Norwich Vs Reading
- NCFC Analyst
- Jan 1, 2023
- 3 min read
Norwich Vs Reading: Russell and Weaver's tactical adjustments.
Build-up shape and progressive passing.
McLean's new role and it's impact.
The Idah, Pukki and Sargent front 3.
Defending and attacking set pieces.
Base Formations:
• Norwich were set up in a 4-3-3, which could become a 4-5-1 if necessary.
• Reading were set up in a 5-3-2 base formation, which could become a 3-4-3 with Ince joining Carroll and Joao up front. Hoilett also played much higher than a typical RWB.
• In possession, Norwich almost transitioned into a 3-4-3, as McLean dropped between Hanley and Gibson to provide an immediate passing option.
• This created numerical superiority in the initial phase of the build-up against Carroll and Joao.
• In the second phase of Norwich's build-up, Aarons and McCallum were high on both wings.
• Without McLean dropping between Hanley and Gibson, the Norwich FBs would not have had the freedom to move so high.
• McLean's new role also gave Sara and Nunez more space in central areas.
• The positioning of Aarons, McCallum, Sara and Nunez provided 4 progressive passing options in the build-up.
• Without having McLean covering, those 4 players could not have been positioned so high.
• McLean also gave Hanley and Gibson more freedom to move forward.
• Compared to Dean Smith's Norwich, Russell and Weaver's side spent less time in the early stages of the build-up, instead looking to find players in advanced positions quickly.
• McLean was a key player in Norwich's build-up, not just positionally but technically. He often started attacks with progressive passes between Reading's lines.
• Hanley and Gibson combined short passing with a more direct approach, aiming to find one of Norwich's front 3.
• Although Norwich often waited too long to find one of Norwich's front 3, the trio looked promising together.
• Pukki was too often the target of long passes, but Idah and Sargent occupied dangerous positions either side of him.
• The combination of Sargent, Idah and Pukki provides 2 strikers who are capable of controlling long passes with their backs to goal (Sargent and Idah) and Pukki who favours running onto passes between the lines.
• Counter movements between Norwich's front 3 often created problems for Reading.
• One of Sargent or Idah would drop deep to control a long pass, while Pukki ran into the space - vacated by the Reading marker - to receive a through ball.
• Forward runs from midfield were also a key feature of Russell and Weaver's side.
• Set piece coach and joint interim head coach - Allan Russell - is known for creating the 'bus-stop' corner routine (also known as the 'love-train') during his time working for England.
• This was a method Norwich used on multiple occasions during the Reading game.
• When defending set pieces, Norwich use a combination of man marking and zonal marking.
• Norwich have around 4 players zonal marking around the 6 yard box, and the remaining players in the box man mark.
Conclusion:
• While the performance wasn't perfect, there were clear tactical adjustments made by Russell and Weaver.
• McLean's deeper role was key to Norwich's approach, it allowed the full backs and midfielders space and freedom to stay high.
• Sargent and Idah started much closer to Pukki than Sargent often did under Dean Smith.
• While this - combined with the height of the full backs - made Norwich vulnerable to counter attacks, it also created numerous promising rotations leading to chances.
• Norwich were also much more progressive in possession, they transitioned - from back to front - much quicker than they did under Dean Smith.
• However, it is worth considering that Reading's press is not as intense as most other championship sides.
For those interested to learn more about Allan Russell and his 'bus stop' corner routine, here's a fascinating piece by The Coaches Voice:
Again very good well done