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Where eagles dared? Nay – where Canaries soared. These lads have earned our trust

Where eagles dared? Nay – where Canaries soared. These lads have earned our trust

5th February 2019 By Harry Wojciechowski 16 Comments

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As a certain Glaswegian once said, ‘football – bloody hell’.

Like many of us, I’m still revelling in one of Norwich’s most memorable victories in recent memory, as Captain Farke and his intrepid band of young guns stormed the battlements of Elland Road, proverbially sacked the city, and left the North triumphant, sending shockwaves across the Championship.

Where does one start?

Maybe with the ruthlessness that’s become a hallmark of Carrow Road’s Class of 2018/19. Every forward move felt incisive, every attack carried threat, every player showed a sense of purpose – a commitment to play football ‘the right way’.

Or perhaps the streetwise canniness that left the locals in despair, by turns directing their ire at the referee (wrongly, as it happens) and the poor performances of their own players (and rightly so)?

For me, it was the tenacious tackling and tireless endeavour that wore Leeds down, draining them of belief as turnover after turnover was won by a yellow shirt. It was a level of sheer combative intensity that I can’t recall seeing from a Norwich team for – well, as far back as I can remember.

(For the record, dear reader, c. 20 years of Canary-dom.)

Wherever you might cast your analytical gaze, it was a tactical meisterwerk, the roots of which were sown on the fields of Colney and made for probably the finest result of the Farke-Webber era yet.

Where eagles dared? Nay – where Canaries soared.

***

Now, a dose of perspective that I think we’re all keen to acknowledge: one swallow does not a summer make, and one win is insubstantial in isolation, but some victories serve to lay down a marker – and this felt like not just a marker, but a pair of steel gauntlets.

I think it’s not a far stretch to suggest that Saturday’s win was probably the most important result for any Norwich side since Wembley, 2015.

Farke and his team have moulded a squad that wields the kind of swashbuckling attacking verve any football fan craves – and now gets the results to match. Just as crucially, when goings have gotten tough, they’ve shown resilience – an indefatigable sense of belief in themselves and their methods that has dragged them back from virtually every brink. Since Leeds visited Carrow Road in August (irony, I hear thee cry), we’ve lost four games in 28 – all by a single goal, and all in relatively exceptional circumstances.

Now, for all my faith in the Farke-Webber project since its inception (and the fruit it’s now bearing), I am still a Norwich fan, I cannot help it – and doubt is always on the edge of reason.

As Saturday loomed, I was nervous.

Leeds have certainly struggled of late, but concern persisted: would we be the ones who found the answer to the riddle of the sleeping tiger, the stick, and what happens when you poke it?

Similarly, a more primal fear lingered – when the going is this good, it can’t last forever…

I believe the pressure was on us just as much as it was on Leeds. Despite a good performance, we were unable to defeat the Blades last time out. It was vital we avoided defeat and ultimately a point was a fair result, but a win would have left me much more at ease. However, Chris Wilder’s side deserve huge credit for what they’ve done and what they’re doing now – and I don’t think they’re going away this time.

For all that, my fears were clearly not felt by Farke and his charges. Indeed, I think we’re now seeing that this is a team that thrives under pressure. When challenges have been laid down to us, virtually all have been answered – and now we’ve laid down our own challenge.

***

At times like these, one ponders life as a Canary over the last couple of decades – and what a ride it’s been. For better and worse, there have been some standout results – but I thought about which should be considered THE most important result of the lot. After much deliberation, I have decided: April 17th, 2010: Charlton 0-1 Norwich.

The relegation season had been soul-destroying – and hindsight says to me it could have been well avoided, but then who knows what may have transpired instead?

Such as it was, the fates conspired, we met our demise, and found ourselves in the 3rd tier. The uncertain hope fostered over pre-season quickly fell apart as we crumbled on home soil against the other lot from East Anglia.

