There is something hugely satisfying about getting a rise out of Neil Warnock anytime. But to get one while snaffling our first three points on the road since 1st October was a huge, fat, juicy bonus.
For the travelling Yellow Army those 126 days between away wins will have felt like an eternity but that particular ghost was laid to rest yesterday in the most functional, attritional and unsightly way possible. And in its own way it was brilliant.
As fellow MFW columnist, Mick Dennis, concluded, we ‘out-Warnocked’, Warnock – something that even a month ago would have been an impossibility.
And another thing… unless I’m mistaken we’re gradually becoming more solid at the back. Okay, so Birmingham were a little wasteful but as things have panned out this season two consecutive clean sheets are not to be sniffed at.
We’re not expecting them to concede zero chance – this is the Championship after all – but we were justified in expecting them to concede fewer chances. And over the last three games that box has been ticked.
Let’s also not forget John Ruddy’s role in this recent upturn.
Right now there is no question over who is City’s first-choice keeper and with authority and belief coursing through his veins once again it was no surprise when he saved from Craig Noone when he dangerously broke into City’s box late on.
One criticism leveled at Ruddy over the last couple of seasons is that he doesn’t make enough game-changing saves – those that you don’t necessarily expect him to make – but the Noone save was a classic example. It’s good to have the Big Man back.
Timm Klose is another who after a spell in the Colney doldrums has found some form at the right time.
Ironically his now burgeoning partnership with Russell Martin was, back in October, one of the root causes of the downturn but after a spell where their stripes were handed to Seb Bassong and Ryan Bennett, the current pairing are in ‘first names on the team-sheet’ territory.
The Swiss international unquestionably found it tough to acclimatize to the physicality and intensity of the Championship – and he’ll not be looking forward to being reacquainted with Daryl Murphy on Valentine’s Day – but since returning to the side he’s grown into the role of a robust second-tier centre-back who just happens to possess a touch of class.
But it’s not class that gets you out of this division. It’s qualities at the other end of the spectrum that do so – those in the Warnock envelope – and, while it’s taken a full six months, the penny looks like it has finally dropped.
To continue with the Timm example, in the Premier League even teams who adopt the high press will likely give a centre-back time to take a touch or two if he receives the ball off his keeper. No such luxury in the Championship – it’s crash, bang, wallop time.
And on the rare occasion a hopeful, hanging cross is slung into the box in the top tier, Klose, if his starting position was decent, would have trusted himself to win the header. No such luxury in the Championship – a clattering is almost guaranteed.
And, of course, balls that are slid down the channel in the Premier League are usually dealt with by standing up and showing your opponent ‘away’ from goal. No such luxury in the Championship – as Murphy demonstrated so ably, it’ll instantly become a shoulder-to-shoulder battle of strength and will.
The difference between the Klose of October 2016 and February 2017 version is marked. And significant.
That Mitchell Dijks was able to come in at left-back after just three days worth of training and equip himself so ably in said battle was also a welcome bonus, and suggests those few days at Colney were well spent.
He’ll do it differently to Olsson but hopefully he’ll do it with a similar level of success with added oomph when defending far post crosses. My gut tells me we’ll only have him for three and a bit months, but we’ll see.
Yanic Wildschut had, by all accounts, a less eye-catching debut but in the greater scheme of things appears less of a risk, which for £7 million is kind of what you expect. But he’ll have his mettle tested at the DW on Tuesday night and how he comes through that will give us an early indication to the success, or otherwise, of Ricky Martin’s dossier. Here’s hoping.
Elsewhere it was another notch on the score-sheet for Cameron Jerome who is rapidly careering toward a double-figure goal return for the season. He may not be everybody’s cup of tea but his willingness to constantly put himself in the firing line has to be applauded and at this level he’s a handful, no question.
And (fortunately) he’s not afraid to miss. Others who have endured runs and reputations of missing ‘sitters’ have buckled and hid. No such thing from Jerome who is as mentally tough as they come. That eight-goal Oliveira currently finds himself on the bench speaks volumes for the manager’s level of trust in Jerome.
So, while all appears a tad unsettled behind the scenes (a column for another day) there is some forward momentum gathering pace. From the darkest of dark places to three wins on the bounce suggests that this season still may some life left in it.
It remains a long shot though. As things stand there looks to be only one play-off place up for grabs and we’re just one of a bunch who are chasing it. If we can take it to the wire that in itself will be some achievement given the greyness of our winter.
Some are suggesting we’ve ‘turned a corner’. I’d say we’re gingerly negotiating a blind bend.
Never mind the danger…
Good review as usual Gary, but one point I don’t agree on is the number of play off places up for grabs. Even Reading in 3rd, who have played one more game than us, would only be 7 points ahead if we win on Tuesday night, and of the four teams currently in the play off places only Leeds has a better goal difference to us, which is worth another point.
There is still a great deal to play for, if we can now add more away wins to home wins!!
And so lovely to have two players on the left hand side now who really want to be here and show what they can do!!! Just in itself it seems that has already had a boosting effect on the morale of the team. There’s a way still to go, but a positive next two games, and just maybe we can start to have more solid hope again.
