Post by deadbat on Apr 1, 2023 17:40:40 GMT
It was a big day in the promotion race as the Blades deservedly saw off a poor Norwich side at Carrow Road and nearest rivals Middlesborough got thumped 4-2 at Huddersfield. Luton beat Watford in the earlier kick off but United now are in a fantastic position and hope today will be a pivotal day in the promotion race.
James McAtee’s toe poke settled a game in which United had all the big chances with the Blades hitting the bar twice and the post. Norwich offered little in response and in the end, the away side easily managed the game out comfortably after they took the lead in a professional and disciplined performance.
Heckingbottom named an unchanged side as it seems that the likes of Osborn, Norrington Davies and Brewster may not be seen on the grass again this campaign. It meant a substitution appearance for Will Osula. International returnees Egan, Ahmedhodzic, Doyle, McAtee, Berge and Ndiaye all returned unscathed and began the game.
Norwich named an attacking line up with Pukki, Idah, Sargent, Marquinhos with the talented Sara also starting. Former Blade Kieran Dowell was still out injured for the inconsistent Canaries who needed a win to keep in touch with the top 6.
After only 5 seconds McBurnie committed a foul as Norwich launched the first attack. Ahmedhodzic conceded a corner as Idah looked to get down the side before at the other end Ndiaye tried to feed McAtee but it was overhit.
There were appeals for a penalty as Aarons looked to get past Lowe but the United man seemed to pull out and the dive seemed very theatrical. Bond waved the protests away. Baldock won a corner at the other end but was kicked behind carelessly by Doyle. Ndiaye’s quick feet and cross saw another corner gained and Berge with a rare header nodded it not far wide as he struggled to get the power.
It was a relatively even game but after McAtee’s speculative shot, Norwich broke and had a spell of possession with Aaron a danger down the right-hand side. A corner routine saw Pukki come short and his ball back led to Marquinhos fire over as United did not react to the clever set play quick enough. United had a the ball in the Canaries box and Robinson slipped as he fired wide but McBurnie was penalised for a harsh hand ball. Berge and Egan conceded unnecessary fouls in quick succession before Baldock and Aarons got involved in a fracas near the touchline with pushing and shoving ensuing. Both players were cautioned. Soon after the poorest tackle of the game saw Doyle scythed down by Sarah and it was a third yellow in quick succession.
The game was starting to become a bit tetchy and a number of fouls were being committed both ways. United won a corner with Ahmedhodzic well forward in the build up and the Bosnian won the header as the ball came in but it kissed the bar and bounced clear. A real let off for the home side and the best chance of the game so far.
Norwich continued to push forward down the Blades left hand side and won a corner but the clearance saw United do likewise but this too came to nothing. Norwich finished the half stronger as Idah had a shot blocked. The half time whistle came and neither side had a save to make although the best two chances came to United from two headers.
The rain poured down as the second half started and players continued to lose their feet as they had done in the first half. Berge was booked for a pull back after he lost the ball and Foderingham finally was called into action as he pushed away a cross from Marquinhos. United responded with some good football and Baldock was played in but he went down under the challenge but like with Aarons in the first half, it seemed the attacking player had initiated the contact.
On 62 minutes the deadlock was broken. Ndiaye did well down the left and worked space before sending the ball across towards Lowe. His shot was mis hit but fell right into the place of MCATEE who got there before Gunn to toe the ball under him into the net. There were huge appeals for offside and at first he appeared off but replays showed the officials got it spot on as he just beat the offside trap.
Norwich fans became frustrated and they gave the ball away and were struggling to create anything of note. United were now controlling the game and keeping it better.
McBurnie and Berge came off for Sharp and Norwood for United and Pukki and Idah were replaced by Kamara and Tzolis as both teams made a double change. Ndiaye’s super run saw him play in Sharp down the left who came inside and surprised City with a vicious shot that smashed the far post. The ball rebounded off Baldock and hit the outside of the post. In truth this would have been fortuitous as he knew nothing about it but Sharp was unlucky after a great effort. United now had hit the wood work three times.
