So, the gamble paid off… just.
Daniel Farke put it all on black and, despite it popping in and out of red a couple of times before the wheel stopped spinning, on black it finally settled.
Cue one massive, collective sigh.
The fine margins for which City have invariably come out the wrong side for once favoured them and it was a New Year’s Day of triumph rather than the disaster many had predicted. The ‘along come Norwich’ that featured in every half-time conversation – that Millwall hadn’t won away from home all season – didn’t thankfully become a thing.
The general consensus seemed to be that City were awful in the first half and actually quite good in the second but I disagree. I thought for the first half an hour the football was thoroughly decent. Okay, so it was a bit more laboured and deliberate than perhaps we would have liked but we retained possession comfortably, had little trouble in keeping Millwall at arm’s length and, crucially, we were making Jordan Archer make some saves.
The only defensive issues were around the diagonals from left to right that were aimed at the head of Steve Morison – presumably designed to isolate him against Jamal Lewis, yet which caused horrific problems for Timm Klose – but in truth that was the Lions’s one and only threat.
That Morison scored was not a massive surprise – football doing its thing again – but no-one expected it to be a 30-yard corker. Some tried to point the finger at Angus, but no way – looked unstoppable from my vantage point behind that River End goal.
Given the quite nice reception he was afforded, the goal celebration did seem a little OTT but let’s not forget he was given the Russell Martin treatment (and some) for the latter part of his stay here… and it was a bloody good strike.
Half-time whistle = Boos from the River End. Standard. Even though on this occasion it was undeserved.
Thankfully the malcontents had little to get their teeth into in the second half and once Tom Trybull’s excellent header – from James Maddison’s beautifully whipped-in free kick – had looped beyond Archer, City were very much in the ascendancy and there looked likely to be only one winner.
With Angus a virtual spectator it was a question of whether we could find a way to break down a stubborn Millwall back line and for a while it looked as if that ‘bloody ‘tippy-tappy stuff ™’ [intellectual property of the River End] could be used to create an opening.
As it transpired they left it quite late but when it did it was a thing of beauty in both its creation and execution; Alex Pritchard’s reverse pass being so perfectly weighted Maddison was able to hit it first-time without checking his stride.
With Millwall’s approach being of the route one variety there were always going to be a few nervous moments late on but they were generally dealt with comfortably, Grant Hanley again excelling in the heart of that City defence.
The final whistle brought joy interspersed with relief. Minus that Maddison strike it would have been tetchy to say the least upon the final blast of Steve Martin’s whistle but instead the River End had little to get its teeth into. It was a win and it was a deserved win. For once City’s domination of possession did count in their favour.
Seven points from nine over the Festive period was a decent return and while there is clearly nervousness over what January may bring at least the ship is not currently taking on water. For now at least the waters are calm and any angst is saved for for issues off the pitch rather than on it.
The fact the squad is coming together a little in terms of players returning to both fitness and form is also one massive positive, and it would be remiss of me not to mention Josh Murphy’s contribution yesterday.
With the added responsibility of having to keep one eye on his protection duties of Jamal Lewis, he has responded with a hitherto unseen maturity. An incident early on when Jamal looked to have been beaten but managed just to get a toe in to put the ball out for a corner was rewarded with a slap on the back from Josh. A small, almost insignificant gesture, but for me a telling one. Here was a young man emerging from a slump, one who was there to encourage and bail out a young team-mate.
The body language was much improved, the desire and tenacity were there, so too the shooting boots. The standing ovation he was given when he was sensibly given a late hook by Daniel Farke – one that gave Carrow Road a chance to show its appreciation – was moving and heartfelt. He’ll have more bad days, wingers always do, but hopefully we’ve seen the last of the sulker of a few weeks ago.
A flying Josh offers us width – a rare commodity in this team – and that was one of the main differences between yesterday’s performance and the one against Brentford. The route of attack was not simply restricted to the width of the penalty box.
Tetbull did their thing again and there is no question that the platform they offer for the attacking talent in the side to do their thing is the best the squad has to offer; the quality of Maddison and Pritchard needs no further description.
So, one of the good days. Let’s enjoy it. Daniel ultimately called it right, even though many of us had our doubts.
For now the ship has been steadied.
Trybull’s header should go down as an assist from the Millwall centre-half, with thanks for the push in the back. I was half-way to my feet appealing for a penalty, when I realised the ball was in the net. Quick change to goal celebration!
All in all, overall a good performance, and a particular mention for Jamal Lewis. He was dogged and stuck to his job so well that they subbed their no10, who got nothing from Lewis all game.
Very good point re Jamal,Jim. Agree 100%. Was excellent throughout. The shirt is his to lose now.
7 points out of the last 3 games is ok, 7 points from the last 4 games is slightly disappointing. I don’t think that the Millwall result justifies the Burton team selection but managers live and die on results so DF’s mindset will be different to mine.
