I haven't read the rest of this thread so sorry if I'm repeating what has already been said but here are my thoughts on the game.
Norwich are a better side than us, there is no question of that in my opinion. But last night I didn't think they was 3 goals better than us, and neither did my Norwich supporting mate that went along.
I thought we created the better chances throughout the game, and bar one superb save from Mildenhall, I don't remember him having an awful lot else to do. They where more clinical than us, and it shows in the League table.
Scannell's miss in the second half was the turning point, it seemed to wake them up a little bit, and they had their good 10 minute spell where they scored twice to kill us off. If that had nestled in the back of the net, like it should have done, maybe we'd be talking about a very good win last night, but if you don't take your chances you don't win football games. Simple as.
We huffed and puffed, and produced decent attacking plays, but Norwich looked much better on the ball than us, and they looked very dangerous on the counter attack. They shift the ball around well, and Hoolihan, of how ever you spell it, is a very good player and Holt gets you goals not matter what.
Mildenhall - One superb save from a header in the second half, and no chance on the other goals. Couple of routine stops from distance as well. Solid performance.
Francis - Usual Francis story I'm afraid. Some superb deliveries into the box, like the one for the disallowed goal, but was out shadowed by some very poor defensive work.
Morrison - His scuff led to the first goal, but apart from that I thought he looked decent. Good in the air, and wasn't afraid to get rid of it when required, but also looked to pass out of the ball, and along to Barrett. Decent enough player. It has shown this season though, when we brought Clarke all those years ago we should have been going for a player like M'Voto, Heath or Morrison, all of whom have partnered Barrett better than Clarke ever did.
Barrett - Solid enough performance. He is a lot better with a proper centre half alongside him as it allows him to focus on his game. Superb block from Holt in the second half, that led to Scannell's chance.
Malone - Was disappointed with his set piece delivery, never seemed to get it right, but looked ok in open play. Some good crosses in the second half, and is an upgrade on Herd.
Scannell - We missed Laurent. Now, this isn't a pop at Scannell, because he did well enough but doesn't work hard enough, didn't put enough balls into the box, and didn't seem to want to take his man on. Laurent, although he doesn't work hard enough, makes up for it with the ball at his feet.
JFC - He is a strange one. His reading of the play, interceptions and tackling is spot on, but on the ball he is shockingly bad. I thought he did OK last night, but the crowd seemed to jump on his back.
Macca - I'm shocked at some of the critisicm of him so far. I thought he was one of our better players last night and got through an awful lot of work. Yes, he can't pass, and put us in trouble with one, but he is starting to drive on from midfield again, and looking more of a threat. Wasn't helped with the fact that Norwich had 3 in the middle, so they passed it around both him and JFC.
Moussa - Terrible. His man scored the second goal, and he wasn't tracking him back. One pass that had it got through would have been pass of the season, but that was it. I can't be too hard on him because he isn't a left winger, but come January that is one of the positions I'd look to bring in.
Barnard - Worked hard, won a lot in the air against two big centre halves and had a couple of efforts from distance, and probably should have scored his header at 1-0.
Jabo - Wasn't overly sure of him when we signed him, but tonight showed what a handful he can be. He was up against two big centre halves and won a lot. His first touch on his chest was superb. Not sure if it was handball, hard to tell from East Reds, but he didn't seem to complain about it. Great effort in the first half as well.
Subs:
Walker - Looked lively when he came on.
Freedman - Lost shape when he came on, not sure where he was supposed to be playing. Personally, I'd have brought on Asante. He looks quick and lively, and would surely do better on the left wing over Freedman.
