pulsating (pʌlˈseɪtɪŋ)
adjective
1. expanding and contracting with a rhythmic beat
2. quivering or vibrating
3. exciting
4. varying in intensity, size, or magnitude
At least that’s what the Collins English Dictionary says. I think they’re missing a trick. For nothing, they can have:
5. Norwich City v Bristol City. 23/02/19. Minutes 46 to 96
In fact, thinking about it, there are several other examples over the season that could also qualify but not too many have matched yesterday’s second-half for its magnitude and the way it quivered, vibrated and excited.
It was telling too how it was celebrated and how those ten minutes after the final whistle resonated more than any other post-match celebration of the season so far. It was a huge win. The players knew it, Team Farke knew it and the Carrow Road crowd knew it.
For Bristol City, it was the end of an unbeaten run that began in late November and which had taken them to within striking distance of the automatic promotion spots. A win yesterday would have meant they were seven points behind us but with two games in hand.
The Robins more than played their part though and a natural by-product of such an incredible run, which included seven consecutive wins, is that they are a side bursting full of confidence. Like our own City, there are few big names but there is a method and a desire that is backed up by an unshakeable belief in how Lee Johnson has set them up.
That they still have to play Sheffield Utd, Leeds, West Brom and Middlesbrough could, in the final countdown, be significant.
All of which makes yesterday’s win that little bit more meaningful and is part of why the hairs on the back of the neck were standing to attention as Daniel Farke did his now-customary tour of Carrow Road before conducting the Barclay’s olé chorus. What a man.
With every passing game, with every passing point and as the days tick away with City on or near the summit, the belief grows. With twelve games to go the time for it all to go totally awry has passed and, whether we like or not or even want it or not, the p-word is as unavoidable as it is tantalisingly close.
Of course, the small matter of having two Yorkshire ‘giants’ breathing down our necks – who incidentally would happily form a tag-team to deny us an automatic – is very much a thing but if Farke and his men are feeling any sense of pressure, there are no outward signs.
Last Saturday’s win at Bolton was very much of the masterclass variety and such was the ease with which we swept them aside, if we’re looking for positive signs then we should take heart from the fact that yesterday Bielsa’s mob only beat the Trotters by virtue of a rick from Remi Matthews.
And this Leeds is not the one that blew us away back in August. That Leeds would have been on the cusp of clinching promotion by now. Besides, this is all about us.
With only Middlesbrough of the top six left to play, this really is in our own hands and we look so full of goals right now, it’s both Yorkshire galacticos who should be worrying about us rather than vice-versa. Even with twelve to go, this is starting to feel a little bit like ours to lose.
That’s not to say yesterday wasn’t without its fraught and nervy moments – there were several – but this all adds into what has made this quite so thrilling. We’re not doing it the easy way but that’s because in the Championship there really is no easy way.
The heart-in-the-mouth moments, like watching Callum O’Dowda slalom past four players before cancelling out Kenny McLean’s equaliser, are about to come thick and fast and those of a nervous disposition – I’m looking at you Dad – really should look away now.
But this is the football we’ve all craved and have longed for, and even if it doesn’t ultimately deliver us a place at the top table, the joy and excitement it’s triggered still makes it all worth it. We’re in the midst of it right now, so it’s impossible to be objective, but in years to come we’ll look back on season 2018/19 and think ‘sh!t that was good’ – even if we miss out.
But there’s nothing to suggest this can’t take us the whole way and, at the risk of repeating myself, the fact that this side looks capable of scoring every time it attacks, even on the days when it’s doesn’t quite click, makes them hellishly dangerous.
McLean has deservedly made the headlines for his match-winning brace – a just reward for his patience if nothing else – and it’s great that he offers the midfield mix a slightly different dynamic, but this is the epitome of a team effort, with every sinew being strained in all four corners of the team. Seldom can I recall a City side with such appetite and desire – a testament to the man at the helm for whom it feels they would run through brick walls.
Naturally, heroes emerge from such afternoons, and not far behind McLean in the roll of honour are Onel Hernandez for his breathless display of speed and verve and Christoph Zimmerman for his body-on-the-line performance, but, for me at least, Tim Krul’s late catch of a high cross from just under his crossbar was the moment.
So, time to breathe again and realign the focus. Bermondsey it is for the next instalment. Strap yourselves in folks… it’s about to get even bumpier.
Another great Sunday read Gary, if you like an adjective how about – magical
1) produced by or as if by magic
2) mysteriously enchanting
3) of or pertaining to magic
This season certainly feels that way but I’m not sure there’s anything mysterious about the way this team are performing, they’re just a group of extremely talented players following a well thought out plan. But we’re Norwich and we don’t usually do things this way, I’ve been coming to Carrow Road since 1962 and I can honestly say I have never witnessed this sort of vibe within the club so maybe those descriptions are right after all and it is just magic.
