I’m sure that he’ll learn from it and will be a valuable addition to our midfield. Perhaps the paring of McLean and Skipp doesn’t offer enough resistance against a powerful opposition midfield.
As for the 2nd goal – ‘along come Norwich’ and so typical of many of the goals conceded over tha last few years. I’m sure some referees would have seen fit to dismiss Fisher for dissent, but when last did we get any help from the referee???
Idah is certainly a player with a BIG future ahead of him and it will be interesting to see how he develops in the next few years and hopefully that will be at Colney/CR.
Rumours aplenty around both Aarons and Buendia, but I’m quietly confident that at least one of them will still be here by the time Halloween comes round. Should either leave, then the NCFC bank account will show a VERY healthy positive balance
Yes, iFollow provide an acceptable service and it was great to hear the noise of REAL fans at the game. Let’s hope that the number of fans allowed to attend games is increased soon, but I can’t see anywhere being allowed a full stadium until after Easter at least.
Morning Ed
We are getting autumnal mornings here but summer still appears around 10am if you see what I mean. As for the central heating I swear Mrs P hides up the remote so I can’t find it. She usually emerges with it at the end of November and it disappears again in February. Luckily we’ve got a woodburner – no flashy electric controls on that for her to hide 🙂
It seemed that referee Brooks [not one I’m familiar with] let quite a lot go so what you say about Fisher doesn’t surprise me. I can’t remember the incident in detail but I’ll happily take your word for it.
As I said I cannot wait for this window to close and the never-ending speculation gets me down. But then it all starts up again in January fer Chrissakes!
Thanks a lot.
Brooks booked Fisher who promptly got in his face. It wasn’t much of a foul but it was (I think) his third, and there was an element of Hernandez complaining about it too. He chose to call the captain over to have a word, rather than immediately produce a second yellow. Personally I think is something that should be done a lot more.
There are times where football would benefit from the sin bin system – something I was quite familiar with in my hockey-playing days – and that was one of them. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, whatever – just cool down.
Great point Keith.
Sin bin works in rugby too and although I’ve never played hockey MFW’s Martin MacBlain has and is currently a coach.
It would be interesting to hear his views on this but I’d be all for it.
Cool down is the message.
Hi Martin. I also watched on iFollow, and like you it worked well for me, though some Pink’un forum posters said they had problems. In the past it apparently had problems with the commentary being significantly out of sync with the video, but that was fine this week.
The Barcelona situation is interesting, and it became a bit clearer this week when I saw that they have been blocked from signing Wynaldham from Liverpool because of some La Liga embargo they are under, which might explain why they were trying to do a loan deal for Max. Farke has said he wouldn’t let him go for £100M, so that’s sent out a marker to anyone who thinks they can get him cheaply. We wouldn’t get that much (unfortunately!) but it does send a message. Shame at least one of his efforts on goal didn’t go in, that would have improved his value. Bayern are also reported to be very interested.
Hi Jim
You’re quite right about Barca of course. Apparently Koeman has to sell to buy and there’s rumour of a defender going to Wolves for €40million.
How can a club like that, debatably the *best in the world* have reached this situation?
Anyway the sooner the tittle tattle ends the happier I will be.
Cheers
Agreed on iFollow. For the Huddersfield game the picture was fine, but the commentary out-of-sync. The only solution was to mute it. But they fixed that issue for Saturday.
Nice piece, Martin.
Thanks Stew.
It was so strange for me to watch a home match remotely – I honestly doubt I’ve ever done that before.
Still here’s hoping we’re all back together asap. Whenever that might be.
Thanks Martin; pretty much sums it all up as I see it too.
Apparently McLean is the first out-field name on DF’s team sheet….after the first 2 games of the season I wonder for how much longer?? With a youngster like Skipp also as a DM there, surely it cries out to have the experience of Tettey alongside him? Oh; and I think Zimbo needs a rest/clear head!
Still, I’d have taken 4 points from the first 2 games had they been offered.
Onwards to Bournemouth on Sunday!!
O T B C
Hi John
And that’s a fine synopsis from you, sir.
Cheers.
Hi Martin. Good read as normal. As I said last week, Kenny McLean as dm is pants, even when he’s on form it’s not that position. He can’t tackle, on the odd occasion he wins one he’s hobbling around for 20mins afterwards. For me should be on same plane as Trybull and Leitner. Keep well mate.
Hi Kev
I tried not to be too hard on McLean by pushing the negative comments on to third parties but in all truth I agree with you on a personal level too.
Pants is quite an appropriate word really although I am loath to slag individual players off too much as it doesn’t tend to help, but… you’re right mate!
Cheers
Pants are useful.
Awww! Kenny ain’t that bad. Is he?
Meanwhile I’ll continue with me boxers.
