It’s been an extraordinary week in anyone’s book.
If it’s not been paid up members of the Bullingdon Club trying to convince us that they’re one of us by going for the old rolled and sleeves and no tie look, it’s been revolutionary, flip-flopping comedians cosying up to blokes who insist, constantly, the need to “make this very clear”.
And if not those it’s been slightly cranky middle-aged men trying – and failing – desperately to convince us that they and their followers give a hoot about things that don’t begin and end with immigration, or the suave pretty boy who unashamedly clings on to a minuscule sliver of power by hopping into bed with whoever will have him.
And then of course there’s the Scottish woman, the Welsh woman, the Australian, the Ulstermen et al. All of them trying to convince us that ‘judgement day’ was yesterday when, in the real world, we all know it’s tomorrow – and starts at 12:15.
The last six days have naturally prompted column inches and web content aplenty, with those on either side of the fence trying to convince themselves and others that over 180 minutes their team will emerge victorious.
On the yellow side we have logic in our favour. It generally dictates that the best team *should* emerge victorious over the course of 180 minutes – I wrote it myself last Sunday – and having beaten Ipswich twice already this season it also suggests we have the personnel to cope with with what Mick McCarthy’s men will throw at us tomorrow.
And despite MM’s assertion that the league table tells us there is not much to choose between the two sides, I’d say that an eight point gap is a reasonable reflection of the last nine months.
McCarthy has also gone to great lengths to remind us – yet again – of the financial disparity between the two clubs, forgetting as ever that four years ago we achieved Premier League football on a not dissimilar budget to that with which he is currently working. And minus the safety net of a face-less benefactor.
He’s also played the underdog card, the ‘no-one gives us an earthly’ card, the ‘Norwich are favourites, so happy days’ card and the ‘we have absolutely nothing to lose’ card. And I’m sure between now and tomorrow lunchtime he’ll be pulling a few more out of his sleeve, as he continues his one-sided war of words. (It must be *so* irritating when no-one in the other camp ‘bites’).
Alex Neil and his players, for their part, have kept beautifully shtum and have – at least to my knowledge – offered not a single morsel to McCarthy. Nothing for him to add to his players’ diet of raw meat.
But while City have logic and form on their side, and off the field they have played a straight bat that our Geoffrey would be proud of, it’s worth remembering that football can be beautiful and twisted in equal measures. And as such, anything is possible – even over two games.
Norwich City blogger, Duncan Edwards wrote a super piece last weekend in which he almost convinced us that there is nothing to worry about, in particular he picked some gaping holes in the ‘they’re due a win’ and ‘the law of averages’ arguments for an Ipswich victory. For a few fleeting moments the anxiety levels actually decreased.
But when stripped down, it still remains a tie that could go either way – as much as we wish otherwise.
Yes, we have better players on paper but the technical gap is not so huge that City can win without putting in the hard yards. Ipswich have proven over the course of this season that they are dogged, tenacious and resolute – qualities that dictate they are never ‘out’ of a game. Also qualities that lend themselves nicely to knock-out football.
To date, since the arrival of Neil, City have matched those qualities plus some, but have still succumbed to the odd unexpected defeat, albeit never away from home. It happens – that’s football.
At the top level, games are generally tight. Those who find themselves technically inferior still have the nous and tactical wherewithal to defend solidly and every team has the ability to score a goal, let alone a team that boasts the Championship’s top scorer. Wigan, now of League One, sneaked a win at Carrow Road against all the odds. Those type of days do occur… for everyone.
The margins are fine; a poor refereeing decision, a stray pass, a missed tackle, a fluke goal. All can occur to tip the balance, ever more so when in a seething, frothing bearpit of a stadium – just like the one that will welcome our finest tomorrow lunchtime.
But, before anyone accuses me of doom mongering, I’m not suggesting City are not up to the task – of course they are – but amidst the bravado it’s just a nod to the fact that in this game almost anything goes. And on the first blast of the referee’s whistle at 12:15 what’s gone before counts for diddly squat.
Neither does how much you have in your bank account or how many clichés (and cards) your manager has used pre-match. It’s eleven v eleven, every single one of them subject to everyday human frailties – even the seemingly super-human Bradley Johnson – and prone to imprecision and error.
It will be tense, nervy, yet thrilling, and after two games will end in either complete ecstasy of utter desolation – nothing in between. Not dissimilar to that other contest.
Forget boom and bust, this one will reveal the true meaning of boom or bust.
That my head and my heart are telling me the same thing right now counts for nothing.
“Never mind the danger…”
Amidst all the updates from Portman Road ticket office, 28,500 sold and counting, and requests from Blue Plant to supporters to buy scarves from the club shop to wave above their heads when the teams arrive on the pitch, plus Jason Dozzell reminding everyone that he was “brought up to hate Norwich”, the hard fact remains that it’s eleven verse eleven, even if theirs only cost £110,000 to assemble.
Two more sleeps ’til Ipswich! Bring it on.
Nice photo montage Gary.
I’m sure their fans are loving the McCarthy witch-hunt on the financial comparison between the clubs but his Mourinho-like efforts at mind games are a sign of desperation surely? They are the poor relations of the East in all respects. All water off a duck’s back for our Glaswegian gaffer. Just hope our boys stay calm and don’t react to any dirty tactics on the pitch.
Who needs Messi when you’ve got Bradley.
Now, where did I put that polling card?
Gary: a succinct (if a little uncharitable) pen-picture of our politicians there, as well as another good piece about the real forthcoming battles.
A couple of people have asked my thoughts, as a former pollster, on the Election. For what it’s worth, my technical prediction is: an unholy mess.
Come 2pm on Saturday, my guess is that we won’t be any clearer on the outcome of either great struggle. I’m resisting the temptation to highlight that we haven’t lost away under Alex Neil (you may say so, I couldn’t possibly comment), but you rightly point out the terrible vagaries of the game we love.
If we do get past Ipswich, perhaps it’s as well that the final is ‘away’. Both Brentford and Boro, of course, beat us at Carrow Road.
Off to the Polling Station. Nothing in blue has my support this week, but beyond that….
Big Mick knows all the tricks in the book. Wouldn’t be surprised if the balls are deflated and the away dressing room heating is cranked up/turned off to suit. Don’t think he’d stoop to the level Brighton did for the Palace dressing room in 2013 – that really was a stinker!
He’s playing up the David and Goliath factor but their squad is the way it is because their owner is a tightwad, not because he doesn’t have the money.
Good piece as ever Gary. Mick attempting mourinho mind games won’t affect AN and his Norwich army.
Not long now. COME ON YOU YELLOWS!!!!! Tense times.
Ash (4): all of that may be true. But we have more ways to win this tie, esp over two games.
Gary points out the eight-point gap over the season. More indicative, perhaps, is the gap between the goal differences – City +40, Ipswich +18.
I’m with Joe K – AN is not for being side-tracked. OTBC!
Mick is finding AN and Norwich City have very broad shoulders in his seemingly one way war of words.
Hope Ed Balls has a better weekend than week!