Cheers Bob – magical sounds just about right to me. Special times
Another great read, Gary, see the atmosphere is still in ya spirit. 1961 I first entered the hallowed ground and yesterday was something really really special, I have over the year seen some dam good stuff but that was way way up there.
Harry Potter could not have conjured anything better than this.
One quote caught my eye, was from Bristol Manager “for 25 minutes they blew us away” he did say that their own mistakes played a part, but I would add that the pressure, speed and quaility we showed, caused their mistakes .. Can’t take anything away.
As long as they keep fighting for themselve they could do us some favours, but the most important thing Is just keep doing what you are doing and we will more than OK
Cheers ‘lad’ … yep, the buzz still resonates, and it’s often I say that nearly 24 hours after the events! Felt like a significant afternoon, although we all know what football does to you if you start getting even a tiny bit euphoric!
Reading reports like this on a Sunday morning, with yesterday’s events fresh in the memory can leave one feeling a little misty eyed. What a game of football that was & what a season this is. Soak it all up, people.
Brilliant summation Gary; in just 3 words, Hit; Nail; Head!!!
Special times indeed.
O T B C
A grand article and yet another feelgood moment after yesterday’s triumph. But I’m happy that there is still that little note of caution to be found in there – I have yet to read anything from a Norwich blogger saying “this is our year, promotion for sure”, there is always that little codicil in there and that actually makes me all the happier. It seems that the memories of Norwich fans do extend further than a couple of games and I think it’s healthy to be reminded of just what we were, in the main, all expecting this year (which for me, relatively optimistic soul that I am, was a top ten finish, possible tilt at the play-offs).
I hope it means that, should the impossible dream become a reality and we do find ourselves rubbing shoulders with the elite next season, it should still be enjoyable even if it’s a hard slog, and that people won’t start calling for the end to Farke Time. Because I don’t think this team is even the finished article yet, and I hope that we all remember what we were expecting this season to be, when it comes to the next one 🙂
Cheers Justin …. I blame Daniel Farke for allowing us to dream the impossible dream. If only we were in the midst on mid-table nothingness. All this stress would just drift away …. 😉
Hi Gary
An excellent read and summary of yesterday’s game.
As I said during the week, it is going to be an exciting finish to the season and it is all about managing expectations both on the field and off it.
If the P word becomes a reality then the expectations of some will go through the roof as in player recruitment, stadium improvements. The main and first thing would be to get the players their just rewards, stability in the financial dept, but I expect MFW will have articles during the offseason to address these issues.
Looking at the Bristol’s second goal and that weaving run that should have been stopped, what were the midfield and defence doing? Not one attempt to tackle him – it reminded me of George Best at Wembley v Benfica in the old European Cup Final, muddy pitch but he weaved past 4/5 defenders before slotting home for a goal that could have been stopped. Team Farke will not have been happy clappers.
OTBC
Hi Alex
Great point about Besty against Benfica. I was only ten at the time but still remember it very well.
Okay O’Dowda wasn’t quite that good but an excellent comparison nonetheless.
We DID attempt to tackle him but when the first one – can’t recall who from – didn’t stick that was basically that.
He’s obviously quite some player.
Possibly O’Dowda will be added to all the others being mentioned as targets for city next season if or when they get the big P
Good read Gary but the person who really deserves mention is Max Aaron’s. One misplaced pass all game and one real mistake all season. Once again the main driving force leading to our comeback. Is there a better young player outside of the premiership. He has a hell of a football brain now so goodness knows what player he will end up being. The way he always uses the ball in the correct manner reminds me of Paul Scholes.
Aarons and Lewis on the left are the two main reasons that we’ve won so many games, exceptional talent combined with boundless energy.
Hear, hear.
Someone near us in the City Stand yesterday hadn’t been to many games. At half time I told them to watch Max Aarons who’d be playing on our side in the second half.
As soon as I said that, I feared he’d have a ‘mare. But he didn’t; he was brilliant. And at the end, the coolest man in the ground.
As you’ll hopefully read tomorrow I have highly praised Max Aarons and Jamal Lewis too. It’s now the norm. They never disappoint.
But the coolest man in the ground?
Daniel Farke without a doubt.
Most of us in the Barclay missed a substantial chunk of the Rugby because of Daniel’s oles. And, given the Wales v England result, were glad we stayed on well after the final whistle!
DF is the veritable definition of cool.
That chorus of ei ei ei o In injury time. Just wow.
A great summary as usual Gary. It’s a wonderful time to be a Canary. No bottom of the pit worries for us !
Great read. Great game. Great entertainment.