Norwich City and ‘injury stricken’ have become synonymous with each other.
Thankfully this season, City have managed to fight against the injuries that have plagued the first-team and currently sit comfortably at the top of the Championship.
But, given the size and depth of the current squad, who will miss out when everyone is fit? I’m talking here about players who have been first-team regulars in their time here, in particular Christoph Zimmerman, Onel Hernandez and Marco Stiepermann.
Firstly, Zimmerman. It’s no secret that when examined statistically it does not reflect all of the attributes he offers to the team; the main ones I‘m thinking about are fight, determination and the leadership. He is very much a character who leads by example. However, it is fair to say that City have been a significantly better defensive side this season when lining up without the German in the team.
The partnership of Ben Gibson and Grant Hanley has been much more successful. To start with, Hanley has an average match rating of 7.2 when playing this season, and Gibson 6.9, compared to Zimmerman’s 6.6. When playing together, Hanley and Gibson achieve an average of around 3.5 interceptions per game together (via WhoScored Stats) while Zimmerman achieves only 0.7 interceptions per game; a significantly lower average than Gibson and Hanley who each achieve around 1.7 per game.
Lastly but importantly, another reason Hanley and Gibson have edged out the German is his average passes per game, which is 44. This compares to Gibson’s 78 and Hanley’s 68. Zimmerman also has the lowest pass success rate out of all three defenders, despite taking far fewer passes per game: Zimmerman 83%, Gibson 86% and Hanley 89%. With the passing ability of defenders so key to the success of Farkeball, these numbers are telling.
Next, Hernandez. Onel has unfortunately picked up the label ‘injury prone’ – a tag that no footballer wants to be associated with – through no fault of his own, but has been forced to watch as players who play in his position have evolved into key players, specifically Todd Cantwell.
In the Championship-winning 2018/19 season, Todd only notched 24 appearances compared to Onel’s 40, and the Cuban chipped in with a fantastic return of eight goals and nine assists compared to Todd’s one goal and two assists.
In the few times we have seen Onel this season, most recently at Barnsley away in the cup, his performance have underwhelmed although, in fairness, fitness has been an ongoing issue. But even a fully fit Onel would struggle to displace Cantwell who has become a far more accomplished player since that 2018/19 season. Onel, so far in his appearances this season, has an overall Who Scored rating of 6.3 compared to Todd’s 7.24 and even his backup Placheta’s 6.99.
Lastly, let’s look at is Marco Stiepermann. I think it’s fair to describe his as Marmite in the way that some Norwich fans very much question if he is of the standard to continue to operate as Norwich City’s main number 10, while others still believe he holds the key to a free flowing Norwich City attack.
While I do agree that Stiepermann seems to have a telepathic connection to players such as Teemu Pukki and Emi Buendia, I find myself very much in the position that he may see the pass, but can he still make that pass? I find myself watching in frustration at the one too many touches which bounce off him and into possession of the opposition, and this reflects in his stats.
Stiepermann has only managed one goal and two assist from a total of 14 appearances, compared to Mario Vrancic’s three goals and three assists in 20 appearances. It is also worth noting that 10 of Vrancic’s appearances came as a substitute.
In terms of average match ratings, Vrancic has averaged 6.82 when playing at number 10, compared to Stiepermann’s 6.7. While this doesn’t offer a huge amount of room for discussion, it does highlight that Stiepermann has been out performed by someone who is a natural number 8. In terms of their passing statistics, Stiepermann attempts 26 passes with a success rate of 76%, compared to Vrancic, who attempts 30 passes with a higher success rate of 81%.
My overall point is that with all players at the disposal for Farke, will we even see players such as Zimmerman in the side unless there was an injury to Gibson or Hanley. With players such as Onel and Stiepermann, there could even be an argument to suggest that for Onel may not even make the bench, with younger players such as Josh Martin and Placheta being shown faith by Farke this season.
Similarly to Onel, Stiepermann may not make the side with players like Kieran Dowell and Mario Vrancic ahead of him in the pecking order.
I’d be interested to know how other Norwich City fans feel around the possibility that these three players may not even make the squad if/when everyone is fit.
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Farke has been ‘fortunate’ not to have this selection problem yet. When he hopefully eventually does, it will be a great problem to have.
Hi Chris,
Absolutely! A headache a manager always wants to have, is having too many good squad players. Says a lot about the depth of our squad that we are looking into squad players who have been fantastic over recent years and considering that we may have already ‘replaced’ them.
We have a large squad, deliberately so for this season specifically and that plan by Webber/Farke is working well to date. We will see if other teams around us with smaller squads manage to keep up with us, but somehow I doubt it.
I don’t think we will actually ever get to the stage where the whole squad is fully fit. At the moment, of the players you mention, Zimmermann and Stiepermann are out and Hernandez is only now returning from yet another injury. In terms of the first 11, I don’t think any of them will get a look in, but all 3 are squad members and will make most benches, once fit.
Assuming we complete the job and get promoted again, plus the world returns to something like normal for the 2021-22 season, the summer will see a massive turnover of players. Hernandez may get another shot at the Premier League as he was injured for most of the last effort, but Zimmermann and Stiepermann (plus a few others) have already shown that the step up is too big for them.
I suspect Farke will buy some experience for next season and make a slightly bigger effort at staying up. These players have been valuable in establishing his team, but time marches on. Together with Vrancic and Tettey (and possibly a couple more – Rupp and Maclean, maybe?) I don’t see them as a part of a Premier league 25 man squad.
