Norwich City v Aston Villa - Pre match thread.

[Villan82]

We have a system change from Smith's time. We've ditched the bus-sized hole in our midfield.

For 18-24 months I thought midfield was our weakness. Since Gerrard came in I think it is our strength. It's amazing what a change of manager and tweak of formation can do.

[Lastfootstamper]

We have a system change from Smith's time. We've ditched the bus-sized hole in our midfield.

For 18-24 months I thought midfield was our weakness. Since Gerrard came in I think it is our strength. It's amazing what a change of manager and tweak of formation can do.

It's what did for Smith, he got bogged down and fixated with trying to fix it, to the detriment of all other elements of our play, and try and try and try as he might, he couldn't do it. We're now a different animal, admittedly a little less flamboyant, and no amount of inside knowledge will stop our 'new' midfield from swarming all over theirs.

[sickbeggar]

Draw for me. See this as the banana skin of the games we should be winning. They'll be wanting to put on a good show against Dean's old team 1-1.

[Risso]

Straightforward 2-0 win. Honestly, Norwich are shit. Two wins all season, and while they seem to have played a bit better under Smith, they haven't won in 4 games, including failing to beat 10 man Newcastle.

[eamonn]

I wonder what sort of reception their Emi will get.

[eamonn]

Can't wait for Deano's pre-match presser. Dish the dirt 

Why? We're Aston Villa first and foremost and our results have improved since the decision to part company.

I know, I'm just a tart for drama.

[mrfuse]

First game under Gerrard where we are expecting a win.

It's still early in his plans but it will be interesting to see how we play on the front foot. We've conceded more possession in the last 5 games than we would have liked and now the onus is on us to take the game to them.

Certainly Dean has improved them but they still have issues getting the ball in the net and we've improved on keeping it out.

[Risso]

I imagine he'll say the same sorts of things that Gerrard did on Friday. Just with "yeah, no" instead of "well look"!

[exigo]

We have a system change from Smith's time. We've ditched the bus-sized hole in our midfield.

For 18-24 months I thought midfield was our weakness. Since Gerrard came in I think it is our strength. It's amazing what a change of manager and tweak of formation can do.

Just about all of his substitutions since taking over have been replacing a midfielder. Fresh legs in the engine room certainly help.

[Beard82]

Surely we just need to start with 10 men - Dean's team can never bet a team with 10 men

[Flamingo Lane]

I think I'm right in saying that this will be the first game we've played under Gerrard against a team beneath us in the table at the time we've played them.  Norwich looked fairly decent against Man United at the weekend, and we are due a draw.  So it's 1-1 for me, which wouldn't be at all a bad result, provided we then go and beat Burnley on Saturday.

[Drummond]

Surely we just need to start with 10 men - Dean's team can never bet a team with 10 men

That made me chuckle.

[jwarry]

So 2 out with covid and Marv injured mmmm

[postal]

 The Dean ex-manager knows the players will be a factor, and it will depend on which team gets at the other first.
It will be tight but I think we will edge it.

Keep Puuki quiet and you have put a stop to one of their few players who can score.

[postal]

First game under Gerrard where we are expecting a win.

It's still early in his plans but it will be interesting to see how we play on the front foot. We've conceded more possession in the last 5 games than we would have liked and now the onus is on us to take the game to them.

Certainly Dean has improved them but they still have issues getting the ball in the net and we've improved on keeping it out.

It was tight against Liverpool and we almost kept them out.
And they are miles ahead of most teams and certainly even an improved Norwich