This coupled with a front two that could have been best described as statuesque meant that there was little chance of a comeback.

Gregory switched back to a 4-4-2 formation after yet another defeat with his defensive 3-5-2 at Birmingham. Royce was in goal behind Bignot, Stewart, Mancienne and Milanese. Rowlands, Lomas, Gallen and Cook were in midfield with Jones and Furlong up front. Big Pat Kanyuka was back amongst the subs for the first time since doing his hamstring against Leicester in October.  

There were few surprises in the way Norwich were playing; everything was aimed at Dublin to allow Croft and Huckerby to create chances for Earnshaw. Huckerby, Dublin and Earnshaw created the first genuine chance of the game but the little Welshman was offside as he nodded wide of Royce’s post from close range. 

Although Bignot was wearing the armband it was clear to see that Lomas was really skippering the side as he harried and organised his troops around him. He was also slipping some lovely passes wide to Rowlands who was finding plenty of space in behind the defensively disinterested Huckerby. For some reason Rowlands was trying to beat full back Drury three times before delivering a pass or shooting and several opportunities went west as a result. 

Rowly did shoot across the face of goal after beating Drury the requisite three times before Furlong drew what would turn out to be the only save of note Gallacher was forced into all afternoon. Cook, Jones and Gallen all then saw follow up shots to the save blocked away to safety as Rangers tried to carve out the early advantage.  

Both sets of defenders were doing their jobs with aplomb and this meant that chances were few and far between. Mancienne and Stewart were doing a great job on Dublin and Earnshaw. At times they were content to allow Dublin to win the first ball in the knowledge that they would be able to intercept the second. There is no point trying to muscle Dublin off of the ball as you won’t win! 

Milanese tried his luck with a fierce drive across goal but it ended up going out for a throw two yards up from the corner flag! At the other end Earnshaw was afforded a rare sight of goal and he forced Royce to fly to his right to palm the ball away. Rowlands was forced from the action just before the break after tweaking something. Nick Ward came on to take his place on the right, many were calling for Baidoo to get a run as Ward has proved in the past that he isn’t really equipped to play wide right. 

The second half began in the midst of a torrential downpour that would continue for the rest of the half, the sodden walk back to the car and the wild and wet drive back down the A11! Jason Shackell missed the first chance of the half when he rose highest to meet a Safri corner but only served to send a poor header well over the bar. 

Rangers were being hamstrung by the lack of mobility afforded to them by Furlong and Jones up front. Every ball had to be played into their feet which meant that Shackell and Doherty could set themselves as such. What you really needed against two tug boats like them was a quick player to run the channels and try and stretch them and make some space for others to move into. Jones in particular looked like he had his mind elsewhere and turned in the poorest showing I have seen from him in the first team. 

Stevie Lomas tried to inject some forward momentum into the team when he burst from midfield and exchanged passes on the edge of the box before pulling his low shot wide of the post. It was a rare moment of forward momentum for Rangers on a day when Cook looked like he was breathing out of his arse after about five minutes. As we all know if Cook doesn’t play well then we are screwed and it was hard to see how Gallen or Ward would compensate. 

After playing so well defensively thus far two mistakes from Stewart allowed Norwich to take the lead and ultimately wrap up the points. A high ball seemed to be no trouble for Stewart as he positioned himself to head the ball clear. Whether his facial injury was playing on his mind only he will know, but he seemed to have one eye on Earnie in front of him and he barely touched the header. The ball fell to Earnshaw and he lofted it over Mancienne into the path of Dublin. Bignot, Mancienne and Milanese had stepped up to play Dublin offside but Stewart stepped in. The veteran striker didn’t need a second invitation and he slid in to slip the ball past the exposed Royce. 

With thirteen minutes left Gregory dragged off the anonymous Gallen and sent Blackstock on and switched to 4-3-3 but with minimal effect. The only other chance of the game fell to Earnshaw as he sprung the offside trap just inside the R’s half and set off for goal. He must have thought he would be sliding the ball home for goal number eighteen of the season as he released his shot. From nowhere Stewart came sliding in, having taken fully ten yards out of Earnshaw on the sprint toward goal and the ball was deflected over the bar to safety. 

At the end of the game the travel weary R’s fans set off on the soggy yomp back to the car park discussing where it had all gone wrong. Again! The team had defended tremendously for eighty nine minutes but one moment of indecision cost us. We never looked like we would score a goal; Furlong’s first half header was the only shot in anger on goal and when we went a goal down there was no chance of a response. 

Gregory is supposedly bringing in two defenders at the start of the transfer window but he must also work on getting us another creative midfielder and another striker. Cook needs some pressure taken off of him, assuming he stays, which I am not sure will be the case. When Blackstock isn’t starting you wonder who will score a goal, which in itself is a strange thing to say about a player who is now nine games without a one. 

We have to beat Colchester on New Years Day; a point isn’t any good to us after results on Saturday saw Hull move to within three points. What is more important is that we have a team in place that will be able to go to Hull, Barnsley and Southend in the next month and a bit and take no fewer than seven points. No, I can’t see it either. 

Man of the Match – Steve Lomas. The Ginger General was excellent in the middle of the park. He tackled hard and tried to use the ball well but more importantly, he was a leader. A few more need to take note of the commitment he showed. 

simon@qprnet.com