I can only begin by endorsing editor Gary’s article of yesterday. I had no idea of the tragic events at the KingPower or indeed the situation surrounding Glenn Hoddle until early yesterday morning.
I am sure all readers and writers at MFW join the rest of the football world in sending Leicester City FC our sincere condolences and to offer every best wish to Glenn Hoddle and his family for what we can only hope against hope will be a full and complete recovery.
Glenn is exactly one month older than myself and I worked in Harlow (where he hails from) and had the privilege to speak with him a few times there when he was becoming established at Tottenham and in his pomp. A nicer bloke you could not meet. Get well Glenn, you can do it. Please.<
As Gary said it’s hard to focus under these circumstances but I’ll move on and give it a go.
First off, Brentford were nobody’s fools. They pressed hard but we did not wilt. This Norwich side of Daniel Farke’s assembly work for each other and shirk from nothing. With some kind of irony, the ball played through from Timm Klose for Emi Buendia to faultlessly volley home was reminiscent of Glenn Hoddle himself. What a finish from the young Argentinian – it gets better every time I see it. No first touch – in the net.
And then next up has to be “penaltygate”. What pleased me immensely was that the cross came in from Jamal Lewis on the left and who then got flattened by Ollie Watkins in the box? Max Aarons. So their striker defending in his own box concedes a pen to a combination of our full-backs – combined age of under 40. Loving it.
Onto the “oh dear” moment. The virtually identical repeat of the West Brom hash-up from the otherwise admirable Jordan Rhodes. Being in the Barclay we could see the lack of confidence in his run-up and older heads were shaking before it hit Brentford keeper Daniel Bentley’s gloves.
I don’t like robbing other people’s words as a rule but on this occasion I’ll paraphrase Archant’s Paddy Davitt: “when it comes to penalties it’s time to get a new cab off the rank”. I’ll second, third and fourth that.
This sparked a half-time depart in the Barclay Bar, with comments ranging from “never let the striker take a penalty” to “if he can’t take a penalty he ain’t no striker”. Half-time flew by and it was hard to stop chuckling at times.
I’ll progress to the vital and points-confirming scene three. A fine double save from Tim Krul and there’s Neal Maupay seeming to slip on wet Norfolk turf to smack the bar in possibly the Bees’ only really dangerous chance of the game.
We deserved the result. There were some lovely flicks, nutmegs and that Todd Cantwell backheel in there too and we were very resilient throughout. Game management? Pretty good Daniel I would say.<
My top men of the match would be Buendia and Christoph Stiepermann – with honourable mentions for the other nine, especially Klose for that sublime long ball and bailing out Stiepermann on his first-half mistake. A great all-round performance although there would have been no late-game squeaky bum at all without penaltygate.
Great atmosphere – the Barclay and Snakepit have got the “barking-snaking up the league” call and respond back. And to hear the Monkees’ Daydream Believer re-sung with Paul Lambert for George Burley the only lyrical change really made me laugh.
And as some wit has posted online, we have got as many points in one week as the Binners have all season.
Let’s all enjoy it but please spare a thought for others just now – as I know we all will.
I could hardly comment on the game once the news broke of the Leicester accident, I heard about Glen Hoddle earlier It is tragic. seemingly a much liked man owning the club, one of the great successes of overseas investment. what can one say words seem inadequate for such devastating events.
Glen just keep improving to full health. I know only too well how you feel.
I said on Gary’s posting yesterday, a game of two big “If Only’s” Only if Jordan had hit the net, it could have been a little less edgy. From a Brentford view point . If only he had not slipped. There could only be much relief on both the opposite sides .
I still believe that the penalty may have been a goal in older times, when the rules on keepers moving were much stricter, but this isn’t that time, head down clear the mind and move on that goes for supporters as well. Give Rhodes the almost impossible and he will score, the slightly easier clear are a tad different.
