The era of the Wolf is up and running with Ricky van Wolsfwinkel giving City fans their first sight of him in the second most famous yellow jersey in the world; fellow Dutchman Leroy Fer also enjoying his first City run out in the Buck Shaw Stadium, San Jose.
Despite losing 1-0 Chris Hughton told the Eastern Daily Press he was happy with the run-out: “We don’t like losing any games because it is a mentality thing and you want the players not to get used to losing, but the most important thing at this stage is that we come through with no injuries. We expected a test”.
A seventh minute goal from Earthquake winger Cordell Cato – courtesy of an under-hit back pass from Russell Martin – was enough to give the MLS side victory but, as Hughton conceded afterwards, the home side’s extra sharpness and verve was in no small part due to them being half-way through their ‘regular season’.
Most important was that City emerged from the games with no injuries and another 90 minutes of match-fitness under their belts – both successfully achieved.
Despite not getting on the scoresheet, van Wolfswinkel made his mark in a robust opening forty-five which saw him collect his first booking in a Norwich shirt – the result of a minor skirmish with Quakes’ defender Brad Ring. However, for the City fans present – and those watching online – there was more than enough in the young Dutchman’s performance to suggest an enterprising season ahead.
Fer emerged for the second half, as Hughton made six interval changes, and he too did enough to whet the appetite of the watching Yellow Army. The former FC Twente man cut an imposing presence in the centre of the pitch with his ability to pick the ball up from deep positions and commit defenders a commodity missing from the City midfield for several seasons.
With fitness and game time still the name of the game, the defeat should be of little concern as City now build towards the finale of the tour, a Wednesday night ‘match up’ with Portland Timbers; currently second place in the MLS table. Again it’s expected that Hughton will ring the changes as he looks to give his squad ample opportunity to impress ahead of their return to the UK and the away friendlies at Brighton (30/7), Cambridge United (31/7) and Braga (2/8).
By the time the final two friendlies arrive – home games against Real Sociedad (6/8) and Panathinaikos (10/8) – we can expect to see the core of a starting XI emerge, the spine of which will include the two young Dutchmen.
Yet to make their Canary bows are Martin Olsson and Carlo Nash both of whom had to be content with a watching brief at Buck Shaw Stadium.
*************************************************************************************************
In terms of transfer news, Sunday’s main talking point is around the future of Leon Barnett – an absentee on the US tour – with Sky Sports ‘understanding’ him to be a target of Doncaster Rovers. They report that in addition to Rovers, ‘a number of other Premier League and Championship clubs are also thought to be weighing up moves for the former West Brom man.’
Watched the game with American football commentary, sounded just like in comedy sketch shows. The game itself showed us little, the fitness & understanding is not cohesive which is to be expected. San Jose showed glimpses of skill but they were more concerned with stopping City from playing, it was quite lively aggression wise especially in 1st with yellow cards for both teams. RVW had a solid half but was rather harried by the San Jose defenders. Ayala & Butterfield had solid performances which Hughton must be happy with, a sloppy back pass by Norfolks Cafu which I’m sure he’s upset about. Pilks & Leroy Fer were very comfortable and injected some much needed pace. Overall a solid but non explosive performance but you can see the seeds bedding in even though twitter gone mad today because City lost. On to Portland for a more technical game which should suit the players more! OTBC
I caught up with some of the game from the SJE website yesterday. Wouldn’t it be nice if our club made such things available without charge? They won’t even allow Radio Norfolk to broadcast our games on the Internet for the benefit of those outside the catchment area.
Was actually reasonably impressed with the homework the commentator had done, including understanding the significance to the fans of losing Grant Holt. But it was amusing how he coolly slipped in all the product placement he could – loved the one about how important eyesight is to goalkeeoers, and theirs has visited so and so, the best in town, bla bla bla.
Wasn’t really concerned about the performance although I’m not convinced Butterfield has the game for Premiership midfield; and Redmond looks lively, if inclined in the modern tradition to look for a foul if someone so much as breathes on him. Still, we might be able to win a few dubious penalties for a change.
Wonder how good the USA lad Ring is? Certainly seemed unfazed by having RVW to handle.
With Turner and Bassong both susceptible to niggling injuries I definitely think another centre back would be useful. I rate Ryan Bennett and maybe Ayala’s year at Forest has improved him, so in theory with Russell Martin’s versatility we ought to be OK, but one injury, one suspension and a tiring mid-winter spell of (say) 5 games in 14 days on heavier pitches can soon change that.