Where do I begin? It is common knowledge for Norwich fans that when you travel away in the Premier League, under Chris Hughton you are very unlikely to witness a victory. Saying that, you're also very unlikely to score more than one goal.
From the outset it was clear that Villa were very nervous and making a lot of mistakes and after a fine Wes Hoolahan goal, Villa were there for the taking.
Numerous times we won the ball high up the pitch and didn't want to attack, instead opting to hold the play up and play it across the midfield. Norwich could have made it two, three before Villa had time to respond in the first 10 minutes. But Hughton preferred to instruct his team to be cautious, not kill the game and allow the game to settle into a rhythm, a rhythm that would prove to be very costly for Norwich City.
As Villa got the ball into an attacking position, mainly through punts up the field, Tettey and Johnson failed to get a grip on the midfield and were constantly out-run and overpowered by the slim figures that occupied the Villa midfield. Credit to Villa for using Benteke so effectively, holding up the play and not allowing Yobo to win a large portion of the aerial balls that were soaring over to the Norwich back-line.
Up comes the first goal, then the second, third and fourth. Sitting in the away end we couldn't believe it. How could we have gone from such a commanding position in the first 10 minutes to this. Not one fan could believe how a team could crumble so easily and allow a poor Villa team to appear a world class outfit.
But then isn't that what we have done all season. Our wonderful manager who's approach to every game has allowed teams to play and utilise the strengths of their team to pick us apart. Not once did our players get stuck in, hassle the Villa players or cause them any troubles. They were allowed to play at their pace and inevitably got their reward.
Hughton does not come across as a manager that inspires his players. Nor does he appear to be a manager that wishes to kill a game off. Not once this season have Norwich won back to back Premier League games. And only once this season can I recall winning a game from a two goal margin, the third goal coming in stoppage time. Our team deserves to be where it is this season and whatever happens in these last 10 games the manager has to go.
We are 4-1 down at half-time and the second half brought no fight back. I recall in the first 15 minutes after the restart we didn't even muster a shot on goal. So much for the hopes of 4-4. Our glorious manager didn't change formation. Oh no, Elmander was brought on to support Hooper (the same Elmander that has been firing in the goals for us all season) and was placed at right midfield. Right midfield. I couldn't believe it. As expected, he made very little contribution to the match and nor did Pilkington when he was brought on.
I can see the argument for keeping shape. No doubt about that. But it's the ability of a manager to change things when the match isn't going your way that I question. Also most teams in the Premier League play 4-5-1 or the equivalent of and it's how you play. Norwich are very slow to attack, we pass the ball across the midfield as opposed to playing in the strikers, van Wolfswinkel and Hooper are forever on the last defenders shoulder waiting for the through ball that will never come. They must be so frustrated. I can sympathise with both as to why they are devoid of confidence.
Successful teams are able to keep possession and pass the ball. Norwich passed the ball over 100 times less than Aston Villa and 18% of their passes were long balls. 1% of the 421 passes they made were considered to be through balls. Compare the 421 passes with the 74% completion meaning just 312 of those passes found their target. 18% of passes being long balls strikes me as poor considering the two players they would have been aiming for are 5ft10 and 5ft6.
There are very little positives to take from this match. Hughton has me in confusion. The man wants to make Norwich a defensive outfit and yet we have the third worst goal difference in the division. On that basis there is no argument for us not going out and attacking these last 10 games like the team we should be. But do I hold out much hope for this? not under Chris Hughton. Disappointment has surrounded his every move at the club and whichever division we find ourselves in at the end of May, the end for him should be on the agenda. It is time to bring a dynamic, inspirational and innovative leader to Carrow Road and end this dreadful period.
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