Despite the following 4-0 dismissal of Yeovil in the League Cup (and a hat trick for one G. Holt), David McNally took the kind of decisive action that felt so un-Norwich-like at the time – but has arguably become part of the club’s identity ever since. He wielded the axe, sending our Gunny on his way, and lured Colchester’s boss up the road to take the reins. (A certain P. Lambert, if you’ll recall – I wonder where he is now?)

In short, no more Nice Norwich.

Fast-forward eight months to April, and we are now a club transformed: fringe players are reborn, youth players blooded, and we have heroes again. We’ve traded blows with our rivals all season long, and now find ourselves top of the pack and on the brink – but now we must see it through.

But we were back at The Valley – the graveyard of our hopes only a year before. You could sense Tennyson primed with pen and paper. But this time was different; this was not the charge of Lord Cardigan – we had Lord Nelson at the helm. (Not to mention the King of Spain too.) Full time came, the ghosts of 2009 were laid to rest – and we were back.

The rest, as they say, is history.

***

I’m in no doubt that result made us all believe again.

2004 was certainly a great season, but the land lay differently back then. As the new decade kicked in, football was on course to change forever (read: more money being pumped in by TV deals, and a global shift underway in how the game was being played at the top levels) and we had to be in that reckoning.

Being down in League 1, we were considered favourites by our peers– arguably for the first time in decades – and failure was not an acceptable option. We set out to bounce back and achieve promotion at the first attempt, and we did it. Winning at Charlton showed us we could cope with the pressure of expectation; we weren’t just turning up to compete any more, we now knew we could take home the spoils.

We could easily have bottled it that day– and who knows what might have happened afterwards? How many much ‘bigger’ clubs have floundered in those depths before or since? But look what’s happened since – we rode the wave, stormed to successive promotions, and found ourselves in the top flight. In the years since, we’ve been bouncing between the top two tiers, but we now know what it’s like to win – and know we can again.

***

But now, with April 2010 firmly in mind, my thoughts turn to this weekend: the 144th edition of the East Anglian derby, and an erstwhile hero returning in the opposition dug-out.

It’s funny to think how roles have reversed; back in 2009, we were the team clinging on grimly whilst Ipswich were challenging to end top-flight exile. In 2019, we lead the pack, and our dear neighbours face the abyss.

I often find myself adopting a certain forced apathy whenever derby day comes around (‘not all that bothered, just another game’ etc.) but then the day arrives, and all I want is the final whistle – and any kind of win for our boys.

I’ll never forget how it felt seeing us fall through the trapdoor in 2009. Maybe I’ve developed a certain sympathy born out of pity, but I do fear for them – because they’re a mess. There are parallels between our fall from grace and their own plight, but I think there was a definite sense that we could haul ourselves back up – but I don’t think many feel the same about them.

But that, ultimately, is not our problem – except that this could be the last derby for a while.

And that brings us to Lambert.

I’ll always be grateful for everything he did at Carrow Road. He gave us icons – Holt, Hoolahan, the Norfolk Cafu. He gave us the 5-1. He helped us dream again. Yes, his departure was a mess, but no one came out smelling of roses then.

But now he’s a Blue.

He could be the man to eventually turn their fortunes around, but I can’t help wondering if he’s turning into something of a lower-league Mourinho – riding on the coattails of past success without justifying the plaudits since. Spells at Villa, Blackburn, Wolves, and Stoke hardly match his time patrolling the touchline at Carrow Road. I do wish him well – but only once Sunday has been and gone.

The thing is, he’s done well against us since he left – and football is all about narratives. It’s why we always believe in the face of so much logic – as Terry Pratchett would say, ‘it’s a million-to-one chance, but it just might work…’

To that end, my heart says we should be very wary when Sunday arrives. Despite the huge disparity between the two sides, derbies are ready-made for football clichés – ‘anything can happen’, ‘form goes out the window’, insert other-truism-here.

It’d be the ultimate example of sod’s law that we find ourselves charging towards the most unlikely of any recent promotions yet whilst our dear neighbours look set to plummet down the league, yet our old boss comes back to the scene of his greatest triumph to end this historic unbeaten run – one he started all those years ago.

