And so ends the Canaries’ cup involvement of 2018/19. Not that, in the circumstances, too many were complaining.
Given how events at Carrow Road panned out last night, for City to have taken it to the wire was no mean feat in itself, but the fact remains we have exited the FA Cup at the third round stage for the last six consecutive seasons.
And while no-one wanted a midweek replay in Portsmouth, the preferable route out of that conundrum would have been for City, not Pompey, to grab that late winner. To have progressed would have given those on the fringes more game time to hone their match fitness and sharpness in readiness for the run-in.
It wasn’t to be, of course, but instead what remained from an entertaining cup tie were a considerable number of positives for City – not least the fact they played for 77 minutes with ten men against a good side with no discernable change to either the method or the performance level.
The other thing to say is, if City had wanted to take it to a replay there was little to suggest they couldn’t have fairly comfortably seen it out, but Daniel Farke’s decision to go for broke and end the game in something akin to a 2-3-5 meant the odds of conceding late were about as high as they were scoring.
That Kenny McLean’s late free-kick slammed into the wall instead of nestling in Craig MacGillivray’s top corner was not in our script but Andre Green finishing off a lightning breakaway at the second attempt, was most definitely how Pompey fans dreamt it.
And few could deny them their moment of glory – a club that has been there, done it, but which has had to endure some wilderness years while their nearest and dearest have established themselves as a Premier League club.
They’re a likeable club with a likeable manager and we should wish them well for the next round and in their promotion charge.
For City’s part, events took a downward turn the moment Grant Hanley’s evening ended prematurely with his mistimed attempt to thwart Ronan Curtis. It was neither dangerous or calculated, but there was an argument for him being the last man – the point upon which Darren Bond based his decision to show red.
Some viewed it as a shocker – another case of referees deliberately targeting those in yellow and green – while most seemed to agree it was one of those that could have gone either way. Put it this way, if a Pompey centre-back had done the same to Jordan Rhodes, we’d have been screaming for a red.
If not sure Mr Bond had his best night – the undue haste with which he pulled the red card from his pocket suggested he didn’t give the decision a great deal of thought – and his reluctance to reveal his yellow card as the game progressed made his decision to flash red so readily appear a little odd, but there is no conspiracy folks. We’re just having a run of games where some big decisions have gone against us.
Whether they ‘even themselves out over the season’ will only become clear when said season is over, but there is no collusion or campaign to wreck our season from the men in the middle. C’mon folks … we’re better than that.
What was impressive, however, was how, after making eight changes, there was no change to the shape and methodology, and while some of those who came in showed early signs of rustiness, there is no questioning quite how well drilled this group is. Long gone are the days of Canary Call echoing to the sound of ‘what the hell do they do in training Ney-ul?‘
Such is the fluency and cohesion of this team, even after loads of changes, it’s very apparent what they do in training. Enforced changes in shape and even being a player light do not phase this bunch, who continue to plough the same fertile furrow even when objects and hurdles are thrown in their path.
Mixed metaphors aside, there was still much to admire – even in defeat.
The three players who Farke decided to leave in the XI – Christoph Zimmermann, Ben Godfrey and Todd Cantwell – were, to a man, excellent last night and showed not the slightest hint of fatigue; each doing nothing but cement their starting places at West Brom.
In addition, in the engine room, Tom Trybull and McLean – as well as putting some priceless miles on the clock – both did their bit to confirm the overall quality of this group and how, even when Team Farke’s resources get stretched, there remains plenty of quality, even when having reach deep into the barrel.
Jordan Rhodes will have been disappointed to have not made more of an impression but he’s one who you always feel has a goal in him as long as he’s on the pitch, and his clipped cross for Cantwell’s late diving header almost unlocked the door for City. Alongside him, Dennis Sbreny showed a willingness to shoot and some nice touches, even if those touches sometimes come with one too many, but right now he’s one who is the epitome of a squad player.
The move to left-back – as part of the post-Hanley reshuffle – did Ben Marshall few favours, but I do believe there is a player in there, one who clearly prefers an advanced role rather than left-back. Felix Passlack, meanwhile, is neat and tidy, and clearly understands the role, but just needs games under his belt, which are not going to be forthcoming as long as Max Aarons is here.
And, to be fair, other than one second-half spill that was mopped up by Zimmermann, Michael McGovern did little wrong, with his Achilles Heel – his kicking and passing – actually showing general signs of improvement.
So, another cup exit, but not the end of the world. This season won’t be defined by Portsmouth knocking us out of the FA Cup with a sucker punch but rather by what occurs in 20 upcoming league games. If this extraordinary campaign does end in the blaze of glory we all desire, then Andre Green’s winner will not even be a footnote.
Excllent summary, the sending off as you said did little to disrupt, I thought at times we were second best to lose balls, I also felt we had another two gears to move to had we really wanted too.
I am not so sure Mr Farke wanted to really progress, the changes seemed a tad late to make a real difference, but I am not complaining one bit, a large road trip to Portsmouth is not really what the squad needs, fringe players or otherwise, or even the yellow Army.
Despite what that club has been through over the years, their support is still first rate,
On to the Ref. no hesitation on getting the red out, which I thought a little off, considering the type of tackle, it wasn’t really dangerous, plus still a fair way from the goal. There was more than one tackle that cleaned out our players, that went by with a wave of the hand
I am starting do believe that the Refs have it in for us. hahaha whose following me now ?
5
A few tens of thousands for progressing to the 4th round of the FA Cup, or £90 million, plus from promotion to the Premier League – the relative financial risks and returns speak for themselves, given City’s current league position with twenty games to go.
