When Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley wrote Frankenstein in 1818 she kicked off a bit of a trend.
Georgian, and later Victorian, folks had a great fear of being quite literally buried alive, so insisted they were interred with a cord around their wrist and a bell on the surface that they could tug on, hoping somebody, probably said sexton, would promptly come and dig them up.
The truth of how many times the bells rang is lost in the unwritten. Very few I would have thought, old sceptic that I am.
But I heard a loud peal on Saturday – all the way from Goodison Park.
The corpse of Norwich City has risen from the grave and looks in finer fettle than the last time we saw it alive, arguably against Manchester City or Bournemouth, depending on your definition of life of course.
No longer are we “rock bottom Norwich”. No more are we a “basket case”. And Saturday’s result gives us more hope of survival than those Victorian folks ever possessed.
Two dedicated centre backs as in Ben Godfrey and the magnificent Kapitan Christoph Zimmermann. Two defensive midfielders as in Alex Tettey and Tom Trybull.
Tim Krul having help in the cajolement area from said Zimbo was so important and Max Aarons looked all the better for those stentorian Germanic tones in his lug. We looked organised against Everton and oh boy did it pay dividends. Jamal Lewis was more than adequately replaced by the excellent Sam Byram [we’ll forgive the missed free header from Mayor McLean’s free kick] and is no shoo-in on his return from injury, that’s for sure.
When we broke we did so with intent and the pace of Onel Hernandez scared the wotsits out of Everton at times. Quite why so many Merseyside media outlets referred to him as Oriel I dunno but I think they’ll spell it properly in future.
Also, the Mayor seemed so much more effective in that far more advanced role, which is of course where he did his best work while he was with Aberdeen. Teemu Pukki did his stuff, none more so than when he held off a pair of Toffees’ defenders for just long enough to slip in Todd Cantwell for the opener. Or poke it through to him if you like.
By now you might have noticed that I’ve name-checked every member of the starting XI.
But I’ll single out Cantwell for special praise.
His tracking back was on a different level to what he has achieved recently. He was extremely unlucky with a first-half effort that was surely goalbound but for a half-block from an Everton defender.
And that well-timed run on to Pukki’s assisting pass was worthy of a striker. And a very good striker too.
Plus we had the rare sight of a triple substitution from Daniel Farke.
As we understandably bunkered, Krul produced two excellent saves and as the clock ticked down we saw what I initially found hard to believe but, yes, it happened. The ball in the Everton box, a panicky touch from Morgan Schneiderlin and there he was. Dennis Srbeny keeping his feet when he could have gone down and somehow barreling his way through to finish at Jordan Pickford’s far post.
I’m so pleased for the big lad – he’s been given very little chance to shine but when his opportunity came it was game over for Everton.
I might as well lump in Emi Buendia, whose forward ball initiated the Srbeny mayhem and Ibrahim Amadou who added a bit of ballast.
The next two games are crucial [aren’t they all] but I don’t think Arsenal’s 96th-minute equaliser will have done Southampton much good in terms of confidence despite a rather artificially upbeat James Ward-Prowse’s comments on MotD. Arsenal don’t look that great themselves – more of that from me on MFW on Friday.
Can Tettey and Zimbo turn out next week? – that’s Farke’s call, not mine.
Lifelong Evertonian Sean Stringer, who kindly helped us with our match preview, mailed me to say we deserved to win.
The Merseyside media are screaming [albeit politely] for Marco Silva to be relieved of his duties, especially as they have five incredibly difficult fixtures on their immediate horizon.
But we can’t afford to worry about that [sorry Sean].
Just as some of us, myself included, felt like we had reached the nadir, this performance and result breathes new life into Norwich City’s Adventures in Wonderland.
I’ll leave the last words to an unknown Victorian.
“Wisely they leave graves open for the dead
Cos some too early are brought to bed.”
The quotes are brilliantly appropriate.
So square pegs in square holes makes team play so much better. Also they must have had a good dose of confidence elixir over the international break.
Like you I thought Cantwell was outstanding. Let’s hope the starting eleven are fit for the next game and quite a few after that. Byram deserves a run in the team after his Man City and this display.
Onwards and upwards.
OTBC
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Hi Colin
I remember the morbid stuff from my student days – it’s amazing what you remember – and what you forget – from 40 years ago.
