So. What a week it has been for Norwich fans. Firstly I am going to have a moan about West Brom (h). What was Chris thinking? The fans were shocked at the end by the manner of the defeat more than anything, we looked awful.
Defensively we looked shaky, namely Bassong. Ollson at times looked like he was struggling with a hamstring and Martin and Yobo look devoid of confidence, West Brom were having a field day.
Tactically I couldn't work out where Hughton thought he was going to penetrate West Brom's defence. Following their goal Norwich set up in an unconventional 4-2-4 formation. The midfielders, Tettey and Howson interchanged from playing as centre back or right wing, leaving the middle of the park exposed for the majority of the game allowing West Brom to attack through the middle with ease.
There was no idea on how to attack the game other than the usual "pass it out wide and cross method". West Brom found it all too easy. Elmander carries less threat than a worm on concrete and Hooper seems lost in a team that will never play to his strengths. I firmly believe Hughton acquired some decent players in Fer, Wolfswinkel (yes i said it) and Hooper. RVW at the start of the season looked so lively, running across the line and looking for the through ball which never came all season.
The nucleus of our team is imbalanced. Centrebacks passing to Russel Martin, over the top to Snodgrass and into the box is the only plan. There is no utilisation of other areas of the pitch. For example, why play Hoolahan left wing when he clearly does not have the pace or the physique to play that position. He suits the number 10 role where he can be creative and try to find that through ball.
As much as I admire Tettey and Johnson's passion for the good old fashioned tackle, all too often this season they have been found putting in a weak foot. Neither can distribute the ball or display any aptitude for passing and that is a key area where Norwich lose out.
I feel for the strikers when I see Norwich set up against West Brom a goal down. The attack took the formation of a flat four, as did the defence. No player dropped into space to collect the ball and as such nothing was created. Norwich never looked like scoring and, set up like that they could have played another two hours and not scored. Hughton and his coaches have shown they are not up to the task of managing in the Premier League.
And at last, the mighty fell. A late Sunday night blow to the career of Hughton and Neil Adams is in charge of Norwich City until the end of the season. Right decision? Yes. Right time? No. This should have been done months ago. Mcnally has put the players in a precarious predicament. If Adams takes Norwich to relegation, the fans may turn on the players as Hughton is not there anymore, it could be a disaster.
Chris Hughton will go down in my book as a manager without any adaptability, any confidence or any desire to be the best he can be. He is one of those managers who will never lead a club like Norwich City to a new level. Norwich are a club with a lot of potential, a huge catchment area and the "almost" stability of being a Premier League team, they could be an expansive club that build a bigger stadium and attract wealthy investment to reach a new level. I feel Hughton has brought that dream tumbling down. Hughton and his coaches, are they the men who have kept a local club within the status quo?
What are your thoughts?
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