Norwich in JPT at SMS

we face Norwich again and should hopefully repeat the result. I am wondering how many Pardew will rest as we have 4 important players on 4 yellows with Leeds up next. Jaidi is one that I would definitely rest as he will be needed on saturday. Harding as well could be replaced by fish.

Agree 4 on yellows could be an issue especially as 3 in back line! If anyone would rest Jaidi but leave the rest in, James and Schneiderlin wouldnt be worried if they got suspended for Leeds game, Harding would rest if I thought we had a decent replacement which we dont!

On the other hand would you rather they miss the Leeds game who should go up in one of automatic places and have full squad for Exeter at St Marys

Good point Matty. I have thought about that and reached the conclusion, haven't the faintest. If AP firmly believes that we can do a job on Leeds then I feel he should rest the players most important to us. That would mean Jaidi being rested for Norwich and possibly Harding. Mills could take Harding's slot and Trotman Jaidi's. If AP thinks Leeds will be too strong whoever we play then I would play them as it wouldn't make a lot of difference. It would also get their booking out of the way if booked before the transfer window.

Supered

I forgot about Mills at LB and as you say can think about it forever and still be no further forward!!

Interesting that Norwich have similar issues not due to bookings but some knocks from last game and they have home game against Huddersfield on Saturday so they will have to make some difficult decisons to. Thats a game they will really want to win.

I think AP will play Trotman so will probably rest Jaidi regardless as for rest I think he will field storngest side he can but will wait and see tomorrow, hopefully James in midfield

SFC Forever wrote:we face Norwich again and should hopefully repeat the result.

Another draw?

Win with penalty shoot out.





Hands held up high. I forgot that it was 2-2. How I don't know.

Not going well. Saints 1 Naaaarich 2.

I bloody hate Norwich, they're one of those annoying teams we can't seem to beat.

F**KING GET THE F**K IN!!!!!!!



Last ditch equaliser and we win on penalties, after sudden death.

All this excitement ain't good for a little old lady

In the words of Frankie Valley i think, Oh what a night!! Some good open football, spells when saints played well, Norwich got niggly towards the end which got the crowd going, last minute scrambled equaliser and then penalty shoot out with Thomas and bart the heroes. all for 9 quid!!

Saints started brightly and for first 20 minutes were on top, good goal by waigo who beat yes beat the offside trap and looks more dangerous when running down the middle. Norwich then took control for rest of the half as our midfield capitulated always being second best and not willing to put foot in. Mellis and Schneiderlin main culprits. Norwich deserved equaliser and started 2nd half stronger. Convinced their 2nd should have been ruled out. Holt through on goal, Bart saved but Holt then dived for penalty but other Norwich player controlled loose ball with hand to knock in. Never any joy with refs.

Schneiderlin subbed at half time, Mellis after about an hour. Brought on Wotton to add some bite in midfield and Antoino out wide. Last throw of dice was Thomas on for Perry after he had been kicked in the head but went to RB with James in CB, not a clever move. Norwich looked comfortable but then started kicking lunps out of Saints. Waigo got through then cynically scythed down when through but only yellow card. Norwich tried to run down clock in corner but Holt, who has to be the fattest cheat in the league went down claiming an elbow. He should have been sent off for diving as already booked but from that free kick to us Bart thumped down field, goal mouth scramble and Papa pops up to get equaliser with last kick of game. Crowd went mental!!

Second penalty shoot out and looked bad when james missed, just blast it James! Lambert, wotton, Lallana Waigo all good pens then Bart to the rescue with save then Hammonds pen went in under Norwich goalie, could see dispapointment on Norwich players.

Then had chance to win after bart saved but Antoinio took pen and easy save, why not Harding?? By this time was in desperate need of defibrillator as sure heart was about to stop. Yet another save by Bart meant another chance to win and up steps the most obvious penalty taker Thomas! Low and hard into bottom corner of net, utter pandemonium dancing around like idiots and looking forward to MK Dons games!!
To be fair Norwich were the better side on the night but they did field a full strenght side. Our weakness in midfield was again exposed, Mellis is of little use and second game in a row Schneiderlin subbed early in second half for Wotton. still no bookings and jaidi and Connolly didnt play and still have murty to come back, wembley a real propsect now.

Bart 8 has to be for his penalty saves, kicking again was poor but who cares
James 5 works hard but often caught out of position
Perry 7 solid and at least puts his head in where it hurts
Trotman 6 did okay, distribution is poor but is learning
Harding 6 tough game with Norwich attacking threat
Mellis 4 nice touches aorund the box in 1st half but so lightweight
Hammond 6 Not a great game but scored pen
Lallana 6 not one of his best but again good pen
Schneiderlin 4 yet another poor game
Waigo 8 one of his best games for us worked hard and scored both goal plus pen in top right hand corner
Lambert 6 Quiet night but never in doubt with pen

Subs
Thomas 7 did okay defensivley and pen to win it
Antonio 6 didnt do a lot and shouldnt have taken pen
Wotton 7 took time to get going but eventually brought some backbone to midfield

Thanks for that, great post Matty

matty07uk wrote:...Holt, who has to be the fattest cheat in the league went down claiming an elbow. He should have been sent off for diving as already booked but from that free kick to us Bart thumped down field, goal mouth scramble and Papa pops up to get equaliser with last kick of game. Crowd went mental!!

Poetic justice, as from what I heard it was Holt's blatent cheating that allowed us to get up the field and score. Holt is one of those players who you want to thump, a bit like Robbie Savage.

Perennial Underachiever wrote:Not going well. Saints 1 Naaaarich 2.

I bloody hate Norwich, they're one of those annoying teams we can't seem to beat.

Seems quite a few teams like that , against Boro

We really didn't deserve to get through after playing rubbish for 65 minutes after a great start but as Matty said well worth the attendance fee for the penalties and the mini pitch invasion alone. MK Dons didn't really impress me when we beat them 3-1 so lets hope we can beat them again twice.