What a weekend it was for Norwich, it has been 8 years since we last turned a 2 goal deficit into 3 points (Luton at home – 2006). Who would have expected after the first 45 minutes we saw that we would have smashed in 4 goals and walked away with 3 points – I certainly didn’t. It’s an absolute credit to Adams and the players we currently have that they were able to create such a memorable win, I don’t like to look in the past but it does come into my mind ‘could Hughton have done that’?
It’s been a hugely successful season so far, except for Wolves on the opening day of the season it’s been nearly faultless with attacking flair now drilled into the Canaries game. When you look at the state Fulham are now in, it could have easily been Norwich. If the board didn’t correctly deal with the situation we were in last season it could have easily deteriorated and we could have ended up wondering just what happened. I was hugely critical when Adams got the job, but he is starting to show the fans the qualities he clearly showed McNally and the rest of the board when they gave him the job.
It’s still hard to believe the contrast in quality from first half to second half at the weekend, it really was a ‘game of two halves’. Adams has said that he really did lay into the players at half time and that they needed it, it’s great to see that Adams has the ability to change things when he needs to, something that we all know Hughton just couldn’t do. Of course this isn’t an excuse to go behind in games though, we have started poorly in the majority of our games this season and that is an issue we need to look at.
On to Brentford anyway, a team that has only lost once at home in the past 21 games in the league, a record I’m sure you will agree is up there with the best. Just like Wolves, Brentford are flying high after last seasons promotion and laying in a respectable 6th place. Brentford also boast the talents of players such as Andre Grey who has started his career at Griffin Park well after his move from Luton where he scored 33 goals last season.
I expect Norwich to set up very similar to our outing in South Wales, the tall centre back pairing of Hooiveld and Turner worked well against Kenwyne Jones and kept him quiet for the majority of the game, I am fairly sure that it will be the same pairing against Brentford, until Bennett returns I’m confident Hooiveld can keep his place in an ever changing back line. Adams today told the media that Russell Martin may miss out due to a back strain, I really do hope this doesn’t mean the return of Whittaker who has been the weak link of the team all season.
The midfield duo of Tettey and Johnson has been formidable this season and I expect it to stay the same, the balance is perfect with both players knowing their limits very well. It seems the cohesion between the two is constantly improving, they are the pivot in this team.
Hoolahan split fans at the weekend and the argument of ‘has he still got it’ once again arose. In my opinion Wes needs to be played sparingly to get the best out of him and he needs the correct players around him; with the arrival of Vadis his place is certainly up for grabs.
Lafferty is another player that could be moved or dropped ahead of our game at Griffin Park, he’s been very unlucky so far, his career at Norwich got off to such a good start but has stalled in recent weeks, it doesn’t look like he enjoys life out on the left side, Adams needs to think about moving him more central to get the best out of the big man.
Predicted Lineup:
Everything is coming together at Norwich and this team really is a force to be reckoned with. We can not underestimate Brentford though who boast a fine home record and the players there are proving the critics wrong with some attractive football. Despite this I fully expect us to go there and pick up points, I would love to say 3 points but I think a 2-2 draw is looming.
