Matchday Thread: Norwich v Rams

[ramAnag]

At half time all I can say is that Swale has no need to worry about jumping up. A terrible half only cheered by the prospect of Leicester heading to 3rd duvision

He might get a game at this rate, GP. Embarrassingly bad so far.

[SithHappens]

Awful 1st half, slightly better 2nd. Looked like to energy had gone out the team. That's it now for play offs barring a miracle.

Another injury, looks like Murkins season will be over.

[MadAmster]

My thoughts...

Lots of players out. More playing with painkillers. One, maybe 2, still ring rusty following long injury layoffs. That thread we're hanging on by, is shredding. A fair few had poor 1st halves. We were better in the 2nd. Almost a carbon copy of the PP game earlier in the season. Changed to 352 at the end. Gave it a real go and came within 2 inches of the equaliser and had some more efforts well saved by their keeper including a double save late on. Our going for it left room for them to exploit as well and they had a couple of decent chances themselves. Poor penalty, good goal plus other chances, we could easily have been 3 down by HT. Really should have had more than just the equaliser in the 2nd half but their keeper earned his corn. Never like losing and I feel we may just have deserved a point last night. It wasn't to be. Onwards and upwards. 2 more games to go. Both opponents are top 9 on current form. Norwich were 7th. Neither game will be easy, especially as, with Murkin looking like he's out for a few weeks, we are down to the bare bones. I hope we don't lose both but, if we did, I'd still be happy with our season.

[MadAmster]

The thughts of a good friend of mine from Stockport...

So, the odyssey nears its end - but what an odyssey. Last night, a microcosm of our season. Outplayed in all departments in the first half by an excellent Norwich side who fully deserved their victory, but our sheer will and bloody mindedness refused to give in, and the group nearly rescued it.
We’ve had a couple of enjoyable seasons this century - 2014 (Bryson, Martin and deforestation), 2019 (Mount, Wilson, Tomori and Elland Road), but this one is one of those I’ll look back on with real joy - a group fighting and giving everything for each other, and their manager. A team, a “family”, a band of brothers - like 1986/7 with Arthur Cox 1995/6 with Jim Smith.
Teams that make you proud to be a Ram.

[ramAnag]

My thoughts...

Lots of players out. More playing with painkillers. One, maybe 2, still ring rusty following long injury layoffs. That thread we're hanging on by, is shredding. A fair few had poor 1st halves. We were better in the 2nd. Almost a carbon copy of the PP game earlier in the season. Changed to 352 at the end. Gave it a real go and came within 2 inches of the equaliser and had some more efforts well saved by their keeper including a double save late on. Our going for it left room for them to exploit as well and they had a couple of decent chances themselves. Poor penalty, good goal plus other chances, we could easily have been 3 down by HT. Really should have had more than just the equaliser in the 2nd half but their keeper earned his corn. Never like losing and I feel we may just have deserved a point last night. It wasn't to be. Onwards and upwards. 2 more games to go. Both opponents are top 9 on current form. Norwich were 7th. Neither game will be easy, especially as, with Murkin looking like he's out for a few weeks, we are down to the bare bones. I hope we don't lose both but, if we did, I'd still be happy with our season.

That’s fair. In truth probably the worst first half performance I’ve seen since…well Norwich at home back in October.
They could, and should, have been out of sight by half time and yet, as you say, we came within inches of an equaliser at the death.
All the signs of a team decimated by injury and running on empty, both in terms of personnel and energy levels and yet still we produced some sort of fight back, albeit ultimately unsuccessfully.

A word about the commentator. Not sure who it was, but repetitive and uninformed are the adjectives which spring to mind. Seemed to revel in our failings, but not one word about the number of absent players or those returning from long term injury. The best commentators do their research, the one yesterday evening hadn’t a clue.

