Norwich City v BORO
Carrow Road, Norwich
15h00, Sunday 27th October 2024
SKY SPORTS
|
|
Played |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
POS'n |
|
Norwich City |
11 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
19 |
13 |
17 |
7th |
|
BORO |
11 |
5 |
2 |
4 |
11 |
9 |
17 |
8th |
I notice that Deleriad was down to post an opening thread for this week-end’s fixture in Norfolk, but also that Delierad hasn’t been seen on the blog since early August. First of all, does anyone have his contact to check that everything is alright with him. Like someone else posted earlier in the week, I too miss his thoughtful posts. I hope that he is OK. In the meantime, I find myself with an hour to spare that I can knock up a quick starter in his absence.
I don’t know about all of you, but I am still buzzing after Wednesday evening’s game. For any Boro supporter that can be a worrying sensation. Did the performance and the result and a brilliant goal signify the start of something special, or just another example (as if we need any more) of Typical Boro setting us up to have all our expectations dashed again on the next outing… With the game being on a Sunday we will have to wait that little bit longer to find out. In fact, the clocks go back an hour overnight Saturday/Sunday, so we will have a little bit longer still to wait.
I think there are a couple of things worth pulling out from the post-match analyses where I think there is some consensus:
- Riley McGree should start
- Seny Dieng as first choice could be on borrowed time
- Finn Azaz is improving and plays better when McGree is there
- Neto Borges is not convincing and there is a case to start Isaiah Jones
Otherwise there is a decision for Carrick to make about who starts up front. Is ELL an impact sub for us, that can capitalise after Conway has spent 60 minutes tiring the opposition defence? Or, should he be restored to the starting line up following his (hopefully) confidence boosting goal? It would be interesting to hear what you think about what to do going forward. I think Carrick will go with the same starting XI, though I would prefer to see Jones in for Borges.
What about the opposition then. Boro playing Norwich over the last 5 or 6 years has given me the opportunity to engage in some cheeky banter with our CEO, who, for his sins, is a die-hard Canary. This year however we have a new man at the helm of the company so I am going to miss that bit of fun.
As things stand, Boro is tied with Norwich on 17 points, with them edging us with a superior goal difference of 6 to Boro’s 2. That is probably no surprise to any of us, that Boro have barely been unable to score a goal to save themselves all season.
Boro’s last five matched have yielded 3 wins and two defeats. For Norwich it has been 2 wins and 3 draws. More relevant perhaps is the overall Home and Away forms of these teams. Of the 5 league fixtures at Carrow Road, Norwich have won two and drawn 3, scoring an impressive 12 goals. Boro’s 5 away games this season so far have bought us 2 wins, but 5 defeats, with us scoring only 4 goals.
Norwich’s Borja Sainz is currently the top goal scorer in the Championship, having netted 8 times already. Team-mate Josh Sargent is 5th in that table, with 4 goals. Impressive goal-line clearances aside, there were still more than a couple of jittery moments in the Boro defence on Wednesday and up against these in-form strikers that could be a concern for us on Sunday. Trying to think of this with a little more positivity, our average of a goal a game coinciding with Norwich conceding an average of a goal a game at home should give us some confidence of finding the net. So, perhaps a one all score draw will be a good prediction. Certainly a draw would be a good result for us, but is it too much for us to hope we can come away with all three points? What do you all think?
Thank you, Powmill, for producing an excellent opener at short notice. I particularly appreciated your analysis of Norwich’s season to date.
I’m definitely still buzzing after Wednesday’s glorious win. I imagine it has also raised confidence and morale in the Boro dressing room. But our form is inconsistent and there is no guarantee that the terrific Boro of Wednesday will turn up again on Sunday! I agree with you that a draw would be a good result. What we mustn’t do is lose. I’d be happy with a draw, as that would maintain momentum before we then come to a run of relatively easier fixtures.