But this is where head kicks into gear and tells heart to give it a rest:

We’re top for a reason – and there’s a reason they’re bottom.

So I’m going to give Farke and his band of brothers the dues and trust they’ve earned – and remember what helped us learn to believe again.

OTBC


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Filed Under: Column, Harry Wojciechowski

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dan Rear says

    5th February 2019 at 9:05 am

    Tremendous Harry!!

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  2. Tim says

    5th February 2019 at 9:59 am

    The gulf in class between Norwich and Ipswich has now reached mammoth proportions, the transfer window has slammed shut and all PL has been able to do is recruit seven players on the cheap in a desperate attempt to escape the clutches of League One. It won’t work, it’s too late and I very much doubt they have the quality to start let alone sustain the kind of unbeaten run that will be required to pull themselves out of trouble. However, I have been watching Norwich for too long to know that they may well pose a serious threat on Sunday. Of course, bearing in mind the current state of affairs between the two clubs, we should probably brush them aside to the tune of 4 – 0 but then all the fears of losing to your arch rivals come flooding back. eg the run has to end soon, a sending off, getting the rub of the green, a fluke goal, whatever. I’ll just be glad when the games over and hopefully we have grabbed another 3 points to put in the promotion bag, however they are earned. For Ipswich and their fans, in their current position, they have nothing to lose ( it has already been lost ) and what insults can their supporters possibly aim at the yellow and green army with any credibility, Well I can only think of one, which of course will depend on them holding out for a draw or ( perish the thought ) winning the game. ” Premier League, your havin a laugh !!!……….. ” springs to mind, Please no, don’t let me hear that !

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  3. Bob says

    5th February 2019 at 10:14 am

    Great piece Harry,

    I’m going to continually tell myself between now and Sunday – We’re top for a reason – and there’s a reason they’re bottom. We’re top for a reason- and there’s a reason they’re bottom. That should do the trick and dispel all my pre-match fears which will, in turn, ensure that I enjoy restful nights in the build-up to the game. Yeah right!

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  4. Paul Harley says

    5th February 2019 at 10:14 am

    Derby day:’ but then the day arrives, and all I want is the final whistle – and any kind of win for our boys.’
    Pretty much my feeling about it…always.

    5
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  5. Colin M says

    5th February 2019 at 12:17 pm

    Nice one Harry!

    I can 99.9% believe what you say. It’s that sodding 0.1% that’s making this week hard to get through. We must remember that Managers are not usually fans of the club so they don’t carry all the baggage. It’s their job of work and they can think clearly, thank the Lord, whilst us lot are struggling to cope. They will walk away one day, we cant…………….. now, where’s my heart tablets!

    3
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    • martin penney says

      5th February 2019 at 12:37 pm

      Totally with you on those sentiments Colin..

      Sums up how I also feel tbh.

      Mind you I reckon Daniel Farke must fast be becoming a Norwich fan – surely he must love what he’s created.

      4
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      • Colin M says

        5th February 2019 at 4:32 pm

        I’m sure he eats sleeps and drinks it Martin. I would love to sit down, buy him lunch and listen to what it all means to him though because for the first 40 years of his life we meant nothing. The job means everything but not the club, it has to be that way.

        Is Paul Lambert a fan? How about Sam Allardice,, more clubs than I’ve got in my golf bag, no, it’s just a job for most and I get that. Most managers and players are ‘old tarts’ and will go where the money is. Supporting is far harder than playing.

        Ran my own business for over 20 years and had to stop due to a breakdown, it got to me, I cared too much. Today I still work but I’m employed a different stress for sure but I can always leave just like any Manager.

        However, I really admire DF and his team and feel that he’s a genuine and remarkable man. It is clear the players absolutely love playing for him. This is a special time and I’m loving it.

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        • martin penney says

          5th February 2019 at 6:02 pm

          Agreed again

          All aspects of management are tough whatever your walk of life. Especially if you have to work yourself first and manage others as an adjunct as was my lot for around 20 years.

