The lead riff wriggles out of one’s hands before it can be grasped, just as another scattering riff comes bounding in over the top. When it all falls away for the isolated hook, it’s like taking a deep breath of fresh air … (Lester Bangs)
Led Zeppelin brought out a controversial album in 1970 – Led Zeppelin III.
It was all about change; how the band’s style had moved on from the predictable output of the previous two years. Not everybody went for it – how dare they use a mandolin, 12-string guitars and tablas instead of drums?
One of the key tracks on it was called Celebration Day and Led Zep afficianados still regard it as one of their best tracks to this day.
Please feel free to equate this to Frank Sinatra, Public Enemy or even One Direction if you wish. I guess they all made changetime albums.
So, let’s be honest, Nelson Oliviera’s own personal “celebration day” at Craven Cottage shares a similarity with the Led Zep offering. At the time I just thought it was sheer excitement as I didn’t have a great viewpoint from the so-called shared area, where I sat with some friends who live in London. But seeing the re-runs, he was demonstrating: “start me, start me, start me” to Daniel Farke.
No bad blood, just making an emphatic point in the best way he could.
Offside for the goal? Don’t think so.
Farke dealt with Nelson’s antics brilliantly, both at the time and in subsequent interviews, and when firstly Josh Murphy and then (I think) James Maddison calmed him down, Nelson helped us to see the game out and gain a point and one of the most enjoyable results in ages. We know we’re at the races now. No doubts at all – we will be something of a force this season.
Retreating homeward, a wiser man than me reiterated that without Cameron Jerome around to previously soften up members of the Cottagers’ defence, Oliviera might not have been able to latch onto the ball from Wes as he did. A good shout as CamJam does a lot of things that largely go un-noticed.
The John Paul Jones of the “band”.
And regarding my musical intro, the isolated hook refers to Plan B: 4-1-4-1. And the fresh air? Nelson’s goal.
Then there was Christoph Zimmermann and Marcel Franke. The former impressed me very much; he looked like a very decent acquisition. He looked hard, determined and committed. Franke didn’t particularly stand out to me, which probably meant he did a good job.
Last season I am pretty much sure Alex Neil would have stuck to 4-2-3-1 and waited for us to concede a second. But we didn’t, we kept going and were rewarded in a way that sent most of us, frankly, nuts. Well done Daniel Farke and everybody in a yellow shirt.
Gary said yesterday that playing a back three leaves vast areas of space to be attacked out wide if the wingbacks are caught out. True indeed, but that situation was changed. Horses for courses.
We now have Steven Naismith back for Sunderland, Ivo Pinto straining at the leash, Timm Klose apparently not too far away and (hopefully) Alex Pritchard to follow. Plus Marco Stiepermann, plus A N Other who might yet join us in the near-ish future.
And there are youngsters (Phillips, Abrahams). We’ve bought as well.
Oh yes, I’m liking it.
And as LZ would say: Rock ‘n’ Roll.
******
Number Two Son completed the Run Norwich 10k this morning in a very respectable 46:51.
The Community Sports Foundation was heavily involved with this event, and after he’d drank his beer and eaten his banana Jonny brought home his goodie bag from the run. I am now the proud owner of a new NCFC leather wallet, which he donated to me. As NCFC donated to every one of the 6,000 runners. A simple gesture, but a lovely one.
Well done to Tom Smith and all those at the Club who supported this marvellous event.
Unlike the 2-2 draw the previous season, this one gave an immense amount of satisfaction. One game clearly doesn’t make a season, but the ability to switch things around, plus subs making an impact, was hugely satisfying.
Good stuff, Martin. We did indeed go nuts when Hoolahan and Oliveira delivered the thoroughly deserved equaliser.
Daniel Farke is so open to, and adept at, changes that another comparison might be the magician David Bowie.
Let’s hope DF turns into our very own Jean Genet – aka The Jean Genie.
I’m not sure I see Delia as Lady Grinning Soul, but we had a few Heroes out there on Saturday.
I’m swerving Swindon, but I’m looking forward to Sunderland hoping the Boys Keep Swinging.
