‘Tense? I had to have an entire kit change at half time!’
That was a message I received from my mate Scott after Friday night’s game and in no way do I disagree with him.
The conditions were dreadful, Swansea threatened to overwhelm us in the first half and the fixture tested our resilience to the full. And we came through, with the three points – ultimately well-deserved although I’m sure some of the brave band of travelling Jacks might disagree with me.
Graham Potter obviously knows his stuff and had worked out that pushing high on Jamal Lewis and Max Aarons would nullify much of our attacking threat. It worked a treat for them until that moment.
Our erratic but sometimes unplayable man who may have left the Argos checkout desk in order to get to the game on time cut the ball back perfectly for Emi Buendia. One brilliant touch with his right and then the left foot provided a cracker.
I swear it was hit so hard and true that it bounced straight back out of the Barclay net but that might be my sense of euphoria talking.
I wish there was an alternative phrase to squeaky bum time, but I can’t think of one just now. We could and should have scored a second, maybe even a third. Equally the Swans could have pegged us back so a 1-0 against a clean, hard-working side who play pretty much along our own lines? I’ll take that any day of the week.
We conceded what seemed to be one heck of a lot of corners and a few set pieces but largely defended them well. A couple of scary moments but nothing to freak out about really.
Referee Robert Jones didn’t get everything right but was far superior to what we have recently witnessed. I think he was even taller than Zimbo and a physical presence such as that always helps the principal official.
I honestly cannot remember no added minutes at the end of a first half before either. Totally accurate of course. But…
So now there are ten.
Have a flick around t’internet and you’ll discover that everybody thinks we’re nailed on to go up. Even Leeds, Sheff Utd and WBA fans. They might not like saying it but say it they do. Fair play to them.
And as much as I hate to say it, Leeds deserve promotion too and the Blades should be the play-off winners. Not clubs we particularly have an affinity with, but we cannot deny the evidence. Good sides, both.
So next up is Hull, complete with Jarrod Bowen, who we are rumoured to be interested in buying.
From what I’ve observed, Nigel Adkins has turned them around and they look to be a good outside bet for the playoffs. But if we do a job on them and then Rotherham, surely we’re just about there?
To play as disjointedly as we did against Swansea but still come away with three more points in our locker makes my past experience of NCFC tell me we will do this.
Although I’m a very much a heavy metal fan as regular MFW readers will know by now, I have always had a place in my heart for Motown. Particularly the Temptations, who amongst many others did I wish it would rain – so beautifully covered by Rod Stewart and The Faces.
But on Friday night I wish it hadn’t had cacked it down quite as much as it did. Sure I got drenched – we all did.
Luckily, we were playing a true footballing side in Swansea. Certain other teams might have exploited the conditions and left us in deep injury trouble at the end of the match.
We’re in the final straight now and, like Scotty, I think I’ll need to inspect my kit on a regular basis.
Absolutely nailed it Martin, those are pretty much my thoughts entirely apart from the reference to heavy metal. Pink Floyd for me, so as far as Emi is concerned it’s ‘Shine on you Crazy Diamond’.
Hi Bob
I’ve got every Floyd album from Piper through to Animals and was privileged to see them at Knebworth when they previewed Dark Side. I love ’em.
Our Emi is no Syd Barrett but I understand your reference.
Thank you!
ah, Postcards from Scarborough.
Hi Bernie – had to google it.
Originally thought it might have been Robert Wyatt or Roy Harper but of course it was Michael Chapman.
There was always Hector the Dope-sniffing Hound.
Cheers
Watch West Brom finally get a good manager in now and galvanise a quality squad. Anyone with that forward line that isn’t near or at the top should of been chopped ages ago and we need to keep that breathing space. Luckily we have a run in to give us that, whereas Leeds should be very worried.
I love it when you say “we”, Jeff 😉
I reckon it was very harsh for Darren Moore to get the tin tack, I really do.
WBA fans are so split over the ousting of “Big Dave”, a man I have always admired from a distance as both a player and a person.
But as one NCFC wit posted on social media over the weekend: “If you can’t beat the sc*m you deserve the sack”.
Peraps Big Dave should sue Jon Nolan for wrongful dismissal.
Well Martin, as Gary said in his article yesterday, ‘A Nervy One at the Carra’ and I can’t remember the last time we were delighted to hear the final whistle. We certainly got a bit of luck with McBurnie being unfit to play.
Swansea definitely came to make us work for our victory and had Pukki’s radar not been slightly off target, the margin of victory would have been greater
I was quite lucky re the rain, as I sit high enough up in the River End that the rain only occasionally reached us, but I’m sure seeing THAT goal must have lessened the misery.
IMO, Buendia has to be a tad more careful in some his tackles.
I’m sure I’m not alone in hoping that Leitner starts in place of McLean in future games.
With 10 to go, it really is ours to lose and by 5 pm next Saturday, let’s hope that there will be a smidgen more daylight between us and at least one of the Yorkshire teams.
