Norwich v Birmingham
Starting with the team sheet, there were a lot of changes from Saturday's match. Bielik, Deeney, Sanderson and Dean all out for Long, Chang, Chong and Hall.
First Half:
As we kicked off we adopted for a 4-5-1 formation and from the get go it was a very, very nervy start from Blues. Once again, a poor clearance on the third minute fell to a Norwich player, who rode 2 challenges and forced a smart save from Ruddy.
Blues, again, on the 10th minute, couldn't clear from a corner resulting in a scramble in the box and just survive.
The danger signs kept going and Norwich's patient build up almost paid off as a smart ball up to Idah was backheeled to Nunez, fortunately he dragged his shot wide.
Blues half settled down around the 15th minute mark, but never laid a glove on Norwich. We kept giving possession away and hoofing the ball up to a lone striker in Hogan.
On the 26th minute, the deadlock was broken by Norwich. In my opinion, it was a good clearance from Long, but his header looped to the edge of the box and Nunez hit an absolute stunner on the volley. Ruddy had no chance, it had been coming though.
After the first goal, Blues fell to pieces. Whatever game plan there was, went out the window when a smart cross into the Blues' box was turned home on the 35 minute by Nunez, who bagged a brace.
Idah threatened to make it 3 a couple of times, first Longelo with a last ditch tackle, then Ruddy with another top save.
Norwich could and should have been out of sight.
HT 2-0 to Norwich
Honestly, I don’t know what the game plan was coming into this game. Very strange tactics and starting 11. It had vibes of Swansea away, we looked lost. We spent most the game hoofing up to Hogan. Norwich hadn’t even had to break a sweat.
Second Half:
Juke on for Bacuna. A standard half time substitution when we’re losing and the game plan is going wrong.
We switched formation to 4-4-2, again predictable when losing and things not going right.
On the 55th minute mark, Juke causes the Norwich defence problems and the ball fell kindly to Colin who strikes a lovely left footed shot into the corner. 2-1 and game on!
A half decent chance falls to Chong on the edge, who whips it wide.
We owe Long a massive thank you as Norwich flicked the ball on to McClean, who pokes the ball through Ruddy’s legs. The Irish centre half chased the ball and cleared it off the line to keep it 2-1 and hope for Blues.
Juke made a lot of difference, but again as the game went on it got scrappy and both teams looked leggy.
Gardner and James came on for Chong and Chang. I thought Chang looked lost in the first half, but put in a shift in the second half.
As 6 minutes of extra time was announced, Blues looked well out of ideas and on the 93rd minute, they gave possession away again. The Norwich winger raced down the wing, cut inside and fired them 3-1 up. Game over, yet again caught out by the cut inside and shot into the corner. We have conceded so many goals like that.
FT 3-1 Norwich
Verdict:
From the opening 15 mins, you could see what kind of game this would be. I have to say, Eustace got his first half formation, starting 11 and tactics wrong again. There was actually no game plan and hoofing the ball up to a lone Hogan is pointless. Again, I honestly don’t think Hogan had a shot or touched the ball more than 10 times.
Second half got better for about 15 minutes. Just like losses in the past, we ran out of steam and ideas.
That is our 8th loss in 10 games, and with all the possible charges coming Blues way, it looks bleak to say the least.
As I’m writing this, I’m seeing a lot of Eustace out. Our current form is terrible and some of the recent tactics starting the game have been shocking.
Another nothing game and poor performance. Credit to Juke, even at his age, he’s showing the fight.
Luton at home on Saturday and honestly there is no confidence in this side again.
Player ratings out of 10
Ruddy - 5
Colin - 5
Trusty - 4
Long - 4
Longelo - 3
Hannibal - 4
Chang - 4
Bacuna - 2
Hall - 3
Chong - 3
Hogan - 2
Subs
Etheridge - N/A
Dean - N/A
Friend - N/A
Graham - N/A
Gardner - 3
James - N/A
Jutkiewicz - 6
See the highlights from the game and reactions from our team below:
Credit: Birmingham City Football Club
Credit: Birmingham City Football Club
Credit: Birmingham City Football Club
Comments