ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
This could be a pretty difficult test. My manager is the dude from my screen name. Yeah, that Swedish fella. This of course being his first management role. The squad isn't too bad and compatriot Martin Olsson could perhaps be the shining light in the team. Maybe Ricky van Wolfswinkel too. It will be interesting to see how everything gels together in the ultra defensive 442 I have crafted. The squad is small with a first team of twenty three players and the aim is clearly to avoid the drop and if possible push for a mid table spot. No transfer funds in the first window so shall have to stick with what we've got until January at least.

http://www.canaries.co.uk/cms_images/olsson-profile132-1002387_231x264.jpg
Martin Olsson
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Preseason

Not the greatest start to a new reign. A short preseason compiling of two matches. The first was an away trip to Hartlepool. This game? Yeah, let's scratch this out of our memories. 2-0 to Hartlepool. Maurice Hay scored a volley from the edge of the area at the beginning of the game and James Poole finished it off at the end of the game with a close range header. Like I said, let's forget that game. Next up was a nice little trip to Italy for a game against third tier team Viareggio. 1-0. Becchio finishing off a nice after picking up a great through ball from Richard Snodgrass and rounding the flapping keeper

http://www.canaries.co.uk/cms_images/becchio-profile132-1002340_231x264.jpg
Luciano Becchio
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
Norwich 1 - 1 Arsenal
Bassong 92 - Podolski 65


Wow. This is what it will be like, huh? The first competitive game of Freddie Ljungberg's managerial career and it's against the club that he spent his best years at. Pretty much ninety minutes of close-to-constant attacking. The odd counter attack here and there, but all in all, to say Arsenal deserved to win would be one of the biggest understatements in football in- well, that particular week. The Gunners finally broke the deadlock on 65 minutes when Lukas Podolski slapped in a left footed effort after a corner hadn't been cleared properly. I thought they'd go on to double the lead but no, no, no. Enter Sebastien Bassong. A free kick came in and crashed against the crossbar, bounced back and the Cameroonian hit it home from ten yards

http://www.canaries.co.uk/cms_images/bassong-profile132-1002339_231x264.jpg
Sebastien Bassong

http://i42.tinypic.com/35bfq5x.png
Formation
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
Chelsea 2 - 0 Norwich
Mata 75, Oscar 90


So another easy game. Easier still as captain Sebastian Bassong is out injured for a couple weeks. Midfielder Alex Tettey wore the armband for the visit to the Bridge. Honest now- we were destroyed by Chelsea and the luckiest group of people in the universe to not finish 6 or 7 down. Luckily it was only two. And two late goals at that. Mata scored a long range effort with a great drive, and then Oscar picked up the pieces after Willian put the ball into the six yard box. In a way, I feel kinda frustrated we couldn't hold on to the draw. Credit to John Ruddy in goal as without him it could have quite easily been a blood bath.

http://www.canaries.co.uk/cms_images/ruddy-profile132-1002396_231x264.jpg
John Ruddy
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Capital One Cup second round
Norwich 2 - 1 Colchester
Fer 65, van Wolfswinkel 83 - Gavin Massey 5


A few changes for this game. Mark Bunn got a runout in goal and Leroy Fer took the place of Becchio. I feel his skill set could make for a great creator, using his passing and technique to make something happen from nothing. And it worked. Not before Colchester scored though through Gavin Massey after some neat play. A beautiful through ball from Snodgrass set Fer free as he drove a low shot into the net. With around five minutes left, Nathan Redmond hit a ridiculously precise high ball for van Wolfswinkel to chase on to, round the keep and slot into the empty goal. 2-1. Third round thank you very much

http://www.canaries.co.uk/cms_images/rvw-profile132-1002407_231x264.jpg
Ricky van Wolfswinkel
Dan
13 years ago
1 year ago
16,964
Good point against Arsenal, like the update style, keep it up
Craig.
11 years ago
9 years ago
17
I went Norwich in The Saviour Cometh, Snodgrass was a beast on the left, he's also great at free kicks. Van Wolfswinkle never did it for me though, intrested to see how this save goes. KIU mate
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
Norwich 1 - 1 Man City
Turner 45 - Dzeko 61


