Fan survey points to little need for Norwich City boss Alex Neil to make wholesale changes for Leeds United clash
Norwich City boss Alex Neil and his coaching staff need to see a response from their squad. Picture: PAUL CHESTERTON - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Bouncing back from a beating at Brighton is the mission for Norwich City manager Alex Neil – and Canaries supporters clearly feel he has the tools to do just that.
Norwich City player selection survey results ahead of Leeds United match, results as of 6pm on Wednesday, November 2. Graphic: Archant - Credit: Archant
We asked Canaries fans to vote on which players should be dropped following the surprising 5-0 defeat on the south coast at Pinkun.com.
More than 2,000 people took part in the survey and, surprisingly, only two players were voted as prime candidates to be dropped for the visit of Leeds United to Carrow Road in the Championship on Saturday.
The player to receive the most votes in favour of the chop was goalkeeper Michael McGovern, after a difficult afternoon against the Seagulls, which all stemmed from his early clanger allowing Glenn Murray to score the first of his three goals.
One decision has already been taken out of Neil's hands due to midfielder Alex Tettey picking up his fifth yellow card of the season and triggering a one-match ban.
Replacing the experienced Norway international looks a straight forward decision, with Jonny Howson out injured and Youssouf Mulumbu only recently returning to training after a foot injury which was picked up in mid-September.
Young midfielder Louis Thompson looks set for his first league start in Tettey's place, having impressed in the EFL Cup at Everton and Leeds – unless the City boss decides to move away from his 4-2-3-1 formation.
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One decision Neil has been accused of getting wrong by plenty of City fans is whether to rest Jacob Murphy.
The 21-year-old winger made a flying start to the season, scoring six goals in his first nine games.
However, the FA Youth Cup winner has looked physically and mentally tired in recent games, which cannot be a surprise, given the speed of his elevation.
Hopefully Canaries fans will have many more years of enjoying the match-winning ability of Jacob, and his twin brother Josh, but right now his impact will surely be greater as a substitute – with 75pc of City fans voting for Jacob to drop out of the starting XI.
Timm Klose may have had the worst match of his Canaries career but is clearly still popular, with over 90pc wanting him to remain.
Martin Olsson, Wes Hoolahan, Alex Pritchard and Cameron Jerome were all backed to keep their places as well.
Defenders Russell Martin and Ryan Bennett proved the most contentious, only just tipping over the 50pc mark. The same goes for midfielder Graham Dorrans, although Neil would seem to have little choice but to play the Scot, given his limited central options.
Whoever takes to the pitch on Saturday, they need to be motivated to perform and fight for their manager. Raise the white flag again and none of the players can be sure of keeping their place in the team.