Thanks Michael (1), and you’re probably right. No room for any more ‘blips’ though. This momentum continues or we miss out. No wriggle room left.
Good stuff Gary. Wld be great to be proved wrong about AN, but as you say little room for any more slip ups. Onwards.
I’m having a punt on us gaining automatic promotion. I think Brighton will bottle it.
There, I said it.
Good assessment of exactly where we are Gary. Amazing how different the outlook can be after 3 wins on the spin, and every opportunity to push on now. However, my gut feeling is that we’ll not be seeing Wildschut on Tuesday – he was subbed off yesterday and it seems more than a little coincidental that our next game is against Wigan. I suspect that there was a no play clause in his transfer – which hopefully we also managed to include in our sale of Canos!
As for the play-offs, let’s hope we’ve put our bad run behind us, and those above us still have theirs to come….
O T B C
Agreed on CJ. He is as dogged as our overall performance yesterday…oddly. Personally, I think CJ has to go in the summer, but he takes some grief and still stands up. Although, I’m sure his glittering range rover eases his pain. Whether we get promoted or not, I smell change. Something is happening at NCFC no one can put their finger on and I suspect either Tommy S or AN other(?!) may rise.
A really encouraging win yesterday, and good perspective from Gary.
For now at least, much to feel cheerful about on the field. As long as that’s the case, it takes some pressure off the background issues.
Two straightforward facts for our prospects:
. we still have a chunk of catching up to do. The number of games we’ve lost this season gives us little room for further slip-ups; a poor performance and result at Wigan (who will have had an extra day for recovery) would be deflating
. having said that, there’s 48 points still to play for. If we let things drift between October and December – to put it mildly – there’s certainly time to put it right
Now’s time for the experienced and strong characters to step up, as Ruddy did yesterday. We have enough of them.
It’s amazing what 3 wins & a reasonable transfer window can do for moral & confidence of both team & supporters ( not forgetting the hacks !) I along with many others now have some hope & belief that we can make the playoffs & pehaps even promotion. This should not however blind us to the fact there are major deep seated problems , from the boardroom to Conley . Chairman, CEO ‘ come & go at an alarming rate with no explanation. The payroll is still burdened with too many highly paid nearlymen & those that do play do not appear to be as fit or well coached ( particularly in defence at set pieces ) as many of the other teams challenging for those playoff places
The price of tickets & catering is well above many clubs in the Championship & even some in the PL. Communication from above is virtually non existant & it seems the supporters who regularly fill Carrow Road are taken for granted. The standard of football since Lambert jumped ship has been ordinary at best & it could be argued we are only still in with a chance of the playoffs because the standard of football in the Championship this season is also very ordinary. I’m not sure what the answer is , some say a change of owners , some a change of manager ( me included) or maybe both. My fear is if we do not get promoted this season , & the underlying problems are not addressed, then we are destined to Championship football along with those down the road for many seasons , or until we find another Lambert , Holt or Huckerbee . As football supporters we live with the dream. OTBC
Great review of yesterday Gary, feels like we may all be pulling in the same direction now!! Regarding what Mr Dennis has said or not said, I wouldn’t know due to being blocked when questioning the BOD. Having spoken to several others on Twitter it seems any criticism of Delia and Michael leads to a blocking by Mick. Make of that what you will……..
Good article but to early to get exited in my opinion, let’s have another look after the Ipswich game & if we’re still on a run I’ll be at the front doing the cheerleading, it’s been such a long dour winter I’m still more pessimistic than optimistic especially when AN is making tactical decisions, there’s been room for a lot of improvement all season & now would be better late than never, as they say 3 wins doesn’t make a season but I’m happy to be proved wrong.
Cushy (9): My understanding is Mick blocks on the basis of tone, not opinion. I know he’s happy to engage if it’s civil, and has made himself available to meet some who have a different view from his.
Once again on broad agreement Gary. In particular with regard to Mitchell Dijks length of stay with City. Listening to the commentary Dijks was mentioned frequently in a favourable way and seemed to be a physical presence, liking a tackle and a battle. We may have cause to regret that he didn’t sign on the dotted line in January.
Ruddy, it would appear was dominant in his area, taking the pressure off the back four with his new found ability to leave his line and grasp the ball. Adding to the physicality of the defending with a facet of his game which has been sadly lacking for ages. More power to his arm, literally.
Klose is our best defender and it beggars belief that he remained sidelined for so long. Jerome also has looked a different animal in the last three games. Martin, tettey, the improvements are there for all to see.
I fear the Wigan midweek fixture will prove difficult to a side which worked itself into the ground on Saturday and pray that Naismith, mulumbu are fit to be considered and that perhaps Josh might come in for his brother. The two Dutch lads could probably do without the match after the busy week they’ve just had. Fingers crossed we can emerge with a result, however ugly we appear in getting it.
This season has proved mistifying, I can’t begin to explain the feat or famine nature of our results or the apparent total loss of form during the winter. As for events off the field I wonder if Jeff is right and something is stirring behind the scenes. That could either be good news or horrific news depending on what that stirring means,