Hi Stephen,
I love you’re point around how Onel didn’t really get a shot at the Premier League due to Covid breaks and injuries. I completely agree that if we do gain promotion, he may be given a proper shot, I do however feel like that may be impacted as to how much of a part he is able to play, if players such as Placheta, and even youngsters such as Josh Martin progress at a better rate than him.
I agree that Zimmerman and in particular Stiepermann did struggle to cope with the jump to the premier league, they are good backup at this level currently, with the depth we have to the side, especially Zimmerman being the only CB backup, and Stiepermann due to his interplay with the likes of Buendia and Pukki. However I won’t lie in saying I feel both players have declined in their games in the past year and are 1-2 signings in their positions away from not making the squad.
Any successful team requires perpetual search for improvement. Our ‘best’ side at home on a wet Wednesday evening may not be the team best equipped for an away trip on the Saturday. I believe it is only with the benefit of hindsight we know.
Confidence is the key and a run of games for any player will, more often than not, pay dividends. Our best performing players are those that play most often.
Injuries play such a huge role, Hernandez, Byram, Xavi, Marco, Zimbo, Rupp, Dowell, were all in the team until injury struck and when they come back would you believe in true Simon & Garfunkel fashion, (God bless Cecilia), someone’s taken their place!
DF & SW will know only to well that we need to be on the look out continually for replacements. Teemu has lost half a yard after getting injured last season, Idah & Hugill are not going to keep us in the Prem.
All three players you mention Alfie have lost their place due to injury/illness but when fit I would certainly still want them on the bench at least. However, if we gain promotion they may all have worked themselves out of a job.
Hi Colin
I totally agree with you at all junctures so you’ve saved me making a lengthy comment on what’s been a bit of a busy day!
The other day I was banging on about guilty pleasures on MFW and one I didn’t mention was watching test cricket on Sky while simultaneously following the Guardian’s live online coverage [Tim de Lisle & crew] who reference Simon & Garfunkel all the time.
Hi Colin,
Thank you so much for the reply. I really like you’re point around players perhaps, from a statistical stand point, as this is how I have directed this article; may show more true or comparable results with extended playing time, or consistently being in the side. I suppose my approach, particularly for Onel was looking at the players brought in already, such as Placheta, or even a youthful option in Josh Martin, could end up progressing more than Onel has been able too.
I would certainly be interested to see how someone like Zimmerman would now cope in the side, as I personally have the feeling that the level of consistency in recent times we have shown when defending may not be achievable with a player like Zimmerman, I suppose this was the angle I am trying to approach this topic, as there is no doubt, at this level, Zimmerman can be a real asset to the overall squad depth.
Personally Alfie I wonder how much Christoph Zimmerman has been affected by the injury he received by that absolutely dreadful Haller tackle in the West Ham game last season. Rumours about just how bad that injury that circulated last year were very, very worrying for the club, fans and mostly for the player.
On Onel, he definitely needs time to get up to speed, though if we do go up he maybe used as a impact sub mainly. I actually thought he was very good for an hour or so V Manchester City last season.
As for Marco, it seems the illness he has now been diagnosed with will have blunted his performances considerably.
The truth is if promotion is attained be ready for some well loved players departing and I do not just mean Emi, Todd or Max.
Hi Tim,
Thank you for responding to my article.
I certainly agree Zimmerman hasn’t been the same player as he was in the famous 2018/19 season, it could be very much due to that Haller tackle and the subsequent injuries he has faced, almost as a ‘domino effect’ situation, as he appears to be a player who very much relies on confidence when he plays. I suppose the only other angle to take is that with this Norwich side showing so much progression this season, I worry for players such as the 3 mentioned, that they may not get a chance to feature if we do go up and then again strengthen our side.
Onel due to his pace is someone who certainly can have a part to play in some degree, its just how small of a part that could become, not only due to his personal time being sidelined with injuries, but also with his ‘competition’ in Placheta and Josh Martin showing at this level they are very useful players.
Promotion will very much show as a double edged sword of sorts this season, as it will be great financially for the club, but will be the first real window where we see some true icons of the 2018/19 season depart from the club.
If the Stieperdude has Epstein-Barr, I really hope they really make sure he is fully recovered before they start to push him back towards fitness. I think he could be out for the rest of the season.
Obviously a completely different sport, but the damage that Mark Cavendish did by rushing back too early probably cost him the chance to match Eddie Merckx’s record at Le Tour.
Hi Will,
Thank you for replying to my article.
I agree, for not only the clubs sake, but for Marco’s sake, it is pivotal he isn’t rushed back. It’s an unpredictable time period for him, and I’m not sure either if we will see him return before the end of the season. Let’s hope he can return back soon.
With everyone available and match fit, our best XI looks like this:
Krul
Aarons Hanley Gibson Greek fella
Skipp Sorenson
Buendia McClean Cantwell
Pukki
That team gets us promoted.
Hi,
Thank you for replying to my article.
I agree with this line up (depending on how good the ‘greek fella’ is) The only area which could be up for debate in this side is the number 10. as McLean has been fantastic in recent times next to Skipp. However Sorensen in the cup fixture v Coventry looked a very competent player in the same role. Looking to be a selection headache for Farke no doubt.
Agree with the 11, all of whom would be ok if we get promoted.
Sadly, based on last season there are not many others in the squad who would get into a Premier League side