I feared the confidence had gone. The fact that it obviously hasn’t is a huge relief.
Cantwell has been a bit in and out, which is only natural at his age. But the maturity with which he took his goal really impressed me.
I agree with you about Byram too.
Thank you.
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Well Martin, how unexpected was that???? I thought your comment that this ‘result breathes new life into Norwich City’s Adventures in Wonderland’ was indeed fitting and shows that just maybe we have the players and Head Coach capable of continuing to ‘dine at the top table’ without having to spend in excess of £100M to achieve that privilege!!!
A truly battling performance from the entire team and from what I’ve heard/seen/read – we were worthy winners and fully deserved the three points.
To have Zimbo back at the centre of defence was the catalyst that was needed I believe and all of a sudden, we had the Tettey/Trybull combo back in midfield who were able to shield our defence from having to repel endless bombardment. The other key difference was that the Mayor was able to operate in his preferred position further up the pitch and he was very effective in that role. I also felt that Cantwell (aka TC) had a good game and took his goal really well. His tackle in midfield was exceptional and pays testament to DF and his coaching staff in bringing that element to his game.
I’ve just had a look at the table and a couple of wins could see us climb several places, assuming that the teams around us fail to gather too many points.
We now have 2 home games and I’m optimistic that we can add to our points total before our trip to the ‘King Power’ (I’m hoping to get a ticket for that game) and a chance to see Maddison again, as I’ve been a huge fan since I first saw him play in yellow and green in the pre-season friendly against Coventry at the start of the 16-17 season.
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I’m pleased to be back reading MFW as – call me childish if you wish – when Norwich are losing games I expect them to win (step forward Villa, Watford, even Burnley) I cannot read the Pinkun, the MFW or any articles unless they are Ed’s historical musings or Paddy’s fantastical transfer rumours. City’s win at Everton was sweet as I’ve never forgiven them or Coventry for conspiring to relegate us. Always detested Everton and won’t watch them for toffee (intended). By the by, just overheard an Arsenal fan in the office genuinely depressed to be playing us. Good to hear, Anyway OTBC NMTD IFWT
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Hi Richard
As MFW we’re here through the thickest and thinnest of NCFC life as it were but I thoroughly understand where you’re coming from.
Ed C-L’s nostalgia pieces are indeed great to read, especially for me as I lived in London throughout the 1970s and so very rarely saw the Saunders or Bond sides in action.
As for the Archant transfer rumours they are almost always cut & pastes from somewhere else, but if there’s a genuine one they’re always pretty much in first with it.
I take your point about the Everton-Coventry scenario. It could never happen today.
Thank you.
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I was brought up watching the great Duncan Forbes, will Zimbo one day be seen in the same light in terms of contribution to the cause? A long way to go perhaps but Zimbo has a real stature and leadership quality. That all 14 involved on Saturday played huge parts but for me he made the difference.
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Hi Richard
Yeah we can go from Big Duncan, Dave Watson, Steve Bruce, Jon Newsome and Malky through to Zimbo quite easily imo.
I said on MFW a couple of weeks back that one Zimbo doesn’t make a winter.
Sure looks like that was a crass statement to make.
Thank you.
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Hi Ed
Gary made the Alice bit the headline. It was inspired by Cantwell’s Alice band he wears now he’s grown his hair back.
I hope you get your ticket for the King Power. I’ve never been there but I went to the old Filbert Street two or three times.
It’ll sure be awesomely interesting to see Madders in action against us.
As you and I agree, the next two games might prove crucial in terms of garnering those precious things called points.
Thank you.
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My glass has remained just about half full all season; if we had lost on Saturday it would have been difficult to sustain such optimism. Having Zimm fit makes such a huge difference, not just in defence but in midfield too-I just hope this time he stays fit.
The table shows that there are 17 teams above us which is quite daunting, but of those 10 have won only one more game than us which makes it seem less daunting-and none of them has had an injury list anything like ours. I won’t get carried away, but Saturday kept the grey clouds away for a while at least.
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Hi Don
There’s nothing like a bit of light shining through a crack in the cloud.
“Less daunting” is your key phrase. The confidence is really back and I doubted I would see that happening any time soon tbh. I was wrong.
Full credit to Farke, the players and all concerned.
Cheers.
