Norwich City's chief creative spark, Wes Hoolahan, remains a key part of the solution for Chris Hughton to try and unlock Norwich's attacking potential.

Norwich City boss Chris Hughton admits it’s a hard balancing act

Saturday, March 9, 2013
10:00 AM

Chris Hughton conceded his Everton experiment of two out-and-out frontmen brought only limited success.

City edged the Toffees with late goals from Kei Kamara and Grant Holt, but the skipper was back in a lone front-running role for last weekend’s trip to Manchester United.

“I am happy that we got the result (against Everton). Did we create enough ourselves in the course of the game? Probably not,” he said.

“We could have created more but we were up against a top six team who overload midfield and you know they can hurt you. It is about the balances. We’d like to be scoring more goals but firstly, we need to make sure we are a hard team to play against. Whatever our mentality is that doesn’t change. We have looked to address it with bringing in two strikers in the window. We are very conscious that we are playing in a difficult league against top teams and we have to be competitive to start with, which gives us a chance to win football matches. Where you would like to get to is a team that doesn’t concede many and scores plenty of goals. If we were at that stage we would already be safe in this division right now.”

City’s chief creative spark, Wes Hoolahan, remains a key part of the solution for Hughton to try and unlock Norwich’s attacking potential.

“My job and my responsibility is to determine the tactics for every game so whether I play two or one up front or Wes off the front in a more advanced position is something I have to consider,” he said.

“When you play the system that we have had for quite a period of the season it gets an influential player like Wes into the team. The decision is where do you play him? If it’s off the front then you may lack that little bit of intensity and directness. The balances are difficult to get. I wouldn’t say Wes is a luxury player because he has had a good effect on the season but it is quite obvious where his best position is – which ideally is a central position on the pitch. The last thing I would want anyone to feel is that Wes is a luxury player in our squad. He certainly can do that in the wide area, like Everton, but if you play Wes there you have to compromise.”

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12 comments

What on earth has gone wrong with Howson?? He is frightened of having the ball. He once looked so promising. Training ground?

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Mad Brewer

Saturday, March 9, 2013
I,m Worried. One point is ok for me. Three would be great! Please do NOT lose.

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sharky

Saturday, March 9, 2013
I sort of agree with you on that, Singapore. I thought maybe give Whits the Tettey role? Cafu @ RB. We do need to muscle up the midfield with Tetts missing. Sadly, Howson, without being actually bad, is not really cutting it.

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Mad Brewer

Saturday, March 9, 2013
The object is to be in the PL next season, yes I would like to see more attacking entertaining but 1-0 or even 0-0 against some teams is better than losing 3-4. I would like to see two up front for today and I also sign-on to the have Martin mid-field and Whits back in the team would make for a stronger team and better attacking options. OTBC

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Singapore Canary

Saturday, March 9, 2013
That`s true of life in general too, waclor. "Praise and Honours for the non-participants, punishment of the Innocent". For footy managers it comes with the territory. Success is always well rewarded, failure is usually well rewarded, too! Just think Seven Groan Eriksson. The real wimps are the ones who go for the easy (and obscenely lucrative) option - "punditry". Kaptain Krispy, Happy Hansen, Loopy Lawro, Toonhero Shearer et al. Hoots got Shearer`s Shipwreck back into the Prem., 1st attempt....... Good ol` Hoots.

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Mad Brewer

Saturday, March 9, 2013
Who would be a manager? He knows the abuse should he get it wrong will last for weeks whilst the praise if he gets it right will only last until the next match. I have my fingers crossed for Hoots and the team. Good luck lads.

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waclor

Saturday, March 9, 2013
Whatever tactics CH employs today it is noticeable that Hollihan has effectively ruled himself out with a series of poor performances and has proved ineffective in whatever system is played. Equally Howson is a little lightweight as a holding midfielder. A suggestion earlier in the week that Russell Martin could be used in that role with Whittaker coming in at fullback would be worthy of consideration.

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VictorM

Saturday, March 9, 2013
I think City would take a point today - Soton need to win more than we do but dare not lose. We just don`t want to lose! I think we should win today, and if we do 3 or 4 points more will finish the job. If we stay up, it`ll be interesting to see how Hoots takes us to the next stage, in a régime of relative financial prudence. As long as we don`t become the "New Stoke"!

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Mad Brewer

Saturday, March 9, 2013
I would tend to agree with you B Inners and whilst our style of play is often dour, I agree that CH has been tasked with trying to keep us in the Premier League. I've heard one or two fans saying that they're giving up their season ticket if the 'entertainment value' doesn't improve - I'm sure there are plenty of fans on the waiting list who hope that some season tickets will indeed become available.

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Mr Ed

Saturday, March 9, 2013
I think CH's remit is to stay in the PL. If that means boring so be it. With next year's pot of gold perhaps we can buy some extra players and play more expansive football. PS HJ, If you want to sell your season ticket I'll have it!

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B Inners

Saturday, March 9, 2013
My fear exactly HJ. As CH said, Everton are a top 6 team. Soton are a different proposition. With it being a 6 pointer game, we simply HAVE to be more positive.

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zebbee

Saturday, March 9, 2013
Surely he's not contemplating using the negative "one up front" option this afternoon against Southampton? If he continues with that strategy, particularly against such teams, he'll drive the fans away. People won't pay to continuously watch games where City employ negative tactics - it's simply not entertaining enough.

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Honest John

Saturday, March 9, 2013