I notice that Deleriad was down to post an opening thread for this week-end’s fixture in Norfolk, but also that Delierad hasn’t been seen on the blog since early August. First of all, does anyone have his contact to check that everything is alright with him. Like someone else posted earlier in the week, I too miss his thoughtful posts. I hope that he is OK. In the meantime, I find myself with an hour to spare that I can knock up a quick starter in his absence.
- Neto Borges is not convincing and there is a case to start Isaiah Jones
Excellent work and on such a short notice. When I saw your starter the first time, I thought why you again? I was worried that my turn would be soon, too. But now I know that you were used as a supersub. A Fairclough - or even Fair Cloughie as my my autocorrection suggested.
I think Neto Borges had his best game on Wednesday. He defended superbly and he cleared away the two balls that Dieng slitted in front of their strikers.
But I agree that he did not play that well going forward. I wonder if this was due to the opposition and Carrick's instructions. Maybe?
But yes, he can improve a lot in goinging forward. But please remember he missed the pre-season, and he is playing in the Champioship for his first two months only. And he is steady in defending - I never though I would say that about a Brazilian player!
Up the Boro!
As Jarkko says, a supersub indeed! As you say put I'd LL on after fifty minutes or a bit later to stretch and pull their defence unless we are winning but even then it could be a sound tactic, fresh legs, speed and athleticism. Let's all hope that beautiful goal has boosted his confidence right up the scale.
I'm with Clive for a score draw and already worried about Clive's mention of a run of easier fixtures! Best wishes to everyone on Diasboro who has been suffering and in the sick bay, Exmil do not overdo it.
UTB,
John
Powmill
Well done I’ve written a preview at short notice before and actually it makes the Brain cells work that bit harder and it’s a great preview.
Guess where I’m writing this post?
No not the Marton oracle
It’s the James Cook centre for old Diasborians!
Came in at 3 am this morning !
Hope to get out to watch the game on Sunday !
OFB
@original-fat-bob. Sorry to hear of your incarceration at James Cook again; I hope you are soon released and feeling better with a win on Sunday to provide us all with a tonic. 😎
@Powmill-Naemore. Thanks PNM for another excellent read produced at short notice; it’s concerning that we have not heard from Deleriad for some time and hope he is ok. Can Werdermouth help as he has access to email addresses?
A point at Norwich would be good, three points would be excellent but given our inconsistency nil points are just as likely, I hope not but remain to be convinced that we are able to go on that much needed winning run given the numerous false dawns.
I have fingers crossed that Wednesday was the start of a non losing run at least and given our recent performances at Carrow Road we could be in with a shout, albeit it will be probably as tough a match as Wednesday.
Same team to start for me and definitely not Jones at left back; he has trouble enough crossing with his right foot and his defending ranges from excellent to poor on any given day for me.
He can come on for Doak in the 85th minute when the points will be in the bag, please. 😎
Oh no. Not again. Have you got your season tickets mixed up perhaps ?
I hope that you do get out to see the game on the TV on Sunday - but more than that I hope you do get out because you will be feeling better. I also hope your consultant will be able to get things sorted more reliably for you too.
Take care and try to get some sleep overnight this time.
...
I should have read all the posts before responding. I can see you are on the way home ow. Let's keep it that way please 🤞
Thanks for your last minute starter, Powmill - not that it seemed rushed or less than excellent.
We’ve just got back from Scotland with a drive over a very foggy/misty A66 - hopefully the fug will lift for a sporting weekend on TV. Lionesses tonight then England RL vs Samoa & the Boro on Sunday (I’ll have to record the RL to watch after Boro’s win 😉)
ofb - glad you home - keep safe.
@original-fat-bob. Thank you, good to hear he sounds fine and you have been allowed home. 😎
I would take a draw now. 4 points vs the Blades and Canaries would be a good return. We need to find some consistency so Sunday would be a good time to start. November sees 4 games out of 6 at home so fingers crossed we can make it count from now on. UTB
An excellent opener Powmill, and I agree with your sentiments.
