After Wednesday night’s defeat to Malky’s Wigan the old ‘it’s how you react to a defeat that’s important’ platitude tripped off the collective tongue.
To have stumbled again at Millwall – which has been a notoriously tricking destination for City in the recent past – would have not only seen City lose ground on the pack but also dent the confidence of a squad that has recently been full of it.
Back to back defeats to two of the bottom three would have also provoked a mini-meltdown in some sections of the Yellow Army. But normal service has been resumed and getting back on the horse doesn’t come much sweeter or more emphatic than a 4-1 victory.
Coupled with the results of those around us and it was another of those Carlsberg Saturdays.
Yet for half an hour it bore an unnerving resemblance to Wednesday night. Plenty of possession for City but no way through dogged and determined opponents who looked prepared to fight and scrap for every ball.
But step forward Jonny Howson.
“Talk about a bullet to your heart, to your soul”, was Lions’ boss Ian Holloway’s reaction to the Yorkshireman’s run and stunning strike that sent the Canaries on their way. It was a goal reminiscent of Howson’s winner at the Etihad on the final day of the 2012/13 season, only this time it meant something.
Not for the first time, a product of City’s Leeds ‘academy’ had made a decisive impact on City’s charge for promotion. If it’s not Bradders bludgeoning one in from distance and making life generally miserable for opponents, it’s Jonny grafting and probing in his fluid box-to-box style.
Sixteen goals for the season between the Leeds pair is a terrific return and if City are ultimately successful will be looked back upon as a key factor. Goals from midfield are priceless at any time but with promotion in the sights could well make the difference between automatics or play-offs.
But it’s not Howson’s goals that define him. His all-round game is in its best shape ever and makes him central to the Neil ‘structure’ with his ability to link defence with attack. At Championship level he’s a thoroughbred and is equally comfortable whether ‘putting the foot in’ or picking out a slide-rule pass.
Despite having a decent squad (I’m not going near the ‘best in the league’ until we have achieved something) there a few key individuals whose loss would still impact heavily in the run-in. John Ruddy is one, Alex Tettey is another, so too Cameron Jerome, and in the midst of them all is Howson. We missed him for three games due to that daft sending-off and noticeably benefited upon his return.
While his interviews may not set the world alight – Paul Lambert once described his as ‘the most boring man in the world’ at a player-of-the-season dinner – his actions on the pitch underpin everything that is currently good about the Canaries.
And long may it continue.
Elsewhere there was much to drool over. Graham Dorrans, after a slow start to his City career, again looked happier playing in the centre of the pitch as opposed to the left, where an unfamiliar role resulted in an awkward performance. But he now appears part of the group and was desperately unlucky not to open his City account yesterday. He’ll be an asset in the coming weeks.
Wesley too has found his best form just when we need it most. For large chunks of the season his best appeared behind him and, while the dancing feet will never depart, his ability to influence a game appeared to be waning. But in the space of a week he has produced two virtuoso performances that were notable also for a work-rate of the very highest order.
He needs to be used carefully – even sparingly on occasions – but Neil is clearly in tune with what Wes, on a good day, can bring to the party. And the Aston Villa ‘sulk’ and ensuing four-letter tirade now seem of a different era.
The bit is clearly between the teeth and his desire to return to the Promised Land undiminished. Where once there was a non-celebration, goals are now celebrated with knee slides. Good ol’ Wes.
But there remains much work to be done. Now is not the time to get carried away – again.
Yesterday was emphatic but was helped by a home crowd awaiting an opportunity to pounce on an ailing manager. We know that feeling. Yet still the job done by City was ruthless and professional.
Sterner tests await of course, starting next Saturday, but the ship is now being skillfully steered through any troubled waters as they approach. And it promises to be thrilling.
As ever A Neil impressed all and sundry again yesterday. I’m rapidly running out of superlatives to describe the impact he has had on Norwich City in just 58 days but will leave you with one thought…
Lambert – much fabled Messiah and once of this parish – is now unemployed. Yet has there been even a single suggestion that David McNally should re-engage with the ruddy-faced one?
Good stuff, Gary. Of course, there were loud calls for us to re-engage with Lambert at the time McNally appointed Alex Neil. Not many of those voices are now apologising, but at least they’ve gone quiet.
You’re right to point out that the first 30 minutes yesterday were even (and uninspiring). Our confidence seemed dented by Wigan, and playing Wes on the right isn’t a great idea. Everyone knows my admiration for Jonny Howson so I won’t eulogise over his first goal, but it certainly came out of the blue and changed the entire complexion of the match. Thereafter, we blossomed.
I enjoyed the quality touches of Dorrans. Tettey must return next week, but all the good things from yesterday mean that we have some great options around him.
