Easy to see where Norwich City’s problems lie following Southampton stalemate
Kei Kamara shows his frustration in his first Premier League start as Artur Boruc collects the ball off his toes. Picture: Paul Chesterton / Kei Kamara
Paddy Davitt
Monday, March 11, 2013
10:50 AM
Norwich’s labours against Southampton graphically illustrated the struggle within their struggle for Premier League survival.
City’s enduring inability to fuse attacking creation with defensive solidity has emerged as one of the key sub-plots in a season which is incrementally edging towards safety.
Chris Hughton deployed two out-and-out frontmen against Everton and now the Saints, and Norwich have looked no more potent than in their best spells of the campaign, when Grant Holt has been the pivot around which Wes Hoolahan tended to operate.
Southampton swamped the Canaries in midfield areas – much as the Toffees successfully achieved in the previous home game. But for Holt’s late penalty miss the outcome may have been uncannily similar, yet that would still have provided scant justification for reinforcing City’s frontline.
Only the Saints’ own profligacy, allied to Mark Bunn’s defiance, kept the hosts in a position to strike a decisive late blow.
City can unleash as many strikers operating as far up the pitch as they want, but if the service remains sporadic Norwich’s forwards will continue to struggle to score the goals that will alleviate any lingering tension over the final run-in.
Kei Kamara earned a first start after two vibrant home cameos from the bench, but the Sporting Kansas City loanee fared no better than Luciano Becchio did against Fulham.
Saints’ centre-back pairing, Jose Fonte and Jos Hooiveld, clamped themselves onto Holt and the Sierra Leone international safe in the knowledge the Canaries only carried a rare threat in behind.
Anthony Pilkington’s exit with a fresh hamstring concern so early in the piece robbed Norwich of natural width down the left. Hoolahan, as his manager stated during the build up, is no direct replacement. The Irishman’s switch infield as the game elapsed underlined the point.
Hoolahan was arguably the one player in the home ranks who could have picked the inside pass and applied the requisite weight for Snodgrass to veer around Artur Boruc, until Maya Yoshida profited from a heavy final touch as the Scot tumbled.
Hughton’s activity in the January window and the revisions to a tried and trusted formula over recent weeks suggest he knows where the problem lies. Finding the solutions appears frustratingly elusive and may have to wait until this summer and a fresh chance to bolster a squad which retains a wonderfully resolute defensive outlook.
Southampton do not possess the star names of the Manchester United roster who brushed City so dismissively aside at Old Trafford the previous weekend but their lowly league status belies a refreshing commitment to attacking football. In players like the gifted Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez they have pace and athleticism in wide areas to support Rickie Lambert, who has made the same smooth transition to the big time as Holt managed last season. That cohesion and fluidity was in stark contrast to the fitful urgings of the hosts for long spells at Carrow Road.
Hughton is absolutely within his rights to state survival is not simply the overriding objective – it is the only objective given the financial disparity that will grow further when the new tranche of Premier League broadcast deals take effect in the close season. The relative arguments about entertainment and value for money pale against the all-encompassing need to be part of such an exclusive club for a third consecutive campaign.
Since the end of that club-record Premier League unbeaten run before Christmas, Norwich’s work appears constrained within a transitional phase of development under Hughton. The pieces are not fitting quite as seamlessly as they once were – the inevitable exertions of a long, hard season and the ebb and flow of both injuries and form have blown City slightly off course from the consistency they exhibited when overcoming the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Swansea. Top flight rivals have worked out Norwich’s solid game plan and found remedies to nullify the influence of Hoolahan.
Tottenham at home just days after the trauma of an FA Cup exit to Luton was the last occasion when City came anywhere near the vibrancy of their highest watermark. Hughton’s men were collectively magnificent that night until Gareth Bale’s brilliance and Bunn’s agility ensured Spurs left with a hard-earned point.
Hughton talks about fine margins and Boruc’s athleticism is all that prevented City looking down on a much lengthier list of rivals from the vantage point of 10th instead of 14th place after Newcastle’s Sunday win.
Southampton debated the validity of the penalty award with an haranguing of Mark Clattenburg that had echoes of the berating Andy D’Urso was subjected to by Roy Keane and his cohorts a decade ago. Mauricio Pochettino’s on field confrontation at the final whistle was needless encroachment that may still incur the wrath of the authorities.
Luke Shaw’s inexperience was exploited by Holt, but the prodigiously-talented youngster escaped a similar punishment in the first period with a clear tug back on the home captain as he closed in on Robert Snodgrass’ driven low cross.
Bunn was the busier of the two custodians. John Ruddy’s deputy has emerged from the large shadow cast by the England man with each passing month. He was outstanding in that recent Tottenham draw, the difference against QPR with a penalty stop of his own and here again he proved a reliable last line of defence.
