vs Norwich (A) Pre Match Thread

[Muddled]

Allen forward doesn't fill me with confidence. He tends to bottle it when in the opponents area. He could have been through on goal on Sunday, but he hesitated, got closed down and looked for Suarez instead. In fact, he hesitated because he was looking for Suarez rather than focusing on shooting.

Yeah, unfortunately, his Manchester City performance wasn't the best example of his attacking prowess. He can be too intricate and his decision making is ... well, bad at times. I know he's played further forward before and looked decent, but I can only think of pre-season games to give examples.

I think a confident, match fit Allen would be more than capable. A low-in-confidence, semi fit Allen is a better option than Aspas. And arguably Moses.

[Red_Polo]

Says who though?

BR said that post match. Some journos also tweeted he was limping about in the mixed zone, which is why there's a fear it's more than just a bit of tightness.

[Muddled]

I didn't here that on sky. I didn't see him limp off either. My memory might not be what it used to be admittedly.

James Pearce of the Echo tweeted that it didn't look good, the way he hobbled back stage.

[RedReet]

Aye, he's definitely injured and Twitter rumours yesterday were that his season is over.

I've no links as I'm not on Twitter.

[dom9]

BR said that post match. Some journos also tweeted he was limping about in the mixed zone, which is why there's a fear it's more than just a bit of tightness.

I didn't see any of the interviews post match.

[SB]

+48 hours since the match finished & still no confirmation if he's injured or not? Kinda weird innit? Was he limping at the anniversary memorial ?

[checkpoint]

Been lurking here for years and years, but after THAT huddle, that man made me think of some lyrics that suits the man and the situation we're in..

Not a world famous band, but it's the words from VNV Nation.

I think back upon the person
I knew you to be
Righting the wrongs in the name
Of all you believed

The one who brought the fight
Who never said die
Never letting fate decide

Be all you hope for
You were the best you could be
All that in tribute
All that you had achieved

No time for words
From those with nothing to say
Never letting fate decide

Until the end and back again
Defiant to the last man
Til there's nothing left
To fight against
No surrender

Unto the corners of the Earth
Defiant to the last breath
Until there's none left standing
No surrender

Conjured the ground upon which
You've only stood
Buried the conflicts that had
Preyed on your mind

Found strengths in actions
That only courage achieves
Never letting fate decide

Until the end and back again
Defiant to the last man
Til there's nothing left
To fight against
No surrender

Unto the corners of the Earth
Defiant to the last breath
Until there's none left standing
No surrender

Until the end and back again
Defiant to the last man
Til there's nothing left
to fight against
No surrender

Unto the corners of the Earth
Defiant to the last breath
Until there's none left standing
No surrender

[TheElephantMan]

Chelsea will be a point ahead of us by the time we play on Sunday. This is a huge game and we can't afford to bottle it now. I think this is where the psychological work with Steve Peters will really pay off. We're too good to let this slip against Norwich. We need to stay focussed and play this as we would any other game. Forget the title for now, just play our game and we'll beat Norwich easily. If we get too distracted by the league title we'll **** this up.

[Darkon]

+48 hours since the match finished & still no confirmation if he's injured or not? Kinda weird innit? Was he limping at the anniversary memorial ?

Firstly I think no matter if they know the extend of the injury, there is no way they would have let it distract from the Hillsborough memorial (and rightly so). I would expect an announcement today at some point.

Secondly a lot of injuries include parts being swollen up and it's impossible to assess an injury before it goes down after 1-2 days.

[spider-neil]

Hoping he is only out for week and at worst he makes the bench for Chelsea.

[EwarWoo]

Chelsea will be a point ahead of us by the time we play on Sunday. This is a huge game and we can't afford to bottle it now.

We're about as likely to lose this one as Chelsea are to lose away to Sunderland.

Chelsea could be a point ahead of us by the time we play, they can't afford to bottle it either.

[The Birdman]

Can't see Sturridge being fit.
Bring in Lucas and Allen into the midfield 3, Coutinho and Sterling wide with Suarez.

Both Norwich and Chelsea have to beat us, draws aren't good enough for either so both will attack leaving space for us to counter into.

If we can't beat Norwich away then we don't deserve to win the league, I think we'll win comfortably, something like 3-0.

[elrichio86]

Unless he's 100% fit, it might be good to rest Sturridge anyway, keep him fresh for the last couple of games. He's not looked at his lethal best for a couple of games now.

If we can't rest people against Norwich, then when can we do it?

[RedReet]

Chelsea will be a point ahead of us by the time we play on Sunday. This is a huge game and we can't afford to bottle it now. I think this is where the psychological work with Steve Peters will really pay off. We're too good to let this slip against Norwich. We need to stay focussed and play this as we would any other game. Forget the title for now, just play our game and we'll beat Norwich easily. If we get too distracted by the league title we'll **** this up.

We’ve been top going into matches and haven’t bottled it.

We’ve been chasing going into matches and haven’t bottled it.

We’ve played top teams and haven’t bottled it.

We’ve played bottom teams and haven’t bottled it.

We’ve played at home and haven’t bottled it.

We’ve played away and haven’t bottled it.


Our last 4 games against Norwich have been 5-1, 5-0, 5-2 and 3-0. Norwich has lost their last 3 matches and have a rookie manager. I don’t think we need too much psychology from Steve Peters to make the players confident for this one.

On paper, this should be the one match we're crying out for, we could hardly have hand picked better opposition for this match.

[Fredo]

Rodgers mentioned that Norwich played well against Fulham after our match on Sunday. Has anyone seen them play vs Fulham?