I see Darren Randolph’s prediction that Boro could challenge for one of the ‘automatic’ places has spectacularly blown up in his face and I’m just SOOO pleased that Villa will most likely not be in the playoffs this year and the battle for 6th is going to be interesting. I think several months ago, we were exchanging views on which team may make a ‘late dash’ for playoff places and came up with Hull/Bristol, though since we beat them, the latter’s form has nosedived
I see the ‘Supercomputer’ has been rerun since Leeds’ demolition of a very poor Baggies side and it now has us winning by a mere 2 points (88 for us and 86) for Leeds. I’m predicting that we’ll exceed 90 points and so our visit to Villa Park will be a time to celebrate.
PS – I wonder if Pullis may be the net manager to get his ‘P45’
Hi Ed
I agree with you about Mo Leitner. Somebody I know who sits in the City Stand said he was itching to get on and so frustrated that he didn’t until the hot water was turned on for the showers.
No real dislike for Villa or Boro from myself, but I know what you mean!
This supercomputer lark isn’t for me as there are so many things it cannot factor in, Friday’s rain being a prime example.
Pulis will have to fend for himself – I’m not a fan. You could be right but I really don’t much care.
Thanks as always.
And then there were three…the battle for automatic promotion has become ever more clear cut. The perils of the play-off’s awaits the side that wilts. The title is secondary to avoiding such an unpredictable outcome. Winning without playing at your best will be essential with moments of high skill and flair to the fore. Cantwell back on the bench is good news, frustrating as he is, he sure can ping it about…
The news from WBA is indicative of the pressure and expectation that is ever present. West Brom have entered the final straight lagging behind and have taken the view that they have nothing to lose. For them the play-off’s are enticing, but for one of the top 3 teams it will be disappointing.
Exciting times, hope and fear mingling…as you say…Never Mind The Danger!
Hi Cobwatch – interesting username – anything to do with spiders?
Under the old system it would be a mix of ourselves, Leeds and the Blades in any possible order for the promotion slots.
Thanks to the money men and other considerations one of us will have to compete in the play-off lottery.
Do I think that’s fair? No, not really.
Thanks for a great comment.
My username is an invention, any link to spiders is unintended. Overall, i like the play-off’s…been good to us in the past. If we finish third…i would have been delighted with that before the season began…but it wouldn’t ease the anguish if it happened now! I reckon Preston might scrape in, someone usually comes with a late run.
I reckon you might be right about Preston.
After all, Alex Neil has previous…
I agree. Interesting that both Sheff United and Leeds go to Preston in April
I’m not surprised that WBA have made the change. With that squad they should be way ahead. There are a lot of big egos in there and the recall of Barnes by Leicester has had a big effect. But if someone can come in and get them to work together, even if it’s just for the month of May, I’d make them favourites for the play-offs regardless of which of the current top 3 are also involved.
The biggest danger to us must be the risk of complacency, and possibly some disruption of the team spirit that has played such a big part by those on the bench, or not even on the bus. There are clearly hints that Leitner is not happy to have to wait for someone to lose a shirt, rather than walk straight back in; weren’t there also hints that Cantwell is looking for a bigger and better deal than what’s on offer – or was that resolved?
Hi Keith.
I certainly take your views on the Baggies on board. It’s just that as I have mentioned above I retain a lot of respect for Darren Moore and feel he was slightly unfairly treated.
However I am not a fan of WBA and have no friends who are so quite rightly I will butt out of that one. It’s their club, not mine.
As I have alluded to above I would be happy to see Leitner replace McLean (who has done very little wrong) but we want no fractiousness in the squad at this stage of the season, we really don’t.
And then there’s the “small” matter of Mario Vrancic – and let’s not forget that Jordan Rhodes didn’t even get off the bench on Friday. Add Klose and Hanley to the mix?
Forget Cool Hand Luke, we need Cool Hand Daniel. It’s really up to DF as only he knows how to handle it. And I guess that would include Todd Cantwell.
A fine post – thanks.
I made a somewhat unexpected visit to the home of football on Friday as a friend had a spare ticket for the River End. I think the last time I was there we lost at home to Reading near the end of the season we were relegated to L1. There was more positivity from the faithful than I expected, even in the first half when Swansea tried their best to play like Norwich-they pulled off the impersonation pretty well but, thankfully, not well enough. Iwan has seen most Swansea games and says that’s the best half a games they’ve had this season.
Being a few minutes late back from my half time refreshments I sat on the first available gangway seat I came to. It was next to a man who lives in Ipswich, was brought up in Diss and came to Carrow Road for the first time in 1947. He came with his Ipswich supporting school friends and , as the only Norwich fan in the group, was delighted when Norwich were 1-0 up at half time. He wasn’t so pleased about the 5 second half goals Norwich conceded that day (!) but has been a City diehard ever since. It was great to share the joy of Emi’s goal with him. He didn’t stay around at the end as he had to catch a train-I hope I can be like him in 30 odd years.
So we’ve won another match; I’m glad we don’t have to play Swansea again; they’re good enough to beat anyone in this league.
