Norwich fan view on Boro breakdown podcast

Ex Footy Legs

Ex Footy Legs

Well-known member
Just listened to the Boro breakdown podcast and a view from a Norwich fan on tomorrows game. Seems all is not well at Norwich despite their position in the league. He is downbeat about Dean Smith's tenure and he was saying how they dont really have a style of football as such or identity. He explained how they have been lucky in some games and cant quite believe they are 4th. Theyve lost or drawn with the better teams in the league and his isn't sure how they will do vs Boro.

I'm now feeling even more confident of at least a draw tomorrow but with luck on our side I could potentially see a comfortable win for us. Norwich are clearly a bit 'fragile' or vulnerable if you dig deep enough against them by putting them under sustained pressure at home (where their fans will be expecting them to be on the front foot) or if we give a good account of ourselves and stay tight at the back I have a feeling we'll be able to pick them off.

You'd think that Norwich will surely want to try and dominate the play. Good luck with that with our newly found confidence....which will play right into our hands I believe.
Maybe i'm being too optimistic but I'm so looking forward to the game tomorrow....(don't think i'd be too disappointed even if we lose because I know in MC were moving forwards and his calmness will shine through)

UTB !
 
I've not listened, but surely this is all about expectations. They are a yoyo club and will expect to go back up comfortably. The fact that they are "only" 4th probably means that they are performing very well, but not "smashing the league". I expect a tough game, but hopefully we can get something out of it.
 
Otto42 said:
Yes, it's amazing how teams who are winning have a DNA and philosophy! We are a classic example, two good away wins and Carrick's a genius and found a style, lose a couple after the World Cup and he'll be a novice who doesn't understand the Championship :)
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Not from me.
MC was won me over in the first few weeks of listening to him ; because he knows his relationship with the players is the most important. Keep the players on board and give them mutual respect and you are half way there.
I also like what MC has done with the formation which reminds me of the best Fergusons teams. Two strong centre backs. The Core of the team down the centre was strong under Ferguson and I think that what MC has learnt from Fergie.
Chuba playing in the up front 'drop off' role also strengthens us down the centre as chuba helps out in midfield rather than just have two out and out strikers. Forss pace alongside Jones stretches opposition defences and gets us up the field ; again, another feature of Fergie's sides. Pace up front and on the wings (Giggs, kanchelsis etc...)
So many parallels with how Fergie set up his teams and the MC tactical set up which bodes well for me. And for all Fergie is known for the 'hairdryer' treatment at times I think on the whole he had very positive relationships with almost all his players.(which is critical ; man management is a great skill and Fergie had it in spades; hopefully MC does as well)

I think we will have ups and downs under MC (i'll be shocked if we don't) especially if he gets a couple of key injuries whether that's up front, in midfield or at the back.....because they do change things and restrict teams....
Future is bright though irrespective of what happens tomorrow....
 
Otto42 said:
Yes, it's amazing how teams who are winning have a DNA and philosophy! We are a classic example, two good away wins and Carrick's a genius and found a style, lose a couple after the World Cup and he'll be a novice who doesn't understand the Championship :)
Click to expand...
Likewise recruitment. Our recruitment and the staff involved has and have been slated for weeks on end, but not a peep has been said over the past fortnight.

Like when we signed Bola and Dijksteel and they struggled to step up, which led to Woodgate and the recruitment staff being slaughtered for signing them. Then Warnock gets a tune out of them and nobody says anything about who signed them, etc. As if it was obvious they were both good players all along.
 
One thing I do like about Carrick is that he isn’t talking of massive ambitions and huge rebuilds. I like his calm, low-key approach. It’s early days obviously but I feel the club and the players may really benefit from this sort of outlook. Calm, work hard, enjoy your football. The rest takes care of itself.
 
