Kei Kamara's late impact may have edged fit-again match-winner Grant Holt out of the headlines, but not for his manager. Picture: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images
Norwich City boss Chris Hughton’s change of formation and supersub pay dividends
Monday, February 25, 2013
12:40 PM
Chris Hughton resisted any temptation to be wise after the event following a stirring Everton comeback.
The City chief abandoned the lone frontman role in the desperate search for goals with Grant Holt paired alongside recent January recruit Luciano Becchio, and Wes Hoolahan shifted into a left midfield role. Becchio was given just under an hour to soften up the Toffees’ rearguard before Kei Kamra profited with a pivotal cameo.
“I think when you get a result it is always easy to look at formations and the way we set the team up,” said Hughton. “I made the decision to go with the two up front. I had to think long and hard about it because these are a side who are good in central midfield and they out-number you. They have two wide players who tuck in so it is always a bit of a risk to play two front players against a team of this quality, but I just felt with the run we had been on, when we perhaps had not had what we would have liked in that final third, that we would just change the formation.
“When you bring on substitutes you are hoping they can affect the game and that is probably more important than scoring the goals. With Kei he gives us something different to what we have.”
Kamara’s late impact may have edged fit-again match-winner Holt out of the headlines, but not for his manager.
“I am delighted for Grant because as a goalscorer it has been a little bit tougher this season but I thought he deserved it,” said Hughton. “It was a real good performance from him. He is our captain and he does drive the team on and I suppose in that type of atmosphere towards the end of the game there is nobody better to be leading the line than Holty.
“Irrespective of the fact he probably has not scored the goals he would have liked he is still our captain and he still puts in that shift game in, game out. You want all your best players available so if Grant isn’t, is that a problem? Of course it is, but there are numerous players in the squad you do not want to do without.”
Absent midfielder Alex Tettey arguably comes into the same category. Hughton revealed the combative Norwegian may need a short break after sitting out training for the majority of last week.
“We have to make a decision on whether it is a case of us resting him for a couple of games or not,” said Hughton.
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52 comments
I should have said Kamara OR BECHIO. I just have a bit of a Kei Kamara man crush at the moment! Maybe it's the dance moves, but he looks like a bit of a legend in the limited time he has had on the pitch. That being said, I was impressed by Bechio against Everton as he was giving his all for the team throughout - you can ask for no more than that!
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CanaryDan
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
I should have said Kamara OR BECHIO. I just have a bit of a Kei Kamara man crush at the moment! Maybe it's the dance moves, but he looks like a bit of a legend in the limited time he has had on the pitch. That being said, I was impressed by Bechio against Everton as he was giving his all for the team throughout - you can ask for no more than that!
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CanaryDan
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
I should have said Kamara OR BECHIO. I just have a bit of a Kei Kamara man crush at the moment! Maybe it's the dance moves, but he looks like a bit of a legend in the limited time he has had on the pitch. That being said, I was impressed by Bechio against Everton as he was giving his all for the team throughout - you can ask for no more than that!
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CanaryDan
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Thank you all for your warm welcome - I hope to become a part of your fine community. Thanks for defending my honour Brew, although I don't think SO was having a pop at me there, but rather at the fella who suggested Murphy could have partnered Holt earlier in the season. On the point of tactics, I expect to see us line up with a 4-4-1-1 with Hoolahan behind Holt. I don't think anyone outside of the Norwich fanbase expects us to get anything out of the game at Old Trafford (facing Man U at Old Trafford is a different beast to facing them at Carra Rud) so if we are drawing with 20 minutes or so left, I see no reason not to go full out for the win and maybe bringing Kamara on for one of the holding midfielders and going back to a 4-4-2 or a diamond. Either way, there is no shame in getting beaten in our next game and either way, an air of positivity from us fans being maintained after the Everton result will be beneficial going into the run in. Keep the faith people - we shall survive the drop! IHWT
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CanaryDan
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Settle for only a point at Old Trafford, never!