Yet another tie that should be a piece of cake. Arsenal, Chelsea and now Manchester City. With Bassong still out, Michael Turner and Daniel Ayala formed the partnership in the center of our defense. And it was Turner who gave us a surprise lead just as the second half began. A deep free kick was swung in and the center back hit a sweet half volley across the face of Joe Hart's goal and into the bottom corner. Didn't last much longer then fifteen minutes though as constant pressure led to an equalizer as Dzeko converted from a low cross from close range. Two home games in the league, against two big teams, and I'm happy with the fortress of sorts we have created

http://www.canaries.co.uk/cms_images/turner-profile132-1002420_231x264.jpg
Michael Turner
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
Newcastle 2 - 1 Norwich
Cisse 8, 13 - Fer 93


For the trip to Newcastle, we welcomed back Bassong in the heart of defense, along with Anthony Pilkington who returned after a four month layoff. He took the place of the exciting Redmond on the left side of midfield. This game didn't go too well, even though it wasn't terribly one sided. A quick double from Papa Cisse killed us off, and we only had a late consolation from Leroy Fer to our name. One positive was substitute Redmond's incredible through ball for the late goal. The kid really has some promise. This loss left us in 19th position after just four games. Freddie Ljungberg wasn't too happy in the post match conference

http://www.canaries.co.uk/cms_images/fer-profile132-1002349_231x264.jpg
Leroy Fer
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
Stoke 0 - 1 Norwich
Fer 33
Muniesa sent off 58


New signing Gary Hooper made the team sheet for the first time since signing from Celtic for 5 million in the summer, starting on the bench. He had been out for two months with a bruined shin. He wasn't need though. We won - not particularly deserved but a victory nonetheless. Leroy Fer continued his goalscoring as he swept home from a Pilkington cross. To make matters worse for Stoke, defender Marc Muniesa was sent off early in the second half. Surprised to have won this game but obviously happy, and it marks our first win of the league campaign

http://www.canaries.co.uk/cms_images/pilks-profile132-1002392_231x264.jpg
Anthony Pilkington
Dyrim
11 years ago
2 months ago
593
Good point against ManC. Tough start of the season tho.
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Capital One Cup third round
Norwich 2 - 0 Coventry
Hooper 32, 72


Back to cup action. Bunn replaced Ruddy in goal and likewise, Gariddo took the place of Olsson and Redmond instead of Pilkington. It was also an opportunity to give Gary Hooper his first minutes in a Norwich shirt as I decided to rest van Wolfswinkel. And yep, Hooper gets a debut goal. A great over the top ball from Leroy Fer and Hooper closed in and goal and slotted it under the keeper. Scrap that. Hooper gets two debut goals. With twenty minutes left, Fer again plays a delicious through ball for Hooper to slot past the goalkeeper. Looks like that decision to play the Dutchman up front is turning out pretty well. Also looks like it will be a pretty interesting choice between van Wolfswinkel and Hooper for the next game

http://www.canaries.co.uk/cms_images/hooper-profile132-1002363_231x264.jpg
Gary Hooper
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
Norwich 1 - 1 Everton
Pilkington 4 - Mirallas 72


Another tricky fixture. Oh, and I did end up starting Gary Hooper after his impressive display against Coventry. The game started well, if only by the way of a completely accidental goal. Anthony Pilkington swung a corner in that actually went in the back of the net, leaving Tim Howard oblivious in goal. His first of the season, and probably the first (and last) he'll ever score from that situation. I thought we were going to sneak it, but a bunch of applied pressure paid off as Kevin Mirallas finished calmly from within the area. Happy with the result though.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2013/8/18/1376832068839/Ross-Barkley-Everton-Brad-008.jpg
Ross Barkley and Bradley Johnson
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
Norwich 1 - 1 Swansea
Hooper 3 - Routledge 83


Bit of a blow ahead of this game as Bradley Johnson was injured in training and will be out for two weeks, maybe. Midfielder David Fox had been complaining about a lack of game time though so I gave him the chance to see what he can do. The game started well as Gary Hooper- again keeping van Wolfswinkel out of the team - lobbed the onrushing goalkeeper from outside the area after a neat pass from Leroy Fer. Victory was snatched again however as Wayne Routledge scored with a fierce drive inside the area with ten minutes to go

