Pelach’s improving Stoke next up for JHT’s ‘blistering’ Canaries.
After some blistering recent form, Norwich seem all but unstoppable right now, so the only thing that can prevent us from coming away from Stoke with three points is surely some awful luck.
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Well, fortunately for Narcis Pelach I will be at the Bet365 on Saturday, and in my last three away trips, Norwich have conspired to lose 3-1, 5-1 and 3-0. So if anything can derail the recent positivity, I reckon I’m it.
Stoke are difficult to predict at the moment as, with Pelach experimenting to see how he can get the best out of the squad he inherited, he’s tinkering with personnel and formations.
Unlike Johannes Hoff Thorup – who arrived pre-season and so had time to instil his preferred system and bring in players to complement it – Pelach arrived at Stoke at a time when he could no longer buy players and had no time to make sweeping changes. As a result, he’s having to make do and mend with what he has – a massive challenge for any new manager.
So far under the Spaniard, Stoke have played four games, losing 3-1 at home against Hull and 2-0 away against Middlesbrough, before a 6-1 demolition of Portsmouth and a 0-0 draw at Swansea. In the first two games, he played a more conservative 4-4-1-1 with the emphasis more on solidity than chance creation, before moving to a 4-4-2 against Portsmouth and Swansea, so I’d expect that to be the more likely formation tomorrow.
Given how well Pelach knows Thorup’s tactical preferences, however, he may go another way entirely to try and nullify our obvious threats and attack our weaknesses. Either way, it’s going to be a fascinating tactical joust between two men who were sat on the same bench a few weeks ago.
In goal, Stoke have Viktor Johansson, for years the busiest man in the Championship when standing behind the Rotherham defence. He’s one of the best around.
At right-back, Pelach initially started with former Colchester wonderkid Junior Tchamadeu but in the last couple of games has moved centre-back Ben Wilmot out to the right side, so I expect that to continue. Another option would be former Sunderland utility man Lynden Gooch.
At left back Frenchman Eric Bocat is currently just ahead of former Sheffield United stalwart Enda Stevens and would be expected to be the starter.
In the centre of defence, there is a familiar face in the shape of Ben Gibson – who will no doubt be relishing a battle with Josh Sargent – and his partner for the last two games has been former Coventry man, Michael Rose after Wilmot moved to right back. Another option is the hugely promising Tottenham youngster Ashley Phillips.
In midfield, Dutchman Wouter Burger tends to play as the experienced anchor in a pivot that allows exciting young Brighton loanee Andrew Moran licence to get further forward and create.
Northern Ireland international Jordan Thompson did start the first two games for Pelach, but his box-to-box style was sacrificed for the more attacking Andrew Moran. Another option in the middle of the park would be everybody’s favourite clogging cart horse, Ben Pearson.
Out wide, Bae Junho on the left, and Liverpool loanee Lewis Koumas on the right have started every game for Pelach, Junho already establishing himself as a bustling attacking threat in this league, while Koumas is taking his first steps at this level. Portuguese winger-cum-striker Andre Vidigal is another option.
Up front, Tom Cannon has started every game for Pelach and looked vastly more threatening in the last two alongside Sam Gallagher than he did for the first two playing just ahead of Dutchman Million Manhoef. It would be a surprise to not see Cannon and Gallagher start on Saturday but other potential options are Emre Tezgel and Niall Ennis.
On paper, I would favour Norwich in this one. Stoke look open in the middle of the park and with our more compact style under Thorup, I can see us making life very difficult for Burger and Moran.
We can though often be slow starters after an international break however, and after their last game at home ended in a 6-1 win, you can bet Cannon and Gallagher will be up for a bruising test of Jose Cordoba and Shane Duffy.
If we take our chances I think we’ll win, but if we’re not on it, a 0-0 isn’t impossible. Have to say I kind of fancy Ante Crnac getting off the mark.
