Nice to win again!! One man will get the headlines but it was a good performance all through the team in our 3-0 win at Norwich. Suarez' hat-trick makes it 9 goals in 15 matches for the Uruguayan since he came back from his lengthy suspension, that's the kind of return we need from our main striker and it's great to know he is capable of this kind of scoring rate. They were probably his three best goals for the club (plus Sunderland away last season) and it was as impressive a treble as you're likely to see. The first goal was a very well struck left foot finish and the second was even better. Cutting in from the right at an angle and still some distance from goal there was plenty to do but a crisp, curling shot into the far corner left the Norwich 'keeper with no chance. And then with eight minutes left came the icing on the cake, a couple of touches just inside the Norwich half and then a fantastic strike over the top of the 'keeper and into the back of the net from fully 45 yards, a certain goal of the season contender (along with Coates v QPR and Crouch v Man City in my opinion).
This weekend it was Jonjo Shelvey's turn to hit the woodwork, his header coming back off the bar, and the youngster also had a brilliant chance to score his first Premier League goal but a slight bobble helped him to miss when it seemed easier to score. We weren't really any better against Norwich than we were against West Brom last week but this time our chances went in, and they certainly weren't our easiest opportunities of the match. A scoreline like this had been coming for a few weeks and I was kind of hoping we'd been saving it for the FA Cup final but a win like this can only improve confidence ahead of next weekend's meeting with the impressive of late Chelsea.
I would expect plenty of changes against Fulham on Tuesday, Skrtel, Coates, Kelly, Maxi, Spearing, Kuyt and Carroll could all figure from the start so I would expect at least five, maybe up to seven changes to the starting eleven. To be able to bring in seven players like these, and also have Charlie Adam and Lucas unavailable, shows we are trying to build a decent squad capable of competing at the top end of the league. We just need the confidence in our play that comes with regularly winning games and we need a striker to step up and score game in game out. Whether that striker is already at the club or not is debatable, I think there's no doubting the most important area for strengthening this summer but top quality strikers don't come cheap so there may be some wheeling and dealing required.
This week I'll have a look at the Fulham game and also preview the FA Cup final next Saturday (17:15 kick off time included). I'll then start looking back at our season and looking ahead to the summer and beyond, seeing what I feel the club needs to do regarding the playing and coaching staff. Any contributions or opinions on our season and what is required to move forward will be welcomed, I don't have to agree with other people's views to include them on here, football is very subjective and debating it is what we all love almost as much as watching it.
YNWA
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