Match Review 2011 - 2012

So back to Carrow Road after a defeat to Premier League contenders Chelsea,todays visitors West Brom came to Norwich without a single point on the board,on paper both managers would look at this as a very winnable game but the onus would be on the home team with many people calling this an early 6 pointer. West Brom started with their most dangerous front pair,with Long and Odemwingie both coming through fitness tests in the week. Norwich were missing first choice keeper Ruddy through suspension, Rudd deputised. Surman came in for Pilkington on the left,Vaughan started on the bench after recovering from injury.

Norwich made a terrible start to the game conceding a goal after only 2 minutes,De Laet failed to deal with a long ball from Shorey,his header was weak letting Odemwingie nip in and poke the ball into the bottom corner. Norwich nearly equalised after 8 minutes,Surmans low ball into the box was only half cleared by Foster but the ball rebounded off Holt going safely wide. Norwich were having a decent spell,with the left side looking good going forward. Surman had a shot saved with no fuss on 19 minutes,on the 29th minute Bennett should have done better but his half volley went well over. Norwich were keeping the ball well but the front 2 of WBA looked dangerous whenever they were involved, Odemwingie should have scored when he was clean through only for Rudd to save well with his legs. 4 minutes later Dorrans was unlucky not to make it 2-0 with a magnificent strike that beat Rudd all ends up but smashed against the outside post.

Overall Norwich did ok for large parts of the first half with our creating anything really clear cut, WBA on the other hand did what they needed to do,their 2 front lads looked the most likely to score.

Norwich again were looking decent in possession keeping the ball well,Chris Martin and Surman maybe having a chance to pull the trigger but not getting their shots off. Lambert made his first change on 62 minutes bringing on Hoolahan for Surman trying to change the course of the game,he soon made 2 more changes bringing on Morison and Vaughan for Holt and C. Martin. WBA were awarded a contentious penalty with 15 minutes to go, Reid went down over the leg of Morison,it looked very soft but it was also a silly challenge when Reid was going away from goal, Odemwingie stepped up but his penalty was well saved by Rudd giving Norwich a life line. Norwich's best chance of the game fell to Morison but his header was well wide,it seemed to take him by surprise. Norwich maybe should have had a penalty when Tamas deliberately elbowed Vaughan off the ball,if the League look at it he'll probably get a ban.

Overall Norwich had large parts of the game with good possession but didn't do much with it in the final third. WBA put in a perfect away performance,nicking a goal early then defending well to get a good away 3 points. Thought their front 2 made the difference,both looked dangerous all afternoon.

• Result: Norwich City 0, West Brom 1

• Norwich City: Rudd; Naughton, Barnett, De Laet, Tierney; Bennett, Crofts, Bradley Johnson, Surman (Hoolahan, 62); Holt (Morison, 70), Chris Martin (Vaughan, 70). Subs (not used): Russell Martin, Fox, Wilbraham, Jackson.

• West Brom: Foster; Reid, Tamas, Olsson, Shorey; Dorrans (Morrison, 69), Scharner, Mulumbu, Thomas (Brunt, 84); Long (Tchoyi, 88), Odemwingie. Subs (not used): Fulop, Dawson, Jones, Cox.

• Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)

• Attendance: 26,158

• Goal: Albion: Odemwingie (3)

• Bookings: City: De Laet (75). Albion: Scharner (16), Reid (90)

Possession wise we looked good again,not being out played at all.

 Tierney defended well,got forward at every opportunity and put some excellent balls into the box.

Johnson had a strong game in midfield breaking up play well,only let down by 2 poor free kicks.

Great penalty save from young Rudd,also made a save from Odemwingie.

Controlled large parts of the game but never really looked like scoring, we lacked creativity and pace going forward.

Long won an amazing amount of headers for his size.

Another dubious penalty but it was naive defending,it looks like in the Prem any kind of touch and they go over,rightly or wrongly we've conceded 4 penalties in 4 games.

Sounds crazy but after only 4 games, this was probably a 6 pointer at home and we didn't get the desired result.

Bradley Johnson

Shane Long        

Great bit of business by WBA,won 90% of his headers,worked the channels tirelessly,a great option for his team mates.