Who saw that coming?
But there were clues of course, not least a starting XI that included most of City’s best players. And as it transpired the few crumbs of comfort that were taken from the draw at Griffin Park were able to be built upon.
Two clean sheets while in the midst of our current predicament are not be sneezed at and from somewhere, buoyed by Nelson Oliveira’s early opener, they produced a performance as good as anything we witnessed in the whole of 2016.
The Portuguese striker clearly, and deservedly, took centre stage with his ‘perfect hat-trick’ but it was one of those rare days when every single player performed to a level required to grind out points in the Championship. And lo and behold three points were duly delivered.
As an attacking force City were too much for the Rams to handle – even before Jacob Butterfield’s sending off – but it was the solid base of Ruddy, Pinto, Martin, Klose and Olsson that formed the basis of this win.
Having jettisoned Messrs Klose and Martin several games ago in favour of Ryan Bennett and Seb Bassong, partly as a result of the nightmare at the Amex, Alex Neil handed the pair an olive branch at Griffin Park and went all-in yesterday by re-uniting the pair in the centre of a back-four. And it worked.
It was solid, composed, no-messing when it needed to be, and the protection offered to John Ruddy was in sharp contrast to the ‘hot knife through butter’ version that has so epitomised this dreadful run of form. And when was Ruddy was called upon, most notably when one-on-one with Tom Ince with the score at 1-0, he too delivered.
Ivo Pinto was Ivo Pinto, and no-one has a problem with that, but most crucial of all was Martin Olsson’s brilliant containment of the aforementioned Ince, with the Rams most influential player being offered only scraps. Olsson was excellent and, whether or not he is among those looking to engineer a departure, still delivered his best performance of the season.
The midfield too functioned as a unit rather than individuals and the intelligent running and tenacity of Steven Naismith was key in offering space in which Oliveira and Wes could operate.
That Wes had one of his best days for ages was also crucial but for him to be afforded the time and space he was, and to appear to be afforded no special treatment (until Butterfield intervened), was a mistake on the part of Steve McClaren.
It was one of those days when the Irishman was simply unstoppable. They don’t, and won’t, happen every game and it’s important to note he’s no longer able to influence every game in the way he did yesterday but when he clicks so does the team. Alex Neil’s now left with the tricky task of identifying those particular days.
The manager, for his part, is also worthy of credit, particularly given the brickbats he’s suffered of late. He called it right on this occasion and managed to get a decent tune out of a squad who, for once, looked motivated hungry and focused.
And while it did him no favours, given the pressure he has been under of late we should turn a blind eye to his unnecessary ‘witch hunt’ post-match comment. It was just an unwise choice of words and I’m sure deep down he appreciates that any manager who oversees such a run should expect questions to be asked.
But it was a good day, one free of recriminations, and should be enjoyed for what it was: a fine win over a team who were unbeaten in ten games.
The Carrow Road crowd too played its part after a tetchy and grumpy opening 15 minutes and once the whole place had been settled by Oliveria’s opener it turned into quite a pleasurable experience, marred only slightly by the Barclay bizarrely choosing to laud a member of the opposition with their own team leading 3-0.
Yet it was a minor gripe on an afternoon that threatened to be “toxic” (a much over-used word) but turned out to be quite the opposite.
Small steps of course, and a draw at Brentford and a home win over Derby were the least we would have expected at the start of the season, but this was an improvement and something to be built upon.
It was a pleasure to watch yesterday as the manager finally realised that if you play your best players in their best positions then they are actually quite good. The players for their part must have had a committee meeting and decided to give their all. If this can be kept up in 2017 then we supporters should be prepared to head off in search of an olive branch.
However this is only the start of the healing process and the board and the manager would be wise to learn from the last few weeks and apply what they have learnt. Season ticket renewals are not far away and the supporters want to see value for money. It’s not cheap Delia, and if we are going to pay mega wages to players and managers then we have a right to expect 6&7 out of 10 performances week in week out. No more 4s & 5s out of 10 will do.
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Word perfect as per usual, Gary. It was a total surprise and certainly made my birthday go with a swing!
Nelson provided the spark with his quality strike and from that point every player and the home crowd enjoyed their afternoon.
From Ruddy, for two exceptional saves to Naismith who worked hard and nagged Derby all afternoon each player deserves a rare pat on tHe back.
