Here is Samuel Seaman's verdict on Norwich City, who got back to winning ways in sensational fashion with a 6-1 win over Plymouth Argyle.
Angus Gunn
Little to do, but remained sharp when he was called into action. Good saves to deny Andre Gray twice in quick succession when he unleashed from distance and then drove with speed midway through the second half.
Gives confidence to those in front of him and commands his penalty box well. Has provided the boost many hoped he would. 7
Jack Stacey
Picked up where he left off in a fine performance at West Brom on Saturday, providing two assists to add to the one he collected for Emiliano Marcondes' equaliser at The Hawthorns.
His first rounded off a slick move that found him centrally, his pass possessing enough pace and placement to find Borja Sainz's path accurately and quickly. His second was a more traditional one, whipping low into an area before Anis Ben Slimane converted well.
Also dealt well with former Canary Bali Mumba on the Plymouth left. 8
Shane Duffy
Left exposed by Jacob Sorensen's poor pass for the Argyle goal, but otherwise a comfortable evening for the Irishman defensively. Mopped up well and made few errors in possession.
It's a wonder how he contrived to lift over from four yards in the first half, but he made up for it when heading the goal that truly killed the game early in the second. 8
Another step in the right direction from Doyle, for whom a week's rest and a move back to his centre-back role has done the desired job.
Always calm and assured in possession even if there weren't as many searching balls forward as there have been previously, and defensively he did a good job too. Looked like he could have been in danger when Plymouth attacked with pace, but made up for his own lack of it with good positioning and decision making. 7
Ben Chrisene
A mixed performance from the left-back on a big night for him, but there was more good than bad.
Offered a more direct presence than Johannes Hoff Thorup usually has from his full-backs, and battled hard when he needed to. Found Ante Crnac with a lovely cross that he should have converted in the first half.
Not as involved as he could have been, however, and his on-ball quality tailed off before his late substitution. 7
Jacob Sorensen
A good, assured start, and a reminder that he can be a useful asset in a team that doesn't need him as a key operator. His performance will be remembered for the pass that set off the move for Mustapha Bundu's goal, however.
That appeared to knock his confidence slightly, and he wasn't the same player again before he was replaced by Liam Gibbs. But not a bad showing overall, especially in the context of what followed. 6
Kenny McLean
Plenty of the industrious work fans are used to from the Scot, but maybe not as much technical quality as he would have liked.
Struggled to turn into midfield at times and was caught being overly ambitious, while a couple of his longer passes failed to find their mark. Defensively he was strong though, and his importance to the structure is clear. 6
Emiliano Marcondes
Another stellar showing from the Dane, who has rapidly gone from last-ditch squad option to key player for Norwich.
So often the man showing for the ball, attempting to win it back or driving it forward, and was involved at every stage of his team's attacks at various points. Another two assists for his collection, first sliding Sainz through with perfect weight and precision before delivering a corner that Duffy couldn't miss.
There's an interesting decision headed for Thorup very soon in the midfield. 8
Amankwah Forson
Started brightly and looked more confident as a result of his own positive performance against the Baggies, but faded as things went on.
A couple of good passes and instinctive exchanges early on allowed him to get into good areas, especially when linking up with Crnac when he drifted centrally. With time he looked more and more like a midfielder out of position, however, and it was the right time when he was eventually taken off. 6
What is there to say about the winger that hasn't been said already? A set of trademark goals to go with a series of warnings he provided throughout the occasion.
The away side did not heed those warnings, and he took advantage almost every time he had the opportunity to. Shot after shot came in, and eventually he was bound to add a few to his now-14-strong goal tally.
He still could have had more, and that's what he'll be working on before Luton's visit on Saturday. Perhaps that's just nit-picking, because it's scarcely fathomable that he could still improve. 9
Ante Crnac
The roar he got for his late goal was not a typical one for the sixth in a comfortable thrashing, and that said everything about his situation.
A man who has struggled for form since arriving in England for big money, and every member of the home crowd was desperate to see him get in on the act. He eventually did with a superb finish that came from his consistently good pressing, having missed chances to add to the scoreline previously.
In general play was progress too, and he looked much more like a striker than he has previously. 8
SUBSTITUTES
Liam Gibbs (on for Sorensen, 62)
Hard not to feel for the City midfielder, who looks to have suffered yet another injury blow, this time to his hamstring. The emotion on his face was clear to all as he trudged off, and that's understandable for anyone after his recent tribulations. 6
It initially looked a strange move to play him on the right wing, but it was one that worked rather effectively until Gibbs came off and he returned to a central role.
When he did he found his first goal in yellow and green, and a good one at that. Looked to be back to his best. 8
Oscar Schwartau (on for Gibbs, 71)
Got through plenty of running, with a couple of nice touches in advanced areas. 6
Ashley Barnes (on for Sainz, 83)
Positive signs of the role he could play in the new system. One ball out wide and run into the box the like of which his head coach has said he wants to see. 6
Brad Hills (on for Chrisene, 83)
Avoided any errors in an unfamiliar position. 6
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel