Thanks for that DH. Idah has now started in our last 4 games and he has visibly grown in the process as Shearer says in some detail: https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/alan-shearer-hails-ncfc-and-ireland-striker-idah-8624688 Suddenly it's like having a new striker and scoring threat as well with Pukki rather than replacing him. Anybody remember when we last started a game with 3 strikers?
Rafael Benitez has been sacked as Everton manager after less than seven months in charge. The Toffees appointed the former Liverpool manager, 61, as Carlo Ancelotti's successor in June. Everton, who lost 2-1 to Norwich City on Saturday, have won only one of their last 13 Premier League games and sit 15th in the table, six points above the relegation places. The club say an update on a permanent replacement will be made in due course. Everton held an emergency board meeting on Saturday to discuss Benitez's future following the defeat at Carrow Road, which was a ninth loss in the club's past 12 league games.
Unfortunate for Rafa, but can say it's been brewing at Goodison for a while, especially with him being a former red. Much like the Canaries however, this is symptomatic of issues running through the club, far greater than the managers office.
Interesting analysis of the tactical tweak that has brought Idah to the fore: https://www.the42.ie/adam-idah-goal-5656785-Jan2022/ Compared to his lone striker role against Palace, Idah looked a different player behind Pukki with freedom to look for overloads and shooting chances at West Ham. Against Everton he managed 3 shots including the goal and suddenly he looks the part. He also has the pace and power to get behind the defence and cut balls back into the box. The test now is to build on that at Watford.
The striker partnership is definitely showing promising early signs, and it's Idah dropping deeper that has most impressed me. There's been more guile with the ball and anticipation to seize possession than I thought he was capable of, considering his age/experience and how we've seen him play so far. I think for the first time this season, we've seen why the club have high hopes for Idah. He can finish, he's tall, strong and quick, and is now showing that he can drop deep and help in the buildup as well as make forward runs. I really hope he can kick on and show more of the same! I wonder if Smith will persist with this partnership for as long as possible, and change the shape behind them if necessary to reinforce central midfield. 3-5-2 perhaps in tougher games.
Spot on DH. His other attribute is his strength and pace on counter-attacks alongside Pukki like the goalscoring break against Everton. A two pronged break puts real pressure on the defence forcing split second decisions - far more effective than slow build-ups against an organised back line. That could also be very effective against the big teams from a 3-5-2 with the WBs providing the pace and width in attack, like Williams did against Everton.
The only trouble I see with 3-5-2 is that we Rashica and Sargent would have to drop out. Although their goals and assists aren’t great, Rashica is an excellent ball carrier that drives us up the pitch and he looks like he’s getting closer to scoring. Sargent also offers excellent pressing ability and defensive cover for Max.
Looks like Newcastle signed Hazard for £40m plus . https://www.football365.com/news/real-madrid-newcastle-bid-hazard-man-utd-van-de-beek
The article says be that Hazard has said no to the deal as has ManUtd's de Beek to a loan deal. Newcastle finding it takes more than splashing the cash when you're at the bottom of the table.
It's interesting to see who they can get in as they can pay bucket loads of cash, but who can they attract? Being out of the cup and in the relegation zone without a win in a while. If I were them I would try and raid leagues like Scotland, Scandinavia, Netherlands and Belgium for their best talent and you can have release clauses for relegation.
I'm waiting for news of Krul. I think this is going to be crucial, and I suspect it's going to be bad. Let's hope not.
Looks like we will playing in the orange/peach kit on Friday. Which got me thinking that we have played in this third kit a few times this season, but have we actually played in the black away kit?
Still waiting for news on Krul, but other injury news seems pretty positive: https://www.norfolklive.co.uk/sport...emier-league-watford-6511597#comments-wrapper