I’ll make no bones about it and no apologies for it – I was a casual sports sub-editor on The Sun in the 1980s, which was a fine way to supplement the “average” wages from my then day job with a well-known East London newspaper group, which is somehow still going to this very day.
While I have little time for the political stance adopted by The Sun and even less for one R. Murdoch, their sports team was good then and is now. So I continue to buy the paper religiously, even if I always read it from the back page and tend to give up after “Dear Deidre” and the telly section in order to avoid the rants in the front section of the paper.
But the Sun on Sunday came up with something yesterday that I have never previously seen. They always feature a team of the day slot and it included four – yes, four – Norwich City players. Marco Stiepermann, Jamal Lewis, Emiliano Buendia and Teemu Pukki.
Four players from the same side is unknown under these circumstances, even with limited Championship fixtures on the day. They even had Stieperdude (copyright Spudgunner Canary) down as a holding midfielder in order to squeeze him into their graphic.
One of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s better Sherlock Holmes novels, although it never made it to adaptation on the silver screen to my knowledge, was The Sign of Four.
And four was quite a significant number for us at the Reebok (see Gary, I did read your article) on Saturday.
Jim D, in the first comment to GG’s piece, has already referred to Chris Sutton, Paul Merson and particularly Colin Murray of Quest TV heaping praise upon us. Quest even outroed with all four of our goals.
Each was a thing of beauty.
No point in recounting all four of them as the whole world seemingly already has. But I will pick out my favourite, which was that sublime, truly sublime move involving six passes from within our own box to Pukki. His check to get inside his marker and finish beyond an outwitted (but otherwise excellent) Remi Matthews was class. Pure class.
Through balls from Stieperdude and Christoph Zimmermann (or even Zimmerdude) were exquisite but topped by Kenny McLean when his exquisite pass left Buendia free in so much space he could have probably turned a back-flip before burying his acrobatic strike.
When Pukki dispatched the last of the four with that delightful lob, the closest player to him was wearing a yellow shirt.
As I said, I wouldn’t mention our four goals. Much.
But let’s collectively relax as we recall our bench from Saturday. Timm Klose, Moritz Leitner, Grant Hanley, Jordan Rhodes, Todd Cantwell, Dennis Srbeny and a seemingly-content with his back-up role Michael McGovern.
If the site of that line-up on the team sheet doesn’t scare the living $hite out of the oppo I don’t know what will.
I’ll conclude with a cautionary tale for all of us who have ever taken a penalty, and indeed those yet to enjoy the experience, if anybody under seven happens to be reading!
It was difficult for me to get a regular starting berth in my very good Sunday League side, but I was “Des” for the Press Gang in the afternoon matches. I had one technique and one only.
I would approach the ball with my head down and firmly stare at the keeper’s right-hand post then at the last second, I’d open my body and side foot it to his left. This worked about four or five times, until one day the keeper read me and in the last split second, I had to put it to his right. It dribbled in off the base of the post by sheer luck. I never took another one – my head for that particular job had gone, even though it crept in.
But I enjoyed the gift of our news editor Andy Simpson as manager and not Daniel Farke as a coach. Go on DF – sort this topic out!
As I’ve been going on about the number four (should have mentioned the wonderful Ben Godfrey earlier in the context of that really) I would suggest the most important numerical for us now is thirteen, as in games to go,
Let’s stay strong for fractionally less than the last quarter of the season. I’m sure we will.
As for Mind the Gap, I really can’t be a$$ed. They cannot finish above us after all.
OTBC
Well Martin, all I can say is what a way to bounce back after our lacklustre midweek display resulting in our first away defeat in 4 months or so. I read a tweet yesterday that we had 4 contenders for goal of the season in one game – I certainly wouldn’t argue!!
Our players seem to know exactly where a teammate is and some of the ‘one touch’ passing was sublime. One of the main reasons for wanting us to get promoted is to hear the MotD pundits waxing lyrical about some of our play/players.
