Not a vintage performance today for a number of reasons. But still, I think we can reflect on an enjoyable 4W 1D 0L over our supposed period of 5 "easier" fixtures.
Here are my ratings:
Schmeichel: 6 - Reliable, and still demonstrating distribution that we weren't really aware was in him a few years ago.
Ricardo: 6 - Looked threatening at times but poor link-up play around him nullified him somewhat.
Evans: 7 - Studiously avoided by the Norwich attack. Held up his end.
Soyuncu: 6 - Studiously targeted by the Norwich attack, and had to use his pace to dig himself out of trouble on several occasions. Given the runaround somewhat today.
Chilwell: 7 - Excellent covering work defensively helped Soyuncu out 2 or 3 times in the first half when he was hit with the ball over the top and went a bit Maguire with it. A bit hit and miss in attack but a good and solid contributor overall.
Ndidi: 8 - Defensively everywhere today, cutting out Norwich attacks left, right and centre. Easy choice for our MOTM.
Praet: 5 - Struggled to influence the game. The comparisons with Andy King will continue.
Tielemans: 6 - Some nice, intricate play and showed good vision to pick passes into open spaces, but he's not being the impact in the opposition penalty area that I want him to be right now.
Maddison: 7 - Generally looked the most likely to create something and took responsibility throughout.
Iheanacho: 5 - Started off looking quite good and threatening, but then came "the incident". Told by the ref to throw the ball back to Norwich, he then threw it to Ricardo and asked for it back. When he received it, he ran at the Norwich defence and got chopped down. To me, he was being thick rather than malicious. But the die was cast, the Norwich fans were (understandably) on his back, he was losing his head and I feared the next thing coming was likely a red card for a wild challenge. That along with the change in formation made the first-half substitution brave but absolutely correct.
Vardy: 7 - Keen and caused problems when he was fed well, but that didn't happen early often enough.
Gray: 6 - Drove at and asked questions of the Norwich defence but ultimately couldn't create much.
Barnes: 4 - Looked absolutely bereft of confidence, not reading the game at either end of the pitch and without a clue what to do with the ball when he had it. Shooting had no finesse whatsoever. Needs a start against Everton and a word in his ear.
I don't think anyone could begrudge Norwich a point today, given how they fought and held up the energy levels right to the end. Even in the last 5 or 10 minutes they didn't panic and kept pushing for a winner themselves - remarkable spirit for a team where they are, although I fear that still won't be enough for them.
For us, it was a tale of firstly tactical error, as Norwich dealt with the midfield diamond a lot better than Villa did last week, then simply too many sub-par performances around the pitch. Whether this was the distraction of the upcoming Man City/Liverpool double header or just a poor day at the office, it's hard to say.
Player ratings vs. Norwich
posted on 16/12/19
The amount of times Watford opened them up was incredible on MOTD, shame as Florida said they've forgotten how to score.
posted on 16/12/19
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 13 hours, 22 minutes ago
Klopptimus - I don’t know whether you’re just trying to wind up Arro here, but the purpose of us getting 25 points from the last 9 games has always to me about making hay while the sun shines - ie we have some tough games over Christmas and a protective cushion built up. 4 points from our next 4 games wouldn’t be a bad return, then we move onwards.
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Obviously not a wind up.
We had a conversation before and this is in the context of that conversation.
posted on 16/12/19
comment by ArroinLestah (U22188)
posted 13 hours, 13 minutes ago
comment by Klopptimus Prime - Die Unerträglichen (U1282)
posted 55 minutes ago
Perhaps you are right about the big games. City and Liverpool coming up will be the biggest this season though, no? As in so far.
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Only because of where we stand in the league currently, Liverpool and City aren't bigger games for us than anyone else, you're all the same but Spurs is the one I don't want to lose.
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I'm talking in terms of our last conversation where the title/race was the dominant aspect.
posted on 16/12/19
comment by Florida Fox (U2500)
posted 8 hours, 4 minutes ago
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 4 hours, 24 minutes ago
2-3 points from our next two games would be a fantastic return and really state our intentions for the top 4.
Lose both and I agree, we will be nervously looking at Chelsea and Spurs worrying about holding on to our top 4 spot.
Utd and Arsenal are laughable this year so no concerns there.
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Man City draw and we will beat Liverpool....... They are starting to look knakered and Watford could of beat them if they knew how to score!
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Been hearing this and other excuses for a long time. First we were going to fall off when we picked up some injuries. To be honest I felt the same but our players are dropping like flies at the moment but we keep winning games even when we change most of the team.
The CWC might do the trick though. It depends. If the games are easy it could be like a warm weather training camp with two friendly games, we could return fresher than we left. Obviously that's the less likely scenario but its still possible.
Best scenario for Liverpool would be Leicester to beat City and then lose to Liverpool.
posted on 17/12/19
No one wants to come to Leicester right now.... Klopp knows it!
Come for a draw but we will beat you!
posted on 17/12/19
comment by Klopptimus Prime - Die Unerträglichen (U1282)
posted 13 hours, 56 minutes ago
comment by Florida Fox (U2500)
posted 8 hours, 4 minutes ago
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 4 hours, 24 minutes ago
2-3 points from our next two games would be a fantastic return and really state our intentions for the top 4.
Lose both and I agree, we will be nervously looking at Chelsea and Spurs worrying about holding on to our top 4 spot.
Utd and Arsenal are laughable this year so no concerns there.
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Man City draw and we will beat Liverpool....... They are starting to look knakered and Watford could of beat them if they knew how to score!
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Been hearing this and other excuses for a long time. First we were going to fall off when we picked up some injuries. To be honest I felt the same but our players are dropping like flies at the moment but we keep winning games even when we change most of the team.
The CWC might do the trick though. It depends. If the games are easy it could be like a warm weather training camp with two friendly games, we could return fresher than we left. Obviously that's the less likely scenario but its still possible.
Best scenario for Liverpool would be Leicester to beat City and then lose to Liverpool.
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You've got to admit the way Watford cut through you time and time again they really should have beaten you, it's only because their finishing was absolutely comical that you didn't. Can you imagine us not destroying you if you allow us to cut you apart like that?
You've been riding your luck for a while, getting outplayed at home by Brighton, only just scraping past Villa, fortunate not to concede a late equaliser against Palace, who you also struggled against all game. Yes you're winning and fair play but you're not convincing in many games at all. I don't think you're as good as your points tally suggests but wins are wins so can't fault you there.
posted on 17/12/19
Arro - that list just reads “win when not playing well, then again, then again, then again”. That’s what champions do!
posted on 17/12/19
I don't honestly think it should matter to Liverpool how the Man City/Leicester match goes any more.
posted on 18/12/19
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 13 hours, 52 minutes ago
Arro - that list just reads “win when not playing well, then again, then again, then again”. That’s what champions do!
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Yeah completely agree, can't fault them for continuing to win.
posted on 18/12/19
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 15 hours, 50 minutes ago
I don't honestly think it should matter to Liverpool how the Man City/Leicester match goes any more.
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Unfortunately this is exactly right, the trophy may as well be delivered to Anfield today as an early Xmas present, which for the neutral - or nearly all - observers means the title 'race' is of no interest.
Also those under 40 or so will shortly start discovering the full horror of yet another title heading to the red half of Merseyside.