Norwich Vs Stoke

Norwich Vs Stoke (1/19)

Score: 3 - 1

xG: 2.12 - 1.65

Possession (%): 43 - 57

● Pressing traps. (4-6)

● Norwich's poor 1st half. (7,8)

● How Norwich improved in the 2nd half. (12)

● The impact of Cantwell, Nunez and Sara. (13-17)

Formations: (2/19)

• Both teams were in 4-2-3-1 base formation, although there were many variations throughout the game.

(3/19)

• In possession:

-> Norwich became a 2-3-3-1-1 at times, with Hayden as the single pivot.

-> Stoke became a 2-5-3 (with Laurent or Baker sometimes dropping between CBs).

• Out of possession:

-> Norwich were in a 4-4-1-1 with the CDMs close to the CBs.

-> Stoke were in a 4-1-4-1.

(4/19)

• In the first half Stoke's pressing was highly effective.

• It was a high, almost man to man, press designed to trap Norwich against the touchlines.

• Smallbone was key to the Stoke press.

(5/19)

• The use of touchlines in pressing strategies is common in football, it makes it easier to block passing options with FBs trapped.

• This made it hard for Norwich to build from the back (a recurring issue for Norwich at present).

(6/19)

• There were also pressing traps set up by Norwich.

• There were sizeable gaps between Pukki and the two wide players when Stoke were in possession in their defensive 3rd.

• This was to encourage passes into the midfield, where Norwich had numerical superiority.

(7/19)

• Norwich's struggles in the build up weren't helped by their failure to create progressive passing options when Gibbs dropped to make a double pivot.

• A 4-2-3-1 creates solidity but doesn't create natural passing angles, so movement between the lines and 3rd man runs are vital.

(8/19)

• In the first half, Norwich were creating wide triangles with the CBs, FBs and Hayden or Gibbs.

• But this is futile if nobody drops into a position to recieve progressive passes through the lines.

(9/19)

• In possession Stoke moved the ball to the FBs in wide areas, while Smallbone and Fosu would take up positions in the half spaces.

• Clarke's position high on the right wing allowed Brown to move up front with Gayle.

(10/19)

• Stoke's width was designed to reduce Norwich's horizontal compactness and to open the half spaces for Smallbone.

• At times Fosu would stay wide in addition to Fox at LB, this further stretched the Norwich back line to create space for Smallbone.

(11/19)

• Stoke often tried to drag Norwich across to one side, before finding the free man on the opposite side.

(12/19)

• In the 2nd half, Norwich's build up improved with Sara's introduction.

• Sara and Ramsey were dropping towards Norwich's deep triangles to create wide diamonds, this creates passing options through the lines, making it easier for Norwich to break through Stoke's press.

(13/19)

• More substitutions from Norwich, in the form of Cantwell and Nunez, further improved Norwich's build up.

• Once regaining possession Norwich were able to progress through Stoke's lines at pace.

(14/19)

• This is how Dean Smith teams tend to attack, transitioning quickly from back to front with progressive passes through the lines.

(15/19)

• After the substitutions Norwich became more of a 4-5-1 in the build up.

• Nunez was further forward than he has been in previous appearances for Norwich, this gave him freedom to help Norwich transition from back to front without being exposed in physical duels.

(16/19)

• The combination of Cantwell, Nunez and Sara's creativity and movement changed the game in Norwich's favour.

• Their introduction fixed Norwich's struggles in the build up and in transitional moments.

(17/19)

• The Norwich substitutions provided passing options between the lines which enabled Norwich to quickly break through the Stoke press.

(18/19)

Summary:

• The first half was characterised by the same problems Norwich have had all season, a failure to build from the back and to transition quickly through the lines.

• This was, in part, due to Stoke's organisation and pressing traps.

• But Norwich's lack of movement ahead of the ball was also to blame.

(19/19)

• The introduction of Sara, Cantwell and Nunez dramatically improved Norwich's build up.

• They added creativity and intelligent off the ball movement which allowed Norwich to play through the lines quickly. This is how Dean Smith's teams attack.

• Ultimately, Norwich were better than Stoke in both boxes.

• Despite Norwich's struggles in the build up for the majority of the game, Dean Smith's substitutions changed the game.