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DocOhNo
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
I think he will start with one up front. Fergie's ideal scenario is to be two up early enough in the game to be able to take off more of the stars for a rest before Tuesday. If there are no goals or Norwich are one nil down with 20 minutes to go, Hughton then has a choice. It would be hard to criticise him if he settles for a point though.
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waclor
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Doc , you're right about Wes . Maybe he's just in need of a rest ? Totally agree about Lucifer , he worked his socks off against two very good centre halves and paved the way for Special K .
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mjc75
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I'd be tempted to use the same XI, with the exception of Wes being replaced by Pilks. Lucifer worked hard v Everton and should take a lot of credit for wearing down the defence in preparation for KK. Wes, I'm afraid just looked a bit lost out on the left. He's excellent in a 4 4 1 1 formation or in a diamond but in a 4 4 2 I'm not so sure.
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DocOhNo
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I suppose if you are going to be cautious then Old Trafford would be one place to do it , even without the star names they are still formidable . But confidence is high , and stranger things have happened . 1 point or 3 either way it would be a good result .
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mjc75
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Interesting posts here. On topic. Unlike some here. I have a feeling he will revert to one up front. If the need arises release Special K. The height he reaches will cause problems to many defenders.
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sharky
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
CanaryDan welcome . Hughton is starting to show trust in the back four and Brad in front doing the " enforcing " role , if Snoddy and Pilks are prepared to track backwards and forwards as required , Wes would fit " in the hole " behind Lucifer and Holt ( keeping Special K for impact until fully fit , looking forward to that btw ) . It looks like it's coming together , the downside is he'd have to try it to know and I'm not sure he will .
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mjc75
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
what have I said? I told hm how I think we should line out? You are just trying to make everything I type offensive, yo are losing it Brewer, breathe slow and count to ten.
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Steady On
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Good to see you extending a warm welcome to CanaryDan, Oxter. You are vile.
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Dan, good post. I think we should start 4-4-1-1 with wes and Holt. I mean, we've got to play them before they move on I guess as they "don't fit the hierarchy" apparently. And of course we should put Murphy up front on his own and "trust youth". I mean, it's only premier league survival at stake. Lets put the whole youth team out.
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Steady On
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Welcome, CanaryDan. Interesting on-topic posting. :-)
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
CanaryDan, Isn't there a caveat somewhere in the rules to say that Norwich can play with 12 men against Manchester Utd at Old Trafford?? Article 12 subsection 8 or something perhaps?
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Preston Canary
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Wow an excellent post C Dan
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sharky
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
CanaryDan - omitted "As you suggested"!
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
CanaryDan, I suppose the only way is to go back to the "Diamond" formation favoured by Lambo. Just one holding midfielder instead of the two currently preferred by Hoots. P`raps he`ll try it when we`re "safe"? Just an opinion!OTBC.
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Hello all - been a fan of these boards for some time now and thought I would get involved. So, as a first post, I thought I would ask all of you (including SO who appears to want to discuss football related matters only) if you think there is anyway Hoots can play 2 up front and maintain Super Wes in his preferred position of central attacking midfielder? Much as I love Wessi (it's his number on the back of my shirt) I fail to see how we can fit him into our system if we play 2 up front? In my personal opionon, he is not as dangerous when he's marginalised to the left wing. The diamond made famous in the days of the previous guy in charge of the team surely leaves us too exposed in midfield against higher table status teams and would surely nullify FoxSurman and others from ever getting a game. So is there a way of playing 2 up front with Wes in the team? I would suggest that this is the reason we didn't play with 2 up front more often prior to the arrival of Becks and Kei.
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CanaryDan
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
We all have an opinion, even SO who points out its always the same people who are negative. No need for insults though. One point at the weekend would be great
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sharky
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Again, who would you have paired holt with up front. It's the gaping hole in your theory.
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Steady On
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
That was Offord, Timbo. ;-)
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
On the contrary Steady On. The only reason Hughton succeeded, is that he "took the advice" ( ok we all know he doesn't read the PU messageboards) of the vast majority of us on here + played 2 up front whilst raiding the flanks to provide some crosses. Humble pie......is that one of Aunty Delia's recipies? Last eaten in Surrrrfeck about 3 years ago, following their unsuccessful promised revenge "demolition derby" when they were boxed about their turnip heads, even more severely than the 1st time they'd been foolish enough to try to take us on..
