Flown From the Nest - Norwich vs Cambridge 27/7/04

Dedicated to former Norwich City Players from 1980
Match Report - Norwich vs Cambridge 27/7/04

Very much a game of two halves, or more accurately a game of two thirds and a third as Norwich made wholescale substitutions after 60minutes. The starting line-up impressed me with their sense of teamwork and ability - and will probably surprise a few people when the Premiership kicks off. No-one in the starting line-up, except perhaps Safri, gave me cause for concern whilst none of the substitutes really impressed.

Match ratings:

Green - didn't really have anything much to do 7
Edworthy - strong performance down the right, second half - lost some mobility and tended to play the safe ball 8/7
Fleming - solid reliable intelligent play 8
Charlton - had my doubts before kickoff with his Fleck-esque physique but was proved wrong. Very influential and great commander of the defence. Looks to be a snip at £250k - 9
Drury - solid game, got forward and linked well down the left - 7
Holt - started the game on the left but moved inside as things progressed. In the thick of things as would be expected 7
Safri - possible liability as he committed a number of late / unnecessary and/or niggling fouls. Game improved in second half as he pushed further forward 5/6
Francis - all over the place - and I mean that in a good way. Hadn't quite realised how athletic and fast he was. 8
McVeigh - a game in which Paul needed to impress if he was to win a place in Nigel's preferred starting XI. Probably tried too hard and got involved in a number of little spats. Good to see him on scoresheet. 7 (6 if he hadn't scored)
Svensson - "does what it says on the tin". You want a striker who knows where the back of the net is and Big Matt is the man for the job. 9
Bentley - impressive. Skillful, fast and played a key role in the second goal. A great acquisition if only for one season. 8

Substitutes

Gallacher - didn't have much to do. Probably a better distributor of the ball than Greeno. 7
Mackay - came on and did the business as one would expect. 6
Brennan - hadn't really realised he was on the pitch. Did nothing wrong but nothing too impressive. 6
Mulryne - started well but drifted into midfield obscurity for the remaining 20mins of his run out. 6
Henderson - control was lacking for Hendo out of the left. Didn't do anything to make me think he will get many appearances in the Premiership. 5
McKenzie - where was his pace, his power. Admittedly the service from midfield was poor but Leon didn't do anything for me. 5
Abbey - if Zema plays a competitive game for Norwich, I'll eat not only my hat but my whole wardrobe. Slow and lacking in confidence. A sad end for a player so cruelly blighted by injury. 4
Jarvis - we learned last night that Jarvis is not a right sided player. Seemed lost on the flanks. 5 -

Dedicated to former Norwich City Players from 1980 Match Report - Norwich vs Cambridge 27/7/04

Dedicated to former Norwich City Players from 1980
Match Report - Norwich vs Cambridge 27/7/04