Lallana was denied on numerous occasions, although the Saints’ skipper will know he should have despatched a sharp chance from 12 yards early in the second period when Javier Garrido could only divert a driven cross into his path. Gaston Ramirez’s impudent chip was met with a fine parry and Rodriguez was routinely repelled.
Bunn’s sure-footed balance on the floor was no less admirable with City’s defence determined to test his kicking abilities in treacherous conditions.
But for Norwich’s keeper to emerge as their premier performer tells its own story. It is the opposite end where the conundrum has to be solved.
More Sport news
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- Jack Yule earns crack at Brabazon Trophy
- Region’s stars are set for Royal Cromer Golf Club challenge
- Ian Ellis is warming up nicely
- Norwich City’s struggles to find the right midfield mixes
- Test your knowledge of Norwich City’s Premier League campaign with our end of season quiz
- Audio: Jonny Howson - Norwich City showed they can cope with pressure
- Russell Martin so proud of Norwich City’s achievement
- Robert Snodgrass tops Norwich City’s charts on way to Premier League safety
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30 comments
Why not indeed, GMF. Little Benno could have a lot to offer in that role, unless he`s already been marginalised by Calderdash.
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
It's simple, goals win games and we're not scoring many! 6 out of our last PL games have drawn blanks. CH is right, Wes isn't a replacement for PIlks, so why not switch Snoddy out left and try Elliott Bennett on the right?
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GMF
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Wiv; Inch as in "inching" and Worm as in "Slow"! Yellow marigolds of course.Your analogy much more apt. I just like that song ;-)
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Wiv, inch as in "inching", worm as in "slow";-). Your analogy is more fitting, I agree. Reminds me of when I was learning to swim. Being not a "natural" it was always a toss-up whether I`d reach the edge before I sank. That`s what scraping together these last few points feels like.
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Go into the Spanish Loan market and get a decent midfielder who can ..... there's a few here that could do the job and Norwich don't have any!
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dave123
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Go into the Spanish Loan market and get a decent midfielder who can ..... there's a few here that could do the job and Norwich don't have any!
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dave123
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Doc , shine on you crazy DIAMOND. Why not ,not been used for a while may catch a few out.
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wivenhoebudgie
Monday, March 11, 2013
Why not try a diamond?
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DocOhNo
Monday, March 11, 2013
I think we should brink Whitaker in for Martin, and keep 2 up front (Becchio and Holt at the moment) withy Wes behind them, operating Johnson in front of the centre backs. Wes has the ability to link play and drop deep - if he does this we still have 2 men to play to. The wide men will have to tackle back which may prevent a counter attack from them but with 2 big strikers hopefully they can hold the ball up for others to join in. End of the day there are loads of long balls from defence, intended as [asses or just booted up field so we can afford the hole in the middle.
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Midlands Canary
Monday, March 11, 2013
I have been saying that for weeks. that would be a very good move. Sometime Martin is too easily beaten on the flank. he was outstanding further in the middle. I cannot see anything but this working
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gordon52
Monday, March 11, 2013
What's marigold measuring got to do with it ! Its more like being on a slow boat and hoping you make safe harbour before the chasing storm gets you.
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wivenhoebudgie
Monday, March 11, 2013
There's a fairly simple solution to our problems here. What Hughton has to do is bring most of the midfield into his office (and Cafu I'm sorry to say after Saturday) and say "this is a yellow jersey, always try to pass the ball to someone wearing one. Preferably do this when he isn't surrounded by men wearing another jersey". Simples.
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DocOhNo
Monday, March 11, 2013
Hasn't this lack of goals been there right from the first pre season games. And still now nearing the end of the season it is still a major problem. Now forgive me here but isn,t this down to the coaching staff to sort out ? To score goals you have to attack and take the chances, setting aside that very good save by saints keeper, we created just 3 attempts and two on target. I reckon the penalty is included in that. there were times the players look scared to set foot out of their own half. (and not for the first time) Some of the players have forgot how to pass forward, Looking almost scared to, in case they make a mistake; but that is just what is happening This must not lose attitude, is far out weighing winning, they are forgetting how to shoot, score and win.
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gordon52
Monday, March 11, 2013
That old Hans Christian Andersen (?) song, "Inchworm" keeps coming to mind.
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Mad Brewer
Monday, March 11, 2013
The frustrating thing it that we've seen, we can play (i.e. Tottenham). So what's the problem now, confidence, management, training, tactics, I wish I knew. I also agree that the state of the pitch helped Southampton more than us and hope that Sunderland's pitch is in better condition. The article above was well written but one thing is for sure, the same scenario exists, that is if we draw (i.e. don't lose ) than the 3 point gap is maintained. Expect a defensive line up.
