2007 was not a fruitful year for Andrew Strauss. The former England captain had gone sixteen Test matches without a century.
His average resembled that of an Ed Balls score on Strictly, lingering in the mid-twenties and failing to impress those passing scrutiny over his performance. He became psychologically fragile. By March 2008, his confidence had plummeted to almost unsalvageable levels.
It all changed in Napier. After a first-innings duck and against an attack possessing the menacing Tim Southee and wily Daniel Vettori, Strauss stood tall. 177 runs after striding to the crease in what was a self-confessed last chance saloon scenario, Strauss’ status as a Test match player was maintained.
On Saturday in South Yorkshire, Hillsborough represents Strauss’ Napier for Norwich City. The misery of Burton, Rotherham and Barnsley must be rapidly relinquished and replaced with notions of character and responsibility.
The 2000 loyal followers behind the goal will not have travelled 150 miles north to witness another display of spinelessness, weakness and vulnerability. It’s time for our players to deliver.
Sunday’s derby stalemate constituted a setback. So did that rudderless outing at the Pirelli. But twelve games remain. With a minimal three-point gap between City and sixth place so irresistibly looming, we must believe.
We’ve seen glimpses from this underachieving squad. Let us nostalgically reflect back to that jubilant trip to the City Ground in September, Forest’s reciprocal visit to Carrow Road last month, or that New Year domination of Derby County in front of an albeit subdued home crowd. On our day, we are capable.
It’s not a question of application. City’s players work tenaciously, committing themselves to the Canary cause and maximising their efforts in order to satisfy their unwavering levels of support.
Any onlooker could visibly perceive just how conspicuous our players’ disappointment was after that fateful trip to Staffordshire last weekend, feebly dawdling over to those in the terrace and delineating their frustration at letting us down once again.
It was an unpleasant sight.
It’s a question of mentality. A question of our talented players applying and pragmatically adapting their skills to the physical demands of the second tier. They must prepare for these demanding away trips, reminding themselves of the money and time invested by their fans and motivating each other to deliver the task in hand.
Timm Klose and Russell Martin must watch tapes of the clinical Fernando Foristieri, making themselves aware of his trickery and ability to manufacture something out of nothing.
Attackers must be ready to exploit Wednesday’s weaknesses, just as Jacob Murphy so intelligently and unerringly did on Sunday lunchtime when he caught Bartosz Bialkowski out at his near post.
Jonny Howson and Alex Tettey must be aware of their critical responsibility to distribute the ball faster and with additional penetration, facilitating enhanced potency going forward.
Wednesday are vulnerable. Consecutive losses at home to Brentford and at Elland Road will have inevitably eroded mentalities of confidence.
The gap between their central defenders – Glenn Loovens and Vincent Sasso – that led to Chris Wood’s decisive strike resembled the newly revamped A11 when really it should have been that of a rural Norfolk road. In Saturday’s daylight, the Owls’ defenders were nocturnal.
City have a duty to exploit these shortcomings. They have a duty to finally deliver the fans some profoundly-overdue joy. Alex Neil must get his team selection right, deploying the combative and vocal Steven Naismith in an offensive combination with Wes Hoolahan and constantly-developing Jacob Murphy.
Regrettably, Alex Pritchard does not possess the requisite fight nor physicality to compete in these tough contests.
City know that it’s now or never. Even the eternal optimists must concede a nine-point gap at this stage of the season will be fundamentally insurmountable, condemning the club to another campaign of Championship travails. With the exception of one vehement caller on Sunday’s Canary Call, nobody wants that.
If our players fail to perform at Hillsborough – unambiguously the most significant game of our season – they do not deserve to stake any claims to the Premier League. It’s occasions like this weekend where heroes are born, propelling City to a victory capable of really igniting a viable play-off push.
It’s not over yet.
Granted, the statistics – away record, results against the top teams, goals conceded, the list goes on – constitute grossly grim reading, but Saturday is as much about on-the-day psychology as it is about what’s come before.
If City equip themselves mentally, prepare thoroughly and continually remind themselves of just how significant this solitary game is in keeping them in contention, they are capable.
After a season characterised by frustration, aversion and ultimate disappointment, it feels as though Neil and his players really do have an obligation to give the devoted punters something back.
If they deliver tomorrow, there’ll be no better time. Strauss did it and went on to achieve remarkable things. Almost a decade on, City have an equally precious opportunity.
OTBC
Strauss was a top class player having a wobble in a top class environment. We don’t have top class players and that is for a reason. The equivalent would be Alan shearer not scoring for england two years prior to euro ’96, not a wasteful CJ or a disinterested naismith. These guys are down here for a reason, unlike Strauss who was a consummate winner having a lengthy wobble.
@Jeff – I’d argue at this level we DO have top class players.
This squad is every bit as good and better than some of the top 6 and its unforgivable that we find ourselves potentially 9 points adrift of 6th place on Saturday night.
I don’t think the pressure being heaped on them will help us, but it is what it is, a must win game. Id day even a draw is no good.
I still believe we can do it, a repeat of the 5-0 win at Hillsborough from 2001 would do nicely (pretty please)
Have you ever read something and thought “that’s what I’ve been trying to say – but he’s said it better”?
I’ve just had that experience. Thanks, Will!
Naismith????? If anybody typified City’s woeful season it would be Naismith. Plenty of gob, but ineffective. How he stayed on the pitch vs Ipswich for as long as he did was a mystery. As soon as Pritchard came on (the one who is too fragile?) we played with far more purpose. Naismith just seems to me to be a bit of a rotten apple: forever complaining at his team-mates wh en it’s usually his fault. It a shame we couldn’t get rid of him at previous transfer windows. Having said all that, I think City’s woes go far, further than the team on the pitch on Saturday. Deeper than Alex Neil’s average quality, deeper than Moxey’s fiasco. I can’t help but believe whilst we have owners that don’t have the money to get into and stay in the Premier league; whilst they won’t sell; whilst they will take no calculated risks; whilst they refuse to sell. Surely we’re being condemned a life in the Championship? This sort of culture must seep down to the players. Players like Naismith who seems to be an automatic selection whatever his playing form.
Tony #4: Up to December I’d have agreed with you about Naismith, but not now.
Except when he first arrived, Naismith actually hasn’t been an automatic selection – and quite rightly. Since December, though, he’s found his mojo. He niggles, but mainly at refs and opponents (something we generally don’t do enough of). Liike Jerome, he gives lots of guidance and encouragement to teammates.
Right now, I’d say he’s an important player for us.
#5. That’s really interesting Stewart. I agree he’s like a latter day Alan Clarke with his perpetual moaning. I just can’t see how he’s important to us. I thought his performance against Ipswich was worse than useless. It’s funny how we all see things so differently.
watch videos of opponents . sadly cannot agree. make sure you are on top of your game and deny them the space and ball. Stringer and Co never had videos to worry over opponents. play the best you can a prove you are better.
Tony #6: Agreed, Ipswich wasn’t Naismith’s best game.
But I reckon he was a big part of our improvement in January.
Tony / Stewart.
Work colleagues and I are in Tony’s camp. Agree Stewart that we have seen a couple of games with SN improvement, but as mentioned, in SN’s eyes it’s always somebody else’s fault, which doesn’t bode well for team spirit.
Half time, the usual no show from Neil’s outfit. A week to prepare for a must win game and we concede three in the first half. This man would have to improve to be called ‘amateur’.
We have known since the play-off season that we needed to improve the defence, particularly central defence. Here we are 2 seasons on and we only brought in one central defender and yet we have spent a lot of money on a number of midfielders.