While Tuesday’s night fare was typical of City, yesterday afternoon’s win over Wolves was one that bucked the trend.
Two good goals, solid defending, controlled possession, high energy and no dramas.
Having earlier in the day witnessed England’s cricketers doing precisely what we expected of them it was a treat to watch City turn in a performance as professional, clinical and a little unexpected as anything they have produced all season.
All too often, with the top six in their sights and expectation levels of the Yellow Army going through the roof, they have choked. But yesterday was different.
Gone was the swagger minus the effort. Also gone appeared to be the much discussed ‘sense of entitlement’. Instead we saw a steely resolve and a confidence in their ability to see the job through.
Alex Neil spoke post-match of how ‘pleasing’ it was to overcome a decent Wolves side and again made reference to the aforementioned lack of effort and desire. That horrible Carrow Road afternoon when Brentford were visitors clearly left an impression on the new City boss – and not a good one.
But if that ill-fated defeat by the Bees marked a low point, since then the curve has been steady and upward. The manager is clearly getting his message across and in the space of just seven games – which have yielded five wins – a new iteration of Norwich City has emerged.
There is still an awfully long way to go of course, and Tuesday night’s mini-implosion reminded us all that old habits die hard, but the base from which they now perform look to be a solid one. In Neil’s words, his sides are ‘structured’, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that it’s a structure the players are comfortable with. The square pegs tend to be in square holes.
The 4-1-4-1 that was Neil’s and McAvoy’s formation of choice at Hamilton has gradually been implemented and yesterday saw it at its most effective – the personnel selected fitting the shape perfectly.
Alex Tettey – who, while ignored by the sponsors, was voted Canary Call’s man-of-the-match – was simply sublime as the ‘1’ sitting just in front of the back-four. In addition to offering some excellent protection to Messrs Bassong and Martin, he was the lynchpin that held the whole caboodle together – his comfort on the ball making him ideal for the role.
The only slight blot on the Tettey landscape was his admission earlier in the week that his recurring knee problem will prevent his from playing three games in a week.
Much of the pre-match discussion had been around whether Neil would opt for Tettey or Wes, but given the events of yesterday, dodgy knee permitting, it’s a no-brainer.
The alternatives to Tettey, as the protector of the back-four, are either Bradley Johnson or Jonny Howson but both excelled in their respective roles higher up the pitch. Howson, along with Gary Hooper, did a fine job in finding space in the hole betwixt the Wolves back-line and midfield and Johnson, in a wide left position with which he’s becoming more and more familiar, was able to use his limit-less energy to very good effect.
To have restricted either in the ‘Tettey’ role would have served only to lessen the side’s energy and purpose going forward.
As it transpired Neil made the right call and some. Wessi’s individual trickery is clearly a huge weapon to have in the armoury but, injuries permitting, one suspects it will be used cleverly and perhaps even sparingly over the next fifteen games. I’m not keen on the phrase ‘impact player’ (aren’t they all?) but it’s one that Wes could become familiar with over the next few months.
The only role in the 4-1-4-1 that he could naturally fulfil is that of Hooper’s but the ex-Celtic’s man eye for goal is going to be invaluable in the run-in. Yet Wes still has a role to play I’m sure and that will probably be when the structure needs tweaking and a bit of ‘maverick’ is called for.
Another feature of yesterday’s win was the continued emergence of those who have been in the shadows. Steven Whittaker’s midfield horror-show against Brentford is now long-forgotten and his handing of the dangerous Bakary Sako smacked of one whose confidence has returned in spades. Again the manager is to be applauded for keeping the faith with the Scot when 26,000 were wavering.
Ditto his management of Seb Bassong. Next Saturday will see the Cameroonian return to the scene of his exile but this time it will be with his head held high rather than with the tail between the legs. We’re now seeing the Bassong of old – the one we liked – and long may it continue.
