To take my earlier post and put it as a graphic, as compared to the 11-12 season and 12-13 season (with teams placed as equivalent to the season's previous ranking, minus us from the list and deeming the promoted teams as in the PL in the position they were promoted) 2021/22 running total: 8 points 2011/12 equivalent running total: 13 points 2012/13 equivalent running total: 12 points In my earlier calculations I missed a point for Lambert's team. Worth noting that six of those twelve points from Hughton's season came in the away game to Man City and the home game to Arsenal - we had some sensational results that year.
If we look at the Pinkun graph again, the key point will be where we are when we hit the halfway point of 19 games, having played every other team: The survival teams were on or above 20 points, or slightly above a point a game. Currently we're 4 points down on a 'point a game', so we need 11 points from the next 7 games to be moving away from the relegation zone. That could be done with 3 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses. We've just taken 7 points from our last 5 games and now have the new manager bounce going on. If we could beat Wolves at home and Newcastle away (a big ask, I know) we would then be on course with 14 points from 14 games, leaving 5 points needed from the next 5 games. It's also about how the teams just above us do over those games. Leeds, for example, still have to play Chelsea, ManCity, Arsenal and Liverpool before the 19 game halfway point.
I've been looking at the remaining games for the teams around us. We can only control our own performances, but we've played our toughest games in this half of the season and others haven't. Southampton still have to play Liverpool, Arsenal, West Ham and Spurs. Leeds still have to play ManCity, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool before Boxing Day. Newcastle have to play Arsenal, Liverpool, ManCity and ManUtd. Watford have to play ManCity, West Ham and Chelsea. Villa have to play ManCity, Liverpool and Chelsea. Brentford have yet to play Spurs, ManUtd and ManCity Burnley like ourselves, have yet to play Spurs, ManUtd and West Ham Those games could help our position at the halfway point.
It's remarkable that we're only 1 goal down against the 5 teams in the bottom 8 places we've played so far (7/6). Interesting to see where goal differences are for all 8 teams at the halfway point.
Reported today that there has been a rift between Delia/Michael and SW. it’s reported (don’t know how true all this is) that Delia/Micheal wanted DF sacked in the summer and that they consider the money spent on players (£60m) has been wasted as they have not delivered as expected. If this rumour is true, then it comes at a bad time when NCFC are hoping to avoid relegation. Any disruption in the club will probably have a detrimental effect.
Reported where, please? Obviously, I really hope this isn't true. EDIT: No need to reply. Just seen the source cited on another thread. Sorry.
The source is Football Insider which, as the name implies, claims to have inside knowledge, but you need to read carefully to pick out the speculative nature of the claims. It starts with a claim of "sources", but that then becomes "a Norwich source". That isn't even the usual "source within the club" - it could be a fan or just somebody who lives in Norwich and thinks he's itk. It then goes on to "it is believed" (anybody can believe anything) and then cites "disquiet in the boardroom at the poor return on a summer signing spree that cost the club £60million" without any attempt to source that comment. That is followed by: "his (Webber's) contract is due to expire at the end of the season and, barring an unlikely turnaround, he is not expected to extend it." The recent discussions of Webber going on to a rolling contract next year are completely ignored (perhaps through ignorance). All of this is complete blog speak written by somebody who has little knowledge of the club but want to get clicks from Norwich fans like TalkSport did with their announcement that Lampard was going to be our new Head Coach. It's all sh*te like the rumours of Todd having it off with Gilmour's girlfriend or his supposed 'fisticuffs' with Hanley. https://www.footballinsider247.com/...eave-norwich-after-fall-out-with-delia-smith/
Beundia not even on bench for Villa today. I wonder if DS will seek a loan in January? Perhaps with the way he has the team set up, Beundia wouldn’t get a start now?
Good read from Gary Gowers: https://norwichcity.myfootballwrite...ree-but-city-now-appear-premier-league-ready/ The improvement in recent games is very encouraging. It seems to be a combination of the new players settling in at last and a 4-3-3 formation to make the most of that. The striking difference is also the extra intensity and bite which is showing now. That's partly due to the confidence that comes from getting good results and the new coaching from Smith and his team. We do look PL now and there are 25 games to get the points we need if we can build on that. Three games in beaten is a good way to start.
He was on the bench yesterday, came on and created the opportunity that got Villa’s second goal. Would love to have him back on loan though…
That's true as well, Rob, but we have used the whole squad so far, as Rupp showed when he came on. The injury to Normann is a concern, but Lucas's performance helped in that regard. At least we have a much deeper squad now when injuries occur.
The biggest improvement IMO has been in how we press. We are now actually hunting the ball down and trying to regain possession higher up the pitch. Latterly under DF, we barely pressed at all, dropping back and waiting for the opposition to yield possession close to our box -- followed by a hoof forward and repeat of the same cycle.
Agreed, Sargent and Pukki seemed to be the only ones harrying under Farke. The team seems more together and organised when it does it now
I watched the AV match on Match of the Day and thought the commentator said that he was not in the starting 11. Thought he implied that he wasn’t even in the squad. Looks like he is now considered an impact substitute.