Lots of positivity there, Martin, and rightfully so after two games in and two reasonable results. If we listen carefully we may be able to hear the hammering and sawing as the platform starts to be built.
Hi Chris
Yes they ARE a pair of reasonable results all things considered.
What I can’t believe is that there are those who are already mentally constructing a platform for Farke [if you get what I mean] as while some feel he’s a little too safe in his job it’s far too early to be thinking like that.
If I were, say, a Forest fan I would be worried but that’s a different story.
Thanks
IFollow was fine for me though it’s not something I’ll pay for too often. Not being a season ticket holder it costs a tenner; there’s not even a discount for being a member of many years standing.
Zimbo’s long distribution was poor but when you look closely it was Godfrey that was asleep for their second goal, along with Skipp. Both Godfrey and Zim were marking Maguire. With BG on the right at that point he was the one who should have stepped out to meet Sinclair, once Skipp had let him go. In fact it was Godfrey who cleared leading to the corner before their penalty, not reacting in time to Krul’s call.
Have to say that Ledson looked to have the kind of through-the-middle pass in him that we were lacking on Saturday.
Cantwell was very disappointing. For their second goal he simply stands still watching 5 yards outside the box once Ledson’s pass has gone past him. He should have been haring back in. The way it worked out the rebound off Godfrey probably wouldn’t have been near him, but it could have gone anywhere and he should have been ready to react. OK, it’s not his primary role, but really good players make it their business to get involved when they need to.
It made me think of one of those moments on the Apprentice when Lord Sugar brings someone down to earth with something like “Yes, but you, what did you actually do on this task? Seems to me you stood in the background watching everyone else”.
Anyway, we started poorly and finished well. Both Skipp and Placheta kept their heads up after initial errors which is encouraging.
A lot of teams are going to try the high energy pressing game on us. That’s fine whilst they are relatively fresh in the season and for the first hour of a game. We’ll see how they get on in the last half hour in mid-November after several weeks of Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday games and the sort of niggling knocks that players have to put up with beginning to accumulate.
Hi Keith
Yes PNE’s Ledson impressed me too. He’s not even a regular starter for them as the #43 [I think] on his shirt portrayed but that through ball for Sinclair cut us open.
The two I left out of my article were Cantwell who did not impress me either and Xavi Quintilla who looked great going forward but was caught out of position a little too much for my liking. With Sam McCallum being loaned out to Coventry Quintilla is obviously perceived to be the main man for now but that seems a strange decision to me. The cover? Looks like it’s down to the Stieperdude although apparently Ben Gibson can play there.
As for the press even a very energetic and streetwise side like Preston couldn’t keep it up for the 90 and that’s in September.
Good comment.
Has Cantwell peaked? We’ll see.
Hi Martin
Just had a nice walk along the prom with grandson as he got the covid-19 negative test back yesterday so to return to your enjoyable read made it a good start to the day.
It seems all the papers are saying city are interested in getting Pritchard back from Huddersfield along with Brentford we must be collecting midfielders but do we want someone that was desperate to leave to a struggling premiership team.
Could the Barca enquires be another tack like the LIVARPOOL one then buy someone cheaper.
A N was his usual self moaning about city not getting a red card and a suspect hand ball that none of his team complained about.
Preston really went for it with lots of aggressive play and city will see a lot more from other teams so will quickly have to learn and adapt or lose games.
For the Bournemouth game I just wonder if Farke might change to 3 CB’s and Tettey with Skipp.
Lastly now that Macullum has gone out on loan and Byram not fit do we have adequate back up for LB seems a strange decision letting him go
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay safe and stay healthy
Hi Alex
As I said to Keith B above the Sam McCallum situation mystifies me.
And yes it was a classic piece of Alex Neil rhetoric but he’ll be pleased with that point, believe you me. He’d have taken it at kick off anyway.
This is just me but I don’t want Pritchard back. No ta. I’d rate that at the level of the [possibly spurious] Tw*tter rumour we want to bring James Husband back for LB cover, which to my mind is equally ludicrous. If Pritchard were that good he would be in the PL. And he is not, with no ostensible suitors either.
I wouldn’t mind three CBs at Bournemouth either but I doubt Farke will go for it.
Cheers
Morning Mr P, I’ll tag myself on the end here. good read. As to Max, I hav read he already agreed personal terms via his agent (curse on the game) before it broke. Read into that as you will. Probably a load of what they soon will be spreading in the fields.
There was not a hope in hell that Preston player was going to get anything on that ball, it would have sailed over towards the edge of the area. Master Skipp (ed) to hurriedly in to that one. The same old mistakes still keep cropping up at the back, think we will see Gibson and Godfrey in front of the cameras on Sunday.