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So Marty, something to get your teeth into (couldn’t resist that). A well deserved win, the backbone of the team is back in place, Pukki & Cantwell have a great understanding, as do Tettey & Trybull, and Zimbo & Godfrey, and anchoring them in place, Krul. The rest of the team can strut their stuff with confidence knowing that there’s a reliable central structure from the keeper to the strikers.
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Hi Cutty
Yes the team has its spine back – I can’t wait for Arsenal tbh. Them there London fancy dans won’t be fancying the trip.
It must be said that the return of Zimbo may well be pivotal. I can’t wait to hear him hollering on Sunday.
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ps I meant to add that I admire your knowledge of the Finnish language:-)
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There’s a railway station nearby called Bootle Oriel Rd, maybe that’s where the Hernandez confusion comes from. I was there on Saturday with a Toffee friend, in their end. We were outstanding, growing in confidence through the game. Krul barely had to make a save in the first half, and not many in the second. Zimbo and Godfrey were magnificent throughout, and as you say Byram deserves a proper run out now.
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Hi Dan
Re the Oriel/Onel thing maybe everybody copies and pastes so much these days a broken n could look like an ri. But it was amazing how invasive it was!
My Evertonian friend cannot wait for Marco Silva to get his P45 – they are a large Club with a lot of history and deserve better just now.
But as I said earlier we cannot worry about other Clubs – just ourselves.
Thank you.
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Even he BBC in their report called him Oriel – well, he does take the biscuit! (Sorry, I’ll get my coat!)
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Jim
It could have been aerial, oriole [as in Canary] or even only for all I care.
But how they all got it wrong simultaneously makes me wonder.
I found a tenner in your coat in change. You might walk a little lighter on your feet on the journey back.
Thanks:-)
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Hi Martin,
Excellent read and Frankenstein analogy 🙂
In previous comments I said I was not going to write off our season until we had recognised defenders back in post. So I walked in to Goodison Park on Saturday with more of a sense of hope I guess mixed with some anticipation in having Zimmerman (CZ) back insitu. What eventually unfolded I could not have believed nor anticipated.
However, I think we caught Everton out to some degree, Silva had looked at the ‘How to beat Norwich play book’ but we bypassed their press at times with longer balls being chipped up to McLean as the target instead of trying to play the ball out from the back all the time. We mixed it up too.
But Everton seem to have their own problems and are underperforming if you consider £500m+ (ref. BBC 606) has been put into the club since it was taken takeover!!! Good player recruitment = Success not money bags owners? But it can help!!
Obviously, it was not just the fact CZ was back but it gave DF options in midfield for the first time since that fateful game at West Ham, particularly in the central positions. There is now a solid well organised base for the creative players to work off.
When I saw Tettey and Tribull the starting line up I confess I was a tad disappointed to not see Vranchic alongside Tettey. But hey, that’s why I’m not a football manager!! 🙂
Didn’t think CZ had an outstanding game, a solid 7 out of 10, but the calming/commanding influence he has over the back 4 has been missed. Godfrey and Aarons had their best games for a while and as others have said Byram has earned a run in the team.
I thought ‘The Mayor’ had his best game so far and has found his niche at no.10.
The defensive performance (as a team) also seemed like it went up a notch on Saturday (at least back to the level of the Man C game). Now, I’m not making any bold predictions about this being a corner turned but it feels significant. It doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods, but if we use this as the template of how the team needs to perform in the Premier League going forward then I think we have a chance of turning it round.
Finally, as a side note, if the unity of our team was being questioned by some, be in no doubt that it’s in good shape, to see how Vranchic (who was on the bench for the duration) celebrated with his team mates at the end of the game tells you all you need to know!
OTBC
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Hi John
Some interesting points there as always.
Glad you got to see the game – it must have been a spectacle to behold.
Zimbo is so good with those long diagonal passes and that encouraged Godfrey to emulate him. Yes we did mix it up and it was fantastic to see. Maybe the “how to play Norwich” manual should be sent back to the library after that performance.
I can only agree with you about the Mayor – ain’t it funny how the return of ONE player can reinvigorate an entire side? As I said to Herr Cutz above, we have that spine back now which is something we have been missing since West Ham when Zimbo was wiped out by Haller.
I saw a couple of stills of Vrancic afterwards [taken for Archant by Paul Chesterton I guess] and you are spot on with your comment.
Thank you.