If you believe ‘Supercomputer’ predictions, we’re going to win the title by several points (I’ll wake up shortly!!!). BTW – one ‘Supercomputer’ prior to the start of the season had us finishing in 18th position and I’m certain MANY fans feared that that was being optimistic after our defeat by Leeds!!
Do I think we can achieve automatic promotion – I’m becoming more hopeful that we can and a lot of our fate is in our own hands, especially as there are some crucial games where all the teams in the chasing pack have to play each other. After our game against Bristol next week, we only have to play Boro away at the end of March in front of the Sky cameras.
Your comment about the strength of the bench on Saturday was frightening and what a selection headache for DF to have (let’s hope that he has agreed a new deal to keep him at NR1 for the next 2½ years by the time you submit your match review next Monday!!).
Hi Ed
I really believe we could survive in the PL if we get there. Okay Bolton weren’t up to much but as the cliché states, you can only beat what’s put in front of you.
Bet that guy Moose from Talksport feels a little silly after watching that.
Results from elsewhere will be crucial during the run-in but as you say it’s in our own hands.
The strength of that bench was awesome and will not have gone un-noticed in Leeds, Sheffield and the West Midlands.
My money is on Farke and his coaching team signing up for more – we all eagerly await a puff of white smoke from the NR1 Vatican!
Thanks as always.
Thanks for the mention Martin!
I’m getting a bit concerned now, that if we don’t make it we may lose a significant number of this excellent team. It appears that several of the big boys are sniffing around Godfrey, Aarons and Lewis, and although I haven’t seen any rumours about Pukki, he will inevitably be added to that list. I also would be surprised to see Zimmerman in there too.
Only one solution – keep winning! Get promoted automatically!
Hi Jim
You nearly didn’t get your mention – I wrongly attributed your original comment to Gary, but luckily the wise old (he’s 10 years younger than me) owl spotted it and did the decent thing!
I like your solution and there’s no reason why it cannot happen. Aarons and Godfrey are probably nailed on to depart if we don’t make it, but I’m not even going there just now.
If (oh go on then, when) we go up I’m sure both will stay, even if only for a season. I have rarely seen a player with such a passion for NCFC as Ben Godfrey.
Thanks a lot.
Marty, I was never a fan of possession football but this season has changed things. I now qualify my stance, aimless backwards sideways keep ball is boring, but City’s fast moving constructive possession football is a joy, especially those final defence splitting through balls. And Pukkiman’s finishing is superb. This City squad is the best I’ve seen in over sixty five years as a Canary fan.
Hiya Cutty.
The only squad that could compare with them to me would be the Mike Walker outfit of 1992-3-4. But yes you’re right, this current crop would probably ace them.
Right now the Hamilton, Grant ant Roedent era seems light years away.
Keep a-troshin’.
Great read Mr P . not going to mention the goals. O hell who can do that. I squeezed a download of the little video and have watched so far 13 times. I am still in awe of the play and finishing. I don’t think I’ll tire of it.
I Have read and heard some comments degrading the win, as one would expext from the jealous ones, I always answer “you can only beat what is in front of you,” it is the way we did it that nobody else has. Only Notts Forest came close with a 3-0. even the mighty Leeds (joke) could only rustle a 1-0 and WBA could muster a 2-0 . at the on the Trotters home soil, whatever it is called.
Now it is a case of adopting your penalty technique, head down, forget those around you, concentrating on what you do only, 13 more times ..
It is ours to win or lose.
The gap of 43 points . would get you a nice mid table safety spot of 14th, then an impressive 65 goals scored, which is more than the bottom two put together.
Hi Lad
It’s gonna be a tense three months and that’s for sure.
Must add that my penalties were against, erm, not the world’s greatest goalkeepers. One of my favourites was West Ham’s Ray Stewart. He didn’t mess about, and nor did Alan Shearer. Neil Adams verged on the faultless, of course.
As for what Bolton’s stadium is called it runs from the Reebok to the UniBol via the Macron. Gary suggests we collectively stick with the Reebok, which is just fine by me.
Thanks as ever.
Maybe we should call it Mandela Towers – after all, that’s where the Trotters lived!
Ha!
