Despite going into Saturday’s match winless in four Championship games, Norwich were still just about clinging onto second spot. They faced a West Brom side who were vying to knock them off their perch.
Indeed, it was the Baggies who carried slightly more of the impetus during the match, forcing the experienced Tim Krul into some good saves. Their team, dashed with smatterings of Premier League quality, put in a performance dubbed “fantastic” by manager Darren Moore.
What settled the match, though, were two innocuous-looking strikers goals. First, Dwight Gayle stole in at the near post to put West Brom into the lead. Then Jordan Rhodes responded in kind at the same near post in the second half to equalise.
The set-ups
West Brom must now adapt to life without the talismanic figure of Harvey Barnes, the youngster being recalled from his loan by Leicester City. They opted to go 4-3-3 with a fluid front three of Jay Rodriguez, Hal Robson-Kanu and Dwight Gayle. Robson-Kanu took the nominal centre-forward role on the team sheet, but in truth it was a front line open to rotation.
As has become almost a given with 4-3-3, the deepest lying midfielder ex-Manchester City veteran Gareth Barry in this game dropped between the centre-backs to aid in build up. The other two midfielders, Rekeem Harper and Chris Brunt, have decent ball carrying ability and were able to help attack with vigour.
Below can be seen an almost Guardiola-esque build up. Barry drops between the split centre-backs, while the full-backs have tucked in a little and pushed forward.
Norwich went with their tried and tested 4-2-3-1, led by Teemu Pukki. They faced some unfortunate absentees, too, with centre back Timm Klose and attacking midfielder Marco Stiepermann both omitted from the starting XI due to injuries.
Their system also bore some fairly typical features of the formation. Todd Cantwell at number 10 can be seen dropping deeper to receive the ball, while right winger Emiliano Buendia tucks in a to get involved with build up play. Full-back Max Aarons circled below hugs the touchline to help maintain width in attack.
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