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To quote Colin B “square pegs in square holes makes the team play so much better”
Cheers
0
Absolutely and returns the C word back to us…
Confidence!
1
Fool that I am, it took me a couple of minutes to work out who the Mayor was, the BBC had him down as man of the match I believe, were he to change his name to the Mayor of Casterbridge there would be an opportunity to bring Hardy in at number 9, albeit a false number 9.
The euphoria of this result has not yet died down for me and it is my sincere belief that the performance deserves a far more forensic analysis than I am capable of providing. Minimalists might venture ‘Zimbo, simples’, but although I would agree with that assertion in as far as it goes, I think there is more to it than that. It was like the guitarist from Spinal tap, floundering as to why the amp was emitting a volume of less than zero to discover that he had not plugged his lead into his Marshall amp, when he did, the volume went up to 11 and the rest is history,
And while history is fine, Farke and his band might do well to work out how the hell that result was achieved, it certainly wasn’t just because Everton were a pile of overstewed Toffees, though they undoubtedly were.
Obviously the committment was volume 11 too but there has to be a reason, something changed in that dressing room and I for one want to know why, I want to see it harvested and bottled into the finest vintage of my favourite sherry because it might just be our salvation this season.
Dropping Emi was a smart move imo, bless him he’d been trying far too hard with his pirouettes and tango poses, Archant reckons that Villa want him and to be perfectly brutal, he wasn’t missed by that much for the first 80 minutes. Get on the phone and say they can have him for 20 mill and spend it for pitty’s sake Delia.
Newcastle are interested in Jarrod Bowen and I think he would fit in nicely, perhaps as cover for Teemu, what happens if Teemu gets injured ? Whether we could compete with the likes of Newcastle for his services is another matter but it’s worth a shot.
Is this the moment for Sam Byram to step up to the plate ? I think it is, he just seems that bit more polished than Jamal to me.
I hesitate to be disloyal to any players, in particular, particularly those that have given their all in the past but there is no room for sentimentality in this unforgiving game and someone has to work out why Saturday’s chemistry was so potent, over to you Daniel and thank you Martin for your expert appraisal.
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Hi David
Yeah. I won’t be far from the madding crowd on Sunday – I’ll be in the Barclay.
Potent chemistry certainly exists in football, but as any alchemist would tell you the right ingredients must be available. And with Zimbo back I believe they are.
As for Emi to Villa, I’m laughing so much my teeth have fallen out [you know what I mean]. That one will not be happening.
Jarrod Bowen’s a great player I like but he’s basically a wideman and certainly no Pukki.
We couldn’t/wouldn’t be able to afford him anyway.
Cheers.
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Dave B
We must not sell Emi Buendia, he’s the Crown Jewel. A game or two on the bench is what he needs, good management, I’d say.. If we can stay up then £30m + next Summer maybe.
The Mayor made a huge impact in a more forward role and the balance of the team seemed spot on. D F knows what he’s doing when we he has the personnel at his disposal.
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Hi Colin.
Totally agree with you about Emi – I think most of us do tbh.
And indeed it was a very well-balanced team, as I feel it will be again on Sunday.
Apart from the odd eejit I think we’re well happy with Farke.
We certainly should be
Cheers.
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Red shirts, nice, Everton don’t play well in Liverpool against teams in all red. On that showing I can’t think of one toffee that would get into the City side. Next up our organised together team against an Arsenil side with a few problems on the field.
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Hi Bernie
Yes, Perhaps they thought Onel was a shorter version of Mo Salah in disguise and it freaked them.
We’ll have to revert to our beloved yellow and green on Sunday, although I can’t recall what Arsenal’s away kit looks like this season tbh.
All I know is that we won’t be wearing red!
Thanks.
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Hi Martin
A good read late this morning after sraying up to watch a very disappointing England Cricket team get a really good thumping no one came out of that with any merit points.
Such a great preformance all round and Marco is really in a sticky-toffee mess both on and off the field by all accounts even Livarpool supporters are calling for him to be sacked.
Next up is hopefully a still underpreforming Assenal who also has a manager not much longer for this league (next monday he can go) so city don’t need an after the lord mayors show preformance come Sunday.
