Ben, a City season ticket holder and author of the NCFC Analysis social media account, provides an analytical report on Norwich City’s games, highlighting their tactical strengths and weaknesses. His analysis of the Cardiff vs Norwich game shows that Norwich had 54% possession, 379 passes, and 20 shots, as compared to Cardiff’s 46% possession, 458 passes, and 13 shots. The expected goals (xG) were 3.45 for Norwich and 1.35 for Cardiff.
The teams set up in a 4-2-3-1 base formations, with the number tens creating a front two out of possession. In their deep build-up, Norwich transitioned into a 4-2-4 shape, with players dropping into their own half. Cardiff created a mostly passive 4-4-2 pressing structure in response. Norwich’s build-up rotations helped to disrupt Cardiff’s press, while Cardiff adjusted their press in line with the state of the game.
Norwich’s pattern in settled possession saw players between the lines as three number tens, with inverted wingers and full-backs overlapping. However, their predominant structure left defenders with too much space to defend in transitions. Furthermore, David Wagner’s decision to convert Placheta into a left-back was controversial, as he is not suited to the defensive aspects of this role.
Overall, despite some positives in possession, Norwich’s structural issues out of possession and in defensive transitions remain. While the game ultimately represents the end of an era off the field, David Wagner will be hoping that his future remains at Norwich despite the need for more wins to regain the support of the fanbase.
