Match Day Thread Norwich City v Wycombe Wanderers Carrow Rd Sat 24th Oct ko 15.00hrs

77% possession 25 shots 6 on target 10 corners. One sided game another lucky result against a side who have lost all six of their games conceding 15 goals.

 

Vrancic the impact sub again late late drama again

 

Positives

Looking back a Wycombe's previous results, Blackburn aside, we scored as many goals or more against them as Swansea, Brentford, Reading & Luton.

Pukki (No 10 role) scored the sort of goal he was scoring regulary when we got promoted

We're in a play off position

3 wins in a row

DF's use of Vrancic as a super sub gets a result again

 

So far this season reminds me so much of the start of the post-relegation season under Neil. Picking up points but playing poorly.

We should get a good idea over the next four games whether this season will go the same way as that, or whether we can lift our game once we play against teams who try to beat us rather than play not to lose.

I have no idea what to expect.

 

Because unlike you,and your previous posts prove it.I rate Mario immensly,and one of the few on here to fight his corner.If he can turn games in 20mins,what might he do with a start.
Just admit you dont rate him (post 30)

 

Indeed. I will be making no predictions for these next 4 games and just see where we are at the end of them. If still in the top 6 I think I will be surprised but confident that we don't need to be as good as last time to go up.

The only problem with that would be that we will be worse in the PL than we were last time

 

He’s best off the bench, as proven here and by his previous performances, which is what most others were saying above.

I really like him as a player, but he’s far and away strongest against tired legs. You need impact subs.

 

I concur

 

I thought you might

 

How can you say that,when you never see him from the start?

 

Give it a rest ffs

 

What about you.
It aint your forum,even if you act as if it is

 

Eh? He started six matches last season (we lost four and drew two)

And he started plenty in our Championship season.

 

I thought we were talking about this season and opposition,not his career?

 

You do talk some S**t. I don't think I've ever said I don't rate him.

DF used him today in the way the majority of poster who gave a opinion thought he should use him and it worked, albeit that he scored from a set piece. If the only consideration was who in the squad could take a decent free kick then I think most posters on here would have him as one of the first 3 names on the team sheet.

 

See your Post no30.
Says it all for me

 

I agree with you that Mario is arguably our most natural number 10, but, as with Tettey, his age is against him for starting games. He isn't just about free kicks either - only Pukki has more goals for City (out of our current players).

 

I think his career is relevant here because we are judging what we know about him. Neither you nor I can have an opinion on how good he is starting matches this season, because he hasn’t. So we would both be shouting at the waves.

Take last championship when we won: he was a key player.

Off the bench he averaged roughly a goal plus an assist every 100 minutes.

When starting he averaged a goal every 160 minutes or so (still pretty stellar) and an assist every 290 minutes or so.

Now we’ve argued that stats are imperfect beasts, which I agree with. However, my opinion - and it is my opinion - is he is more dangerous at the end of the game. His creativity and clever play just seems to benefit then. That’s how I see it. And for the one season where he was stand out (even when starting), I think it’s interesting that the stats support that.

That’s just a view though - and you’re welcome to your own. Frankly, I expect Farke to start Vrancic next match because players should be able to earn starting roles. Farke might not, but I think he should and I would applaud it. But I will still believe Vrancic is most effective towards the end of matches.

And I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back on the bench before long.

He’s just too useful at changing games and confusing defences.

 

Soto is our player, currently loaned out because, USA international matches being cancelled due to the pandemic, he couldn't tot up the number of caps required for a UK work permit.

 

Here it is

Where does it say I don't rate him ?

Post number 13 might clarify things a bit for you.

I would add that Vrancic is in the twilight of his career and won't play a significant role next season if we're in the PL in the Championship. May have another year in him if we drop down to L1 like you've predicted. I prefer to play younger developing players that are only going to get better with game time.

So we started like we did against Birmingham & Vrancic came on as a super sub and we got the same result, 3 points. I still don't see why you'd feel smug as clearly you wanted to do something different.