Norwich Vs Watford

Norwich Vs Watford:

Score: 0 - 1 Possession (%): 60 - 40 xG: 0.73 - 2.21

• Norwich's structural problems and a possible solution.

• Watford's pressing strategy.

• Norwich playing into Watford traps.

• Ineffective Norwich press.

Base Formations: • Norwich were in a 4-3-3 base formation, with Sara and Nunez as two 8s and Gibbs as a single pivot. • Out of possession, this became a 4-1-4-1. • Watford were in a 3-4-3 formation, which could become a 5-4-1.

• In possession, NCFC's full backs moved high and wide, while Gibbs dropped to provide a passing angle for Hanley and Gibson. • With Gibbs in front of Hanley and Gibson, a 2-3-2-3 was created. • When Gibbs dropped between Hanley and Gibson, a 3-4-3 was created.

• All season, Norwich have struggled to find a way to fit Pukki and Sargent (and now Idah) into the same team. All 3 prefer starting in the middle. • While they work well together, as a three, starting them together compromises the structure of the team.

• In possession, a team should make the pitch as big as possible by creating width and depth. • With Sargent and Idah occupying the half spaces and Pukki in the middle, the full backs are forced to stay high and wide to create width.

• There are structural issues associated with the shape Norwich transition into: 1) The half spaces become crowded by the forwards and number 8s. 2) A 2-1 rest defence leaves Norwich exposed defensively.

• Norwich's average positions demonstrate the structural issues with their shape. • In comparison, Watford's shape was well organised and balanced. (Graphics from SofaScore)

The shape below would be better, as it creates: • Optimal passing angles. • Width and depth without compromising defensive solidity. • A 2-3 rest defence: a structure that allows for the transition into a counter-press when possession is lost.

• However, Sargent and Idah are better suited to playing in central areas, and neither are wingers. • Perhaps it would be beneficial to focus on the attacking structure of the team rather than focusing on forcing Pukki, Sargent and/or Idah into the same team.

Watford had a well organised press when Norwich were building from the back:

• Davis (7) used cover shadowing to block Gibbs. • Gaspar (3) man-marked Sara. • Bacuna (25) man-marked Nunez. • The wing backs were ready to press Aarons and McCallum.

• Watford set pressing traps, including: 1) A central trap, encouraging passes to Sara and Nunez through gaps between the front 3. Both were marked tightly. 2) A wide trap, where Watford encouraged passes out wide before trapping NCFC against the touchlines.

• At times, Norwich played into Watford's traps and had no option but to clear the ball or risk losing it in dangerous areas.

• If Norwich had been more narrow in their defensive 3rd, they could have created numerical superiority in the initial stage of the build-up while reducing the risk associated with losing possession.

• Inverted FBs would allow Sara and Nunez to stay high, while keeping their markers away from Norwich's build-up. • This would have nullified Watford's pressing traps. • Sargent and Idah would have to occupy the wide spaces to stop Watford's WBs from pressing. Conclusion: • As well as a lack of confidence, there are numerous tactical issues at NCFC. • By trying to fit good strikers into the team, NCFC are compromising their build-up. • Out of possession, NCFC are still not good enough. Their press has been ineffective. Norwich's new head coach needs to: • Fix NCFC's structure in possession. • Improve NCFC's pressing. • Restore confidence within the squad. • Either find a way to include more than one striker or be decisive and choose just one.