It was good to be back in the old place last night and just walking in brought back glorious images of yellow and green smiles and blue and white frowns.
While I applaud the club’s curious efforts to mark Carrow Road’s big 8-0, for me it was all about the game. And, as friendlies go, it was quite a good one.
Certainly there was an edge to it often missing in pre-season games and, for all the jibes about our friends from the East End celebrating as if it were an FA Cup tie, their presence – both vocal and numerical – added a certain something to an occasion that was never going to be a damp squib.
Yet still it was an exercise in fitness and Alex Neil taking a look at those on the fringes going toe-to-toe against decent opposition, and, certainly with regard to the latter, some invaluable lessons were learned.
In the event, City’s starting XI was equally as ‘experimental’ as West Ham’s with both starting just two players likely to feature when it kicks off for real on August 8, although the strength of the Canaries’ line-up was another timely reminder of just how the stock of the squad has risen over the past three seasons.
And for an hour it was a good contest – only when Slaven Bilić decided to up ante and unleash a plethora of his big names did the balance of the game tilt heavily towards the Hammers.
For what it’s worth, the goal – while an OG by the unfortunate but excellent Harry Toffolo – had been coming for a good ten minutes and the fresh West Ham legs versus tiring Canary limbs made for a mis-match in the closing stages.
In fairness, Bilić’s men were decent value for the win and pinged the ball around to good effect in the final half an hour, but Neil and co still learned plenty.
Encouragingly, there were again some good performances from those on the fringes and a few will have now have fully registered on the radar of the boss while answering one or two questions in the process.
Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe is one who for some time has been in the ‘little something about him’ category – not least because of his dreadful luck with injuries last season – but this pre-season has been kind to him. He looks fit, has enjoyed plenty of game time and, as a result, is knocking on the door.
He cuts a big, powerful figure and, almost for the first time, is using those attributes to good effect in a yellow shirt; his ability to cut inside from the left flank early on in the second half being particularly eye-catching.
His best position – or at least the position in which he excelled in Belgium – appears to be the ‘number 10′ role but with Wes in pole position for that shirt, Vadis’ ability to start out wide and drift inside looks like it could be a useful weapon to add to Alex’s armoury.
City’s full-backs both continued their respective impressive pre-seasons with Tofollo, in particular, looking very much the part against some more than tidy opposition.
While the arrival of Robbie Brady – which has now been concluded (hallelujah…) – may push him down the left-sided pecking order he has done more than enough to suggest he’s due a Premier League opportunity at some stage.
On the other side of the pitch the Elliot Bennett at full-back story continues to gather apace. As you would expect from one who has played most of his career as a winger, he remains more comfortable when heading in a forward direction but his positional sense when back-peddling improves game by game.
In what would have been an invaluable hour in his defensive learning curve, going toe-to-toe with an old-fashioned winger like Matt Jarvis offered him a perfect and timely challenge. And he rose to it well, even if part of said curve was him showing Jarvis the outside only to be shown a ‘clean pair’ on a couple of first-half occasions.
Again, while the arrival of Andre Wisdom would see him drop a place in the right-back pecking order, he’s done enough over this pre-season to suggest there is a future for him as a swashbuckling, over-lapping full-back.
Tony Andreu – another who remains in the ‘little something about him category’ – also did sufficient to edge himself an inch or two further forward in his manager’s thinking and made good use of the extra milli-second of time afforded to those playing out wide.
Other random observations…
– The orchestrated pre-match “On the Ball City…” doesn’t work at friendlies
– The 10th minute applause to commemorate Carrow Road’s first ever goal was a tad ‘cringey’
– Gary O’Neil can pick a pass and likes a tackle
– West Ham supporters are a chirpy bunch
– Ricky sadly, in my opinion, is not going to make it
So… a good workout for all concerned and a fairly enjoyable one for those who chose to join the ‘party’. Just Brentford to go now – which one would assume will give us a good indication of Alex’s first choice starting XI – and then it’s Crystal Palace time.
And I can’t wait.
Thanks Gary, and I agree, it was a good test for City, with room both for optimism and caution. The caution being that we are not going to win any game in the PL, home too, simply by turning up. Good though to have Toffolo, E.Bennett, Vadis and Andreu looking like they were hungry to play.
