Once upon a time, Norwich would disregard the cup as a distraction. Now with Neil Adams, would it be any different? The answer: ‘absolutely not’.
The game began as it ended; Norwich were lacklustre and hesitant, and consequently outplayed by the League Two side. The fixture created opportunities for many fringe players, but when they got the chance to start, many hopelessly unimpressed.
Setting up in a standard 442, Norwich approached the game expecting to easily beat Shrewsbury, but it soon became clear that doing so would be no easy job. Immediately we looked laboured, and although we controlled possession, the majority of passes were going sideways. For what Shrewsbury lacked in genuine quality, they made up in compact structure and discipline, and Norwich had no idea how to break them down. Odjidja and Bennett got lost out on the wings, and when they received the balls often disappointed – both looked scared to take their full backs on. Consequently, Norwich looked to go through the middle but Howson let the game slowly pass him by.
On one of the few occasions Norwich delivered a good ball into the box, Kyle Lafferty got his head to it, but from about 8 yards out, managed to put it over. Huge chance missed – poor show from Lafferty.
Shrewsbury pushed and pushed, with number 14 Wesolowski pulling the strings. Unfortunately, our number 14 Wes was nowhere to be seen – it was the sort of game he could have thrived in too, as Shrewsbury weren’t a physical side, nor were they one who liked to lump it. Howson just wasn’t cutting it as his replacement.
Rudd made some smart saves to deny the home side taking the lead, but the pressure and belief was building.
Going into the break at 0-0, I wasn’t overly worried. Of course, the last 45 minutes had been little short of dreadful, but I just felt if we were even half decent we would turn this side over. And considering recent second half form, I was hoping a stern team talk from Adams would give the boys the edge they lacked.
The second half continued where it left off, and within 10 minutes of the restart, Shrewsbury found a breakthrough. A long floated free kick was enough to send the three quarter Spanish defence into panic. The cluster of Norwich players in the box collectively failed to win the first header, and then the second. Some indecisive goalkeeping from Rudd didn’t help affairs and before we knew it a James Collins header was nestling in the back of the net. The Luton nightmare swirled around the heads of those who played that day and all the fans who remember it all too well. Obviously Shrewsbury are not non-league and we’re not Premiership, but the same negative cup feelings came flooding back.
An inexperienced bench held no knight in shining armour to save Norwich in this story. Josh Murphy and Jamar Loza marginally increased the tempo as the need for a goal suddenly became apparent.
In fact the Norwich fans thought the goal had finally come when Loza lashed a left footed shot into the net, but was deemed to be offside. As the embarrassing celebrations died away, Lafferty did his best to get sent off. Firstly involved in a scrap following a notably poor challenge on himself. He received a yellow card for dissent, before throwing a high foot at Grandison in a late challenge. The hostile noise around the stadium told you that the hunking centre back doesn’t hit the floor easily.
Lafferty was quickly becoming the villain.
He escaped a second yellow card – how I’m not sure – probably because the referee wanted to add another unconvincing decision to a long list that he had been working on during the game. Lafferty was replaced by Cameron King to avoid inevitably committing another foul.
Whittaker came close, driving across goal and just wide. Murphy also missed a free header, however it would have required a Grant Holt ‘bullet’ to go in.
In Norwich’s efforts to get back, they nearly conceded again. Rudd beaten, luckily the post too.
Eventually the game came to an end – there was no happily ever after, after all. Shrewsbury relished what was a big win for them – no doubt they played well – but we didn’t make it anywhere near hard enough.
Rudd – 6 – played well in the first half and very quick to distribute ball. Hesitant for their goal.
Whittaker – 5 – Didn’t combine very well with the winger ahead of him. Then again given little cover, so struggled a bit all night.
Cuellar – 6 – Looked more adept than his partner, Miquel.
Miquel – 5 – Started off shakily and didn’t really improve.
Garrido – 6 – Similar to Whittaker – no cover. Bit slow driving forward, often choosing to pass backwards.
E.Bennett – 4 – No improvement on opening day at Wolves mare. Didn’t take on a player and beat them all night. Put in one good defensive block after losing ball initially.
O’Neil – 6 – Played some impressive cross field passes in an attempt to get the ball moving a bit quicker. Tired as game went on.
Howson – 4 – Where was the Howson we know and love? Obviously lacking game time, but didn’t get much of the ball and not having confidence to demand it and take the game to Shrewsbury.
Odjidja Ofoe – 4 – Doesn’t look like a winger, played like a very poor one. Offered little – better when more central.
Lafferty – 3 – Missed the best chance of the evening, fouled continuously and should have been sent off.
Hooper – 4 – Didn’t get much service but didn’t work to hard for it either. No combinations with strike partner all game.
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