Yesterday’s press conference from Daniel Farke at Colney was a bit disappointing, wasn’t it?
The loss of Alex Tettey for three weeks is not good news at all. He has an abductor muscle injury and could return after the Ipswich game, which is on Sunday 10th February. That means he will miss the crucial games against Birmingham (tonight), Sheffield United and then Leeds in between.
It’s a huge blow. No other way to describe it, as he is still (arguably) unique in our squad. His mix of athleticism and destructive break-up play have been a key part of the side this season, not to mention the last six seasons.
We do have Ben Godfrey, who looks to be a similar type of player but he’s currently being used in central defence and due to the knee injury suffered by Timm Klose, is likely to be employed there for the foreseeable future. Grant Hanley is now back from suspension and available but I’d be surprised if he were to replace Godfrey and Farke then move Ben into midfield, where he hasn’t played all season.
One thing that Farke has shown is that he is loyal to players that are in the team and are playing well. That makes me think that it will be Zimmermann and Godfrey as the two centre-backs tonight.
The replacement for Alex Tettey is where I think Farke will have the biggest decision to make, despite having plenty of options to choose from.
The loss of Moritz Leitner in the “Battle of Ewood Park” has been a blow but Mario Vrancic has stepped up and softened that particular loss to the team. He isn’t as good as Mo in that slightly withdrawn “quarterback” role because he is arguably a more attacking minded player. However, he brings something different and he scores goals too. I saw some stats recently that showed he is made more tackles and played more passes than any other player at the Hawthorns.
Mario Vrancic made an impressive nine tackles at The Hawthorns. Before today, no Norwich City player had made more than six in a game this season.
Oh and he also found time to complete 44 passes, more than anyone else on the pitch 🔥 #ncfc
(Pic credit: Focus Images) pic.twitter.com/FMrx5y5DYg
— NCFC Numbers (@ncfcnumbers) January 12, 2019
I think he will stay where he is but who plays alongside him?
Farke has Tom Trybull as an obvious choice but he also has the fit-again Kenny McLean and Louis Thompson. I think that it’ll be too soon for Louis and Farke talked about giving him and Carlton Morris some U23 game time next Monday. McLean is fit again and will be itching for a chance. He played very well against Portsmouth and his late intervention against West Brom, where he provided the assist for Jordan Rhodes’ late equaliser, was another reminder for his Coach of what he can do and that he’s like a new signing.
I think though, that Farke will pick Trybull, as the more defensive of his options and the most similar in style to Mo Leitner, to replace Tettey. There are pros and cons for all of those mentioned above but it will be most like our Daniel to not be too cavalier in his choices.
Marco Stiepermann is also back and could start or he could sit on the bench. Only those in the know (and I’m not) will be aware of how ready he is. One thing I can say is that we have missed his physical presence in support of Teemu Pukki. If Tim Krul needs to go long, then Marco is the man he aims for. His link-up play with Teemu has always been an asset too, as his goal at Bristol City recently showed.
If Farke doesn’t think that Marco is ready to start though, I expect faith to be kept with Todd Cantwell at number 10. Todd has looked a little jaded at times recently, in my humble opinion but I don’t see him every day and I’m not privy to the scientific data that the coaches will have access to. He’s earned his place in the squad and the starting XI, which is fair enough. He doesn’t give the physical presence of Stiepermann there though.
The good news out of Colney was that Emi Buendia and Jamal Lewis have suffered no ill effects after their respective returns from injury against the Baggies last time out. Both have proven crucial and both will surely start tonight.
One thing that this has all shown is that the Norwich City squad has some strength in depth. Having said that, the loss of Klose through injury (he may or may not need an operation) and the loaning of Ben Marshall to Millwall have left us a little weaker.
We could do with another winger now and if Klose needs an op and is out for 2-3 months, then I’d say we could do with another centre back too. This is a crucial period for City, with the point gained at West Brom a nice little start. We need to win tonight’s game and then perform at a high level against Sheffield United and Leeds.
Managing the squad will be key but Farke has options, as I said, and he’s shown he can use them effectively.
Obviously, everything I have written is all supposition but we’ll know for sure at 6.45pm tonight.
OTBC