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2013/12/15/1387123090391/Gary-Hooper-scores-for-No-011.jpg
Gary Hooper
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
Hull 0 - 1 Norwich
Snodgrass 9


Ljungberg welcomed back Bradley Johnson in the middle of the field as he took the place of David Fox who did a decent job deputising last week. Bad news is that Luciano Becchio was injured in training and will be out for two months with torn knee ligaments. I really hope I win this- becoming a bit of a draw master at this point. I think four 1-1's in the league at this point. Thank god it didn't happen again. Snodgrass scored his first goal of the season after some nice interplay and a rifled, low drive that the keeper couldn't stop. 11th in the table after eight games. Happy with the start to the season

http://eplindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Norwich-City-Vs-Hull-City.png
Leroy Foy and Tom Huddlestone
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Wilkins signs on as coach

In what can be considered something of a coup, Norwich have announced the appointment of Ray Wilkins as first team coach. The 57 year old joins on a two and a half year deal. He brings in a wealth of experience, both playing and coaching, and he should help progress the team with his invaluable knowledge. I am very happy with this signing ahead of the next fixture- a tricky away tie against Tottenham

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00980/ray_wilkins118getty_980365c.jpg
Ray Wilkins
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
Tottenham 2 - 0 Norwich
Chadli 28, 45


To White Hart Lane and a return for Sebastien Bassong against his former club. Let's hope it's a pleasant reunion. For us at least. That wasn't to happen unfortunately as two first half Nacer Chadli goals destroyed us. The first a rebound from a Ruddy save and the second a quality finish after good build up play. We were never in this game and the quicker we forget this event, the better. May need to strengthen in the January transfer window, who knows

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/polopoly_fs/fil_spurs_norwich_163_1_2567358!image/3104243364.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_630/3104243364.jpg
Robert Snodgrass
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Capital One Cup fourth round
Norwich 0 - 2 Reading
Pogrebnyak 20, Drenthe 45


Cup action! We welcomed championship team Reading to Carrow Road for the fourth round, and that meant a few changes in personnel. Bunn, Garrido, Redmond and van Wolfswinkel took the places of Ruddy, Olsson, Pilkington and Fer respectively. This match was a disaster. Twenty minutes in, Pogrebnyak scored after good work from a low cross. Then just before the half time whistle, former Real Madrid star Royston Drenthe scored from a powerful free kick near the 18 yard box. Disappointed to be out but can focus more on the league now

http://www.readingfc.co.uk/cms_images/drenthe4by3154-873314_478x359.jpg
Royston Drenthe
George14brfc
12 years ago
4 years ago
3,912
Doing well mate! Very realistic! Love the update style too
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
thanks for the comments guys
really enjoying this game
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
Norwich 0 - 0 West Brom


The regulars returned to the side as we began the start of three home league games. First up were West Brom. The game was largely uneventful and ended up all square. The best chance for each team came from direct free kicks, Anthony Pilkington and Chris Brunt both coming close from 25 yards. Next up are Fulham.

http://images.planetf1.com/13/09/496x259/anthony-pilkington-norwich-city_3005351.jpg
Anthony Pilkington
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
Norwich 1 - 1 Fulham
Hooper 19 - Dejagah 60


Fulham showed up and bossed the game, attempts and possession were both in their favour. Didn't stop us from taking the lead after twenty minutes though. Gary Hooper ran onto a neat van Wolfswinkel through ball (taking the place of Leroy Fer who was on the bench) and slotted past the keeper. Fulham got at the least what they deserved though. Fifteen minutes in to the second half, Ashkan Dejagah seized the opportunity after a game of pinball in the box and slotted in the back of the net. Two home games in a row, two draws.

http://www.attackingsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/norwich-v.png
Leroy Fer and Steve Sidwell
Dyrim
11 years ago
2 months ago
593
Scraping a loads of draws with your defensive tactic. But is it enough?
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
Norwich 2 - 0 Sunderland
Hooper 32, van Wolfswinkel 82