Norwich had struggled to create but a rare moment of quality saw Aarons and Sara combine and Sargent had a shot blazed over after the back heel set him up. At the other end, even better skill from Ndiaye saw him completely bamboozle Hanley who chopped him down. Norwich made another double change with Giannoulis and Sara replaced by McCallum and Gibbs. United also got fresh legs on with McAtee, the goal scorer switched with Sharp. Basham came on for Doyle as United looked to flood the midfield area and see things out.
The game ticked into a rather generous 5 additional minutes of time and Norwich did have one effort when Marquinhos hit a fierce low drive which you would expect Foderingham to save but the fact he held it was rather impressive with his first significant moment of concern in the whole game. Sharp nearly got in at the other end when a ball dropped in the box. Ndiaye and McClean both ended up in an unsavoury clash with both rightly booked for their parts in an off the field skirmish. The final whistle came not long after and United celebrated a huge three points making it three wins in four and United hopefully back on track in the quest for promotion. As news of the Middlesbrough result came in, chants of ‘One Neil Warnock!’ were heard from the packed away section before Heckingbottom took the acclaim from the same fans as he went over to celebrate with them.
United – A deserved win. Not fantastic by any stretch and I was frustrated with us first half in that we were careless with the ball and not really getting behind them even if we were solid at the back and never looked like conceding. It was a tetchy game and there were fouls and confrontations and it became stop start. Thought Norwich barely opened us up but at the other end Ndiaye did well but McBurnie was given little service and McAtee and Berge were largely anonymous. I thought Norwich were there for the taking and looked a side bereft of confidence but we did not do enough but were ok at 0-0 and felt we could improve. For all that we hit the bar and Berge had a good chance too so we still had the best chances.
After the half time came, we played higher up and McAtee was more involved I felt and I thought we started to press more and keep it more. We had a few better moves and then of course we scored. A scrappy goal but McAtee has a knack of getting onto the ball in the box and has got some big goals even though he was quiet. Ndiaye did well in the build up before as he had most of the game. After this Norwich sort of gave up. They took off a few players and the game became scrappy and we managed it really well. We had more of the ball even though we led and Norwich seemed clueless how to break us down. The defence was solid and even the much-maligned Lowe improved and had a good half hour. The subs actually were fine today as Sharp played well and nearly got a second. I sensed we had a second to finish them off but, in the end, we just sort of managed it. Each change helped us in that it slowed it down and allowed us more ball in midfield too. They had one shot over but that was it till stoppage time and only then did Wes have one save to make and one you expect (did well top hold). In the end with the chances we had (not many but more than them) and hitting the woodwork three times and the Berge effort, we had all the big opportunities and as I say one Wes save and a few efforts off target was the sum of their efforts.
The defence was really solid today and whilst a few of the front players/midfield were a bit up and down, I felt we had a really good shape second half and unlike games at Millwall and Blackburn when teams opened us up and got through us. Norwich were missing players like Hernandez and Dowell and lacked pace and physicality. They had some clever players and skilled midfielders/forwards but much like Watford, who I watched put forward a pitiful effort earlier at Luton, they seemed to lack the desire and the longer the game went on, the less likely they looked to do anything. They sort of gave up and lacked belief. For a side in 7th and still right in it, I would have expected them to give it more of a fight but even though there were a few skirmishes and bookings both ways, I thought United looked the hungrier as the game went on – summed up by Baldock and Ndiaye who might have been a bit daft but showed how much it meant.
With the Boro defeat and us winning, it feels a big day but we have a long way to go. Friday feels huge as we can go 9 clear before Boro play and mean they probably must win. However we forget Luton could reduce it to 3 before we play also as go to Millwall (a tough game). It does feel like a big change around and if we keep the gap 6 or more for the next 3 or 4; then the margin for error for the others is small. Luton weirdly probably are more of a concern as look well drilled and organised – watched them today and they looked good and are playing for each other. I sense that they could be the ones to watch now and have all the momentum but Luton do have to play Boro yet too.
Credit to the team and Hecky today. We were not superb but it was well organised and professional showing and we deserved to win. I think we will be more fluent attacking wise in other games but if we defend like that and have a good structure and shape then we will be fine as teams then will not run through us like they have been doing. The only worry is complacency with 5 out of the last 8 at home and none of the promotion sides to play at the Lane. We take care of business there and anything at Burnley is a bonus and hopefully we have those last 2 away games as back up if we need it. Would love for us to rattle off 3 or 4 more wins in the next 5 and set up at Wembley with a similar or better cushion and can really enjoy the semi-final weekend.