Our Polish lad took his goal brilliantly, didn’t he leather that, his 1st chance was probably easier, but he made amends. seen the like of Sterling miss them so no disgrace. Watching the replays and had this little thought Declan may have helped us out a little, without looking so obvious, he made up for denying Pukki later.
It looks to me, that Idah is ahead of Hughill at the minute, but later on will tell when little more experience will be needed.
The decision to let Sam McCallum return on a season long loan, make me scratch where I ain’t itching. we now have no real cover for Quintilla if he get nobbled or suspended. I know we have players who can play in those position also, (Stieperman) but a square doesn’t always fit the rectangle hole. seen it too many times. If he is good enough for Coventry he is for us.
Then I read we are interested in getting Pritchard back. He of the could not wait to get away,-Stay there, the Grass isn’t always Greener, I am reminded of Could have been you Sammy Clingan , now plying his trade in Glenavon at semi-professional level.
Farke needs to work on his plan B as more teams have us sussed, press high stop the passing. but for some reason I am not holding my breath, hope I am wrong. early days so not fault finding.
Enjoy the lovely weather today, trying to tidy a few things up to se if I can have a walkie with my camera
Since the game was moved, not sure it is on TV might be on iFollow
Sky were advertising on the Friday schedule, but it’s not showing now it’s been moved to Sunday, so I presume they’ve just dropped it. The home game against Derby is on their schedule, though.
I think it’s on Sky.
Certainly not I-follow as weekend away games are not allowed on that platform, for EFL Championship clubs at least.
Both clubs are showing the game live to their supporters. 👍🏻
Thanks for that Chris – NCFC’s comms are currently superb so I’m sure we’ll all find out the details of availability closer to the time.
Hi Lad
I had no Idea where Sammy Clingan is now and I’m surprised he’s still playing at all to be completely honest. But I do remember the song against Coventry. It was unmercifully repeated whenever he took a corner and although he was completely professional about it it really must have hurt him to hear it.
The Idah/Hugill conundrum is interesting. Pukki is a hard-working sniffer as we all know by now, Hugill is old school and Idah offers something inbetween. To me that’s a hard choice for Farke but the one thing I do expect is that we will have two strikers on the bench for every game this season.
I can see Idah and Pukki together in a 4-4-2 but the young Irish lad looked very good on the right on Saturday so could certainly play in the 4-2-3-1. I don’t see Hugill as anything beyond an old fashioned targetman but there’s a long way to go yet.
Thanks a lot and keep you good.
An excellent analysis Martin.
For whatever reason, something clearly isn’t quite right. Too many appear to be not “at it”, we are starting poorly and for the second week running we have relied upon the bench to bale us out and garner a result.
Let’s start with the plus column. Placheta looks to have something, aside from crazy pace. He appears to be able to do something with the ball when he arrives at his destination, well,ahead of his opponent.
Idah is not just pressing his claims for inclusion, he is forcing them. He has the physique, the pace, the power and it would seem, the trickery. He can finish and he brings the best out of Teemu. Two players in one?
The aforementioned Teemu, I know Martin that you were feeling his best was behind him. It’s great to see his spark returning. Even if he doesn’t bag thirty goals this season, he should score and provide his fair share.
You mention the change of position for Godfrey as a possible nod to the impending inclusion of Gibson. Whether in place of the declining Zimmermann or,alongside in a three is a question for farke. But let’s not Fanny about here.
Quintilla has a superb touch and delivery. His defensive capabilities are more suited to wing back role, which would make a three man central defensive shield more sensible.
With McLean totally failing to impress, he should be the player to step aside, given the defensive capabilities of skipp. Although a repeat of his errors from Saturday should not be tolerated.
The lack of creativity provided thus far points to the restoration of Buendia if fit and still here, he is a one off at this level and of all the “big5” would be the most difficult to replace. In fact selling him now would send such a negative message to supporters, team mates and opponents alike that I feel it would be a massive problem.
Onto Bournemouth where I would expect a tough examination from a side with more than a sprinkling of premier league experience and pedigree. Unlike Luton, Preston or Huddersfield, I would expect Bournemouth to be a top six some come the seasons end. Can farke pick his best side and motivate it to get a result? We shall see.
Hi Chris
I’ve made no secret that I’m quite an admirer of Adam Idah. If we have a modicum of patience he could become the real deal.
Sure he’ll be sold off as soon as he’s had one or two successful seasons with us so he’s yet another we should enjoy while it lasts.
Maybe I was wrong about Teemu – with Idah and Placheta on the field he reminded me of an old dog with two new pups to play with – the ultimate life extension in doggy terms!
McLean as a permanent fixture is starting to get on my threepennies a bit. Some folks say *look what he does off the ball* and on Saturday I did. Not a lot imo.
Cheers mate
Forget to add: Bournemouth will be one heck of a toughie, for sure.