That Bolton result has marked the start of a new section of this Norwich City campaign...
From this moment of the season onwards I feel Daniel Farke’s management style will truly be tested.
Will he be able to instil that extra drive within his players, enough to grind out wins rather than draws when there is arguably nothing to play for?
An unorthodox situation that Norwich City have rarely found themselves in at the business end of the last handful of campaigns.
It is now fairly clear that a tactical tweak is very much needed, to make our boys a more potent side going forwards.
Yes, we did indeed produce very good chances against Bolton but perhaps not enough. We’re just not clinical enough to be complacent in this area of the pitch. It’s essential balls are constantly being pumped into Nelson Oliveira in central positions. On the floor, may I add.
Why not put teams on the back foot both mentally and physically, by starting two up top? What is there to lose at this stage? James Maddison will have more give and go options going forwards and will ensure tempo is maintained where it hurts our opposition.
Our continuous need for a more consistent stream of creative ideas on the offensive is crying out for our magician, Wes Hoolahan, to make a return to the squad too.
MORE: It’s now or never for City’s play-off bidDespite Daniel Farke clearing the air on all things Wes last week - how he’s not been making the bench more this season still smells funny, in my opinion.
Now it’s looking increasingly unlikely we’ll reach the play-offs this season, my attention certainly turns to which players, both permanent and on loan, do we realistically have a chance of keeping at Norwich City after the summer window? Let’s go through the obvious candidates...
Firstly, big Angus Gunn in between the sticks. Reflecting on the pretty emphatic debut season he’s had, I honestly think we were super lucky to have him for one season, so I think it’ll be a challenge to extend his loan deal. Obviously City want to keep hold of him though, so there’s hope.
Did Harrison Reed’s Bolton post match interview reveal he wants to stay at Carrow Road? He didn’t clearly state it, of course - but you can just see it in his eyes, his goal celebrations, the way he is around the squad, that he’s loved his time here. With Alex Tettey to possibly depart, it would make sense for City to make an enquiry over our newly adopted ‘Paul Scholes’, if you will.
Moritz Leitner, the man is clearly a classy cut of mustard. I’m still fully behind the conspiracy theory that City wanted to seal his services permanently during the January window. Daniel Farke was key to making this happen and I’m actually very confident we’ll sign him, particularly if the following man departs...
James Maddison. Arguably the reason why City haven’t been in an embarrassing relegation dog fight this season. Surely the undisputed winner of the upcoming Barry Butler Memorial Trophy.
MORE: City won’t be draw specialists for longWill clubs come sniffing? Of course. Will Stuart Webber be able to persuade him the stay? I think so. But, if big money is wafted in front of the board, with all the love in the world, I think they’d be likely to grab it with both hands.
On The Ball, City!
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