We will now all be sitting waiting with batted breath for any news on any minor injuries to key personnel from this game hopefully none and we need more good news with Hanley fit to play as I think Godfrey just might need a short break from playing since his coming into the team he hadn’t had a lot of rest and thats when injuries happen.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
1
Hi Alex
For starters, well done Blackpool for robbing a deserved point against the Binners.
To me it seems that Ben Godfrey is tough and enthusiastic enough to plough on. I sincerely hope so anyway.
With us it’s unfathomable how, when, where and why the injuries will happen.
As for the Arsenal game I did the preview for this one and the guy I spoke with is NOT too confident. More about that on MFW on Friday.
The cricket was, erm, a tad disappointing.
Cheers mate.
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Alex:
When I replied earlier I didn’t realise Jofra got one or two racist comments directed at him on his way to the pavilion. So-called supporters, certainly not NZ players from what I can gather.
The phrase I used as in “a tad disappointing” didn’t reference that incident cos I hadn’t seen or heard it at the time.
We’re so nearly there but there’s always the odd one or two who ruin it.
ATB.
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Hi Martin
I watched the whole 5 days and it really up set me and my body clock in too minds if I will do this next one but I am like most city supporters a sucker for punishment.
The racist remarks only happened as he walked off and that seemed strange but as usual a cowardly person or a brave one after a couple of beers lets hope he is found and dealt with by the authorities, it’s like the one’s calling for Root to be sacked as captain who is there to take his place and who would want it as someone said be careful what you wish for.
Ralf back to Shalka in January Spur’s want there number 1 keeper to replace lloris
Kets kick Assenal’s Ass on Sunday
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Great stuff Martin. Saturday night always goes with a swing after a city win and this was no exception.
Rivers and goreham resumed their double act as I ploughed a furrow in the living room carpet. For once the late sting in the tail came from ourselves, killing the game and allowing us to,savour the win in comfort.
There wasn’t a weak performance on the day and it’s fair to say Several players have advanced their claims.
Byram should be rewarded with a run out against Arsenal, in the knowledge that he keeps up his standards. McLean is far more effective in an advanced role, he really isn’t cut out for defensive duties but is an excellent target man, or at least the closest manifestation of the role that farke will, allow.
The pragmatic approach adopted by farke certainly put Everton on the back foot, quite unsportingly we appeared unready to roll over for them as we had for so many others this season. Totally unfair..
The long passing which bypassed the press should become a regular feature of our play, particularly as McLean provides aerial threat and Hernandez has returned with his afterburners intact.
Hopefully cantwell will recover from his injury, which necessitated the use of a protective boot after the game. Having scored against Manchester city, Chelsea and Everton, it would be good to add a goal against Arsenal to add to his iconic victims list.
As you point out, the gunners game is now being eagerly anticipated, as it should be, it’s one of the reasons we wanted promotion. A note of caution, I fully expect them to play significantly better than they did against Southampton and lacazette together with aubameyang are a lethal combination. A point might not be a disaster here, a win would be fantastic.
The team now know the level required, as a minimum the effort, desire and concentration must be kept up.
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Hi Chris
I’m certainly looking forward to seeing Mayor McLean in this role “in the flesh” on Sunday as I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen him play there before.
I also agree with you about mixing it up and playing some long balls – this is something Zimbo is particularly good at, of course.
Arsenal should be a cracking game and as you highlight their top two are particularly dangerous.
I think Todd’s OK – he was well enough to be pictured dressed as Barca’s Antoine Griezmann at an early club Christmas party in London on Sunday.
Kenny McLean wore a dinosaur suit ffs!
Thank you.
1
Hi Martin, I watched several Aberdeen games on sky after we had signed him and loaned him back to them.
What stood out was his aerial ability, both in terms of penalty box threat and as an out ball getting Aberdeen up the pitch. He won a prolific amount of flick ons and also free kicks with his back to goal and would allow Krul a target when the opposition are pressing us.
Unless beset by serious injury issues I very much doubt we will see him deployed in a more defensive role which casts him in a poor light,
1
Great article, Martin. A pleasure to read in cold upstate New York.
0
Ha!
I’ve been to virtually every country in Europe but never anywhere out of it if you see what I mean.
Number one son worked for a summer season on Catalina Island Ca. in a lobster restaurant and managed to earn enough to get to both Chicago and NY.
He had a fantastic – if brief – time in NY and I hope you enjoy it too.
Thanks and I hope all is good.
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