Carayol again impresses in Norwich stalemate
By Nathan Jackson
July 28 2010
Mustapha Carayol continued to impress as the Imps got a creditable draw against Norwich City. The Imps had the best of the few chances there were in the match and generally did quite well against the best side from League One last season. Elsewheere, the defence were largely stable, certainly more stable than that of the Celtic game.
It had promised to be an exciting prospect, the best team from League One last season against the new look City squad. A fair number of Norwich's first teamers, such as Wes Hoolahan and Chris Martin started on the bench, whereas City played an eleven where you could say that 9 were pretty certain to start against Rotherham in a week.
Chances weren't quite few and far between, but there's only so many chances that 4-1-4-1 vs 3-5-2 will create. Owain Tudor-Jones headed the first chance straight at Anyon early on. City's first chance saw ex-Norwich man Drewe Broughton hit the ball straight at Steer before Josh O'Keefe was inches from connecting with a brilliant Jarrett cross.
Carayol tested Steer from distance following on from a maisy run through the defence, this before Gambian fed Jarrett and the former Barnet man hit it over. Carayol was again involved as he came close to setting up O'Keefe, whom misconnected with his ball. That was it for the first half.
Clapham replaced Green at half time. Jarrett and Carayol linked up well again as the latter controlled the former's ball and this was enough for Lambert to be change it. Chris Martin came on, hoping to continue a decent goalscoring record against City after 2 goals for Luton against the Imps in 2008. Infact, a second half nearly devoid of chances, Martin forced Anyon into a brilliant save from distance.
Carayol went off to a standing ovation from most City fans and City rarely threatened after this. Norwich didn't do much either and the game ended in stalemate.
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Anderson was poor again, thought Clapham looked more composed when he came on.
I still say we are going to struggle to score goals, big time, but we will create chances.
Don't think it was Norwich's strongest side , by any means as I didn't see Holt or Jackson, but we did play okay until the main issue of scoring.
Clapham played at right-back in place of Green in the second half and I wasn't entirely convinced about Houghton in the hole in front of the back four. McCallum looked lost and lacking in confidence to start with, and when Broughton went off we look a small side in the box.
Keltie should start. Broughton is the only target man and did well, but he had no support and (like Norman) I find it hard to see where the goals are coming from.
Our real hope is that the opposition are not as well organised as Norwich (they certainly won't pass it around as well) and that Carayol, or Jarrett, can score on the break.
As did Jarrett, who has a great passing range i think.
Carayol again was good as was Okeefe.
i believe we can score enough from midfield to do well this season
O'Keefe looked excellent too, particularly in the first half.
Jamie Clapham almost gave a goal away with his first touch and looked extremely dodgy, after replacing Green at right back for the second half.
Overall I thought it was a cracking match for a friendly, one of the most enjoyable I've seen, and it has given me great optimism for the coming season. Of course it is a different ball game in league 2 as no doubt there will be some clogging tackles to stifle our speed merchants!
all in all it was agood performance, much better than saturdays, but i will agree with others on here, we still are in desperate need of a main striker, non of what ive seen this last week fills me with confidence in that area.
Anyon also impressed me last night, after looking awful saturday, thought he did well last night.
Carayol will terrify League 2 teams if he continues like this - there was an audible gasp around the Stacey West shortly before he came off; when he looked to have knocked the ball too far to the left and ahead of himself... then literally showed his defender the white's of his boots and went round him to keep it in!
I also thought Clapham had apart from a couple of shaky touches and passes early on played well and showed his experience well.
O'Keefe looks a good player too, he will get quite a few bookings this season but he looks solid and truly is box-to-box.
*** - Druid-IMP - ***