Latte Lath really came good as our mainline striker at the end of last season, but early on I thought he was at his most irresistible when coming on as a second half sub against tiring defenders. That is what happened during our great win at Sunderland, Coburn having done the hard physical labour for the first hour.
Having Conway giving his all for 60-70 minutes and then bringing on Latte Lath seems like an excellent option to me.
I'm not impressed by Borges. He offers little going forward, being content to recycle the ball for the most part. Defensively he is far too slow in getting back to cover his man. It happened yet again last Wednesday, when Edmundson was exposed to Sheffield's winger and a goal was only averted by Ayling's goal line clearance.
Jones played well on the left when he was first introduced as a sub by Warnock, and I'd go along with the idea suggested by many on here of playing him as an attacking wing back. The prospect of having some pace and creativity on the left would certainly make a change and would be an exciting prospect.
Jarkko mentioned the U21s' match against Aston Villa towards the end of the SheffU thread, as Dael Fry & Marcus Forss were due to play. The match finished 4-2 to Boro, with Fry playing the first half & Forss being sub'ed in the 62nd minute; young Hazeem Bakre scored a hat trick. Boro had 13 shots on goal, seven of them on target (AV 17/5). The youngsters also racked up four yellow cards!
@powmillnaemore Thank you so much for stepping in with the Headliner, well done.
It is nearly impossible to say anything about Sunday’s game, other than anything could happen, one of the teams is MFC.
I think Carrick will go with the same team if there are no niggles. I cannot see him dropping Conway and doing his confidence no good at all.
The only solution I can see to the LB issue, if we were to drop Borges, which I do not see MC doing. Has he been that bad?.
That is to consider three at the back, VDB, Edmundson and Clarke. Then Ayling and one other as the Left wing back. However that would mean losing one of the three. Not a change Carrick will consider I believe.
As for Jones at left back. Firstly he is not a defender, although he does get and cover well. Secondly he is right footed, so would probably end up like Hamilton and tend to come inside taking space, of which there is very little, when Boro play the slow pass, pass and pass again routine.
Same team, no mistakes please Dieng and about time we had some goals scored. 🤞🤞
A friend with a Norwich season ticket has offered me a trip to Carrow Road tomorrow in the next seat to his. Sadly we'll be away up in Northumberland in Embleton near Alnwick at a family gathering. How damned predictable! Never mind there's always the good old radio, will I get Radio Tees up there? Who knows.
UTB,
John
OFB, glad to hear it was a short visit to James Cook, hopefully you are feeling better and they sort out your problem soon.
Powmill-Naemore, great opener and like you I am still buzzing about Wednesday performance and result. With regards to starting Lath I think we should give him chance to build on his finish, Conway did a lot of running about but I never felt confident he would score, whereas given support in the box I believe Lath would go on a run.
Come on BORO.
@john-richardson you should be able to get Radio Tees on the BBC Sounds app to listen over the internet.
Thanks Powmill, the visit was put in place in February to spread mum-in-laws ashes near Bamburgh, it's quite amazing the way 'coincidence' works.
UTB,
John
PS He's bringing me a programme back!
Looks like it’s going to be …
SIR GARETH SOUTHGATE
OFB
Maybe I have not remembered correctly, but I'm not sure you can get the commentary online (eg BBC Sounds). I seem to remember hearing something like "I'm sorry but we cannot bring you the coverage you were looking for. This may be for contractual reasons or technical reasons...". You CAN get it on services that can be geolocated to the area around Teesside via BBCTees radio or by digital TV but obviously that works only in the north east of England. Unless it's on SkyTV of course....
@forever-dormo I can listen to BBC Tees via the app while driving my car on a long trip here in Finland.
