We don’t have to wind the clock back very far to find a City side that played under the ‘too nice’ banner. One we bemoaned was a little too easy to play against, that lacked an ‘edge’, that was just a tad too compliant and non-confrontational.
Not any more.
It seems that wherever we go now controversy follows, not to mention frothing opposition managers, rattled officials and opposition fans who are apoplectic with rage.
It’s standard.
Sheffield Utd, Ipswich (of course), Boro (twice), Reading, Chelsea (yes, really), Brentford and Derby. Take your pick. All been peed off by us at some stage this season to varying degrees.
And it’s brilliant.
The vitriol hurled in the direction of James Maddison on social media last night by Derby fans – stoked up it has to be said by Gary Rowett’s own skewed take on events – was arguably the pick of the bunch for its sheer level of venom and ugliness and one can only wonder what levels they are capable of reaching if they actually lose.
Instead, they should have been thanking their lucky stars that they escaped a second-half pummeling with a point because that second 45 was right up there with anything as good as we have produced all season.
With the added silkiness and class of Moritz Leitner another layer looks to have been added to something that was already coming together quite nicely – certainly if yesterday was anything to go by.
Make no mistake, despite Derby’s lukewarm effort they are automatic promotion hopefuls for a reason. While they may not be pleasing on the eye, they are functional, efficient and have, under Rowett’s tutelage, become a cohesive Championship force. They tick most of the right boxes – some that, to be fair, we don’t.
That the Rams were hanging on for long spells of that second half was a useful barometer of City’s progress. In what has been a fitful season, where apparent upturns have been cancelled out and some by even acuter downturns, the upward curve now feels real.
Context is everything of course – key to this good mini-run has been one Master Maddison – and it’s hard to get too carried away when the reality is this team will have some key components ripped out of it in the summer. Yet with 15 games left in this season we, as fans, simply have to make the most out of watching this team evolve.
Further context was there for all to see in yesterday’s first half when for the opening 20 minutes it was really quite disjointed and ugly at times. Leitner and Maddison found themselves wanting the ball in the same areas, the overall passing was too slow and the ball was given away far too regularly.
Matej Vydra’s goal was not without its faults either from a defensive angle – a rarity of late it should be said – and there was an element of carelessness on display that would have had the miserablists licking their lips, but once the heads were cleared and a rhythm found the white and black tide was well and truly stemmed.
That Angus had just two saves to make in 95 minutes tells the story.
As events unfolded it could and should have been better for City and but for the Nelson Oliveira penalty incident that so enraged Rowett we could easily be heading to the derby off the back of five wins out of six games.
Unfortunately, Nelson’s penalty only served to offer Scott Carson some very gentle catching practise and gave further ammunition to the Oliveira naysayers.
Most will disagree, but I think he was the right person to take the pen. He’s one of two designated penalty takers – him and Maddison – and if one is involved in the incident leading to the penalty then other will take it. That’s what Daniel Farke has determined and so that’s what should happen. And if we don’t think our one striker in the side is capable of taking a pen then he shouldn’t be in the side in the first place.
That he needs a goal is obvious, so too that his confidence in front of goal is low, but these are hardened pros who are paid to perform. There is no scope to stop him half-way along his run up and say ‘sorry son, your body language is all wrong, let someone else take it’.
All goalscorers go through droughts. Even the best.
I’d be more concerned if right now his all-round contribution was poor and he wasn’t putting in a shift, but it isn’t and he is. He may not be the long-term solution – I don’t think that Farke and Webber see him as that – but while Dennis Srbeny is still learning the ropes he’s our best bet to be the lone striker and we have to suck it up. Maybe even give him our support.
When the equaliser did arrive – and let’s not forget that Oliveira played his part in that move – it was a referee’s whistle blast away from being a thing of real beauty. Luckily Jeremy Simpson’s premature whistle didn’t impact on City pulling level, and the swagger with which first Leitner and then Maddison put the ball in the Derby net typified their second-half performances.
A late winner would have naturally been nice but it was a performance to be proud of and the signs are good.
We now, of course, have to brace ourselves for seven days of sniping, with various Ipswich Town legends being wheeled out on a daily basis to remind of their history in the hope of getting under our collective skin.
Let’s not let them. Let’s not engage. Give them their moment… all 13,000 of them.