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Lobbo
Monday, March 11, 2013
The question is can Holt operate without family around him. I dont want to make excuses for him, but I wonder?
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sharky
Monday, March 11, 2013
Re the two penalties, had we been given the kosher one early on instead of the one that was a bit dubious in some peoples' opinion the whole course of the game could have been altered
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Muggas Budal
Monday, March 11, 2013
Re the two penalties, had we been given the kosher one early on instead of the one that was a bit dubious in some peoples' opinion the whole course of the game could have been altered
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Muggas Budal
Monday, March 11, 2013
Hard to tell what Holty was feeling - he`s a proud man and isn`t given to beating of hair and rending of breasts, etc. I hope he`s not losing his Mojo too!!
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Mad Brewer
Monday, March 11, 2013
Yes, richard, or maybe vice versa with Whits in midfield? Howson seems to have lost his Mojo.
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Mad Brewer
Monday, March 11, 2013
Also, was it just me or did I see virtually no emotional reaction from Holt on the missed penalty (I only saw what the BBC showed us...).
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richard
Monday, March 11, 2013
Whittaker at full back and Russell Martin into midfield instead of Howson? He's a tackler with an instinct for going forward. Any thoughts anyone?
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richard
Monday, March 11, 2013
kevin, I fear it`ll likely be more stagger than swagger. As long as we survive to carry on building.... Agree that Howson is not performing; he seems to have `lost it`. Shame, he looked very promising. Somehow doubt if Foxy`ll get a sniff; he`s way out of match practice. But we do have Whittaker (if truly fit) - surely a player of his experience could add something? He`s not had a lot of game time either, though.
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Mad Brewer
Monday, March 11, 2013
The trouble with our midfiled being constanly overun against teams is playing Howson. BJ has to do all the work whilst Howson keeps giving the ball away and can't tackle! No idea why we don't play Fox who can tackle and pass giving us much needed creativity. It might also help if CH was more realistic in his post match interviews. We were outplayed by the Saints in almost every department. On another day we could have been at least two or three down - thankfully, the conditions helped us more than it did Southampton. We need wins but it is hard to see where the goals are going to come from! No matter who plays upfront the service to them is next to non existent. KK should have been subbed a good 20 mins earlier - he was out on his feet - and a passenger - how come I could see that but CH could not??? Overall, we are likely to just make it over the line to safety but, the manner in which it will be achieved has not won many fans for Hughton.
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kevin rymell
Monday, March 11, 2013
Interesting that Battenburg eschewed the opportunity of awarding us a clear penalty in the 1st half, but made an eye-catching Melodrama out of awarding a dodgy one in the last seconds of added time. Twerp. Unlike Paddy, I don`t think just a couple of games playing two up front is enough to pass the judgement that it won`t work. The available frontmen are both new boys and Holty`s forgotten what it`s like to have a strike partner. Also, the potency of our midfield is diminished by the absence of the admirable Tettey. I agree, though, that we do not have "pace and athleticism" in midfield. Our midfield is unspectacular by comparison with Soton`s. Surely we can stagger over the line now? Would prefer swagger to stagger, though. Concur with Doc that a place should be found for Whits (if he is truly fit) - but maybe in the Tettey spot? A player with Steven`s experience of playing at European Club and International level must bring something extra to the party?
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Mad Brewer
Monday, March 11, 2013
Same starting line up as Saturday except forWhittaker in for Pilkingto and Lucifer in for KK. Bringon KK after 60-65 minutes as the Solskjaer type impact player.
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DocOhNo
Monday, March 11, 2013
3 points behind last year at this point is fine, but we were perhaps lucky last year given we didn't have a good run in as I recall. We do need a win in the next 2 games to take the pressure off and to give CH a bit of breathing space to try some fresh permutations...
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richard
Monday, March 11, 2013
We are in an interesting situation - 3 Points to the good and we are in the top 10. Three points less that what we currently have and we are teetering on the edge of a releagtion battle. Fact of the matter is 3 Points against Sunderland will settle the nerves. Draws at this stage are not much use, it's better to go for the wins. One win will yield the same number of points as three draws so go for WINS WINS WINS !!
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Dubai Canary
Monday, March 11, 2013
Yes agree a very good article. The last 4 home games is when City need their 12th man behind them 100% to ensure safety. We are only 3 points less than at this point last season so no reason to panic. So no negativity now. Lets turn the limp into a swagger. Interestingly over here in Brum Villa fans have voted that we will get relegated on the last day of the season! I think that's wishful thinking on their part #otbc
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Konrad54
Monday, March 11, 2013
Paddy, this is a very good summary of both the match on Saturday and our current situation. It is a limp to 'the finishing line' and a Summer overhaul.
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Kent Anglian
Monday, March 11, 2013