When the MFW Millwall preview appears there might well be a reference to Monkey Harris therein. I can’t promise to include Trigger or Micky Pierce but I promise I’ll try.
Let’s hope we don’t fall through that wine-bar hatch, but I really doubt we will.
This time next year we’ll be millionaires Rodney. Sorry, I meant Jim.
Take the last 3 away games, and I guess we all would have taken 6 points out of 9, had that been offered. Hopefully we have bookended the Preston blip with two positive away performances, and will continue in that vein in our remaining travelling games.
Even Norwich with my renowned jinxing of predicting home wins have enough about them to get another half dozen wins at the Carra before may.
Nice read again dude.
Hi me ol’ Walrus.
It really will be fasten the belts for a bumpy ride from hereon in but I reckon we can tough it out. Well, skill it out actually.
Bristol on Saturday will be vital. As well as they are doing we have the ability to beat them. No doubt about it. If it’s anything like Derby Day our supporters will surely suck the ball into the net at the right time – although hopefully the team won’t need to rely on that happening.
Cheers buddy.
Can I add a cautionary note without being too negative? The top of this league is very tight and goal difference could be the difference between success and playoff misery! Missing penalties is no laughing matter and for the last 15 minutes we sat back and played “come and get the ball if you can”. We should have scored six and we may live to regret that! Super performance it certainly was but we must be ruthless too. Our GD is worse than Sheffield United! I can’t bear to think of a penalty shootout at Wembley.
Hi Cyprus
Yes the consistent penalty disfunction concerns us all, I’m sure.
Maybe DF could register me for free and give me a 44 shirt or something. Trouble is I’d have to be subbed off less than five minutes afterwards:-)
I don’t truly see GD as an issue in this moment but it isn’t good that we consistently fail to convert from the spot, agreed..
As some wag said elsewhere, how can a team with so many Germans miss so many penalties?
Thank you.
Our GD is only one less than Sheffield Utd.
Good read as always Martin. Great to get back on track after the poor result against Preston in mid-week and some very complimentary comments from Phil Parkinson the Bolton boss who said that “…some of their goals and approach play were of Premier League calibre, not top of the Championship…”.
Having seen the Preston game it was a game that Norwich could have won. After a poor start they grew into the game and bar some poor finishing and Declan Rudd playing a blinder, they could have had something from the game. If the Stiepermann penalty had gone in the game would have had a very different complexion…..fine margins….!
Against Bolton, Norwich were decisive and clinical and the result will have given the lads a much needed confidence boost. The only concern for me was the last 20 minutes which just seemed a bit sloppy in places – partly Bolton stepping-up but also some of the Norwich players looking a bit weary and mentally jaded. Understandable given the importance of the past 4 or 5 games but mental fatigue as well as injuries are going to be important to manage between now and the end of the season.
OTBC
Hi Jon
Parkinson has inherited an incredibly bad hand at Bolton and while his comments were accurate they were also gracious. Fair play to him – he comes across as a decent bloke, a rare find in the Championship I guess.
Although I would put Darren Moore and even Marcelo Bielsa alongside him in that respect. I’ve a fair bit of time for Neil Harris at Millwall and Bristol’s Johnson as well. And Rotherham’s Paul Warne also of course.
As for the last 20 minutes against the Trotters I wouldn’t be too concerned. We were simply playing the game out because we could.
Thanks – fine comment.
I agree with you about Preston. We were collectively knackered and it wasn’t to be .but had the penalty been converted it might have been very different.
Great analysis as always Martin.
Whilst the result on Saturday was probably expected, the way we absolutely mullered them wasn’t (at least by me). Given that both Preston and then Bolton had an extra day’s recuperation before we played them hardly seemed fair. To a degree I think Preston worked that (and us) out, although having seen the highlights now, and given the fact that Declan got MotM, a different picture emerged. We definitely could have got something from that game had our penalty been converted. Similarly had McLean scored with Saturday’s then I think we could well have almost got to double figures.
This is the only thing I’m currently not able to fathom from this wonderful season – so many Germans and we CANNOT score from 12 yards – go figure!!!