4
Most people seem to have forgotten that the rules on the last man changed at the beginning of last season. If the player who commits the foul attempts to play the ball, it should be a yellow. Hanley clearly went for the ball, so by the laws of the game should have seen yellow.
2
I personally wouldn’t have sent him off, but tbh I don’t think it’s clear what Hanley was doing. I don’t think even he knew.
1
From the article and comments above one could be fooled into thinking that there is a thriving cottage industry in Norwich knitting security blankets.
0
I must admit at the end I was hoping somebody would score as the last thing we need is a replay.
I agree with Daniel. The last man rule was changed this year and the ref had misinterpreted the new ruling issuing a red card. Hope we appeal it and win.
0
Fair point John. Also, as Mick D pointed out on Twitter, there is no mention of ‘the last man’ in the rules, so given that Hanley’s offence was unintentional, then maybe we were hard done by. Either way, if it had happened at the other end we’d have been apoplectic for a red 🙂
4
Gary, your comments about the way we play now throughout the club are spot on. Everyone seems to know and understand their role, and for once, we didn’t concede from a corner!
I spoke to some Pompey fans in Bella Italia in Riverside after the game, and they said it was a pleasure to play against a side who passed the ball and didn’t just hoof it. I think they would be glad to get out of League 1, and I wished them all the best with that, and for the next round. They were very impressed with our passing ability, and thought we didn’t look as if we only had 10 men.
Like you I don’t think there is a referees’ conspiracy against us, but I do think there are some pretty incompetent ones out there. I also noticed how quickly he produced the red card, but was very slow to find a yellow one for the rest of the game.
Special mention for Zimmerman after his two great goal-line clearances.
4
Good summation as always Gary.
At the time, I thought the red card a tad harsh, but having seen the highlights, I do think that the referee was correct. However, given the speed with which the red was brandished, it was rather disconcerting that subsequent challenges attracted no response at all from the referee – not even a talking to!!
Great performances from Godfrey, Zimmermann and Cantwell, and good minutes for McLean and Marshall although the latter is still something of an enigma to me.
As someone said, we have bigger fish to fry and the last thing we needed was a replay before the Birmingham game. Here’s hoping Barnet take Sheffield Utd to a replay and then Sheffield win it.
O T B C
0
The sending off was a little harsh but as per the comment, if it had been the other way round and a Norwich player fouled in that way it would have fully deserved a red! Thought the atmosphere generated by the Pompey fans was good. Lets hope for promotion for both teams!
1
Found this, as approved by UEFA Executive committee in the summer of 2016….
“A foul on a running striker committed by the last man of the defence will no longer result in a direct red card and suspension unless the foul is violent or consists in a hand-ball in the box. As long as the foul is judged to be an honest attempt at taking the ball, the defender will only be shown a yellow card.”
Interesting.
2
Thanks Gary;
In which case, surely an appeal must be upheld, and no suspension will follow.
And isn’t it just amazing that the top 3 in the Championship have all managed to depart the cup in round 3, so no day off for us at the end of this month!!!!!!!
O T B C
1
Well that’s very clear that it is only a yellow card then Gary. Interesting too, that this is virtually exactly what DF said when he was disputing the red card in his post match interview. In short he knows the rules better than Mr Bond, our erstwhile ref for the day.
0
Well I’m very disappointed we’ve lost that and would happily have taken a replay, which would simply have been another chance for the fringe players to get a game.
I can live with going out to Chelsea, or Man City, fair enough – that’s the (bad) luck of the draw. We’ve actually been drawn at home 5 years in 6, and the 7th year back of course led to the infamous 4th round home defeat to Luton.
Our record now is one win in six, with WBA up next and Leeds not so far off either. It’s very unfortunate (and nothing to do with the cup of course) that we will be facing WBA with several key absentees in Leitner, Buendia and Lewis, and without having Hanley as an option. And Stiepermann? Can’t remember what the chances of him playing are. I know we’re fighters when our backs are to the wall but seriously our chances of coming away from the Hawthorns with anything are pretty slim.
So a win yesterday, like the one at Cardiff would have been a very welcome morale booster.
I agree the red card looked a bit harsh, given how far out it was, but he got nowhere near the ball and it was a pretty rugged challenge. We would definitely have felt hard done by if Rhodes had been axed like that and no red had been shown.
2
Hi Gary
A good read and analysis of the game plus good info from the UEFA so lets hope city appeal the sending off decision, maybe the Ref was helped in this by his assistant we will never know.
As some have already mentioned this has it’s good and bad points less games so less financial rewards for a cup run but with less games the players will hopefully be fresher for the league games.
Off subject anyone have information on the CB city are about to sign 27 year old Remy who can akso player as a midfield holding player to help take the pressure of Alex T at times.
1
No postponement of the Sheff U game required then…. That’s a pity
0
As Robert Plant sang on LZ’s Stairway to Heaven: “it makes me wonder”.
If you went to the bookies and did a double on Pompey and Barnet what would you have been offered? I don’t know cos I don’t bet but I would assume the odds must have been generous.
But disregarding personnel issues we have to play the Wildermen at some point and it may turn out better to get it over with sooner rather than later.
It is a game I seriously wish to win.
2
Given the number of games some players have played and with the injury situation as it is, I have no problem with Farke using the opportunity to make some changes and still put out a decent team. The Hanley red card stacked the cards against us and hopefully does not cause problems in the next few matches. However, I find it strange that other fans think it is good to go out and it is a relief to see that the author in essence agrees with me that it would have given us more opportunities to sharpen the squad up. The main thing to remember is that we do not have a choice of promotion or cup run, we can have both and more worryingly we can have neither. I’ve seen many slumps in the League after cup defeats (Luton anyone??), however, we look to have more about us this year and can put this behind us
0