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Timbo
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Giving stick is what the trolls do. Most people on here SteadyOn gave criticism, not because they were weak minded, but because they care and because they can see that things weren't right. Hughton has been unwilling to make changes early enough to affect a game until last weekend and that is a fact. He has also been unwilling to change a formation depending on the opposition. That, too, is a fact. I have always maintained that Hughton should remain in charge. I wanted him as manager when Lambert left, but that does not mean I cannot criticise when I see something is wrong.
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Preston Canary
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
They are mostly football related, S\O, unless I`ve allowed myself to be detoured into trying to talk to you. Why don`t you try posting some stuff that`s manners related? You might enjoy it - and make some friends.
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
OK Steady On, Now for the football response. Vaugan DID turn up for Hughton with his goals in the preseason games. I agree that with his injury record you would not build a team around him but as a 30 minute sub and as he was already on the payroll and a better bet than Chris Martin, he could have been used. Look that's ancient history now. We have worried and fretted and now we think we'll be safe. Phew. I like to hear your opinions and value your thinking but not enough to have to read the abuse you heap on those who have a different view. As a defender of Hughton, you do a reasonable job. Just try to have the same respect for other as is shown to you. Cheers and have a nice day.
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waclor
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Sorry Steady On, this is not football related. Blind faith in a leader in the twentieth century has caused the holocaust, Stalin's terrors, the Kmer Rouge etc., (approximately a billion lives between them), whereas Britain's questioning of the tactics and mindset of Neville (Peace in Our Time) Chamberlain brought about the appointment of Winston Churchill and victory in WW2. Need I say more?
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waclor
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Holier than thou much brewer? How about you stop talking in riddles and stupid statements and actually post something football related.
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Steady On
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I am assuming, naively perhaps, that you`re not the kindly Dr. Jeckyll to S\O`s malevolent Mr. Hyde.....
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I wish I could aspire to dwell in the intellectual stratosphere occupied by Steady On. I am ever so `umble, Mr. Orator....... waclor speaks sense. The mystery of the non-recruitment of a striker in the summer remains. Why Chris Martin was retained while a `risk` could not be taken with James Vaughan is odd. CM never played anyway, JV has, at least, managed 20-odd games for Huddersfield. Morison`s total loss of any sort of form underlines how lucky we are (or MAY be) to swap him for Becchio. Cinnamon was quickly moved to the margins. Was Harry Kane ever a "goer" or just a smokescreen? I believe Spurs have sent him to the Championship on loan now. If we really have struck gold with KK (please, let it be!), then our cup runneth over. As Wacs (almost) says, one swallow doesn`t constitute a proper drink! No need to eat any Umble Pie, Canarygirl; your opinions are as well thought out as any on these boards. And polite, too. ;-) OTBC.
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
See what can happen when there is a "Plan B"???.....enough said!
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Algarve Canary
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
When has it ever been as simple as "getting another striker in"? It's hard, very hard. Players never turned up for him (morison, Kane, Jackson) Holt was the only one and he's performed admirably in these months getting hell beaten out of himself fruitlessly. Guess we could put our youth team strikers in like others have suggested. Puting a 19 year old kid up against Samba or Hangeland will end well I'm sure. Hughton knows what he's doing and people lost faith because they are weak minded. It's a smiple fact, they always lose faith, it's the same people time and time again. Must be a very hollow existence.
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Steady On
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
OK then guys, how should he pick the team for Saturday?
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waclor
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Canary Girl you should know that one swallow does not make a Summer. Great start though.
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waclor
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
"He didn't have the players to do it before". I can accept that as a reason to play with a single striker although I have to ask why he did not have the players as the scoring problem was obvious from mid July. However if you are suggesting that there were no strikers at the club who could not have increased the chances of scoring a goal if they replaced a midfield player with 15 minutes left in a game in which Norwich were on top, I can not agree. You seem to be suggesting that much of the squad were lightweight.