What a response to the Preston hiccup, and if we can get 3 points on Saturday we’ll be further ahead of Sheff Utd and West Brom before they play each other – which can only increase the pressure on them.
What a season so far; it’s difficult for an old ‘un to remember such excitement from our team.
O T B C
Hi John
There have been quite a few comments floating around concerning how we fail with so many penalties when we have “so many Germans”.
My little bit on the subject in the article was only to illustrate that when it works it’s great and when it doesn’t your confidence becomes shot and you’re ****ed. Forever in my case. I really didn’t ever take another one.
Like you I go back a long way but this is truly exciting and we have to wait for the denouement.
Thanks for a great comment.
Hi Martin
A very good read and poor old Sherlock Sign of Four TV film 1987 I watched it a few weeks back on Retro Movies 327 Sky.
It isn’t getting funny not scoring from Penalties some club has got a throw in coach why can’t city get Adams to do Penalty coaching or put a larger picture of Lambert behind the goals when one is going to be taken.
I liked Phil Parkinson and his good comments on city especially that ge couldn’t understand how we got nought from the Preston game.
I was miffed that city had an open training session at the AFC Fylde and I found out to late to go these will be the bext Fleetwood make my words a rich owner, new Stadium and 2 minutes off the Kirkham junction M55.
City signed a new RB in the transfer window anyone seen or heard what he is doing just thought he might have got a bench seat so that Aaron might get a rest.
As always city are exceeding expectations and long may it last, but there are still a few pundits that expect city to implode and see WBA and Middlesbrough to claim one of the automatic spots, will we see a court case like the W Ham v Sheff U if WBA get auto by 1 point and Leeds miss out ?????
Lets all hope tge kads are getting a well earbed rest in prep for Bristol this weekend another tough ask.
Onwards and upwards OTBC
Sorry all my error it was a LB so it would gave been Lewis to get a rest
Hi Alex
Although I worked in Cheadle Hulme, Ellesmere Port and Preston I’m sure your geography of the North West is better than mine – although I got to know virtually every pub between Handforth and Knutsford back in the day.
I probably spent more time in the Freemasons Arms in Knutsford (a wonderful place with its up street, down street and all the trimmings) than I ever did at work. Fantastic, welcoming folks.
Don’t feel too bad about missing NCFC at Fylde – we would hardly have trumpeted the venue in advance for obvious reasons. I knew we would very sensibly stay in the region twixt Preston and Bolton but I didn’t have a clue where.
I see very little sign of implosion tbh.
Thanks once again.
Good article Martin.
As others have said a very good way to bounce back from the Preston game.
As for the goals on Saturday much has already been said – ‘Quality’ is a very over used word in football punditry but that was football of the highest quality and what shouldn’t be forgotten is just how difficult it was for us to beat Bolton at the Carra.
We can now look forward the next game against Bristol, which has the potential of being a really good game both sides play with the ball on the deck and hopefully they will not be trying to kick lumps out of us at every opportunity!!
As for our blind spot for penalties I confess I’m totally baffled I can’t think of another team who has been so consistently hopeless at taking them?!! My advise?……put your Farken laces through the ball!! 🙂
OTBC
Hi John
To start off with the pen issue: if I’d put my laces through the ball when on one I’d have skied it. I know that cos I tried it in training and it really didn’t work for me. I couldn’t keep the bl00dy thing under the crossbar. It’s also very difficult to keep your head down if you belt it and hope for the best.
Bristol City are not kickers, agreed. Let’s look forward to a great game of football on Saturday, in which I think we’ll prevail
Thank you.
Hi Martin,
I would suggest that hitting a low hard shot is as much of a skill as trying to give the keeper the eyes and placing the shot with less power. From memory Grant Holt used to just belt it?!!
Cheers John
Unfortunately I didn’t see the highlights were impressive. Especially given our current injuries. Proper job.
A proper job indeed David.
Injuries are getting better too and it looks like it’s only Tettey and Vrancic out just now. I don’t see Thompson or Morris as first choices tbh but I obviously wish both all the best.
Cheers.