          I heard the phrase that you can’t run with the hare and hunt with the hounds so many times it’s untrue. Eventually I was so glad to get out of it. And I worked for a top company who treated every employee incredibly well.

          But Daniel Farke is coping admirably and I’d happily work for a guy like Stuart Webber. I love his dedication, honesty and focus.

          We’re lucky to have both of them. Very lucky.

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  6. Alex B says

    5th February 2019 at 12:56 pm

    Fantastic read Harry

    Having been the butt of many a joke over the years from Ipshite supporters the last few years of not losing to them and only a few draws I dread when this run will come to an end and as surely as Monday will follow Sunday it will at some time.

    Cone to the end of the season there could be a vast gulf not a gap between the clubs and the once very pleasant owners in the Cobbolds will turn in their graves to see what has happened to their club.

    While City struggled under the stewardship of South and Chase the Cobbold family kept a dignified approach to all things football and in the end, it will be sad to see them relegated to League 1 and possibly League 2 the next season but for the grace of the god of football that could have been City.
    AMEN.

    SUNDAY will be a tense time for one and all and the best team on the day will win.
    The Derby has been ruined by Sky and the police yes a few silly idiots mess up but in general both sets of supporters are well behaved, stopping a few pubs from opening early to serve beers will not stop either supporters have a drink the off licence will make money selling tinnies overpriced and a 12pm kickoff takes the spirit out of the game 3pm or even a Friday or Saturday night might have been better.

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    • Harry Wojciechowski says

      5th February 2019 at 1:41 pm

      Very much agree – it’s such a unique rivalry, and over the years it’s been at its best when both clubs are strong and on the up. To see any club with history and pedigree struggle is a sad thing, but it always seems to come about through poor management, and like you say, it could so easily have been us. Hopefully they’ll get their house in order again soon – just so long as we keep coming out on top!

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  7. JohnF says

    5th February 2019 at 1:02 pm

    Very enjoyable read Harry.
    Two things that reassures me about our current position and attitude.
    If you look at the picture accompanying this article Farke’s backup team are all young. There’s no grizzled old expro handing out advice.
    Secondly, I watched both parts of the Webber interviews on this site and was extremely impressed by his vision and ability to carry it out.
    I was beginning to have doubts at the start of the season but now fully appreciate the direction the club is moving.

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  8. Harry Wojciechowski says

    5th February 2019 at 1:33 pm

    Thanks for the kind words, everyone – much appreciated! OTBC

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  9. Don Harold says

    5th February 2019 at 1:47 pm

    Excellent piece and a lot of ground covered.
    My hope is that this is the last league derby ever, and that next season there are no Yorkshire teams in the Prem and no East Anglian teams in the Championship (Luton is not in EA).
    I don’t care about people who have left Norwich. I certainly don’t hate them and if one of their number 5 jobs later turns up managing that lot then that’s his business.

    I’ll have the usual derby day nausea on Sunday. I allow pessimism to overtake me-it’s just better that way.

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    • Johnny C says

      6th February 2019 at 7:34 pm

      I left Norwich in 1969 , glad to hear you don’t hate me

      Reply
  10. Jeff (2) says

    5th February 2019 at 6:59 pm

    Lovely piece Harry, appreciate your insight. Looking forward to the match Sunday (bloody early morning here!) for sure, I’m still unsure whether I will be happy with the end to Derby days – I’ve always felt it was like one brother picking on another, but not wanting him to literally move out. Maybe because all the Town fans I’ve met aren’t idiots who pull fixtures down or act like imbeciles.

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  11. Colin M says

    6th February 2019 at 9:56 am

    The Lambert years were fantastic for us and without him and Ian Culverhouse I wonder where we would be today?
    He’s expecting a less than friendly reception come Sunday but I for one won’t be joining in. In years to come Club History will remember him as one of our best. It’s a great shame he’s gone to that lot but he needed a job. If we gave him a round of applause come 11.59 am Sunday that would upset him far more I suggest.

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