Ratings:
Foderingham 7/10 – Little to do first half at all. Picked up a few through balls and kicked a few out. Only one shot that went over. Second half at least got his gloves dirty with one push away from a cross and then the late save but even that was not that hard. He had nothing else to do and not really worked at all. The defence protected him so well.
Baldock 7/10 – Committed as normal but maybe too much as he was over zealous in the challenge with Aarons (no need to react and a silly booking). He was well forward but again no real end product in the first half. He continued to get stuck in and a bit daft with one challenge when booked but after that settled down and defended well. We look much better with him there rather than Bogle and more solid.
Lowe 6.5/10 – A game of two halves really. Once again teams know he is our weak link defensively and push men down that side. He leaves way too much room and does not get tight enough. Always looks at full stretch. Did get forward a few times but poor final product (once he just kicked it to them under no pressure just before half time). Second half a few poor moments but then I thought oddly after we scored (with his mis kick but at least well forward) he improved hugely and a really good last half hour and defended sensibly and used it well. Upped his mark considerably but not forgetting he was our weak link defensively the first hour.
Robinson 7.5/10 – Steady enough but he has to cover for Lowe a lot meaning there are gaps down the side of the defence as he needs to come across and fill that gap. He did what he had to first half. Second half one moment where he got caught but got fouled but covered the areas and just did the basics.
Ahmedhodzic 7.5/10 – Looked better than he has in terms of making better decisions in terms of when to go and attack the ball and hold out. He did get forward well and was in that inside right position a lot to start the game. Really unlucky with the header that hit the bar. He defended well and read the game and intercepted several passes forward and came out with it well.
Egan 8/10 – Solid to start with in terms of defending and ensuring they did not win any headers but a few silly fouls let them get it into the box. Second half he handled Pukki well and they did not get behind us once. A few long rangers were all they had and for a home side to barely get in our box, get behind us or create anything of note showed how good the defence was. He was a rock today and looked an excellent centre back.
Doyle 7/10 – He was ok but not sure we saw too much and with two passengers alongside him he had to cover the defensive side a lot and go across to help the left-hand side too. On the ball he was ok but nothing too adventurous and his set plays were mixed (two awful ones and two good ones first half – including one that led to the Anel chance). He improved after the break in terms of getting on it more I thought and did the little things better.
McAtee 7/10 – Anonymous for large parts. Did get on it but hit some poor passes or made some bewildering choices. He does need to get on it more and at times he drifted out of the game. However he then had a few good runs after the break and of course his marks goes up for the big moment where he gambles and finishes. Has that knack of getting in the box and now is becoming a vital players with some crucial goals. His mark would be a mark lower without the goal!
Berge 6/10 – As above. He jogged/walked too much and when he got it, was not positive enough. Defensively offers nothing. Good headed chance that he maybe needed to do better with. He did get on it more as the game went on but felt he was the weakest player overall and the booking when he lost it and ran back summed him up. We looked more solid after he went off in terms of the shape of the side. He has to do more in games and impose himself. There is an argument he might be better off the bench coming on as an attacking type player?
Ndiaye 8/10 – Our best player, if just for work ethic alone. He chased all game and never stopped closing down. Yes, he gave away some fouls and had a few moments where I was screaming for him to ‘leave it!’ Worried on the McClean one and him going back to him at the end too so glad he got pulled away. In terms of his contribution, he was the most skilled player on the field and seemed to be everywhere. He got the ball often just through work rate and then showed some outrageous skills. Set up the goal and he was involved in other big moments/chances – assisting to Sharp. The skill where he made Hanley look like a chump was outrageous. A joy to watch. If he stays fit you sense he alone will have the big moments in games to allow us to win enough games.
McBurnie 6/10 – Not his day really. Worked hard but fed off scraps. Not really in it and seemed to get involved in a grappling match with his international teammate Hanley. Won a few free kicks but in general play not sure he had much of the ball and did not have a chance at all and was too far away from goal to have a chance really. Sharp actually helped us when he came on and was the right change as Norwich did not have that much height outside of the two centre backs so we could live with him coming off – in terms of defending set plays.