There were several little things that stick in y mind as being noteworthy, but that finish was something to behold, 18 passes is awesome, but equally a long ball pass is up there too, Had that been a premiership game I am sure Messers Lineker and Shearer would be highlighting it today while endorsing the lad’s workrate in attack and defence.
Thanks Lad.
To stick to the match, yes you are right. In the “old days”: the keeper could blow a raspberry if he wanted and verbal anything he liked but his feet could not move until the ball was struck. Hence every spot-kicker went for the corner unless they were a masterblaster like Ray Stewart of WHU.
Equally encroachment was severely frowned upon back in the day and we used to see several retakes because of it. That element of the laws of the game seems to be forgotten today.
A very good observation about Rhodes.
Cheers
Neil Adams was our finest penalty taker.
can’t disagree about Mr Adams. and the best pundit on the wireless when me accumalators are charged
NA was great on the radio and so patient with some of Canary Call’s more eccentric contributors.
I’ve still got Neil’s personalised long-sleeved black training top from the Youth Cup final win “all those years ago” but that’s another story!
As I’ve probably commented before on MFW I think Mark Rivers is great as a sidekick to the excellent Chris Goreham but my personal favourite in that role is our ex-reserve keeper Mark Walton. Rarely heard (he lives in Wales after all) but utterly superb when he does appear.
These days I avoid Canary Call like the bubonic plague.
listen to the match then pull the plug. agree about Mark Walton.
Are you hedging your bets with Christoph Stieperman? I thought Zimmerman was excellent as usual. Penalty taking practice for the whole team today with instructions to put your laces through the ball and put it in the corner, goalkeepers don’t save those. It was an indifferent performance but the fact that we won it is a good sign. One concern for me is that for the second game in a row the TV pictures have shown Farke sending Godfrey Out to warm up only to then use a different sub. We need to get this lad involved or we will lose a big talent.
Ha!
Trust me to cock up at least two things in most articles.
Obviously I meant Zimmermann and a great spot from yourself. I do know the difference, I just didn’t articulate my knowledge very well. A Jack Russell biting the bottoms of your combats while writing is a thin excuse but I’ll claim it by default.
I agree about Ben Godfrey but just don’t see how we can fit him into the starting XI just now. Maybe tomorrow night at Bournemouth?
Thanks for a good comment.
The biggest difference between last year and this year is the two young full backs.
Not only are they excellent defenders but they are also very comfortable on the ball and have pace. They are the reason we move forward quickly and as a side are hard to contain.
They have obviously received excellent coaching as they often hold onto the ball in difficult situations rather than just boot it. We desperately need to hold onto them as I haven’t seen better in this league but I fear the premiership may come knocking in January and then we’ll judge if our owners are fit for purpose.
A special mention for Timm Klose after another stand out performance. As good as any centre back in this league and a real mood lifting character to boot. Let’s hope we can retain his services in the summer, once again over to our owners.
Hi John – excellent comment as always.
How long we can hang on to Lewis and Aarons is beyond our control as supporters but you are so right when you highlight the difference they have made to the side in such a comparatively short time.
If we are where we are now in the table come January I doubt either would be for sale even with what I still perceive as a lack of ambition at Board level.
Timm Klose is a different fondu of cheese. If we could work something out with him I would be delighted – he has been awesome as you say. But would he take the inevitable wage cut in order to stay? It’s the original wait and see I’m afraid.
Thank you.
Martin, I think the dizzy heights we’ve reached so far this season have fuddled your brain. You’ve managed to mix two of our Germans together – it’s Marco Stiepermann, and Christophe Zimmerman!
Since we have so many Germans in the squad, and given their reputation as a nation for penalty shoot-out success, why don’t we give one of them the responsibility on the rare occasions referees get it right and award one for us.
On the subject of referees, I thought Saturday’s was one of the best I’ve seen in this league. Didn’t seem to want to be the main attraction, refereed fairly for both sides, and got on with the job almost unnoticed (unlike Mr Simon Hooper).
