The ACN Match Review – Southampton (h) | OneFootball

How did we play?

Similarities to Saturday all over the shop here. Fairly stodgy first ten minutes, followed by a period where Norwich had started to get on top and were creating decent openings, resulting in one excellent chance for Kvistgaarden and some long range snapshots. This all subsequently gets undone by one misplaced pass, gifting Southampton the ball, and yet agai,n City are poor in transitional moments. Cameron Archer’s finish was fabulous, but the stuff that preceded it was absolutely not. From thereon in, it all felt a bit predictable, and of Norwich’s making. Long balls to Kvistgaarden certainly didn’t help, and yet when Norwich made a half-time change and brought on Makama to be more of a presence, there seemed to be less direct stuff and more intricate play.

In summary, I don’t think Norwich know what they are just yet, and that’s maybe to be expected. Wholesale changes made and the same problems remain. The poorer remnants of Thorup’s reign persist, without any real attacking verve. Manning keeps mentioning ‘high level basics’, honestly just some normal level basics might be quite nice too. Early days, but it’s a worry.

What was the best bit of the game?

Matěj Jurásek’s inclusion was a welcome one, and there were signs of the type of ability we hoped we’d signed. An incisive ball into Schlupp, a curling effort after City’s best move of the game and a free kick which whistled just over the bar all showcased the talent the lad has. Now to work on his positional play and mobility.

What was the worst bit of the game?

That no-one really staked a claim. Nine changes in total to Manning’s line-up, and Fisher aside, which will be because of injury, it’s difficult to make a case for any of them starting at Ewood Park on Saturday. Liam Gibbs pulled himself up off the Louis Thompson Memorial Scrap Heap to inject some energy into the centre of the park, but him and the glimpses of Jurásek aside, there was very little to get excited about.

Oh, and due to my usual seat in the Upper Barclay being unavailable, I had the misfortune of sitting fairly near Will Still, so there was a full 90 minutes to observe him. What a weapon, an absolute Geography Teacher of a human.

What was the atmosphere like?

As you’d expect for a mid-week cup game in the school holidays. The Barclay huffed and puffed, very much in line with Norwich’s on-field performance.

Hero of the match

Jovon Makama’s second half introduction provided some hope. Excellent hold up play, an absolute nuisance for defenders and brought others into play pretty well, resulting in Crnac’s fizzing drive which went just wide. For someone who’d been plucked out of a fairly average League One side, Makama looks like he might be a real prospect.

Summary in Five Words

Concentrate on the league now.