It was exactly a year ago when an ill-fated, multiple-cancellation preseason tour of Italy somehow seemed to be a harbinger for stormy months ahead in the new Neil Adams era.
All that the club had to show for their scenic alpine travels was some solid training and bonding time and a meaningless 13-0 win on July 20 from a match of mistaken identity.
Not so much the replacement 4th division S.C. Vallée d’Aoste as the Canaries had assumed, but rather what turned out to be a mishmash of local plumbers and electricians hastily assembled in the form of a ‘select XI’ to give our boys a run-around.
“You can only beat what’s in front of you,” a phlegmatic Neil Adams concluded apologetically after the event.
That latest cross-wired cock up did not bode well for a change in fortunes despite the bakers’ dozen banged into the no-hopers’ net. If it had happened to any other club, it would have been hilarious.
On the back of that slow and painfully drawn out relegation of just a few weeks previous, collective morale amongst us fans had slumped to its lowest point for many a year.
Needless to say, a year is a hell of a long time in football. You do indeed need to experience the lows to really appreciate the highs.
Last night, with a Wembley-soaked promotion back to the Premier League still buzzing in the brain, and a young and dynamic head of on-field operations calling the shots from the sidelines, the first of two pre-season fixtures on foreign soil was duly played. This time it was against a proper football team – one of Israel’s best in fact.
Maccabi Haifa finished 5th in the top league last season.
The City starting 11 was a strong one with about half being first picks last season and probably next:
XI vs Maccabi Haifa: Rudd; E Bennett, R Bennett, Bassong, Johnson; O’Neil, Dorrans, Howson; Redmond, Andreu, Hooper.
Subs: Ruddy (GK), Turner, van Wolfswinkel, Jacob Murphy, Toffolo, Odjidja Ofoe.
The Ricky fan club, which got so excited at Cambridge last week, will have been disappointed to have seen their man start on the bench. His youthful following has the feel of a One Direction fanaticism – let’s hope it doesn’t end in tears akin to the departure of Zane.
But with a first outing since Wembley for Redderz and a re-vitalised Tony Andreu and hit-man Hoops backed up by an extremely solid midfield and slightly experimental back four, the first question of the night was… which kit would they be wearing?
Kit fever seems to have struck the Canaries faithful like no season before. The precise shade and placement of thin stripe has become an obsession – suddenly, we’re all fashion experts.
Fair to say that the ‘beach windbreaker’ of a third kit has not endeared itself to the faithful? Still, three shirts, one love right?
Last night was the return of the half and half with the needy yellow box as proudly modelled by roving MFW reporter Stewart Lewis at Lord’s last Friday.
The result? A 1-0 defeat. Difficult to find your A-game in what must have been a funereal environment.
I can’t imagine the locals turned out in force to create much of an atmosphere in a sleepy Austrian backwater. They were probably away doing what Austrians like to do on skis.
Not even second-half sub Ricky and his twinkling toes could penetrate a stubborn Haifa outfit. It was a far cry from the 13-0 of one year ago but ultimately a much more worthwhile exercise in preparation for the power, pace and pressure which Palace will be exerting on opening day.
Alex Neil no doubt will be greatly displeased at losing his undefeated away record. So far, he hasn’t lost 2 in a row.
So, on to the next fixture against FC Augsburg in Bavaria on Saturday.
*Transfer news? There is none. With big bad Brucie not backing down over his boy Brady, the Norfolk natives remain restless as those Premier millions remain unspent… at least for now.
Those clever people at Errea. With that third kit they’ve found a way to make the home kit look less horrendous.
Ben – Ah, but is it any worse than the ‘egg and cress’ of the early 90s in which such glories were achieved?
If ever there was an occasion to wear the 3rd kit, surely it was in a preseason match on neutral foreign territory in front of one man and his dog i.e. last night’s match!
We’ll all look back on this kit talk and laugh next May..hopefully.
Russell, I have fond memories of the egg and cress/guano kit but have to agree that it was pretty awful. At least the sponsor logo didn’t look so clumsily bolted on like an afterthought. I wonder if the new third kit will be worn at all. Maybe in a League Cup match against a lower-division team.
My question is, does anyone out there have big enough cahoonas or whatever the female equivalent is to (a) buy the third kit, (b) wear the shirt at the 80th birthday bash against West Ham and (c) provide photo graphic evidence? Surely that would be deserving of a place in the MFW Hall of Fame?
My cahoonas aren’t big enough clearly.
Those of a certain age – myself included, of course – will remember the tube of Refreshers which is clearly the model for our third kit.
Though not averse to wearing it, in this case I’m averse to buying it. I’ll continue my ‘roving reporter’ role in the home & away kits, if that’s OK.
Whatever kit we play in, I’ll enjoy our wins and suffer for our losses. Once the serious football starts, that’s all that matters.
Stewart – how ‘refreshingly’ honest of you.
More like this for me and quite appropriate with all the hot air that’s its generated;
http://www.thestripescompany.com/shop/Windbreaks/Golf
I think we’ll have a great season but wouldn’t put my shirt on it.
I find many of the comments about the 3rd kit laughably vitriolic. It’s a football kit ffs that no one is forcing anyone to buy. That said, I like it, have bought it and will be wearing v Palace. For me, it reflects where we are as a club right now It is vibrant and confident, which what we need to be this season.
llamaman(7) – if you got through with that, you will have my utmost respect. Can I suggest you set that matchday outfit off with a pair of Canaries flip flops available from the club shop for £12?
Mulumbu is now shown smiling in the 3rd strip on the website.