Subs –
Sharp 7/10 – Did well today and best he has been for a while. Held it up and won a few free kicks and then the fantastic effort that smacked the post that would have sealed the game but he did what he needed to and we managed to keep the ball up the pitch quite well save for once when he lost it at the end. Maybe could have done better with one half chance near the end.
Norwood 7/10 – Solid enough in terms of us keeping the ball well and just seeing it out. He used it and played some clever balls into the corners and got his foot in.
Fleck – Only on for 5 minutes and not sure he touched it much.
Basham – As above with even less time and ended up in midfield – had one run down the right when thought Ndiaye would feed him as he burst forward!
Manager: Heckingbottom 8/10 – Tactically I have been critical of him but he was excellent today. We never got over run and they did not come through us. We had a solid base and they had few chances. We were poor going the other way and a bit careless with our passing but as the game went on, we got better and started to have chances. We got the goal and then saw out the game. The changes were good and timed well and he deserves praise for that as it helped us manage it. Norwich barely had a chance and it was a thoroughly deserved and efficient victory.
Norwich – Thought they were certain to come back up and the strongest placed in terms of least changes to the personnel and would do better than Burnley and Watford. Shows what I know as like Watford have had to change managers (Smith was always on a hiding to nothing after not improving things) and Wagner is still relatively early into his tenure. They have had some games they look a fluent side who can score goals and blow teams away mixed with some shocking displays and are really hit and miss. They still may make the playoffs but there has been some sides above much more consistent in terms of the likes of Watford, Millwall, Blackburn etc. Today as they were against Sunderland looked completely devoid of idea attacking wise and were much like us v Luton – lacked tempo and courage.
They still have a fair bit of talent but rely too much still on the likes of Pukki. However, they have lots of technical players but if you send them inside and bottle them up, they lack pace up the top or physicality so it was quite easy for our defence. First half there was little in it and they had some attacks down our left but not sure they had any chances and we had the best two; with the headers. After we scored around the hour mark, they got even worse and never really hurt us. The changes for them might have made them even worse and without Pukki they had nothing up top at all. In the end other than one shot, they never hurt us and felt they could still be playing now and not score. The goal was really poor and they may claim offside but they did not stop the Ndiaye run, failed to track Lowe or McAtee and the static centre backs will see it back and realise it was a perfectly good (well scrappy) goal! Norwich have always been strong at home and a side that can hurt teams but that is the poorest Norwich side we have seen since we have been neck and neck with them in the Championship and of course faced off at the higher level too. We always used to struggle but now are 7 unbeaten against them including I think 3 out of 4 at Carrow Road – a win and a draw in the Champ and a win in the Premier League followed by a win today. Our last loss was the late bus/Gunn timewasting game back in the Championship when we had first got promoted so we are now a bogey side for them after years before that of it maybe being the other way around.
Opponent Man of the Match – Not sure anyone was that great. Marquinhos showed bits and pieces but even the dangerous Pukki was quiet. Aarons may have been their best player – got down that side and was their biggest creator all game.
Opponent Weak link – Two leaden weighed and slow centre backs and in the end, we got through them to score a goal as they did not get back and defend their own area. Sargent and Idah were really poor. The former was superb at the Lane but seems to have really regressed and he does not seem the same player since the World Cup. He was awful today and never in it and rightly taken off.
Referee/Officials – Darren Bond. We have done quite well with him this season think winning 4 and drawing 1 both pre and post alice band look! He can be a bit fussy at times though I feel but today he was excellent and one of the best we have had this season. The Baldock-Aarons incident sparked a tasty period. Thought George was daft and Aarons a bit unlucky as it was his throw in and wanted the ball back. The yellow after for Sara was a bad tackle and then we had some poor challenges but he did well to not just start booking people. The Berge trip was an obvious yellow for him. Ndiaye and McClean one at the end was silly from both and he had no option. He did let the game flow actually and tried to play advantage when he could and he got both penalty appeals for the two right wing backs correct as neither were penalties. Credit to the assistant who did brilliantly to get the games big moment spot on from the replays. The officials were good today – easy to say when you win but they did not get much wrong and both teams were getting a bit silly and he managed it well.