We needed this. Again impressed with our defensive work as we worked hard and didn't let too many opportunities slip through for the Black Cats. We took full advantage of our chances on the half hour mark as Gary Hooper scored his fifth goal of the season, converting a Pilkington through ball with a calm slot into the far corner. After further pressure from Sunderland, we wrapped proceedings up ten minutes from the end of time as van Wolfswinkel (keeping his place in the team) finished low from a tight angle. About time he got his first league goal of the season

http://www.edp24.co.uk/polopoly_fs/sf_wolfswinkel_signing_01_1_2259259!image/4162194538.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_630/4162194538.jpg
Ricky van Wolfswinkel
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
Man Utd 1 - 0 Norwich
van Persie 24


Only made one change- Fer took his place in the side back as I feel he offers a little more physically so van Wolfswinkel went back to the bench. I expected this to be a lot tougher then it turned out to be. Man United appeared quite lackluster although I'm sure they had a couple more gears they could step up to. They got the goal that mattered midway through the first half as van Persie took advantage of a rebound in the area and swept home from ten or so yards. The one shot - yes, one shot - we had all game was off target. Forget it and move on is the best idea in this case

http://manutdtactics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Robin-van-Persie-Manchester-United-Player-Pro_2815388.jpg
Robin van Persie
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Scraping a loads of draws with your defensive tactic. But is it enough?

right now it is but we'll see how i'm doing come may
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
Liverpool 1 - 1 Norwich
Aspas 21 - Agger own goal 45


Another tough game on the road. The only change I made was to bring in David Fox for Anthony Pilkington on the left side of midfield as I felt that would add more defensive stability. Twenty minutes in and Iago Aspas drilled in precisely from just outside of the area. We equalised on the strike of half time however, as an attempted through ball from Fer struck Daniel Agger thirty yards from goal and went into the net as Mignolet was left looking bemused. Very happy with this result and altogether not a bad start to December

http://e1.365dm.com/12/09/640/Daniel-Agger-Liverpool-Player-Profile_2835422.jpg
Daniel Agger
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
Norwich 0 - 1 Southampton
Schneiderlin 58


Southampton are doing really well this season so I knew beforehand it would be a difficult game. They had the lionshare of the possession as I again tested out the attacking partnership of Hooper and van Wolfswinkel. Pilkington also rejoined the starting eleven at the expense of David Fox. Southampton got the victory close to the hour mark after Morgan Schneiderlin converted a confident penalty, given after Bassong's silly foul on Pablo Osvaldo. Like I said, they're a good team but this was a home tie and I wanted a draw at least

http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/590x/osvaldo-422277.jpg
Pablo Osvaldo
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
Cardiff 1 - 1 Norwich
Cowie 42 - Hooper 6


Next up was 19th place Cardiff so I was hopeful of perhaps doing some damage. Made two changes as Fer was brought back in at the expense of van Wolfswinkel and young Nathan Redmond made his first start in a while, taking Pilkington's place on the left wing. We took the lead early on as Redmond hit a long ball from deep in midfield which set Gary Hooper free, scoring with his head. The lead didn't last til half time though as Dan Cowie pounced on Kim Bo Kyung's shot which rebounded off a post. Another draw to add to the list

http://www.canaries.co.uk/cms_images/redmond-profile132-1002395_231x264.jpg
Nathan Redmond
ljungberg
15 years ago
5 years ago
48
Premier league
West Ham 0 - 1 Norwich
Hooper 10


Another road trip and this time away to West Ham. Redmond kept his spot on the left of midfield and van Wolfswinkel made the starting eleven at the expense of Leroy Fer. It sure is a real tussle between those two for a starting spot. The Dutch forward helped his claim with a very smart reverse ball for Gary Hooper to calmly slot past the goalkeeper. Hooper's seventh goal of the season now, he really is a pretty good finisher. Happy with this result which sees Ljungberg's men 12th in the table after 17 games

http://www.edp24.co.uk/polopoly_fs/fil_norwich_chelsea_084_1_1_3125215!image/3990583116.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_630/3990583116.jpg
Gary Hooper and Ricky van Wolfswinkel

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