Lewis Grabban too appears a different character to the surly, uninterested figure who scored but had not the inclination to celebrate that goal against Huddersfield back in December.
His reintegration back into the fold may or may not be down to Cameron Jerome’s tight hamstring but his work-rate and touch is back to August/September levels. It bodes well and, again, is in no small part due to the faith shown in him by the manager.
So, one of the good days. Still work to be done, and two very tricky away tests to follow, but we have momentum and the gaze is now fixed on those above us.
And if I were them I’d be getting just a little bit twitchy.
I really like Alex Neil’s attitude after the game, when asked if he was surprised at how comfortable the victory was. He said he wasn’t surprised, and that we should expect to win our home games. Simple. He has clarity of thought which I think the players appreciate. The team is playing with clear purpose and direction again, and going in the right direction up the table.
It’s going to be a cracking end to the season, with our rival’s results a constant concern (such as Derby on Tuesday, Boro Wednesday), then it’s another six-pointer at Watford on Saturday. Bring it on!
Fine summary Gary – with a system which seems to work and big players hitting peak form, we have a sniff with 3 of those above us still to visit the Fine City. We need some luck and minimal injuries from here on in.
The view from the Midlands makes for enjoyable reading;
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/comment-wolves-given-serious-reality-8648290
Watford with their massive firepower will be a huge challenge to the winning run and they’ll have a spot of revenge in mind after that 3-0 defeat back in the summer of 2014.
For now though, let’s bathe in the shallow end of the top 6.
I must admit my first instinct was concern at the appointment of Alex Neil nevertheless early signs are very positive. He conducts himself very well speaking sense and giving confidence he has a very clear view what he wants and expects.
Happily it sends to be running off. The mental vulnerabilities are clearly not gone, but Neil has identified that as a big issue. He is right. He has, as said in the article, got Bassong back on board and put players into positions they are comfortable with. In short everyone seems to be singing from the same hymn sheet.
As a fan I reserve the right to be irrational and fickle at all times but for the moment I feel confidence restored!
OTBC onwards we go!
Out of curiosity, I watched the Hamilton v Aberdeen game on TV this afternoon. Basically, the home side were not really in the game and could have easily lost 0v6 rather than the final score of 0v3, and it clearly showed just how much they are missing their ex manager. It is still early days but clearly, on the evidence to date, we may well have finally found a gem. It was also interesting to see that he was also in the studio to give his opinions on the game – it must have hurt him to see just how poor his old team have become since he left them.
It was a good professional strangulation. Like some classical wrestling match spent mostly in holds on the floor. City this time did the strangling, and Wolves never once escaped. We’ve waited all season to see such a [dull?] match. Johnson and Whittaker held big quick ball-playing full backs in check all game. Whittaker often on his own, but this time helped out more by Redmond. Without any freedom out wide Wolves really struggled.
I think Alex Neil is a pragmatist. Where Adams only thought about how Norwich would play (maybe even only how they would attack?), Alex Neil cancels out opposition strengths and exploits weaknesses. He has had some crummy cards to play with (eg midfield players vs Brentford) but the players seem confident that his plans will work, and so they work harder too. And harder again because he has reminded them that the best footballers at any level are the ones that work hardest with the skills they have.
Wolves was the perfect antidote to Brentford. For everyone. And by the way, I think Whittaker took a bullet for McGrandles in that game. Whoever played would have been exposed against Brentford’s midfield, and I don’t think McGrandles could have come back from it the way Whittaker has. I still can’t believe City only lost 2-1 in that disgrace of a performance.
I have to confess, I was expecting a much tougher test from Wolves.
Whether they just had “a bad day at the office”, as two of their supporters suggested afterwards to me, is a moot point.
Upon further reflection, their comments simply didn’t do City justice. We were excellent and controlled from start to finish. Wolves simply didn’t get a look in.
Another box ticked. Bring on Watford. It has the making of one hell of a game.
OTBC.