ljungberg - Comments

Salzburg 1 - 1 Arsenal
Grafischer 66 - Walcott 15

Champions League playoff action and to Austria it is. I kept the same starting eleven as the season opener, and again, Theo provided the goods. Quarter past the hour and Olivier Giroud fired a first time effort off the crossbar from out the area, rebounding to the feet of Walcott who didn't hesitate to finish. Again let the victory slip away as Salzburg levelled it up from a header via a corner.

Swansea 1 - 1 Arsenal
Dyer 64 - Walcott 5

Start of the season and a trip to Wales. Turns out Walcott's good form crosses borders as he opened the scoring after five minutes. A cute through ball from Arteta found the speedster as he calmly slotted home, a la Thierry Henry. Victory wasn't to be ours, however, as Nathan Dyer annoyingly jinxed his way past a couple players and struck low and hard inside the area.

she's very flippant like that, trash has been emptied
onwards and upwards!
..or southwards.. arsenal is definitely southwards

Preseason

A short pre season that didn't venture outside of England. Two away games to Wolves and Barnet, to be exact. The first of those didn't go too well. A 2-1 loss, although we did take the lead through Theo Walcott's first half low drive. Goals from Wolves' Griffiths and Golbourne sealed the victory in the second half. The game against Barnet was smoother, although frankly, pretty boring too, Walcott again found the net after neat team play to win 1-0.

so this story has come to an abrupt end
my wife, in an attempt to rectify an issue for filing our taxes, deleted everything from my documents folder.. including this beloved save
it was fun while it lasted
stay tuned though.. just figuring out who my next victim is..

Premier league
Norwich - Tottenham

Premier league
West Brom 2 - 1 Norwich
Rosenberg 49, Long 59 - Hooper 67

14th versus 15th as went to the Hawthorns looking for points. Should be a close one. With an unchanged team, the first half was quiet if not unexciting. The second half was completely different however has West Brom scored two goals in ten minutes. Rosenberg scored his first of the season after capitalising on a loose ball in the box, and then Shane Long headed in from a basic corner. Bad defending for both goals. We got a consolation as Gary Hooper did well to drive hard and low after a neat ball from van Wolfswinkel. Still 15th after this game


Shane Long

Premier league
Swansea 0 - 0 Norwich


Looking to avoid our third loss in a row, we traveled to Swansea. Not the best place to get out of a slump. Fer returned to the bench meaning that Hooper and van Wolfswinkel continue their partnership. Surprised we got anything from this game, they were clearly the favourites and it was almost constant pressure for ninety minutes. Happy with the draw and specifically Nathan Redmond. A few times he played incredible through balls which deserved better finishes. Bruma played his second game of the season, again replacing Johnson in midfield in the latter stages


Nathan Redmond

Premier league
Norwich 0 - 1 Stoke
Crouch 72

Second loss in a row. The game was very bad, perhaps one of the most boring I've witnessed this season. But then again, Stoke were involved so it's not hugely surprising. Fer will be out for a game or two after his injury against Everton so Hooper returned to the starting eleven. I thought it was going to be a bore draw but Peter Crouch slotted in from close range after good dribbling work and a great cross from Oussama Assaidi


Russell Martin and Marko Arnautovic

Premier league
Everton 1 - 0 Norwich
Lukaku 77

Not a great game at all. And the first after a hectic transfer deadline. The only goal of the game came fifteen minutes before time as a stupid mixup between Ruddy and Bassong gave Lukaku a chance he couldn't miss, slotting calmly into the back of the net. It happens, but it's still frustrating. More bad news as Leroy Fer went off injured in the first half, being replaced by Gary Hooper. New signing Jeffrey Bruma, taking the number 3 shirt, replaced Johnson in midfield for the last twenty minutes to get his first tate of Premiership football


Jeffrey Bruma

thanks for the comments guy
pretty pleased with the transfer window
had to ask the board for budget increases twice
can't wait to see ki next season

January transfer window roundup

What a crazy day, in which we see three deals happen with the club. One in, two out. In something of a coup Jeffrey Bruma has joined on a three and a half year deal from PSV in a deal that could add up to 10 and a half million. He can play center back and right back and I have a feeling he will be a first teamer in no time. In the other direction, Scottish defender Whittaker joined Fulham for 800000 and winger Elliott Bennett joined West Ham for 1.4 million. Whittaker didn't play a minute of football this season and Bennett managed about thirty, so neither will be missed