James McAtee’s toe poke settled a game in which United had all the big chances with the Blades hitting the bar twice and the post. Norwich offered little in response and in the end, the away side easily managed the game out comfortably after they took the lead in a professional and disciplined performance.
Heckingbottom named an unchanged side as it seems that the likes of Osborn, Norrington Davies and Brewster may not be seen on the grass again this campaign. It meant a substitution appearance for Will Osula. International returnees Egan, Ahmedhodzic, Doyle, McAtee, Berge and Ndiaye all returned unscathed and began the game.
Norwich named an attacking line up with Pukki, Idah, Sargent, Marquinhos with the talented Sara also starting. Former Blade Kieran Dowell was still out injured for the inconsistent Canaries who needed a win to keep in touch with the top 6.
After only 5 seconds McBurnie committed a foul as Norwich launched the first attack. Ahmedhodzic conceded a corner as Idah looked to get down the side before at the other end Ndiaye tried to feed McAtee but it was overhit.
There were appeals for a penalty as Aarons looked to get past Lowe but the United man seemed to pull out and the dive seemed very theatrical. Bond waved the protests away. Baldock won a corner at the other end but was kicked behind carelessly by Doyle. Ndiaye’s quick feet and cross saw another corner gained and Berge with a rare header nodded it not far wide as he struggled to get the power.
It was a relatively even game but after McAtee’s speculative shot, Norwich broke and had a spell of possession with Aaron a danger down the right-hand side. A corner routine saw Pukki come short and his ball back led to Marquinhos fire over as United did not react to the clever set play quick enough. United had a the ball in the Canaries box and Robinson slipped as he fired wide but McBurnie was penalised for a harsh hand ball. Berge and Egan conceded unnecessary fouls in quick succession before Baldock and Aarons got involved in a fracas near the touchline with pushing and shoving ensuing. Both players were cautioned. Soon after the poorest tackle of the game saw Doyle scythed down by Sarah and it was a third yellow in quick succession.
The game was starting to become a bit tetchy and a number of fouls were being committed both ways. United won a corner with Ahmedhodzic well forward in the build up and the Bosnian won the header as the ball came in but it kissed the bar and bounced clear. A real let off for the home side and the best chance of the game so far.
Norwich continued to push forward down the Blades left hand side and won a corner but the clearance saw United do likewise but this too came to nothing. Norwich finished the half stronger as Idah had a shot blocked. The half time whistle came and neither side had a save to make although the best two chances came to United from two headers.
The rain poured down as the second half started and players continued to lose their feet as they had done in the first half. Berge was booked for a pull back after he lost the ball and Foderingham finally was called into action as he pushed away a cross from Marquinhos. United responded with some good football and Baldock was played in but he went down under the challenge but like with Aarons in the first half, it seemed the attacking player had initiated the contact.
On 62 minutes the deadlock was broken. Ndiaye did well down the left and worked space before sending the ball across towards Lowe. His shot was mis hit but fell right into the place of MCATEE who got there before Gunn to toe the ball under him into the net. There were huge appeals for offside and at first he appeared off but replays showed the officials got it spot on as he just beat the offside trap.
Norwich fans became frustrated and they gave the ball away and were struggling to create anything of note. United were now controlling the game and keeping it better.
McBurnie and Berge came off for Sharp and Norwood for United and Pukki and Idah were replaced by Kamara and Tzolis as both teams made a double change. Ndiaye’s super run saw him play in Sharp down the left who came inside and surprised City with a vicious shot that smashed the far post. The ball rebounded off Baldock and hit the outside of the post. In truth this would have been fortuitous as he knew nothing about it but Sharp was unlucky after a great effort. United now had hit the wood work three times.
Norwich had struggled to create but a rare moment of quality saw Aarons and Sara combine and Sargent had a shot blazed over after the back heel set him up. At the other end, even better skill from Ndiaye saw him completely bamboozle Hanley who chopped him down. Norwich made another double change with Giannoulis and Sara replaced by McCallum and Gibbs. United also got fresh legs on with McAtee, the goal scorer switched with Sharp. Basham came on for Doyle as United looked to flood the midfield area and see things out.