On a different note, there’s been a lot of talk so far about the ins, but I’m wondering when some of the outs that will need to happen will also take place. Michael Turner has done his service, but isn’t going to cut it now, nor is Kyle Lafferty, and for everyone’s sake – especially as we still need another striker – think that life would be less divisive if Ricky could be successfully moved on.
Suspect though that St Etienne will not be relying upon him to replace Max Gradel’s goals! I also wonder quite what was the difference between Sporting Lisbon’s salary offer and Ricky’s expectations. I assume Sporting did not think he had increased in value since he was last with them…
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Horrible as it is to “pick on” any one individual, RvW just confirmed his status as a lightweight. I can’t see him in a Yellow shirt again, although he still has his fans who would say different. His signing smacks of due diligence unobserved – he was never going to be a fit with a Hughton side and his confidence and strength levels seem to suggest he won’t make it in an Alex Neil outfit either. One we really must cut our losses on, I feel. Brentford will indeed give more of a clue as to our Palace line-up, which I suspect will have a substantial “Wembley contingent involved.” Asfor the Brady thing, please wake me up when it’s over!
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West Ham had a stronger side out than we did (especially second half) and have already had 4 full-on games in the EL, so shouldn’t be too critical of the result. Not surprising they were sharper.
Fair play to the Hammers for winning that one but none due for the ‘Great Olympic Stadium Swindle’.
Performance could have been better of course from midfield/attack – still not getting the undying support for RvW from a section who seem determined to have him in the side in front of Grabban.
I’m not one of the boo boys but he’s been given enough slack now – against big burly PL defenders, he just hasn’t cut it. I’d be amazed if AN puts him higher than 4th in the pecking order of our current strikers based on what he’s seen so far.
I was cheered up to find Ipswich had lost at Colchester and Watford’s band of recent imports went down at Cardiff last night!
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Good article Gary and great to be back at Carrow Road – seems ages ago that we played our previous home game against Ipswich. For me the really positive thing to come out of pre-season has been the emergence of some of last years fringe players – specifically Elliott Bennett, Tony Andreu, Vadis, plus the young Harry Toffolo who has really caught the eye. I agree with Michael D about the next interesting instalment will be who goes because we are pretty much at our 25 man (21 years old+) limit. For me Turner has been a good servant but is now too slow; Miquel has been banished back to the U21s and it’s a struggle to see how he fits in – likewise Lafferty. This leaves us perhaps being a bit overweight in central midfield. The striker situation – particularly surrounding RvW and Hooper is an intriguing one. I actually like what I see with RvW, he works hard for the team, has a good touch and his reading of the game and off-the-ball movement is good too. But he just really needs a goal or two and some strong leadership from AN. As far as I am concerned, the only way is up but it remains to be seen whether he has the character to put the past behind him, prove a point and show how good he can be and that ultimately is down to him. To be honest, Hooper’s form and performance worry me more because I think we’ve actually seen what we will get from him. Somebody who on their day will frighten defenders and score goals, but is just too inconsistent. Even last season he was liable to go-missing for part of or entire games – when Hooper blows cold he doesn’t work for the team in quite the same way that RvW does. So for me, I’d place RvW higher up the pecking order.
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el dingo (2) – Wake up!
I can see both views of RvW; reluctantly, I can’t really disagree with the sceptics. A clearer case, to me, is Hooper. A natural finisher, certainly, but he simply doesn’t contribute enough to the team. In an unforgiving Premier League, we need more from every player than he gives.
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Stewart (5) – I think I’m in the ‘undecided’ camp on RvW purely because: (1) I think everybody deserves a second chance; (2) we’ve not really had a chance to see what he can really do; (3) Alex Neil does have this knack of getting the best out of players (i.e. Whittaker and Johnson). As I hinted at in my post [4], Hooper is a concern because I’m just not convinced he can operate on consistent enough basis or (as you mention) contribute enough to the team. Therefore,it really comes down to whether Alex Neil can get the best of them on a consistent basis and whether their best is good enough.
Interestingly, I seem to recall a similar debate about Wes Hoolahan under Hughton and Adams where many saw him as being inconsistent or a luxury player. He certainly responded to Alex Neil to the point that he couldn’t not be played during the second half of last season. Let’s hope that Hooper and RvW are both able to rise to the challenge because I’m sure that most genuine City fans would love to see them both succeed!