Good article Gary the only thing missing is a bit more positive Ipswich bashing. Nothing short of a hammering is acceptable next weekend for our tractor driving friends from the south. Failing a hammering a single goal win will do so long as it is blatantly offside by fifteen yards and is scored in the ninth minute of added on time.
I hear you Delfy … I’m more of the ‘keep the powder’ school of thought. One of these days the worst IS going to happen 😉
It’s been disappointing to hear the negativity towards Nelson, both at games & on social media. I’d imagine that many of these people were the same people bemoaning the fact he wasn’t starting at the beginning of the season. He appears a confidence player & as he’s one of two strikers we’ve got, it’s important that we as fans get behind him.
Good read as per usual. It is all too easy to look back and decided what we want to say, unlike you I was a tad disconcerted to hear that Nelson took the ball, for the spot kick. I turned to my wife and said “we have a penalty, Nelson is taking it so I know he will miss” In my heart I was screaming prove me wrong.
These things happen, I have seen better and more famous players miss the spot kicks, it wasn’t a miss, keeper saved it,. He knew which way he was going to put it, as well as having Jerome telling him to.
As you say he needs a goal is as clear as the empty seats at Portaloo Road , the only way he will get his form back is by playing and working hard, and he cannot do that sitting in the stands, he looks a shadow of the guy who ran half the field to point to his name on the shirt.
I am sure Maddison, loves the jeers he gets and can handle the social media keyboard warriors, hiding behind their screens, the lad does his talking for all the world to see. whether he dived or was tripped , who as a City supporter really cares ? Fo so long we have had this nice fair play image, while teams around us , have had players who go down at the slightest of touches, or even from a small escape of air from a defender, (yes a fart) . sure they are coached to fall looking genuinely poleaxed.
It is high time we got a little more street wise, of course now when Maddison enters the opposing area, defenders are going to be that extra bit cautious, which can only be to our advantage. While outside that area, the lad is in for being on the end of some right kickings . And he revels in it …
And so should we
We haven’t managed to overtake Town in the league yet, despite being very close to doing so for several weeks now, so they must be doing something right too. This game is not gonna be a walk over unfortunately.
Quite agree Willy. Especially so given that most of our good performances occur away from home. Will be very tight IMHO
Great summary Gary, and after those initial 25 mins, it was wonderful to see City’s turn around after then, and especially to generate all that aggro and opprobrium from Derby at the end. At least Rowett could acknowledge Maddison’s class, even if still calling him a cheat – and ignoring the penalty that should have been given immediately after.
And yes, a pity Leitner was not credited with his first genuine goal, but hope that will come soon. He is a a wonderful addition, and definitely is now helping to foster this upward curve. So the big questions, are what happens the remainder of this season, and then in the next transfer window. Both Webber and Farke’s position is clearly that we are preparing for the longer haul, rather than this season specifically. At the same time, clearly too, whilst there remains hope, Farke is not going to give up seeking to propel us further (even if that 13th place is proving a sticking point at the moment).
But as for this coming summer transfer window, everyone is just assuming Maddison will leave. It was interesting that Webber in his interview did not paint that picture, and nor has Maddison himself. Webber’s story is rather he is enjoying his football, thankful for the opportunity, and continuing to develop himself for the eventual bigger stage. I am sure that Maddison will be comparing his current situation with that of Pritchard too, and I don’t think there is any doubt who has the better situation right now. It is not the bench warmer watching his new team slide towards the drop. No, I think Maddison will be looking eventually higher up the PL than that, and it may take him a while to get there. In the meantime he is learning and developing all the time. When he does go, it will be to one of the top clubs, and it will be for a lot of money. It is not inevitable it will be this summer, and even if he is sold then, we may still get some use of him, like Angus Gunn.
The second summer transfer saga has also already reared its head – one Moritz Leitner. Especially if Maddison might leave, retaining Leitner would go a long way to making up for his loss. Again, whilst Augsburg would not make it ‘easy’ for us to have an option to buy him outright, according to Webber, it was also clear that Webber would indeed like to retain Leitner, if there is an opportunity. And if Maddison might potentially leave, I am sure Webber will work even harder to make that opportunity real, especially if Leitner enjoys his opportunity to play again here sufficiently to be interested to stay… So interesting times ahead, and they will remain so, if we can keep that upward curve going this time.