I think the last few weeks have shown that we’re probably a bit too good to get into a relegation fight but not good enough to get anywhere near the top 6. I think a lot of mediocrity awaits for the rest of the season.
Don’t disagree with any of that Don, particularly last two sentences.
As a fellow occupant of the River End Stand, I find myself in almost complete agreement.
The team played well and but for an amazing strike by Steve Morrison would have had an easy ride. The talents of Maddison and Pritchard were brilliantly demonstrated. Trybull is back on his game. And Hanley has brought some steel to the defence.
Now that the period of two games a week is over, I hope the best players stay fit. It is also the period of the transfer window. If Naismith can be sold all well and good. But my priority would be to sign a striker. Oliveira has amply demonstrated his suspect temperament and has lost his goal scoring touch. I like Jerome but the crowd is often on his back. If Webber and Farke can unearth a decent replacement, I would sell them both if good offers come in.
Also could anyone take Husband and Watkins? From the commentary on Saturday they added nothing to the team.
To be fair to Husband, he wasn’t on the pitch, so he couldn’t have added a lot to the team (I don’t know what commentary you were listening to) and Watkins didn’t have much time to make an impact when he did come on. However, Jamal Lewis looks like the real deal as a left back, and I’d rather see Steiperman in that position than Husband anyway. I also would use Wildschut ahead of Watkins.
Never thought I’d live to see the day when we rested players at Burton for the greater challenge of Millwall just two days later. Daniel will undoubtedly feel justified – much of the Canary nation still disagrees. For me, 7 points from 12 was the absolute minimum over the festive period – we got there; just!
Called it spot on, as always, Gaz. Trybull seemed to cope fine with the two games in 48 hours.
Just a cotton picking minute – there appears to be a collective moving of goalposts here. A couple of weeks ago we were all talking about the minimum requirement from the Christmas period being 8 points from 12. Now all of a sudden we are talking about 7 from 9. Anybody remember Brentford?? Yesterday’s performance was really encouraging but even at my age I can remember back 10 days!!
Ha! Fair point Cyprus but you’re making the mistake of assuming football writers (and supporters) are logical and rational ☺
I agree with you CC. 7 of 12 (sounds like a Borg) wasn’t on anyone’s lips as a successful period from my recollection.
Anyway, I thought the first 30 mins was the most “Norwich” I’ve seen us play in a long time. Unfortunately I had to stop watching after the equalizer, but it sounds like the second half was decent too.
To be fair here the “7 points from 12” was preceded by the words, “for me.” I’d never presume to speak for everyone ?
Pretty accurate summation as ever Gary.
The kick in the teeth just before half time delivered by morisons swinger felt like a coup de grace for herr Farke, unlike yourself, I felt a degree of culpability was attributable to gunn, both for the poor kick which put us on the back foot initially and the positioning as the ball sailed over his head but it’s a moot point.
The left side appears to have sorted itself out with the emergence of jamal Lewis. Not only has he made the left back spot his own but he appears to have brought the very best out of Murphy, which hitherto had been completely beyond the wit of Farke. Murphy was excellent and fully deserved his standing ovation.
Hanley is perfectly designed for championship football and should have been signed before and instead of Franke which would have saved money and some painful defensive lapses,
Tettey and trybull allied to the two Crown Jewels makes for a lovely balance in midfield and the unit was beginning to purr during the second period.
Keeping the games tight and allowing Pritchard and Maddison to weave their magic would see us pick up points on a more regular basis. The worry of course is if these players are flogged off.
The whys and wherefores of the burton game have been raked over energetically since the weekend. Suffice to say the eleven on the pitch at 3pm on Monday was the best starting eleven available to Farke this season from 1 to 11. In sharp contrast one only had to watch the substitutes running up and down the touchline to realise the lack of strength in depth available to the coach since the cost cutting began. One or two who can do a job but don’t rely on anybody to change the game.
In short, if and its a big if, Farke can get this eleven fit and firing, free from intervention from above in the way of sales, more injuries or loss of form from key players improvement should happen. The degree of this improvement is as yet, anybody’s guess.
In terms of the left side sorting itself out, it’s worth noting that Farke deserves credit for earmarking Jamal Lewis at the beginning of the season but wasn’t able to play him due to injury. Few had spoken about him (there was more discussion about Toffolo) & if he’d been fit before, perhaps we would have seen more from Murphy, someone who others have struggled to get the best out of.
“A flying Josh offers us width – a rare commodity in this team”
As does Yanic Wildschut, who recently has to make to with a watching brief from the bench, at best. With Pritchard and Maddison marauding on the edge of the opponents box, why not play with the pace and direct running of Josh and Wildschut together?