The game ticked into a rather generous 5 additional minutes of time and Norwich did have one effort when Marquinhos hit a fierce low drive which you would expect Foderingham to save but the fact he held it was rather impressive with his first significant moment of concern in the whole game. Sharp nearly got in at the other end when a ball dropped in the box. Ndiaye and McClean both ended up in an unsavoury clash with both rightly booked for their parts in an off the field skirmish. The final whistle came not long after and United celebrated a huge three points making it three wins in four and United hopefully back on track in the quest for promotion. As news of the Middlesbrough result came in, chants of ‘One Neil Warnock!’ were heard from the packed away section before Heckingbottom took the acclaim from the same fans as he went over to celebrate with them.
United – A deserved win. Not fantastic by any stretch and I was frustrated with us first half in that we were careless with the ball and not really getting behind them even if we were solid at the back and never looked like conceding. It was a tetchy game and there were fouls and confrontations and it became stop start. Thought Norwich barely opened us up but at the other end Ndiaye did well but McBurnie was given little service and McAtee and Berge were largely anonymous. I thought Norwich were there for the taking and looked a side bereft of confidence but we did not do enough but were ok at 0-0 and felt we could improve. For all that we hit the bar and Berge had a good chance too so we still had the best chances.
After the half time came, we played higher up and McAtee was more involved I felt and I thought we started to press more and keep it more. We had a few better moves and then of course we scored. A scrappy goal but McAtee has a knack of getting onto the ball in the box and has got some big goals even though he was quiet. Ndiaye did well in the build up before as he had most of the game. After this Norwich sort of gave up. They took off a few players and the game became scrappy and we managed it really well. We had more of the ball even though we led and Norwich seemed clueless how to break us down. The defence was solid and even the much-maligned Lowe improved and had a good half hour. The subs actually were fine today as Sharp played well and nearly got a second. I sensed we had a second to finish them off but, in the end, we just sort of managed it. Each change helped us in that it slowed it down and allowed us more ball in midfield too. They had one shot over but that was it till stoppage time and only then did Wes have one save to make and one you expect (did well top hold). In the end with the chances we had (not many but more than them) and hitting the woodwork three times and the Berge effort, we had all the big opportunities and as I say one Wes save and a few efforts off target was the sum of their efforts.
The defence was really solid today and whilst a few of the front players/midfield were a bit up and down, I felt we had a really good shape second half and unlike games at Millwall and Blackburn when teams opened us up and got through us. Norwich were missing players like Hernandez and Dowell and lacked pace and physicality. They had some clever players and skilled midfielders/forwards but much like Watford, who I watched put forward a pitiful effort earlier at Luton, they seemed to lack the desire and the longer the game went on, the less likely they looked to do anything. They sort of gave up and lacked belief. For a side in 7th and still right in it, I would have expected them to give it more of a fight but even though there were a few skirmishes and bookings both ways, I thought United looked the hungrier as the game went on – summed up by Baldock and Ndiaye who might have been a bit daft but showed how much it meant.
With the Boro defeat and us winning, it feels a big day but we have a long way to go. Friday feels huge as we can go 9 clear before Boro play and mean they probably must win. However we forget Luton could reduce it to 3 before we play also as go to Millwall (a tough game). It does feel like a big change around and if we keep the gap 6 or more for the next 3 or 4; then the margin for error for the others is small. Luton weirdly probably are more of a concern as look well drilled and organised – watched them today and they looked good and are playing for each other. I sense that they could be the ones to watch now and have all the momentum but Luton do have to play Boro yet too.
Credit to the team and Hecky today. We were not superb but it was well organised and professional showing and we deserved to win. I think we will be more fluent attacking wise in other games but if we defend like that and have a good structure and shape then we will be fine as teams then will not run through us like they have been doing. The only worry is complacency with 5 out of the last 8 at home and none of the promotion sides to play at the Lane. We take care of business there and anything at Burnley is a bonus and hopefully we have those last 2 away games as back up if we need it. Would love for us to rattle off 3 or 4 more wins in the next 5 and set up at Wembley with a similar or better cushion and can really enjoy the semi-final weekend.