[MadAmster]

That’s fair. In truth probably the worst first half performance I’ve seen since…well Norwich at home back in October.
They could, and should, have been out of sight by half time and yet, as you say, we came within inches of an equaliser at the death.
All the signs of a team decimated by injury and running on empty, both in terms of personnel and energy levels and yet still we produced some sort of fight back, albeit ultimately unsuccessfully.

A word about the commentator. Not sure who it was, but repetitive and uninformed are the adjectives which spring to mind. Seemed to revel in our failings, but not one word about the number of absent players or those returning from long term injury. The best commentators do their research, the one yesterday evening hadn’t a clue.

You didn't watch via RamsTV then? Sky commentators are usually not very complimentary about Derby.

[MadAmster]

Just seen the goalline technology pic on the Derby Debrief. That late Morris header was more than halfway over the line... close but no cigar.

[swaledale]

My report from deepest Noorfulk! Though those watching on Sky will have had a clearer view.

Absolutely dire first half, hardly threatened the Norwich goal, ref had little or no control over the game and a fair bit of handbags going on. Norwich could and should have been 3-0 up by HT.

Second half certainly better, though I've a crick in my neck from watching the ball in the air so much, not a fan of this hoof ball. But at least the lads gave it a good go. Poor Norwich second goal, funnily enough the Norwich fans had been slaggng Gibbs off prior to the goal! But the defence basically stood off him and he had all the time needed to get his shot away.

Very unfrtunate not to get a goal late on, their keeper made 3 very good saves, thought we had scored at the end, but ball bounced onto the roof of the net.

Murkin got injured in front of me, looks bad, he couldn't put any weight on his left leg coming off.

I'm puzzled by Travis, what does he do, hardly tackled, couldn't pick a pass, basically ran around shouting and was taken off. Not convinced by Szmodics seemed very ineffective, ran around a lot. fouled and niggled a lot, not much end product. Apparently Eustace likes him.

All in all Norwich were the better side but all things considered its been a good season, I didn't expect us tyo be within touching distance of the play offs. The run of injuries is worrying, but it seems to be part of the modern game, Norwich had at least 5 first team players missing.

Derby aren't pretty to watch at the moment, but I guess the results are what matters.

[ramAnag]

My report from deepest Noorfulk! Though those watching on Sky will have had a clearer view.

Absolutely dire first half, hardly threatened the Norwich goal, ref had little or no control over the game and a fair bit of handbags going on. Norwich could and should have been 3-0 up by HT.

Second half certainly better, though I've a crick in my neck from watching the ball in the air so much, not a fan of this hoof ball. But at least the lads gave it a good go. Poor Norwich second goal, funnily enough the Norwich fans had been slaggng Gibbs off prior to the goal! But the defence basically stood off him and he had all the time needed to get his shot away.

Very unfrtunate not to get a goal late on, their keeper made 3 very good saves, thought we had scored at the end, but ball bounced onto the roof of the net.

Murkin got injured in front of me, looks bad, he couldn't put any weight on his left leg coming off.

I'm puzzled by Travis, what does he do, hardly tackled, couldn't pick a pass, basically ran around shouting and was taken off. Not convinced by Szmodics seemed very ineffective, ran around a lot. fouled and niggled a lot, not much end product. Apparently Eustace likes him.

All in all Norwich were the better side but all things considered its been a good season, I didn't expect us tyo be within touching distance of the play offs. The run of injuries is worrying, but it seems to be part of the modern game, Norwich had at least 5 first team players missing.

Derby aren't pretty to watch at the moment, but I guess the results are what matters.

We can be quite ‘pretty’ when we’re confident and things are going our way, but neither of those conditions were apparent in the first half last night.

Agree about Travis. He’s been better of late imo, very good v Stoke, but last night almost the whole side seemed to follow his petulant example at times and the referee was weak. Szmodics seemed in the same mould too. Quite fortunate to stay on the pitch in the first half after one prolonged ‘assault’ I thought. Maybe the Ipswich connection?