Hi Jim
Yeah my bad for the mix-up with the names but I’ll retort with: it’s Christoph Zimmermann and Marco Stiepermann if both are spelled correctly:-)
I’ve been picked up that gaffe above as you will see!
Far more importantly and pertinently I agree with you about the ref. He gave Brentford one or two decisions in the second half I thought might have gone our way but overall I too thought he was excellent.
Thanks once again for the comment.
Leicester winning the league allowed us all to dream again and this was in a large part down to the owner getting things right without spending stupid money on players-but spending a few quid on looking after the fans and local charities . A tragedy for all of Leicester, his family and the families of the other victims.
Glenn Hoddle was one of the finest players I’ve ever been lucky enough to see and, as a non England fan, I believe he was an international coach ahead of his time and if they had kept him England might have won something.
I’ve watched Buendia’s goal over and over and love it every time. Who should take the pens? Leitner is accurate in everything he does and is likely to be on the pitch most of the time-he seems to have a cool head as well.
I just hope we can keep it bubbling along to the next international break. It’s just brilliant to look forward to games again-it’s been a long time
Hi Don
Nothing but agreement here.
My mate was saying: “take someone off and bring Vrancic on to take the pen” and was verging on the serious. You can’t waste penalties at any level, let alone the Championship.
I too am thoroughly enjoying supporting NCFC just now and I’m hoping to go to Wednesday on Saturday (if you see what I mean). At least I know the team will turn up. Farkelife!
Cheers mate.
Martin: a big “hear, hear” to everything you say, from start to finish.
Max Aarons is going to be one heck of a player. I had a chance to chat one of the Academy people last week, who praised both him and Jamal Lewis while highlighting a difference in their temperaments. Jamal is “laid back”; Max is “serious”.
Hi Stew – that’s interesting indeed!
Even when you and I played we surely both had a set of various temperaments in our respective “dressing rooms” but to learn that Jamal and Max are so different in that way can only be for the collective good in my mind and we seem to be harnessing their abilities very well.
A very much appreciated insight.
I feel both of them have shiningly bright futures ahead of them.
There is nothing better than observing a Head Coach and his staff giving such youngsters a first-team chance and seeing them grab it with both hands. I’d add Todd Cantwell to that too.
Thanks as ever.
In my dressing rooms we probably didn’t have enough “serious”….
Great stuff again Martin (and from Gary yesterday).
Yes, we’re in a great run, but given the events of Saturday (and please don’t forget the Brighton fan who didn’t make it either), the perspective is stark. Our thoughts are with all their families.
To the more mundane, a great pass from Klose, and instinctive finish from Buendia – for a Latino, hasn’t he settled well to the rigours of the Championship? As for the penalty, can you imagine the pundits comments if Cantwell’s audacious chip to Lewis had been perpetrated by someone like Messi? For some reason Quest failed to show or mention it.
If you remember, at the start of October we agreed we’d be happy with 9 points from the month. We got 10, which given the Stoke result and the other opponents has to be a great performance from both the players and coaching staff.
Please lads, don’t take your eyes off the prize given that the next set of fixtures look to be slightly less difficult. Oh; and can we please have a few wins by more than the one goal……
O T B C
Hi John
When I walk back from a game these days I keep the phones out of my ears – too many aggressive drivers and dare I say cyclists so I’d rather keep what’s left of my wits about me. When I got home Mrs P had friends in, then it was Strictly (ha!) so I had a total personal Saturday evening news blackout.
Waking up on Sunday to hear the news wasn’t that good, of course..
Our Oktoberfest was indeed one point better than hoped for. And as for steamrollering the opposition I feel Brentford were far too good for that. But had JR converted the penalty……
Somebody will be battered before season’s end I am sure. Hopefully Lambert’s Ipswich.
Thank you
Hi Martin
A very good read.
Yes a very sad day on Saturday for Leicester supporters and everyone connected to football in general.
Glenn Hoddle was always a favourite of mine and I can’t remember him having a bad game so lets hope the prognosis is correct and he makes a full recovery.