Ratings:
Foderingham 7/10 – Little to do first half at all. Picked up a few through balls and kicked a few out. Only one shot that went over. Second half at least got his gloves dirty with one push away from a cross and then the late save but even that was not that hard. He had nothing else to do and not really worked at all. The defence protected him so well.
Baldock 7/10 – Committed as normal but maybe too much as he was over zealous in the challenge with Aarons (no need to react and a silly booking). He was well forward but again no real end product in the first half. He continued to get stuck in and a bit daft with one challenge when booked but after that settled down and defended well. We look much better with him there rather than Bogle and more solid.
Lowe 6.5/10 – A game of two halves really. Once again teams know he is our weak link defensively and push men down that side. He leaves way too much room and does not get tight enough. Always looks at full stretch. Did get forward a few times but poor final product (once he just kicked it to them under no pressure just before half time). Second half a few poor moments but then I thought oddly after we scored (with his mis kick but at least well forward) he improved hugely and a really good last half hour and defended sensibly and used it well. Upped his mark considerably but not forgetting he was our weak link defensively the first hour.
Robinson 7.5/10 – Steady enough but he has to cover for Lowe a lot meaning there are gaps down the side of the defence as he needs to come across and fill that gap. He did what he had to first half. Second half one moment where he got caught but got fouled but covered the areas and just did the basics.
Ahmedhodzic 7.5/10 – Looked better than he has in terms of making better decisions in terms of when to go and attack the ball and hold out. He did get forward well and was in that inside right position a lot to start the game. Really unlucky with the header that hit the bar. He defended well and read the game and intercepted several passes forward and came out with it well.
Egan 8/10 – Solid to start with in terms of defending and ensuring they did not win any headers but a few silly fouls let them get it into the box. Second half he handled Pukki well and they did not get behind us once. A few long rangers were all they had and for a home side to barely get in our box, get behind us or create anything of note showed how good the defence was. He was a rock today and looked an excellent centre back.
Doyle 7/10 – He was ok but not sure we saw too much and with two passengers alongside him he had to cover the defensive side a lot and go across to help the left-hand side too. On the ball he was ok but nothing too adventurous and his set plays were mixed (two awful ones and two good ones first half – including one that led to the Anel chance). He improved after the break in terms of getting on it more I thought and did the little things better.
McAtee 7/10 – Anonymous for large parts. Did get on it but hit some poor passes or made some bewildering choices. He does need to get on it more and at times he drifted out of the game. However he then had a few good runs after the break and of course his marks goes up for the big moment where he gambles and finishes. Has that knack of getting in the box and now is becoming a vital players with some crucial goals. His mark would be a mark lower without the goal!
Berge 6/10 – As above. He jogged/walked too much and when he got it, was not positive enough. Defensively offers nothing. Good headed chance that he maybe needed to do better with. He did get on it more as the game went on but felt he was the weakest player overall and the booking when he lost it and ran back summed him up. We looked more solid after he went off in terms of the shape of the side. He has to do more in games and impose himself. There is an argument he might be better off the bench coming on as an attacking type player?
Ndiaye 8/10 – Our best player, if just for work ethic alone. He chased all game and never stopped closing down. Yes, he gave away some fouls and had a few moments where I was screaming for him to ‘leave it!’ Worried on the McClean one and him going back to him at the end too so glad he got pulled away. In terms of his contribution, he was the most skilled player on the field and seemed to be everywhere. He got the ball often just through work rate and then showed some outrageous skills. Set up the goal and he was involved in other big moments/chances – assisting to Sharp. The skill where he made Hanley look like a chump was outrageous. A joy to watch. If he stays fit you sense he alone will have the big moments in games to allow us to win enough games.
McBurnie 6/10 – Not his day really. Worked hard but fed off scraps. Not really in it and seemed to get involved in a grappling match with his international teammate Hanley. Won a few free kicks but in general play not sure he had much of the ball and did not have a chance at all and was too far away from goal to have a chance really. Sharp actually helped us when he came on and was the right change as Norwich did not have that much height outside of the two centre backs so we could live with him coming off – in terms of defending set plays.
