Problem-solving was a major part of Norwich City’s important 1-0 victory over Preston at the weekend as they moved within striking distance of securing their Championship top six spot.
Ben is a City season ticket holder and author of the NCFC Analysis social media account, who unpicks games with an analytical report highlighting tactical strengths and weaknesses.
This is what Ben made of another victory for David Wagner’s side.
Following a disappointing result against relegation battlers Sheffield Wednesday, David Wagner’s Norwich made the trip to Lancashire to face Preston in a crucial game for both sides’ play-off ambitions.
Ryan Lowe made three changes to his side, as Jack Whatmough, Alan Browne, and Milutin Osmajic came into the host’s 3-4-1-2 base formation, while Shane Duffy replaced Danny Batth in Norwich’s 4-2-3-1.
During Norwich’s goalkeeper restarts, Wagner’s men dropped into a variable 4-2-2-2 structure when Sara (17) dropped alongside Barnes (10) ahead of City’s double pivot, leaving Sainz (7) and Sargent (9) in the last line.
In response, Preston pressed high from their 3-4-1-2 base. Behind the front two, Frokjaer (10) jumped onto the free pivot when one of the centre-forwards pressed, while the wing-backs were ready to press Stacey (3) and McCallum (15), and the double pivot occupied Sara (17) and Barnes (10).
Early in the first half, however, Sara (17) often dropped even deeper, almost creating a midfield three with McLean (23) and Nunez (26). But Browne (8) advanced to stay tight to City’s Brazilian midfielder.
With Norwich often going long soon after goal-kicks, Barnes (10) advanced to occupy the space just behind Sargent (9), hoping to challenge for second balls. But as Whatmough (26) stayed back, Preston maintained a last-line numerical advantage and frequently regained possession.
Given the numerical advantage in their initial build-up phases, Wagner’s men had more success playing through the host’s press rather than playing directly over it.
On one occasion, Barnes (10) moved over to the left, pinning Holmes (25) away from McCallum (15). As a result, when he received from Gibson (6), Norwich’s left-back had time to advance before Osmajic (28) moved over to press.
At the same time, McLean (23) advanced towards Sainz (7) as the Spaniard dropped into the left half space while Barnes (10) stayed wide.
McCallum (15) then found Sainz (7) who, with Storey (14) following him, bounced the ball back to McLean (23) before City shifted over to Sara (17) in space on the opposite side. This was a perfect example of the benefits of playing through pressure rather than over it.
In Norwich’s open-play deep build-up phases, their 4-2-2-2 with a midfield box became even clearer.
Sargent (9) often switched places with Barnes (10), as Norwich’s number nine dropped alongside Sara (17). The host’s front two initially shadow-marked Norwich’s double pivot, while the centre-backs created a 3v2 in the last line.
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