Sky Bet Championship | Tuesday 6th March 2018
For teams in the middle reaches of the Championship table the last quarter of the season is often a time for consolidation; an opportunity for coaches to identify the talented players, the weak links, and build the foundations for the following year. Alternatively, some late developers strive towards the play-offs in a final flourish.
Norwich City, still in the first year of Daniel Farke's managerial reign, have been inconsistent throughout this term, yet they have shown promising signs, forging unbeaten runs in September and February. Nottingham Forest too have some cause for optimism. Despite having a wearying season so far, they were unbeaten in four before the Carrow Road encounter.
New Reds manager Aitor Karanka invoked a squad overhaul in the January transfer window and it would seem as though new additions and old faces are beginning to mould together. A 2-1 home win over Birmingham City last week was preceded by a 2-5 hammering of QPR at Loftus Road. The former Real Madrid assistant made one change from the team that triumphed at the City Ground; Kieran Dowell replaced Cardiff City loanee Lee Tomlin.
In the home dugout Farke made two alterations to the XI who drew 0-0 with Bolton Wanderers. Convalescent Swiss defender Timm Klose returned in defence at the expense of Christoph Zimmermann. The German coach dropped striker Nelson Oliveira, concerned by his attitude in training, and handed a start to Dennis Srbeny.
Visiting marksman Ben Brereton took to the game with gumption and physicality which belied his tender age of eighteen. When Grant Hanley headed back towards his keeper, Brereton charged Angus Gunn, bundling he ball from the Norwich keeper's grasp. Thankfully for the Canaries Harrison Reed cleared to safety.
Ten minutes had elapsed when Brereton threatened once more. Everton loanee Dowell gained possession on the halfway line and shimmied past Klose. As the England Under-21 midfielder sallied forth a three versus two situation developed in Forest's favour. Dowell passed to Brereton on the right. From eight yards the forward dragged a show across goal. To his dismay, the ball whizzed past the base of the left post.
Norwich's riposte included two set-pieces taken by James Maddison. The first was headed away by visiting defender Tobias Figueiredo. The second, a corner from the right, was curled expertly onto the head of Josh Murphy. The left winger steered a header towards the top right corner. Reds keeper Costel Pantilimon used all of his six foot eight inch frame to leap across goal and claw the ball away.
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| Copyright Norwich City Football Club |
Karanka arranged his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ben Watson and Jack Colback screened the back four and intercepted probing passes. Upon regaining possession Forest intended to strike on the counter attack by utilising the pace of Dowell, Matty Cash and Joe Lolley. In one instance, swift passes between Lolley and Dowell provided Brereton with another chance. From the right side of the area Brereton chipped over the sprawling Gunn. However, his effort landed in The Barclay Stand.
Norwich slowly gained control of the first period. Their dominance manifested in a trio of half-chances. First Onel Hernandez invited opposite winger Murphy to shoot from the left side of the area. The academy graduate's drive towards the near post was diverted into the sidenetting by the right boot of Pantilimon. Next Maddison executed a sequence of step-overs, waiting for Ben Osborn to make his move. Maddison sent a low cross-shot through the six yard box which Srbeny and Jamal Lewis flung themselves towards. The attempt trickled out for a goal-kick.
Finally, Murphy tried another dipping effort from thirty yards. Its tortuous flight almost deceived Pantilimon and the Romanian keeper could only parry into the danger zone. Osborn was alert to intervene before the arrival of the marauding Reed.
Forest are evidently still in the embryonic stages of their development and showed little sign of breaking the deadlock before the interval. Brereton, the team's focal point, had to make the most of a scarce supply. City defender Grant Hanley subtly nudged his marker to prevent him controlling an aerial pass. In the following phase Brereton, seeking retribution, executed an ungainly diving shoulder barge on the former Newcastle man. At least the crowd were amused if not entertained.
The home side continued to labour after the break and cultivated a fine opportunity on the fiftieth minute. A thirty yard lofted pass by Moritz Leitner released Hernandez down the right. After reaching the goal line the German back-heeled into the path of Maddison. With ample time to pick his spot, the ex-Coventry midfielder blazed into the swathes of Norwich fans behind the goal.
Maddison is undoubtedly the shining light of this Norwich side; demanding the ball in every position, always seeking to probe with rapid runs and incisive passes. However, he must continue to improve the end product. His long-range strikes against Reading, Middlesbrough, and Brentford prove just what he is capable of.
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| Copyright Norwich City Football Club |
The introduction of Wes Hoolahan signified Farke's last roll of the dice. His artistry and experience helped the home side manufacture a few dangerous crossing opportunities but the visitors stood firm. Furthermore, the busy Irishman's twenty-five-yarder was comfortably fielded by Pantilimon.
Forest created the game's ultimate chance with five minutes remaining. Substitute striker Apostolos Vellios dispossessed Hanley and Lolley pushed the loose ball towards Brereton. Advancing into the area from the left the young striker unleashed a drive from ten yards which Gunn did remarkably well to hold. While a stalemate was the right result, victory was the cost of the Reds' naivety in front of goal.
While this fallow game extinguished any latent hopes of reaching the play-offs, it was a fine indication of the strengths and weaknesses of both teams and the areas in which they must progress. Norwich have a stable core led by Alex Tettey, and one of the most exciting young talents in English football in James Maddison. On the other hand, their front three are largely impotent. If given the chance to continue as manager, Farke should focus on refining these components of his team.
From a Nottingham perspective, injuries have forced Karanka into selecting a rather makeshift back four, making it difficult for the Spaniard to assess the merits and pitfalls of his squad at this stage. With that being said, the Reds own a talented young forward line, and in Ben Watson and Jack Colback can claim a midfield pairing capable of controlling the tempo of any game at Championship level.
Teams (Player ratings in Bold)
Norwich City
Gunn 7, Reed 6.5, Hanley 7, Klose 6.5, Lewis 6, Leitner 7, Tettey 7 (Vrancic 86' - 5) Hernández 7, Maddison 7.5, Murphy 6.5 (Hoolahan 72' - 6.5) Srbeny 5.5 (Watkins 72' - 5)
Nottingham Forest
Pantilimon 7.5, Darikwa 6.5, Pereira Figueiredo 6.5, Fox 7, Osborn 6.5, Watson 7, Colback 7, Cash 6, Dowell 6 (Vellios79' - 5) Lolley 6, Brereton 6.5
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