Subs –
Sharp 7/10 – Did well today and best he has been for a while. Held it up and won a few free kicks and then the fantastic effort that smacked the post that would have sealed the game but he did what he needed to and we managed to keep the ball up the pitch quite well save for once when he lost it at the end. Maybe could have done better with one half chance near the end.
Norwood 7/10 – Solid enough in terms of us keeping the ball well and just seeing it out. He used it and played some clever balls into the corners and got his foot in.
Fleck – Only on for 5 minutes and not sure he touched it much.
Basham – As above with even less time and ended up in midfield – had one run down the right when thought Ndiaye would feed him as he burst forward!
Manager: Heckingbottom 8/10 – Tactically I have been critical of him but he was excellent today. We never got over run and they did not come through us. We had a solid base and they had few chances. We were poor going the other way and a bit careless with our passing but as the game went on, we got better and started to have chances. We got the goal and then saw out the game. The changes were good and timed well and he deserves praise for that as it helped us manage it. Norwich barely had a chance and it was a thoroughly deserved and efficient victory.
Norwich – Thought they were certain to come back up and the strongest placed in terms of least changes to the personnel and would do better than Burnley and Watford. Shows what I know as like Watford have had to change managers (Smith was always on a hiding to nothing after not improving things) and Wagner is still relatively early into his tenure. They have had some games they look a fluent side who can score goals and blow teams away mixed with some shocking displays and are really hit and miss. They still may make the playoffs but there has been some sides above much more consistent in terms of the likes of Watford, Millwall, Blackburn etc. Today as they were against Sunderland looked completely devoid of idea attacking wise and were much like us v Luton – lacked tempo and courage.
They still have a fair bit of talent but rely too much still on the likes of Pukki. However, they have lots of technical players but if you send them inside and bottle them up, they lack pace up the top or physicality so it was quite easy for our defence. First half there was little in it and they had some attacks down our left but not sure they had any chances and we had the best two; with the headers. After we scored around the hour mark, they got even worse and never really hurt us. The changes for them might have made them even worse and without Pukki they had nothing up top at all. In the end other than one shot, they never hurt us and felt they could still be playing now and not score. The goal was really poor and they may claim offside but they did not stop the Ndiaye run, failed to track Lowe or McAtee and the static centre backs will see it back and realise it was a perfectly good (well scrappy) goal! Norwich have always been strong at home and a side that can hurt teams but that is the poorest Norwich side we have seen since we have been neck and neck with them in the Championship and of course faced off at the higher level too. We always used to struggle but now are 7 unbeaten against them including I think 3 out of 4 at Carrow Road – a win and a draw in the Champ and a win in the Premier League followed by a win today. Our last loss was the late bus/Gunn timewasting game back in the Championship when we had first got promoted so we are now a bogey side for them after years before that of it maybe being the other way around.
Opponent Man of the Match – Not sure anyone was that great. Marquinhos showed bits and pieces but even the dangerous Pukki was quiet. Aarons may have been their best player – got down that side and was their biggest creator all game.
Opponent Weak link – Two leaden weighed and slow centre backs and in the end, we got through them to score a goal as they did not get back and defend their own area. Sargent and Idah were really poor. The former was superb at the Lane but seems to have really regressed and he does not seem the same player since the World Cup. He was awful today and never in it and rightly taken off.
Referee/Officials – Darren Bond. We have done quite well with him this season think winning 4 and drawing 1 both pre and post alice band look! He can be a bit fussy at times though I feel but today he was excellent and one of the best we have had this season. The Baldock-Aarons incident sparked a tasty period. Thought George was daft and Aarons a bit unlucky as it was his throw in and wanted the ball back. The yellow after for Sara was a bad tackle and then we had some poor challenges but he did well to not just start booking people. The Berge trip was an obvious yellow for him. Ndiaye and McClean one at the end was silly from both and he had no option. He did let the game flow actually and tried to play advantage when he could and he got both penalty appeals for the two right wing backs correct as neither were penalties. Credit to the assistant who did brilliantly to get the games big moment spot on from the replays. The officials were good today – easy to say when you win but they did not get much wrong and both teams were getting a bit silly and he managed it well.