I thought Naismith took a lot of unfair stick in the first half, particularly when he was castigated for not chasing an up and under into the corner when clearly coming from an offside position but the crowd warmed to his efforts as he put a shift in.
Alex Neil should hold his counsel when talking of witch hunts however, his record over the last quarter of a season is still horrendous and still requires much good work to rectify it. A more dignified approach would serve him better and earn more sympathy.
The problems still remain of course, both on and off the pitch, but taken in isolation this was an excellent win , the scoreline flattered Derby hugely, the football was great to watch and the effort was there for all to see.
The acid test comes next time out and after that, the next time. There simply cannot be any more false dawns.
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It was a very much welcomed result, but I cannot get carried away. We still have the same manager and the same board and that will always be a problem for as long as they are here. It is still in Neil’s hands, but he is a very lucky man as I cannot think of any other club where he would of still be employed with his recent record given the tools at his disposal.
The ‘witchunt’ comment was pathetic. There was no witchunt. It was the case of the manager consistently failing to get anywhere near the best out of his players for reasons that are unclear. The man should take responsibility – he is the manager and there are times that he should simply shut up. Maybe I can see who the players feel after all?
The season has been so poor I’m not expecting it will be a new dawn where everyone is suddenly pulling in there same direction, but more hoping…
If Neil can get the players who want to play for him to play consistently and the ones that don’t permanently out the door, then he may survive and prosper, but it will take a lot to convince me that he is the man for the future and I’m still firmly in the out camp.
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A fine article and it was indeed good to see “our Norwich” for the final 75 minutes of the match.
I also agree with #1 Andy: AN has won a reprieve but this time he simply has to make it count. I will be renewed automatically as usual as like loads of us I pay by DD. A couple of my mates are undecided, but I reckon they will do the same as me.
#2 Chris: Yes you’re right, the problems still remain. You’re also spot on about the effort. We wanted the ball and it showed. No more false dawns for me either. This wasn’t Brentford though, Derby are not a poor side.
And Mr McClaren, you can appeal all you like but well taped-up pads do not fly out of socks in fair tackles. Butterfield had to go and the lino had a perfect view.
I enjoyed yesterday much more than the 5-0 Brentford romp. I think it shows that AN hasn’t lost at least the majority of the dressing room.
This window will be significant. It’s not so much about who we can get in, it’s who we can move on. One particular player was certainly not missed yesterday. I reckon £10 million will do it, Sam. And you’re welcome.
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With reference to the witch hunt. I think most journalists have been fair and quite rightly questioned what has been going on. What has been unacceptable is the social media storm of abuse and vitriol towards Alex Neil. It is shameful and you cannot blame him for his comment.
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Hoolahan was probably only on the pitch because Brady was suspended.
Regarding Alex Neil’s comments, he should not consider himself hard done by, because he is lucky to still be in a job.
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There actually seemed to be several leaders on the pitch yesterday. It was great to see Naismith doing what he does best – niggling, harrying, chasing, mouthing off, making some good runs, playing nice football. It’s what we bought him for. I wonder if he responds better to having better players around him.
Robbie Brady can do one, he’s not looked like he cares all season and has become a bit of a Snodgrass for me – only interested in what he can do on the ball.
Wes won’t cut it in all the games. We need a strong, althletic, attacking midfielder for the times he won’t. Cull some of our squad and spend some decent money on a midfielder who won’t get pushed around. And no, that isn’t Bradley Johnson.
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You’ve nailed it again Gary, I came away from the game feeling that I hadn’t been short changed and that’s all I ask of them. Some quality football and with a tad more luck/composure it could have been even more comprehensive. As you say, the ‘witch hunt’ comment was unwise but listening to canary call on the way home Rob read out a text which said ‘Alex Neil deserves no credit for this win’ so maybe he’s actually not too far off the mark. Some people unfortunately want it all ways, i’ve grown tired of the so called ‘remoaners’ over the past few months and now it seems we’re saddled with our own version who presumably are going to keep throwing their teddies whilst AN is still in post.
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I agree with Richard (5) that in the context of social media, rather than mainstream journalism, AN’s “witch hunt” comment is entirely justified.
Of course much of the criticism in the past 3 months has been entirely fair, and I’m pretty sure AN accepts that.
