Norwich report

[MadAmster]

A joy for the neutral and a roller coaster for fans of both sides.



It started with 30 of the worst minutes I have seen from Derby this season. It all began with a poor defensive setup. Both full backs taking up position way too far inside whe we were defending which was for 28 of the first 30 minutes. That gave Norwich the freedom of the wings and they exploited it well keeping Derby under constant pressure. So much so that there was no outlet most of the time and when we did have one we couldn't string 3 passes together. A series of poor passes saw them create openings which they failed to take advantage of due to over elaboration or a poor last pass. Keogh, Carson, Bogle, Evans and Wisdom were among the guilty parties on the poor passes.



Norwich's first. IMO Lampard's fault. Having the full backs so far in field was asking for trouble and we got it. They got the ball out wide right and Wisdom was where he had been told to be..... a good 20 yards off "his man". That gave him the chance to get to the goal line and pass for the goal.



The 2nd? Wilson lost control and thus the ball close to their area. 2 passes later with, IIRC, Evans standing in for Tomori who had been in the attack that broke down, was the wrong side of Pukki and the through ball fell nicely for the Norwich striker and he gave Carson no chance from the edge of the box.



At that point a cricket score looked likely. However, Derby took hold, got a corner and, via a Norwich defender, the ball fell to Tomori who smashed it in via the underside og the bar. Derby stayed in control and, in 1st half injury time, another corner saw the ball, again off a Norwich defender, fall to Mount who stroked it low into the net. 2-2 at HT and that was a shock as Norwich could/should have been out of sight by then.



2nd half. Opening 30 was open but Derby had the better of the exchanges. In the 81st minute Pukki got a 3rd against the run of play. A counter saw them get the ball out wide to Hernandez, Bogle had him covered but he managed a low pass to the unmarked Pukki at the far post. He was Tomori's man and was given 5 yards of space a mere 6 yards out.



Then one of the floodlights failed and the players went off for a good quarter of an hour. The clock stopped on 84 minutes 15 seconds. When they came back Derby got goals from Jozefzoon tap in, in the 87th minute and on 90+2 form a sublime Marriott little dink over the keeper. Norwich then went hell for leather and in the last 45 seconds forced Carson into a very good save and then 2 seconds from time, they hit the bar from the corner.



Stats say 62% possession to them. They had 24 shots to our 19. Shots on target was 6-5 in their favour. In all honesty, a draw would probably have been about right but we nicked it. Having been played off the park for 30 minutes it was amazing we were still in it. I am not complaining about the win but they will be aggrieved at losing.



This song is probably the most apt under the circumstances.......



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWOh-omJE1A

[mistaram]

Where's DCFCA come on let's be having you Bet your gutted ffs

[ramAnag]

Where's DCFCA come on let's be having you Bet your gutted ffs

Probably wondering why his beloved Dean’s Villa could only earn a drab draw at Deepdale and why 61% possession only translated to five shots on target.
There again, I do think they’ll make the play offs...but only if they keep Abraham who, it is rumoured, may be a Benitez target once the ‘window’ opens.

[MadAmster]

After 30 minutes I was almost looking forward to his tirade but we won so he will be conspicuous by his absence.

[Geoff Parkstone]

After 30 minutes I was almost looking forward to his tirade but we won so he will be conspicuous by his absence.

He is a bit like rocking horse ****, rarely seen and not appreciated when making an appearance....