City have surely got this season sorted and hopefully no threats of the R word should be muttered unless we have a collapse like our first relegation from the Premiership sfter selling Sutton, Fox, Bellamy and a few others.
Matt Gill was a surprising departure to pastures new very unexpected and I just hope it doesn’t come back to bite him in the long run, he mentioned it was his aim to be in management and was also said he was in pole position with R M if team farke were dismissed so going to the blue noses was a shock.
There has been possible enought said about the 3 years under Lambert and what was achieved we have seen managers come and go not many have gone on to better things in fact I can’t remember any that have improved after leaving Saunders, Bond, Machin al sacked at Man City, Walker sacked at Everton and after that we mainly had yes men except for Stringer and Brown, Roeder was a very bad joke but enough said on him.
Saturday was a hard fought game to similar teams counting each other out city had just a little bit more about them in the end .
Wednesday will be another tough game away to Bournemouth I hope we get into the draw for the next round but I also hope Farke can give a few players a rest before the Sheff Wed game and Rhodes is unavailable for that one.
Hi Alex
I never realised Spurs were your second team – mine too!
In terms of Bournemouth I think DF has already made it clear at his press conference today (I hate the trendy word presser) that we have several niggles and that Todd Cantwell might be missing for a short while. But we have Onel Hernandez to fill in. Different players but I can live with it. Hope Todd isn’t too bad and will be back soon.
Sometimes managers (or indeed head coaches) like to put their excuses in early for sending out a weakened team in the Carabao Cup. I hope Timm Klose will be okay for Sheff Wed – he is very much our fulcrum at the moment.
Dave Stringer I feel WAS a yes man, but only because of a long-gone Chairman. It seemed he had no choice if he wanted to keep his job.
Great stuff as always.
Having lived in posh RAF Stanmore for 3 years during the 70’s and working at Bushey Heath I found a number of Spurs supporters that went to games mostly the long way via liverpool st station then to white hart lane.
My first game was watching Spurs win the FA cup in the double season so was hooked but Mckay, Blanchflower, Jones, Medway White and Smith.
Now I have 3 son’s all Spurs supporters with ity as there second team and at times work not stopping them we will go to games in and around Blackpool for both clubs
The only Spurs players you mention I actually saw play were Dave McKay and Cliff Jones.
My era began with Greaves, Gilzean, Jennings, Robertson, Kinnear etc.
Ted Ditchburn owned a sports shop in Romford. Quite why he picked an area dominated by West Ham fans I don’t know!
I only got to see most on TV but the ones you mentioned I saw quite a few times.
Happy time Stanmore drinking in the Artichoke on the hill but many a Spurs supporter in there on a Sunday either celebrating a win or drowning their sorrows after a loss good old days
It seems we are no longer flying under the radar.
Full page in the Times yesterday, online article on the Guardian website today. Both are very well informed.
From the latter I particularly like “Cantwell, 20, is an even rarer find; a Norfolk-born fantasista….”
Hi Keith
We are indeed being “noticed”.
That has to be something of a tribute to Webber and Farke.
Let’s hope Matty Gill is replaced properly – he surely did a lot of good work for us “under the radar” too.
I don’t blame him for leaving us as he quite naturally has ambition to manage and you can’t really make that step up from the U-23s.
I wish him well but would rather he had chosen a different Club to move to:-)
Seem to remember Ted Ditchburn playing for Romford in the Southern League in his later years. Good sports shop too.
Hi Steve
Yes indeed. As kids we used to go in the shop and buy darts stuff – maybe just flights and things cos as youngsters we never really had any money in those days tbh.
I only met him once but Ted seemed a very nice man and he and his staff never seemed to mind us hanging around. We never tried to rob anything (kids lifting everywhere at the time was rampant) and his colleagues in the shop tolerated us with good humour..
The stench emanating from the nearby Romford Brewery drove us off eventually. It was even worse than the whiff from the “brush factory” in Chadwell Heath where we were collectively dragged up.
Thanks for your comment.