Jeffrey Bruma

Norwich agree summer deal for Ki

In a deal set to go ahead in the summer, Norwich have agreed to sign Swansea midfielder Ki Sung Yeung. The South Korean, currently on loan at Sunderland will join up with his new team in June and cost 4 million up front and 4 million in add-ons. I'm very happy with this signing and look forward to seeing the challenge for spots in midfield next sumer


Ki Sung Yeung

Premier league
Norwich 1 - 0 Newcastle
Fer 68

Time for revenge after a 2-1 loss at St James Park earlier in the season. After Hooper's abstinence against scoring I decided to bench him in favour of Ricky van Wolfswinkel. That trick worked as it was his delicious through ball that unleased his fellow Dutch man Fer to slot past Tim Krul. Nathan Redmond, getting his second start in a row, was again on fire producing an electric display on the left. Will be interesting over the next season or two to see if a big club swips for him


Leroy Fer

Premier league
Man City 2 - 0 Norwich
Navas 51, Negredo 86

I seem to get all the big boys at once. Sigh. Funny thing is that the first half we did pretty well and could have actually taken the lead if Gary Hooper had't fluffed his chance. We paid the price as two second half goals conquered us. Jesus Navas was quick to pounce on a spill from Ruddy to drive home, and then Alvaro Negredo headed home from five minutes before time after a Nasri cross. Dropped to 13th in the table as a result of this loss


Jesus Navas

Premier league
Norwich 0 - 1 Chelsea
Willian 24

Any easy game, then. We welcomed Chelsea who beat us 2-0 at the Bridge at the beginning of the season. We also welcomed back Ricky van Wolkfswinkel to the bench after three weeks out with a pulled hamstring. Pilkington and Johnson also regained their spots at the expense of Redmond and Fox respectively. Only goal of the game came after quarter of an hour after a deep cross from Eden Hazard was found by a creeping Willian at the back post. Third loss in a row but still sitting quite nicely in 12th position


Eden Hazard and Alex Tettey


League table (as requested)

FA Cup third round
Norwich 0 - 2 Swansea
Amat 3, Hernandez 51

It's FA Cup time! We meet Swansea for the second time of season at home after a 1-1 tie earlier in the campaign. Bradley Johnson suffered a slight injury against Arsenal and didn't recover in time for this game. David Fox took his place in the center of midfield, with Redmond replacing Pilkington on the left. And we crashed and burned our way out of another cup. Swansea were just too good on the day. Jordi Amat scored after three minutes from a mess of a corner that somehow scrambled into the back of the net and Pablo Hernandez scored early in the second half with a low driven shot from within the area. Only positive was Nathan Redmond's exciting play on the left of midfield


Nathan Redmond

Premier league
Arsenal 2 - 0 Norwich
Cazorla 50, 79

First game of the new year and a return to his former club for Norwich manager Freddie Ljungberg. Not a happy return it turned out as Santi Cazorla scored a second half double. The first finishing off a neat move from close range and the second applying the finish as he rebounded on a save from Ruddy. Gave the returning Redmond 20 minutes from the bench but nothing exciting to report. The transfer window has opened and I already have an enquiry. Everton are interested in Michael Turner. Not sure what I'll do yet, and not sure who I plan to bring in


Santi Cazorla and Bradley Johnson

Premier league
Aston Villa 0 - 1 Norwich
Fer 29

A tricky away tie against Villa. A few members of the team were tired with the hectic holiday schedule but I stuck with the same starting eleven, especially as Nathan Redmond is still recovering from the bruised ribs he suffered in the victory at West Ham. Leroy Fer scored his fourth goal of the season just before the thirty minute mark after capitalising on a error from Ciaran Clark and prodding the ball into the back of the net. Surprised but happy with this result. Bring on the January transfer window!


Christian Benteke and Sebastian Bassong

Premier league
Norwich 0 - 0 Crystal Palace


Merry Christmas and a happy boxing day! Crystal Palace rode into town for some festive football. We got a couple bad presents in the form of van Wolkfswinkel being out for a month with a torn hamstring against West Ham. Leroy Fer took his place up front. Redmond also got injured against West Ham but should only miss this game, so Pilkington rejoins the starting eleven. Oh, and we also welcome back Luciano Becchio who hits the bench after a few months out. This game was a bore draw with very little chances for either side. Managed to give Becchio twenty minutes and that was the only plus


Luciano Becchio

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


Gary Hooper and Ricky van Wolfswinkel

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


Nathan Redmond

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


Pablo Osvaldo

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


Daniel Agger

right now it is but we'll see how i'm doing come may

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


Robin van Persie

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


Ricky van Wolfswinkel

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.


Leroy Fer and Steve Sidwell

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.


Anthony Pilkington

thanks for the comments guys
really enjoying this game