Should be a great atmosphere for Sunderland. DF can certainly keep it moving, with help from Ziggy Zimmermann and the Spiders from Germany
I guess we’d better cease this (most enjoyable) exchange before MFW is accused of morphing into a music site with football as a sideline. But…
The albums “Low”, “Heroes” and “The Lodger” are known as The Berlin Trilogy.
The single edit of “Heroes” even had “Helden” stamped on the record. There’s also a version of it out there somewhere sung completely in German. I don’t own it but I’ve heard it and Bowie the chameleon got away with it from what I can remember.
Anyway I reckon DF will get one heck of a well-deserved “wilkommen” from all of us on Sunday.
Prost!
Hi Martin liked the music references and only pleased you didn’t use any Cliff Richards celebration.
I have to say I liked the way DF handled the questions after the game and I have watched the Nelson goal never offside and it was stupid to get booked by taking his shirt off he could have done the same pointing to his name and number while still wearing it and Farke to the heat out of it with his reactions a simple kiss on the forehead.
1 rule to change for the good of the game is the shirt rule it doesn’t hurt anyone, it isn’t indecent exposure and wasn’t fouling anyone, a bit of time wasting possibly who ever conceived this rule must have been envious of those flashing their chests.
It was a def penalty and the asst ref bottled it, if he didn’t see it he needs to get his eyes tested.
“It was a def penalty and the asst ref bottled it”
That’s nonsense.
The law – stupidly in my view – says it has to be intentional, and that also leads to a yellow card (at least). There’s no way at that distance and full speed the guy could be certain, and if he’s not certain he shouldn’t give it. Too many assistants guess and I’m happy he didn’t do so for that decision or the offside.
The penalty call reminded me of Jamie Carragher who made an art of blocking like that, turning his back as he did so and hoping that if his arm happened to get in the way it would be seen as “unintentional”. The only angle I’ve seen the goal from makes it look very tight and probably off, so I’m happy he kept his flag down for both.
No Stiff Pilchard from me, my friend. Ever.
It wasn’t a pen imo, although they have been given. A very refreshing performance – it’s going to be ages until I can go away again (Sheff Weds), Unfortunately.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day in every way!
See below – c*ocked it up on the new format:-)
I managed to watch this on EPSN3 as it wasn’t on iFollow.
I’ll eat some of my words, I will change my ‘hope’ to very very cautious optimism.
Some thoughts. I’ll alternate the good with the bad…
– I was extremely impressed by Zimmerman.
– It was never a penalty. Hand by side. Not looking at ball. Ball to hand.
– Our goal was never offside.
– We need to stop playing CamJam to start. I get he’s a workhorse etc… But he’s not exciting to watch, he’s not an instigator. He’s not a bad player but there’s an opportunity cost and potentially that’s goals. Plus, I think Oliveria is great.
– Defense looked more solid than it has for a LONG time.
– I’m not convinced we’re going to achieve the ‘play it out of defense possession football’ being touted. I was carefully watching how many times we successfully managed it and we resorted to style frequently due to nothing more than simple pressing by the opposition. I just don’t see semi-decent teams letting us do this.
– Happy to see a manager who changes it up.
– A few players looked well outclassed.
– We definitely benefited from our fitness work.
I’d hope we can get 3pts at Sunderland.
Or to put it another way… ooooohhhhh we’re half way there…
I don’t do Bon Jovi… (but a great comment anyway)!
Fair dos, Dave.
I’d disagree slightly about the handball – the arm was away from the body. That said, he had his back to Russ’s shot; I’d have been disappointed to see it given at the other end.
It’s still a case of “we’ll see”. Fulham are a very untypical Championship team, in both their strengths and weaknesses.
I’m pretty much with Stewart on the “penalty” incident, but as Dave B says, we didn’t get it and I think that’s fair enough in the context of a well-deserved and hard-fought draw between two good sides.
And yes, the defence looked better than it has for a long time. Christoph Zimmerman has a loud voice I was pleased to hear (when I could)!