Most disappointing thing for me was the likes of Ozoh and Banel. Both can obviously play but while the former scored a fine goal he was anonymous for the majority of the time and Banel just didn’t turn up. Would like to see Ozoh with us full time, but I can’t see us making Banel a permanent signing so the search for a decent winger goes on.

Still a very good season and be interesting to see which of the loanees others would like to keep. For me Clark, Ozoh and BBD are the three who’ve proved themselves the most.

[MadAmster]

I didn't touch on individuals in my "report" so I'll do that here. Ward didn't seem to do much attacking last night and was partially culpable for the Gibbs goal. Langas seemed ring rusty. Murkin had a poor game and now looks to be out for the season. This wasn't a good day for Trav. Ozoh drifted in and out. Szmodics seemed to take the Norwich/Ipswich rivalry way too personally. Banel had a poor game. BBD got involved in the stupidity anf got a yellow for a totally unnecessary slight push. Morris looked ring rusty for the first hour. Those of the starting XI I haven't mentioned had decent games.

[Andy_Faber]

I didn't touch on individuals in my "report" so I'll do that here. Ward didn't seem to do much attacking last night and was partially culpable for the Gibbs goal. Langas seemed ring rusty. Murkin had a poor game and now looks to be out for the season. This wasn't a good day for Trav. Ozoh drifted in and out. Szmodics seemed to take the Norwich/Ipswich rivalry way too personally. Banel had a poor game. BBD got involved in the stupidity anf got a yellow for a totally unnecessary slight push. Morris looked ring rusty for the first hour. Those of the starting XI I haven't mentioned had decent games.

good summary. On the basis of recent performances, and looking forward to next season, I'd return Banel and Szmodics, flip a coin regarding Ozoh, keep BBD because at least he grafts when its not clicking for him, and use Travis as a bench warmer, if I'd been aware at 11 that getting the ball in my own half, passing it 10 metres back or sideways and pointing vaguely earned £20,000 a week I would have focussed on football instead of maths and English at school

Despite all such negativity we could actually have snatched a win, their keeper was outstanding second half

[MadAmster]

good summary. On the basis of recent performances, and looking forward to next season, I'd return Banel and Szmodics, flip a coin regarding Ozoh, keep BBD because at least he grafts when its not clicking for him, and use Travis as a bench warmer, if I'd been aware at 11 that getting the ball in my own half, passing it 10 metres back or sideways and pointing vaguely earned £20,000 a week I would have focussed on football instead of maths and English at school

Despite all such negativity we could actually have snatched a win, their keeper was outstanding second half

I could do that and I could tackle without getting booked. I never even got a trial despite playing local Division 1 football at 14.

[Geoff Parkstone]

good summary. On the basis of recent performances, and looking forward to next season, I'd return Banel and Szmodics, flip a coin regarding Ozoh, keep BBD because at least he grafts when its not clicking for him, and use Travis as a bench warmer, if I'd been aware at 11 that getting the ball in my own half, passing it 10 metres back or sideways and pointing vaguely earned £20,000 a week I would have focussed on football instead of maths and English at school

Despite all such negativity we could actually have snatched a win, their keeper was outstanding second half

Acquire BBD and Clark if affordable, Ozoh if not. Doubt we could afford both Clark and Ozoh. Szmodics a luxury so likely a pass. Banel disappears to eften (although that is a trait of wingers). But I suspect Eustace will want Szmodics which could restrict us in open market/free agency.

Need another CB I think to join Sanderson Langas Clark, should be OK at full backs if can extend Ward Elder. Another holding midfielder and winger from loans market I guess. Someone to deputise for Agyemang as his recovery continues.

the player we have most missed during the run in was Brewster, he seems to glue together the forward play IMHO - a very good freebie. Our lack of cohesion against Oxford and Norwich in particular lie in his absence I think. Hope we can find another bonus buy for nothing!!