Ex Footy Legs said:
Not from me.
MC was won me over in the first few weeks of listening to him ; because he knows his relationship with the players is the most important. Keep the players on board and give them mutual respect and you are half way there.
I also like what MC has done with the formation which reminds me of the best Fergusons teams. Two strong centre backs. The Core of the team down the centre was strong under Ferguson and I think that what MC has learnt from Fergie.
Chuba playing in the up front 'drop off' role also strengthens us down the centre as chuba helps out in midfield rather than just have two out and out strikers. Forss pace alongside Jones stretches opposition defences and gets us up the field ; again, another feature of Fergie's sides. Pace up front and on the wings (Giggs, kanchelsis etc...)
So many parallels with how Fergie set up his teams and the MC tactical set up which bodes well for me. And for all Fergie is known for the 'hairdryer' treatment at times I think on the whole he had very positive relationships with almost all his players.(which is critical ; man management is a great skill and Fergie had it in spades; hopefully MC does as well)

I think we will have ups and downs under MC (i'll be shocked if we don't) especially if he gets a couple of key injuries whether that's up front, in midfield or at the back.....because they do change things and restrict teams....
Future is bright though irrespective of what happens tomorrow....
Click to expand...
For what it's worth I like the simplicity and organisation Carrick has brought. It's also good to hear him praise rather than slate players. However, I also thought we let Wilder down in the transfer market, treated Warnock, Woodgate, Karanka and Mowbray a bit shabbily and over hype Robson's achievements rather than Schteve Macs!!!!! So, what do I know?
 
viv_andersons_nana said:
Likewise recruitment. Our recruitment and the staff involved has and have been slated for weeks on end, but not a peep has been said over the past fortnight.

Like when we signed Bola and Dijksteel and they struggled to step up, which led to Woodgate and the recruitment staff being slaughtered for signing them. Then Warnock gets a tune out of them and nobody says anything about who signed them, etc. As if it was obvious they were both good players all along.
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Are these 2 in the team?
 
Steve Bee said:
Are these 2 in the team?
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“Like when…” i.e. not exactly the same, but similar.

Lenihan, Akpom, Forss, Steffen and McGree are in our team and playing well. The signings of each of those players has been used against the club’s recruitment policy/staff in recent months. You don’t hear anyone complaining about recruitment at the moment though.
 
viv_andersons_nana said:
One thing I do like about Carrick is that he isn’t talking of massive ambitions and huge rebuilds. I like his calm, low-key approach. It’s early days obviously but I feel the club and the players may really benefit from this sort of outlook. Calm, work hard, enjoy your football. The rest takes care of itself.
Click to expand...
Exactly this. No rambling on about how good or knowledgeable he is either. One step at a time and the focus is all about helping the players perform to the best of their ability. Simple as that.

I think one of the bigger problems with Warnock and definitely Wilder was they were always looking at the next transfer window or the next season (or in Wilder's case, his next job. Allegedly).

"next season I'll get us up",
"I know what players we need",
"attitude over ability" etc.

A lot to be said for just focusing on the here and now.
 
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This norwich game will be a big indication to where we are right now. It's Carrick's biggest test so far.
 
Steve Bee said:
Recruitment has been awful
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This is my point. People say recruitment is awful but seem annoyed when we’re not challenging at the top end, expecting poor players to achieve good results. I don’t quite understand how people join these things up. If we’re signing bad players then where do you expect us to be?

There are issues with recruitment just as there issues with recruitment at every club. What Carrick has done is instilled some confidence and positivity and shown that there is some quality in this squad, sometimes in place we didn’t think there would be. Wilder did this last year and through the winter. The key is consistency. As it is for every team in this league.

You look at people like Akpom and see that there is talent there. Lenihan looks solid. Steffen is a good ‘keeper, McGree has talent. The recruitment is just nowhere near as bad as some people would have us believe.

We’ve made big, expensive mistakes in the past and I think this colours people’s opinions. It’s almost as if every signing is sh*t because we signed Gestede and Assombalonga.

This squad does need some strengthening but it’s never been as bad as has been made out. It’s a top half squad IMO. It’s capable of pushing but it’s also capable of hovering around 16th, 17th. Which is the case for every club not in receipt of parachute payments.