On the back of yesterday’s performance, plus the stalemate in Suffolk, it’s hard to imagine anything other than a comfortable win in seven days time. That’s probably the greatest danger of all.
Thanks Gary good stuff. Great to see us really dominate that second half. While l would have settled for a draw before the game like Farke said disappointing not to get three points. Michael D above makes some very good points.. Not inevitable that Maddison will leave in summer. Could be sale and season long loan.
Interesting too that Curtis Davies said on twitter that Derby couldn’t cope with our system. A real compliment to Farke.
Good stuff Gary, I particularly remember Ipswich wheeling out some old sod who was older than God to tell us we will never be better than them last time out,
Regarding what some spotty teenager taps out on his device in deepest Derbyshire about our Maddison, who cares?
I have to disagree with your take on the Nelson penalty. I felt pangs of dread as he stepped up and it seemed inevitable that he would miss. That’s coming from a confirmed oliveira fan. He will get his goal so one enough and probably add several more in the aftermath. His subsequent performance during the second half was a study in good centre forward play and the excellent commenter Drew Broughton seemed to agree with this assessment. Dropping him for srbeny would be a ridiculous move – don’t expect Farke to do so any time soon.
It’s funny how many teams give their worst display of the season against us. I had pretty much the same conversation with Derby fans yesterday as I had with Bristol City fans; they don’t seem to realise that we have become expert in stopping the other team performing to their strengths and making sure the game is played to our plan. I loved listening to the Derby fans moaning about Madders’ ‘cheating’ then pointing out (smuggly) that he’s a much better player than anybody in their team.
Nelson was superb outside the area yesterday; he gave 100% effort, turned defenders inside out and provided space for others to play in. He was a handful inside the box too and could have (should have) had a hat-trick. The penalty was woeful but aI came away thinking that it won’t be long until he starts scoring again-perhaps the floodgates will open on Sunday.
Tettey and Leitner (Te-Leit anyone? Thought not) looked good together and we look as though we have decent options throughout the squad.. I’m trying to not get carried away- perhaps Jeff will bung a spanner into my wheel of optimism
Teitner
Lettey.
Great read and summary Gary.
City should have won this game, and Rowetts was a the same distance as the Asst Ref who gave the first pen and he saw it as not so what makes his decision correct and the Asst’s wrong that is the question, we might have had more chance of scoring if the Ref stayed on his and we had the corner.
Webber came out and said Maddison agent and his family are all pleased with his progress at city and it will be a decision made by all when the time is right just maybe we jeep him for another season.
Ex city player Norman getting rave reviews up at Kings Lynn and the EDP was saying that Championship, League 1&2 clubs are all sniffing around due to his assist and goals scored, he is on a non contract there so why oh why doesn’t city talk to Culverhouse and get the low down and possibly sign him on an 18 month contract they could also play agame there for compensation.
Just maybe this will turn out to be another player lost to city??????
An excellent summary of an excellent game. It was difficult to tell if it was a penalty from the TV but I don’t think Maddison is one to fib. They were also lucky to get the second penalty pulled back, not sure what the red was up to there’.
I have to admit after their goal I had my fears, but was pleasantly surprised at how quiet we kept them for the rest of the game.
Am hoping if we sell Maddison to one of the big clubs we can get him back on season loan as part of the deal. Maybe good for all parties. That will free up cash for Leitner who will love it so much at City he will want to stay.
Am I dreaming?
I’m still just amazed we have managed to lure leitner here. Picking up desperate German players is a decent shout. I watched this guy in the bundesliga as a kid and he was deemed the next muller. I’m no fan of farkes style, but this one player could make for a very interesting run in.
It’s baffling, Jeff. The player has such a pedigree one wonders how on earth he has ended up here after not making his mark at Augsburg. I hope he tears Ipswich a new one on Sunday, although such national exposure may well alert some other clubs as to his existence,
For me, the biggest plus to come out of the summer upheaval has been the German influence that has pervaded the club. To a man, all of our Teutonic recruits appear charming, level headed and intelligent young men, friendly, affable and professional, much in the same mould as Timm Klose. All bar one has been able to settle and make positive contributions to the team this season. Zimmermann remains a remarkable piece of business that confounds all logic. There can’t be any more of these out there can there?