The games really are coming thick and fast, aren’t they?
Following on from last week’s two away games and an arguably season’s best performance so far against Bristol City on Saturday, Norwich now find themselves back in their front room of Carrow Road for two games this week.
On Tuesday evening, the Canaries take on Millwall followed by high flying Swansea City on Saturday afternoon.
As is usual, Daniel Farke spoke to the media via a video press conference and as is also usual, Vital Norwich Forum stalwart, FC Bears was watching. Here’s his take on the boss’ pre-Millwall preparations.
Oh dear Xavi Quintilla is a little worse than Daniel Farke first thought and so he will now miss Millwall – Swansea maybe but he will have to see – (Zimmermann and Xavi now two players whose injuries are worse than first thought – new Medical team needed?)
Josh Martin and Christoph Zimmermann are both back in training and ready but DF says they will not start as it is too soon but we will see about the bench.
Kenny McLean is looking like he may be out with a back issue (Martin, McLean, Stiepermann, Cantwell, Famewo all had back issues).
The Sam Byram situation is ‘complicated’ and he will not be seen until after Xmas.
Onel Hernandez is far away from returning to playing probably January and the same for Kieran Dowell but he, at least, is now running and looking better.
DF has said that the club is already looking at Left Backs and Central Defenders for January but until then he is just keeping his fingers crossed that there are no more injuries in those or any other positions.
Sounds like last year, eh?!
You watch, now we have three central defenders fit one of them will get an injury to put us back to where we were.
Question:
Why would the club be looking at a left back when we signed two this season (Xavi and Sam McCallum) Why not bring McCallum back? Unless they look to a loan, which doesn’t seem great financially (loan fees/wages), why do that when you have a good left back out on loan and have the recall option in January?
You could ask that question for the centre back role too. Bring back Akin Famewo, I say.
Maybe it will be a loan for a player who can play at LB and CB – like the classy Mitchell Dijks.
DF says that he saw Max Aarons, Bali Mumba and Jacob Sorensen as left back cover for Xavi.
Hmmm, not the greatest planning in my books.
Two right backs and a central midfielder and all three are right footed.
DF says he was aware we were thin in certain areas but that he was hoping that we would be able to get to January.
Why? Why didn’t you just get the players in, in the summer and then by January they should all be bedded in?
With all these games, playing Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, it does seem likely that as the season goes on, injuries are going to be a big issue for most clubs. A big squad is going to be required, which we have, but there are some notable gaps, like at left back and centre back which are two positions that we have already sustained injuries in.
FC Bears is right, it’s a funny strategy to look to get to January, when players are notoriously more expensive and difficult to sign…
OTBC