I thought at the time that Tetley’s booking was stupid and we may yet regret it if the points lost to Wigan are important at the end of the season. He is a must to limit the attacking options of our opponents.
I am also a big fan of Jonny Howson – one of the few members of the squad who is of genuine Premier League quality. Above all, he brings to the midfield a desire to attack. Others like Tetley and Johnson are slow to move the ball. Howson is quick either to move the ball or run towards the opponents’ goal.
A win next week and the battle for the top two place will be seriously joined. OTBC
I don’t know why you drag up Wes’ supposed non-celebration, which was irrelevant at the time, and moreso so many months later. 1, he actually did do a little fist-pump, and 2, it was five minutes into a tough game, not a last-minute winner. It didn’t warrant great celebration.
Massive game next week. I don’t think Whittaker was any where near as bad as some made out earlier in the season, but he could be in for a tough time against Tom Ince. I’m sure the players will raise their game ten-fold from the Wigan performance though.
‘Neil N. Pray’ (3) – Wes reference was intended as light-hearted and was simply in contrast to yesterday’s celebration. That’s all.
And yes, massive next week. Whittaker, after a difficult spell (although, as you say, not as bad as some would have us believe) will be given a severe test but I’m confident he has the nous to deal with all the Rams can throw at him.
Sorry Douglas (2) I think Tettey’s yellow card was perfectly timed. With the random nature of bookings by referees nowadays he could easily have picked up a card yesterday and be missing for both Derby and Forest – I know which combination I’d have chosen.
And for any Watford fans trolling this board, you criticise Hoolahan for the referee’s decision to give a penalty against you? I can’t wait to hear what you say about Forestieri! Indefensible!
And whilst vaguely in the same parish, that mop haired individual Fabbrini yesterday! Diving all over the pitch and then takes a head first dive in our area and gets a penalty because he contacts one of our players with his foot. These decisions are supposed to even themselves out, so, get one, lose one. We’re still owed quite a few from our last stay in the Premier League and on the basis of our performances under Alex Neil we might start to collect some of those next season.
The squad are starting to deal with the level of expectation which has been around Carrow Road for the last couple of seasons and we have a manager capable of slotting round and squares pegs into their correctly shaped holes. The next ten games will be fun!
Couldn’t agree more about Lambert. When he took over we were in league 1 after a 7-1 defeat and you could argue Neil had a harder task to unite the current group. Lambert also had Holt already on the books and i doubt we’d have had back to back promotions without him, even with Lambert in charge. Neil has taken over a City side in a championship season featuring some very good teams who were not dropping points initially, and to have the sudden impact he did, as a young guy who the players didn’t even know, is just incredible. I have to share Neil N. Prays thoughts about Tom Ince. I’m staying in Hull at the moment (his parent team) and their fans wish he hadn’t been loaned out. He seems to score a lot cutting inside the box. On the plus side, they’re missing Chris Martin and Darren Bent which is a huge blow for them. I think Bassong will be huge for us, if he’s back!
Another very enjoyable read, thanks. Some interesting contests to be played out between those around us this month.
It was Ruddy who Lambert described as the most boring man in the world! I for one really enjoy Jonny Howson’s laconic interview style – you know he’d rather be off fishing really, but he’ll mutter a few cliches for these daft journos who don’t actually know anything about football anyway. But then I come from Leeds too… always been a ‘do not say’ kind of place.
Mike C (5): your comment about Fabbrini is closer to the Forestieri issue than you may realise. The cheating little diver Fabbrini is on loan at Millwall from…Watford.
Paul Lambert calling someone boring! I’ve heard it all now. It’s hard to believe anyone would’ve wanted him back at the helm after Adams left. I didn’t hear anyone saying it but then I’m not one to trawl through social media.
I thought Fabbrini looked a very decent player on Saturday. We found it hard to deal with him. It looked like a penalty at the time, but I was at the opposite end, and seeing the replay it looked more like he ‘crafted’ the foul himself with some very neat footwork.
What is massively pleasing, is the fact that we a number of players contributing to the scoresheet. Grabban, Johnson and Jerome were all flowing, then on Saturday another three – all H’s – step up and add to the list. Four players on double figures – brilliant.
Who will contribute on Saturday, and in the next ten games ?
I hope my frazzled nerves last to the end of the season.
John C (11): great points. Once confidence started to flow on Saturday – which took a worrying 30 minutes – we looked formidable. As we’ve seen in flashes before, some lovely interplay between Hooper & Hoolahan (thanks, spellchecker, for changing to Hopper & Hooligan). In theory, at least, we should be in fine physical and mental fettle for Saturday.
Ben K (10): even from 100 yards away it looked a dive. However, agree that Fabbrini looked a useful player; the penalty situation was created by him turning smartly past Whittaker. Just hope we don’t lose out narrowly on goal difference…