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I’d put Hooper way ahead of the Wolf. I agree on the inconsistency point, but he’s also capable of conjuring up a little bit of magic from nowhere, which is such a valuable quality in any league, and most particularly in one where the hardest thing is unlocking well organised defenses. He’s almost a Berbatov type player – not the greatest workrate, but liable to come up with supreme quality at any moment.
RvW is good at winning free kicks.
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@5 Stewart Lewis: I’m fully awake now and very pleased we eventually got him – I know it was the official version but it was great to hear how pleased he is to be here. Hopefully the CB will come but as I probably said on a Pink ‘Un board it is wonderful to have a manager and Chief Exec. that I (and most of us hopefully) can really believe in. I’m not getting carried away but I have a good feeling about this season. Great site btw.
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I’ve never liked the fringe reference, as it’s really a squad game, especially in this league.
However, what seems apparent is that our strength in depth is certainly much greater than the last time we were promoted and, on paper at least, much greater than our promotion rivals.
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We should remember that the hammers ha had first rate games in Europe to reach a better fitness level than city so we shouldn’t read to much into this result.I’m sure an now has a much better idea of his first eleven so at some stage against Brentford we should see it.
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Fair point Mr F (9) and hard to disagree. I too despise the word ‘fringe’ but for very different reasons 😉
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Sid (10) – Agree 100% on both points
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I think more armchair fans were miffed at the Mustard TV meltdown than the result of the match. Good to luck with that satellite link ‘MTV’ on Saturday!
The Brady saga has had more twists and turns than an episode of ‘Fortitude’ (if you missed it, get the box set) but all good things come to those who wait. Some think we paid over the odds but the Baggies just paid 8M for James Chester from Hull – that makes him as good as Tyrone Mings.
No hard feelings towards our old boy Brucie but I’d be surprised if he’s still there by Christmas.
Wisdom? Reserving my judgement but good back-up at the very least.
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Yes, i too think RvW works well for the team. He can clearly do better in the finishing department but his all round game looks pretty sharp to me. He didn’t lose possession once last night, against good opposition, and seeing a lot of the ball. I was looking forward to seeing what might happen if he was played off Jerome in a full strength side, especially with Hoolahan. Last night the service was poor with many wayward crosses. When a good one did come in he almost scored with a header. I can’t really excuse the glaring miss, though just a few inches to the side and it would have gone in. He worked so hard though and was all over the pitch and i thought fitted into the team well in open play. He obviously still has the knack of taking up good positions but it looked to me like he’s still unhappy here, yet he still put in a shift which says a lot about the guy for me. For his prominence and attitude alone i’d keep him ahead of Lafferty and Hooper.
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I also have some sympathy for RVW.
I think one spectacular goal is would bring back the confidence so desperately lacking.
His positional play in attacking situations often goes un noticed- he moves into good positions at the last minute and nobody picks it up. Have a look at the Redmond blast into the side netting.
Having said that I do worry about his hold up play as he lacks the physique for this and if AN plays only one up front maybe he would be better ” in the hole” behind a
more physical striker.
If only he’d scored in that first half one on one……………
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I remain concerned with central defenders and cover when injuries occur may be an addition still required but overall have we ever had such a strong squad? Some will have to look elsewhere and I get the feeling our best X1 at this seasons end will have a very different look about it from Wembley last May, no one’s place is safe. However, I hope a new talisman emerges, a Iwan, Hucks or a Holty character just adds 10% to the volume.
Please everyone No booing this season .
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Colin, I whole heartedly support your request for a lack of booing this season. That’s the one thing I can’t stand, unless the team has been truly awful and not put any effort in. I don’t see how anyone thinks it can help. Not that I think it will make any difference. Fans just seem to be like that these days.
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RVW will surely improve with better quality players around him.As I’ve said before once AN gets to work with him & shows he has confidence in him we will see the real player we thought he was when he came here.It was plain to see during his first season that he lacked confidence unfortunately there didn’t seem to be anyone at the club able to help him.When he scores his first goal of the season I’m sure it will make all the difference.
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I really can’t see RvW having much of a future at City. Nothing personal against the guy, but he just doesn’t deliver (lovely back flick in the first half vs West Ham though).
If he plays a decent chunk of the Brentford game I’ll be surprised, but happy to admit I’m wrong.
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