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waclor
Monday, February 25, 2013
Well I for one am willing to eat a bit of humble pie. Having backed Hoots for so long, I hold up my hands and admit that I may have been wrong to doubt. But oh its taken so long for him to even change tactics and consider playing two up front. What's more, he even had a plan B this time and it both worked!!! Yes we may not have played massively well but who cares, we won and that is all that matters. What a game and what a result. A big well done to Hoots and especially the team; they were all brilliant. otbc
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Canarygirl
Monday, February 25, 2013
good point goldie
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malmocanary
Monday, February 25, 2013
He didn't have the players to do it before. Genius!
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Steady On
Monday, February 25, 2013
Hang on Steady On, Hughton finally did what we have all criticised him for not doing before. Why on earth should that give rise to the need to apologise to him. Now that he has seen that it works, perhaps he should apologise to the fans and players for the earlier boring tactics and dropped points. However I will congratulate him for finally catching on. Well done Chris, better late than never.
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waclor
Monday, February 25, 2013
Now for todays football results: Arsenal affected the game twice, Chelsea affected the game once. Liverpool affected the game five times Swansea did not effect the game at all. Why does he come out with such tripe?
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waclor
Monday, February 25, 2013
Chris Hughton, and his team, changed the game at the right time and proved a lot of you wrong. Written apologies are greatfully recieved via the carrow road ticket office. Please put them in an envelope marked "humble pie"
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Steady On
Monday, February 25, 2013
Don't think 1p5wich can make the play offs so that's another season with no local derby. .
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Pondlife
Monday, February 25, 2013
malmocanary perhaps Everton did't score 3 becase the defenders did a good job!
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goldie
Monday, February 25, 2013
Be fair, KA, Pilks got about 20min, including Hootstime!
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Mad Brewer
Monday, February 25, 2013
great result and i'm as pleased as anyone - BUT lets not get carried away - I though for 80 mins we were pretty awful and we were lucky not to be 0-3 before we scored the 1st one. However great result, great determination and we deserved the luck
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malmocanary
Monday, February 25, 2013
Great result,thought we were a little fortunate but we deserve a bit of luck having had none so far this season.Good to see 2 up front and subs coming on early its what most of us have been saying for a long time.Shame about Hulahoops,not his fault but no suited to the left wing role,if we play with 2 up front then he may be the one to miss out in favour of Pilks,still he has been great for us this season.Still not sure about Howson time will tell I guess,looks like he may be getting a run if Tettey is out for a bit.Got a good feeling about this sat,man u have to lose sometime and with madrid on the horizon and 15pts clear could see a lot of changes,double over Man U wouldnt that be great.OTBC
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canaryjon
Monday, February 25, 2013
Glad "Kodak" scored, liked his "shimmy" on celebration, hope the other newcomers are a success Who needs Hooper [sorry about his European dreams]
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Muggas Budal
Monday, February 25, 2013
Great to see Hoot's reaction to the two goals & the rest of the staff squad. You could tell it meant a lot. He's a naturally cautious manager, I think even the late winning goal took him by surprise too!
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General Norwich
Monday, February 25, 2013
Kent I'm with you on that , we've given him a bit of stick so only fair to say well done , a good all-round performance . Special K given plenty of time , agree ref Pilks a bit longer would have been good , but hey we won so it worked , well done lads =D
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mjc75
Monday, February 25, 2013
CH took a lot of criticism from us after the Fulham game for not bringing on subs earlier, so it is only fair that we praise him for giving Kamara more than 30 minutes (5 minutes against Fulham) - time to influence the game. Maybe Pilks being given more than 12 minutes might have had a more positive effect as well - he made the corner that led to our first goal. Keep it positive, Chris, and we will all be right behind you. Great result and watching Moyes' reaction at the end was pure joy.
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Kent Anglian
Monday, February 25, 2013
Good to see 2 up - and lets hope this happens a bit more often now. Changing the formation is good, keeps the opposition guessing.. Norwich had become very 'samey' and as a result predictable,, and thats not good..
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richard
Monday, February 25, 2013