But for example there are also certain stock phrases that perplexed fans love to throw around when things aren’t going well – “he’s lost the dressing room” or “they won’t play for him” are amongst the milder ones. That’s pretty personal, and frankly is wrong 99% of the time. I don’t blame him at all for biting back.
(I also think that if those were true it would be very evident around the club, and in that circumstance he would have been relieved of his job some time back).
If people choose to hide behind their keyboards to post nasty, abusive, personal comments – some of which are probably libellous, particularly those relating to Delia’s financial motives – then they surely can’t complain when the recipients retaliate.
Anyway, good win yesterday, and for once against a decent in-form side with some very good players. But we all know there’s a lot to be done to make sure it isn’t just another flash-in-the-pan.
Nice to see another potential number 9 folk-hero emerging too – bit premature to build a statue to him outside the Cathedral though….
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What odds on Alex Neil to be January’s manager of the month? I thought he may win it in December; if I keep plugging away I’ll get something right eventually (probably not this though!)
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Alex has to realise that he gets no latitude for being Manager of the Month for September. Fans are far more concerned about a run of games that’s yielded just ten points from a possible thirty six! Focus on improving upon that meagre return over the next few games and everything else will take care of itself!
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It makes me laugh that AN is getting criticised for stating the facts.
Was he manager of the month?
Yes
Was there a witch hunt after his abject failure of the following two months?
Yes
He’s every right to be peed off about it. It doesn’t mean he can’t say it, though, and it’s especially hypocritical from those who, as eloquently stated above, have been throwing all kinds of unfounded comments his and the board’s way.
It would be wonderful if the board back him properly in the transfer window and he and they prove us all wrong – much like the team on the pitch yesterday. Not so anyone can say ‘told you so’ but as proof that this club can pull together and move on. That might disappoint some people who seem hell bent on predicting the worst possible outcomes but if we stopped being nasty for a mo and use results and performances like this to build on, who knows…
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Alex certainly isn’t making it easy to come down on either side of the fence for him, which is largely my concern. We don’t need a ‘great some of the time’ manager. Getting out of this league requires a ‘great almost all the time’ manager. He isn’t that. The league table does’t lie. I’m sure he could be an entirely competent manager at this level, but not convinced he’s the Messiah some pegged him as.
His flaws are obvious and consistent:
– Too easily shaken by single defeats.
– Sticks too rigidly to known tactics.
– Uses subs poorly.
– Doesn’t know his best team.
– Puts too much blame on his players (“I train them the same every week, I don’t know why they don’t do what I’m telling them”).
– Inconsistent-to-poor signings.
– Poor defensive coaching.
The biggest question for me is do we remove him now or in the summer, as Graham(?) on Canary call said.
That all said, good result and performance. Shame this one wasn’t selected for TV.
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@12 Cityfan
What exactly were these unfounded accusations? Alex Neil was bottom of the form table. BOTTOM. We’re outside of the promotion spots where our goal was ‘promotion promotion promotion’. He’s had many transfer windows to get his squad right, yet hasn’t. He has consistently blamed the team and divorced himself from responsibility (“I tell the players what to do, I don’t know why they don’t do it”).
As for the board. They’ve already predicted a loss and return to debt for this year, so we need to sell players. Remember how we prided ourselves on “we don’t need to sell anyone”. Those days are gone.
Five years ago we were finishing mid-table prem. It’s not a witch-hunt to find out what’s gone wrong and assign responsibility. Any business that has undergone such failure would perform such a review and heads would roll. It’s that simple.
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Good column Gary, and what a very good performance yesterday was. Isn’t it amazing how much better we look and play when our players are played in their correct positions.
To me, that part of the equation is surely easy, and patently obvious.
Of Mr. Neil’s signings on which I admit to being critical in the past, I thought Naismith had one of his best performances – which prior to yesterday, didn’t take much, and Oliveira continues to show (to me at least) that finally we have a figurehead at the front.
However, whilst he quite rightly got the plaudits for a superb hat-trick, Olsson had one of his best ever games against one of this divisions top forwards, and a word for Ruddy, who looked to be back on the road to his best and made a couple of crucial saves.
Who knows however what we might now be saying if Brady had played….IMO if we can get 10m for him then take it.
OTBC
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