Norwich Vs QPR

Norwich Vs QPR (1/25)

Score: 0 - 0

xG: 1.73 - 0.66

Possession (%): 66 - 34

● Norwich's attacking plan. (6-13)

● QPR's pressing strategy. (14-18)

● A step closer to Dean Smith's tactical identity. (19-21)

Formations: (2/25)

• Norwich were in their usual 4-2-3-1.

• QPR were in a 4-3-2-1, with a single pivot (Field) and two 10s (Chair and Amos) behind Lyndon Dykes.

(3/25)

When Norwich were in possession:

• Norwich became a 2-4-1-3 with a double pivot of Gibbs and Hayden.

• QPR quickly became narrow when in their defensive and midfield 3rds, with both horizontal and vertical compactness . The two 10s tracked back when Norwich had numerical superiority in the midfield 3rd.

(4/25)

When QPR were in possession:

• QPR's 4-3-2-1 became more fluid, as (in the build up) Dozzell would drop to fill in for Laird (RB) and Ireogbunam would cover for Paal (LB).

• Norwich dropped into two banks of four with Gibbs and Hayden moving close to Hanley and Gibson, this left minimal room between the lines. Ramsey dropped deeper when needed.

(5/25)

• QPR's midfield 3 and double 10 stay narrow to fill the centre of the pitch, this creates central numerical superiority making it hard to play through the middle.

(6/25)

• So Norwich's plan, in the build up, was to leave the FBs wide on both sides. Hanley and Gibson then passed to McCallum or Byram early in the build up.

• NCFC's FBs also positioned themselves beyond the line of QPR's attacking three, this allowed Norwich to bypass the first pressing line with one pass.

(7/25)

• Norwich tried to create width and depth (reducing horizontal and vertical compactness) with wide FBs and a high front line.

(8/25)

• While progressing around QPR, Norwich's attacking midfielders rotated to create space for each other.

• There were a variety of rotations used to create passing options for the FBs in possession.

(9/25)

• Variations on the left:

A) Cantwell stayed wide to create what's called 'dual width'. This opened up the left half space for Ramsey.

B) Cantwell dropped to create space for Ramsey to run into the channel.

C) Ramsey dropped or moved wide to create space for Cantwell to attack centrally.

(10/25)

• Variations on the right:

A) Sara stayed wide creating dual width alongside Byram. Ramsey could then move into the right half space.

B) Sara dropped deep, making what's called a 'counter movement', to create space on the right wing for Ramsey.

C) Ramsey made a wide run to allow Sara to make a run inside.

(11/25)

• These rotations are designed to drag markers out of position to create space for teammates.

• This is something QPR have done well all season, but it was Norwich creating problems with rotations in this game.

(12/25)

• In transitional moments (after a turnover in possession), Norwich had two options in attack depending on how well QPR regained their horizontal compactness:

-> When QPR failed to get narrow quickly enough, Norwich would play through the lines.

-> When QPR were horizontally compact, Norwich chose to play around QPR with their wide FBs.

(13/25)

• Norwich's FBs remained wide even when the ball was on the opposite side. This created a free man.

• Norwich would then quickly move the ball to the FB (the free man), forcing QPR to shift to the other side.

• This shift can create space, for the team in possession to pass through, if the opposition players shift across at different speeds.

(14/25)

• However, QPR performed the shift very effectively.

• They remained horizontally compact to prevent passes between the lines.

(15/25)

• Interestingly, while Norwich's plan was to exploit QPR's horizontal compactness by playing around them, QPR's pressing strategy was to encourage Norwich to play around them.

• In other words, Norwich wanted to play around QPR's press, which is also exactly what QPR wanted Norwich to do.

(16/25)

• QPR's pressing strategy:

-> Remain narrow (horizontally compact) in a 4-3-2-1.

-> They made it difficult for Norwich to play through the middle, due to their central numerical superiority when Norwich were in possession.

-> When Norwich's CBs passed to the FBs, QPR would shift to that side to trap the FB against the touchline.

(17/25)

• This was made easier by QPR's base formation.

• Their narrow 4-3-2-1 creates numerical superiority in the centre of the pitch and space out wide.

• In attempting to exploit the space out wide, an opponent plays into a pressing trap of a FB, a CM, a CAM and the touchline.

(18/25)

• However, whilst there were spells during the game where QPR's pressing strategy gave Norwich very few options in the build up, for large periods of the game Norwich's movement and quick passing led to the creation of some great chances.

• When the movement and passing slowed down, Norwich struggled to play through QPR.

(19/25)

• There are finally some clear patterns of play developing at Norwich under Dean Smith, during this game these patterns of play were executed better than any previous game under Dean Smith.

• Smith's teams are characterised by rapid progression through the opponent's lines.

• This is something Norwich have been poor at all season.

(20/25)

• But against QPR, Norwich (at times) were:

-> moving back to front in few passes

-> attacking quickly in transition

-> building up with one or two touches

-> using rotations and counter movements to create space for through balls in behind

(21/25)

• These concepts are all key features of Dean Smith's style.

Summary: (22/25)

• A fascinating, tactical game where Norwich were trying to play around QPR in the build up, and QPR's pressing strategy involved forcing Norwich to play around them.

(23/25)

• Despite the result, this game represented a big step in the right direction for Norwich under Dean Smith.

• The form and current points tally clearly isn't good enough, but stylistically Norwich are finally starting to look like a Dean Smith team.

(24/25)

• But Norwich need to find more consistency in performances and results if they are to stand a chance of promotion.

(25/25)

• A draw against QPR is a respectable result, in my view Michael Beale is one of the top 3 most exciting and interesting managers in the league, alongside Vincent Kompany and Russell Martin.