Alex Neil’s 6 game win streak seems a little while away now. Since smashing Ipswich 2-0, Norwich have managed just five points from four: a one-nil home loss to Wigan; a win away to a woeful Millwall; a 1-1 draw to promotion contenders Derby and, most recently, a disappointing 2-2 result at Huddersfield. This form has burdened City with the necessity to win on Saturday, as Nottingham Forest visit Carrow Road.
Forest are just adrift, but such is the nature of the top 8, any slip-ups are generally capitalised upon by someone. It’s constantly changing, shifting unnervingly like stress-stricken tectonic plates, yet this unpredictability is what has fans transfixed, hoping their team can overcome the obstacles. If Norwich wish to do just so, they certainly need to overturn the likes of Huddersfield; the point against Derby would have been a great result had Norwich managed, as expected, to beat the other two. Failing to do so means they are sliding again.
However, don’t man the panic stations yet; save that for Saturday is Norwich lose. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of company. As I say, it all moves very, very quickly. Promotion is still a huge possibility, but the oversubscribed automatic positions will quickly close themselves up to any tiring travellers. I still have faith Norwich can occupy one of those come May, and I feel many of the results recently have been a disappointing mix of mistakes, misfortune and a complacent mentality.
On Tuesday night, ex-Canary James Vaughan embarrassingly ripped his shirt off in celebration, receiving a second yellow card, only to find out he had not scored the winner. Jamar Loza snatched a goal right at the end making it 2-2. A grin stretched across his face from ear to ear, a moment he described as a ‘blur’ – one he will not forget. Who can blame him? The youngster’s first Norwich goal meant something – it meant Norwich had salvaged a point in the 98th minute when the referee had originally only allocated an extra 5. But for Neil, myself, and most of the Norwich fan base, that wasn’t enough. The City boss had no kind words to say – not one – and such frustration couldn’t have been more evident than when he immediately charged down the tunnel following the referee’s final whistle. When he was asked “How much pride do you take for going two-one down in the 95th minute, and still managing to get a point out of this game?”, his response was short, sharp and straight to the point: “None.”
The Derby 1-1 draw just days before was disappointing (especially considering Ruddy’s mistake), but a certain amount of respect had to be given to the high-flying opposition. But Huddersfield? They’re no amazing footballing outfit – and their league position shows that. Norwich created many chances, especially in the first half, but a lack of clinical nature proved their downfall. In fact, Alex Neil summed it up rather appropriately; “basically, we let in two sloppy goals, and didn’t score enough chances when we had them”. He’s not wrong; Hooper somehow managed to fluff a square ball from Howson, in what was a ‘golden opportunity’. At the other end of the pitch, Huddersfield were practically handed their two goals courtesy of some quite frankly laughable defending. While not all the blame can be rested on Martin’s shoulders, a good proportion of it can. His defending for the first was mindbogglingly poor – far too tight to his man, and far too static to react to Miller’s vaguely dynamic turn, standing statuesque and pathetically powerless. I’ve never been a big fan of him at centre-back, and although he has done an adequate job there are times this season, he’s undeniably better at right-back.
Next at Carrow Road then is Nottingham Forest. They were originally tipped for promotion, flying high courtesy of the free-scoring Assomabalonga, instigated by the deified Stuart Pierce and his momentous management. Now, one’s been sacked and the other is injured for the rest of the season.
The reverse fixture encapsulated a classic canary meltdown. One-up through the quick feet and composure of Howson, before throwing it away late in the game. That kept Pierce in the job for a little while longer – perhaps long enough for the damage to be resounding on their season. Dougie Freedman has since stamped his influence over the squad, winning 7 of 10, but it appears to be a case of ‘too little too late’. Mind you, Forest are second in the form table (last 6 games), having won 4, drawn one, and lost the other. That’s a little worrying. Forest look just too far adrift to challenge a very competitive top six this season, but there’s no doubting they’ll give it their best efforts – they will likely prove tough opponents.
Alex Neil must now find another game plan to adapt to the threat Forest pose. It was something which he did so well during that run of wins, but various factors mean we’ve fallen out of that rhythm. Norwich must be careful that like Vaughan, ex-Canary Henri Lansbury doesn’t have the same influential impact on the game.
Predicted Team
I expect to see the Redmond uninvolved, as I feel the midfield is better balanced without him, and generally more cover is provided for Whittaker. I hope, though don’t expect Martin to be replaced at centre back – Ryan Bennett is once again an option having returned from injury (but for how long?), while Cuellar is the other possible replacement. Alongside him Bassong has done nothing to complain about so far – a stark contrast to that nightmarish season he had with us and his previous disruptive attitude. Hoolahan with 9 assists this season, and the fact he’s recently scored against Millwall and Huddersfield, seems like someone you want in your team, even with my occasional resentments to his lack of strength and requirement of space. I would however play him in behind Jerome, in a 4-4-1-1 formation, perhaps bringing on Hooper if things aren’t going our way.
Verdict
I hate this bit of the preview. The prediction. Not just because I’m hopeless at it, but the fact that whenever I back us to win we lose…generally. And I hate predicting a loss. In all honesty though, I’m hoping, expecting, and predicting us to win 2-1. Anything less than a victory will be a major blow for Norwich, who really need to get back on track.