A good coach, some confidence, some self belief and organisation, can take you a very long way in this league. The core of this group finished 7th last season. You’re talking about cigarette papers in terms of achieving stuff or missing out. You have to try and keep a sense of perspective.
 
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Ex Footy Legs said:
Just listened to the Boro breakdown podcast and a view from a Norwich fan on tomorrows game. Seems all is not well at Norwich despite their position in the league. He is downbeat about Dean Smith's tenure and he was saying how they dont really have a style of football as such or identity. He explained how they have been lucky in some games and cant quite believe they are 4th. Theyve lost or drawn with the better teams in the league and his isn't sure how they will do vs Boro.

I'm now feeling even more confident of at least a draw tomorrow but with luck on our side I could potentially see a comfortable win for us. Norwich are clearly a bit 'fragile' or vulnerable if you dig deep enough against them by putting them under sustained pressure at home (where their fans will be expecting them to be on the front foot) or if we give a good account of ourselves and stay tight at the back I have a feeling we'll be able to pick them off.

You'd think that Norwich will surely want to try and dominate the play. Good luck with that with our newly found confidence....which will play right into our hands I believe.
Maybe i'm being too optimistic but I'm so looking forward to the game tomorrow....(don't think i'd be too disappointed even if we lose because I know in MC were moving forwards and his calmness will shine through)

UTB !
Click to expand...
I think someone has hacked your account. I love the new optimism 👍🏻
 
Otto42 said:
For what it's worth I like the simplicity and organisation Carrick has brought. It's also good to hear him praise rather than slate players. However, I also thought we let Wilder down in the transfer market, treated Warnock, Woodgate, Karanka and Mowbray a bit shabbily and over hype Robson's achievements rather than Schteve Macs!!!!! So, what do I know?
Click to expand...
It's a simple game, over complicate it and you're on to a loser.

I'd have loved to see Robson managing the squad that Mac had in his last couple of seasons. We pushed the boat out for him big style. Our headline hitting signings under Robbo made up two or three of the side but look at the players Mac had at his disposal. He could blood kids because they were surrounded by class. Robbo blooded kids because he had no choice.
 
Ex Footy Legs said:
Just listened to the Boro breakdown podcast and a view from a Norwich fan on tomorrows game. Seems all is not well at Norwich despite their position in the league. He is downbeat about Dean Smith's tenure and he was saying how they dont really have a style of football as such or identity. He explained how they have been lucky in some games and cant quite believe they are 4th. Theyve lost or drawn with the better teams in the league and his isn't sure how they will do vs Boro.

I'm now feeling even more confident of at least a draw tomorrow but with luck on our side I could potentially see a comfortable win for us. Norwich are clearly a bit 'fragile' or vulnerable if you dig deep enough against them by putting them under sustained pressure at home (where their fans will be expecting them to be on the front foot) or if we give a good account of ourselves and stay tight at the back I have a feeling we'll be able to pick them off.

You'd think that Norwich will surely want to try and dominate the play. Good luck with that with our newly found confidence....which will play right into our hands I believe.
Maybe i'm being too optimistic but I'm so looking forward to the game tomorrow....(don't think i'd be too disappointed even if we lose because I know in MC were moving forwards and his calmness will shine through)

UTB !
Click to expand...
Refreshing to see Norwich have their fair share of doomsters and gloomsters as ourselves!
 
If players are brought in and don't play well, in fact play pretty terribly and have us in the bottom 3; the players, the manager and the recruitment team will be criticised.

If they then turn their form around and push us up the table, like they have done the players and the manager will be praised.
Thats happened as far as i can see.

The recruitment has been awful, we are way short in terms of quality and numbers. Wether thats down to the right players being available, money, wilder not being trusted... It doesn't matter the reason.

Mowett
Clarke
Luongo
Hoppe

All at the moment don't look good enough. This may change but ultimately we are way short and thats down to recruitment.
 
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