But when the Boro match starts, the same message appears as per you said, Dormo. Hence I have to switch to BoroLive at mfc.co.uk
So for constructial reasons, the Boro commentary can be heard only on Teesside. So try a radio and tune to BBC Radio Tees. The other option is to buy a pass for BoroLive from mfc.co.uk when out side of Teesside.
I hope this helps. Up the Boro!
Many thanks Powmill for stepping in and producing a super starter at short notice - I can only presume Deleriad didn't hear Delia shouting "Where are you? Let's be havin' you" - but thankfully you did 😉
I'm just about recovered for the game after catching a bug that wasn't covid (had it last month) or flu (had the jab last month) - either way another one off my list!
So Boro have an opportunity to climb into the top six today if they perform at the same level as they have shown in midweek - at least with the clocks going back we may almost see the game under floodlights by the end.
Be interesting to see if Carrick makes any changes and opts for Latte Lath from the off - he may well do having only dropped him for not scoring. I'm sure Howson will also be itching to play against his old club but I suspect it will be the bench for him given Hackney and Morris have looked a good pairing.
Defensively, I wonder if there's an option to play the left-footed Clarke at left-back as given Borges isn't really offering much going forward then who would be the better defender?
Though probably we won't see too many unenforced changes as there's only been a few days in between games so not much time to try anything new out.
Here's hoping to see Boro on 20 points come six o'clock!
I missed the game live on Wednesday but saw it on sky tv. The Boro hospitality manager messaged me to see if I was ok then sent me a Boro v Sheff Utd programme in the post to my house.
Its nice touches like this that reminds you that Boro are more than just a football club they are part of the greater community!
Do I see them coming ?
What are those on the horizon?
Can it be ?
Yes !
it’s the eyeballs 👀 in the sky !
We haven’t seen them for a while John !
OFB
Team News: Dijksteel returns at right-back with Ayling on the bench - Conway also starts with Latte Lath waiting to be super-sub again...
I think commentary is on TALKSPORT 2
philip of Huddersfield
Mrs Dormo is recovering from her catatract operation. Yesterday morning it looked as though she had an absolute shiner of a black eye (with red where there used to be white). It wasn't me, Guv! Today things are much better though she might have wanted to wear sunglasses if she went outside. She will be as right as rain in a couple of days, no doubt able to read a newspaper headline at 400 yards, and I look forward to laughing at all the hospital visits we've had over the last two years, in a couple of months.
We had our covid jabs and 'flu jabs eight days ago. As usual, she had mild 'flu symptoms for a couple of days, sweating one moment, cold the next and unable to sleep, but that had cleared up in time for the cataract operation on Friday just gone. As usual, I had no symptoms from the jabs but my arms about 6 inches below the place they were injected on the shoulder/arm muscle (I had one jab in each arm) became firm, red and tender for a few days. All fine now.
What with @werdermouth's last couple of months, OFB's in-out-in-out-shake-it-all-about visits to JCUH, and the various other treatments and operations undergone by some of the regular posters on here, I wouldn't like to have the pay the medical bills if they had to be paid privately! Still, we have survived another week and now look forward to Norwich (A) a little less in trepidation than we would have done a week ago. I still think it will be a difficult game for Boro but I suspect Norwich will feel the same way about it.
OFB's Eyeballs in the Sky would be a satisfactory result against a team doing OK in the league, at their place. If you'd asked me immediately after the Bristol City debacle (that's not too strong a word, is it?) I'd have predicted a stuffing for Boro at Norwich. Of course, with football in general and Boro in particular, it could still go that way. But I have a sort of feeling that, if we removed the ceiling...
I'll dive into the deep end. A 0-1 or 1-2 win for Boro. There, I've done it. No going back now (but, equally, you can see why I'm not a betting man).
#UTB and all that....
@forever-dormo. Good to hear all has gone well with Mrs FD’s operation and she will soon be able to keep an even clearer beady eye on you!😎
@werdermouth. Sounds like a good call defensively as I believe Norwich have a few speedy wide men and Ayling struggles against pace. 😎