Yes, I’d like to see Wildschut get some game time. He has pace and power, and a trick or two. He scored fairly regularly at Wigan, and if he could one for us, I think he’d go on and get a reasonable tally. I expected to see him come on when Murphy went off, but we got Watkins instead.
A badly needed result against a lowly team, though I still intensely dislike Farke’s style of boredom, sorry, football and as I have posted several times before, it needs flashes a brilliance to succeed.
The vast majority of managers would of been higher than 13th at this moment in the season, but as Delia has her fingers well and truly stuck to her ears and her eyes off the button, Farke has plenty of time before her glue wears off to prove he can mix it in this league which we all hope he can. I still swear he wouldn’t play a striker if he could get away with it, but what striker is going to come to go through the motions?
There are positives going forward in 2018, but the problem ultimately lies above as 13th is well and truly in the ‘Delia Zone’, so it depends whether you are happy with that or not. I’m certainly in the latter.
A final word regarding Steve Morison – I never had a problem with him while he was here – unlike some others – and his 9 goals in the PL for us in sometimes a thankless lone striker role should have never been taken for granted. I’m glad his goal wasn’t the winner, but he made a valid point.
This game could provide a watermark moment. Farke gambled and it paid off, the crowd needed to see their team deliver and deliver they did. More importantly, at home in fairly emphatic fashion.
9 Points off play offs, albeit the teams in the play offs deserve to be there but I’m hoping, in a sporting fashion of course, that some of them start to dip in form.
I personally believe this 11 are the ones, and really, there’s no reason why we couldn’t have been up there in the mix. Unfortunately, injury utterly decimated the team before Farke could mould them together and we’ve spent 3 months trying to get it right. I hold my hands up, I wasn’t sure Farke had it in him and I’m still not sold – it would help of course if we had a ton of money to buy better but we all know the deal.
Credit where it’s due, Farke has also tried to run a race one-legged with strikers that aren’t striking. The lack of goals creates pressure on our defence when we can’t put a game to bed. If you cast a glance to some of our better games where we have scored and Oliveira’s playing (but doesn’t score), all the goals from the attacking mids come from positions Oliveira should be in. Maybe it’s time we bid our fond farewells?
I agree with your last point Hilary but if you go back to the early part of the season I don’t think Farke saw Tettey as a candidate for the team at all. How times have changed.
How on earth has it paid off? We were playing Burton. It’s an embarrassment for all concerned with the club that “gamble” was even attempted, let alone approved.
He played a full team against Arsenal which burnt out us completely, now people are shaking his hand for gambling against Burton where it really matters!
What is going on with NCFC fans?!
The whole Burton scenario has made me more concerned about Farke than ever.
I genuinely thought him an astute man, but weakening your side to hold out for a draw against a very poor side with the standard of players we have is nothing short of scandalous.
I rather enjoyed the humour of his camp Germanic tones when he first joined, now I just think he’s clueless. We have some very good players at this level and the performances to date are totally unacceptable (regardless of how much patience you have stored up). When you throw in playing strategic games against very poor opposition when it’s far from necessary and thinking you’ve come out on top after, then the omens are not good.
Farkelife is showing signs of a chronic cardiac arrest. Based on the vast overhaul of backroom staff for this latest boardroom experiment, Farkedeath is going to be very, very painful indeed.
I am worried for our club.
A question for you, Jeff. Do you accept that – with two players returning from long-term injury and another whose knees preclude any chance of playing three times in six days – a first-choice XI at Burton would have meant a much weaker team to face Millwall?
It seems to me Farke made two calculations. First, that with a weakened team we were more likely to beat Burton than Millwall; second, that the final game of the series, at Carrow Road in front of 25,000, was psychologically the most important.
I always thought of these three games as “the festive period”. I’ll settle for seven points, and the feeling with which we left Carrow Road yesterday.
7 from 9? 7 from 12? 7 from 15?
Looks like 34 from 78 is the only one that really matters.
That was one of the most comfortable games I’ve seen in a while, on top from the off and only Moro’s thunderbolt from nowhere gave them an undeserved sniff.
My only gripe would be Pinto, he’s getting into great positions but his crossing is so poor. He also suffers from a lack of competition and maybe this needs to change.
Jury’s still out on Farke and no doubt changes lie ahead in January, but yesterday at least showed what this team is capable of.
Agreed re Pinto. It’s very frustrating. Come back Russ?
Some good points made here about this being the first choice XI and it’s easy to forget Farke’s not been able to pick that first choice XI all season. Perhaps as injuries settle we’ll see a better playing style emerge and the rest of the squad start to fit into that style.
Deffo need to sort the striking department out though – Farke could be forgiven at the start of the season for thinking Jerome and Oliviera might be good enough but one is past his sell-by date and the other proving why he’s never settled at clubs so I’d be happy to sell both and get three in – a reliable big man, a technical striker and a quick’un in to give us all the options.