Hi Don
And I thought I was the king of reminiscence!
So many people around me made the train comment as in why didn’t they delay the service by ten minutes so everybody could get home safely. Oh no. We can’t do that.
Swansea were indeed good and much better than I had expected. Maybe if Ollie McBurnie had been fit we wouldn’t have had three more points in our pocket.
All we have to do now is keep it together. Let’s hope the Mo Leitner frustration at not getting a start is firmly put to bed by Farke. Or he plays him over McLean
Your call, Daniel!
Thanks for the comment mate.
Hi Martin
A great read as usual.
I just worry about Emi yes he has great skills and to watch but he does walk a fine line with tge Ref’s as was mentioned a few times over the season his little niggling tackles will come back and bite city it just needs an opponent to fake injury and he is off.
The game was a good advert for Championship football in terrible conditions and a brilliant 3 points for city where at one time it looked as if it would only have been a hard fought 1 point if lucky.
As for Darren Moore he has done well but possibly had the best squad to start the season off with and like other relefated clubs expected the championship to be easuer than it is, I must mention a comment made by Kammy today ” this is a racist sacking he was Black as a player for WBA, he was Black as a coach for WBA and he was Black when they appointed him as manager, he was sacked due to not meeting the owners expectations”.
Some Birmingham supporter runs on to the pitch and punches Grealish today then waves at the crowd are we reverting to the 70’s and 80’s.
Hi Alex
I’d rather talk about NCFC than some idiot in the West Midlands but you and I are of that generation and we both witnessed some terrible stuff at games in the 1970s and later I am sure.
I was generally in the Paxton at White Hart Lane sporting a Spurs scarf in that era and freely admit I was occasionally worried and sometimes actively scared. But I cannot ever remember a physical assault on a player.
As for the dismissal of Darren Moore from WBA I have to disagree with Chris Kamara. If the powers that be at that club were racist they would never have given him temporary and then permanent tenure in the first place.
WBA were influential in the inclusion of “black footballers” as in Laurie Cunningham, Brendan Batson and the wonderful Cyrille Regis.
I don’t reckon they’ve suddenly turned turtle.
And let’s remember that when we finally got rid of Chris Hughton we didn’t care if he was pink, purple or green. He just wasn’t a good fit for the club!
ps great to see all back at Blackpool. A fine day for football:-)
Thanks a lot mate.
Blackpool spoilt at the end by a mass pitch invasion so lets see what if anything the FA does to them
Yeah shame, although the Blackpool incident was a mixture of excitement and innocence.
Words fail me when it comes to the d*ckhead at St Andrew’s.
To return to the Motown theme – what’s goin’ on?
What a horrible weekend for football.
The FA will have to do something to Blackpool otherwise it will set a presidence for other clubs.
The Brummie idiot has 14 weeks jail time possibly 6 with good behaviour.
Agree weather and troubles mared the weekend lets hope for ckear skies and a great result against Hull
Excellent as always Mr P.
Personally I’m not too sure that McBurnie’s absence was too much of a plus on Friday.
Had he been fit, would both Routledge and Dyer have started, which of course would have totally changed their shape and pressing of Aarons and Lewis? Overall Swansea were better than I thought they would be, and the best side I’ve seen at The Carra this season.
Those around me in the South Stand were agreed that having been out-Norwiched for much of the first half, it was essential to go in at half time level. as surely DF would have a plan. And so it came to pass – and as for the goal, has anyone hit a shot for us more cleanly this season ?? Put Buendia on the penalties; if the keeper got in the way he’d be in the net too – but I also wish that as times he was a little calmer when challenging for the ball as at times he’s a red card waiting to happen.
I agree with you about the referee…..definitely a cut above most we’ve had this season.
So it’s now ten to go and perm any 2 from 3. By this time next week things will hopefully be a little clearer and I see Sheff Utd have Brentford this week, and then their derby with Leeds. If they get 6 points from those 2 games then they deserve to go up.
Our fate is of course totally in our own hands – does DF give one or two a breather and accommodate Leitner and/or Vrancic, or does he stick with the winning team?
Actually,that’s not a bad problem to have!!
O T B C
Hi John
Your comment about Sheff Utd frightens me tbh, but I totally agree with you on it.
It really is squeaky botty time and we all know it. And so do both sets of similar but different Yorkshiremen, believe me. We can all be as cocky as we like when the season’s over but not until then.
Thank God Sheff Utd and Leeds must face off against each other. For once in its life the EFL Championship fixture computer might just have provided us with an assist.
I just hope we make it because we so deserve to.
Thanks as ever.
Friday was another Par performance and an evening run out for the golf over trousers and matching top complete with pocket of Tees and ball markers plus hip flask, happy days!
As I’ve mentioned before Emi Buendia is bloody brilliant, Gazza in disguise the young lad is something very special.
Now it wasn’t me, I was busy contemplating which job on the list I would tackle next, but the bloke who decided to get up close and personal with Grealish needs locking up, but I think it’s his hair cut I dislike so much?
What we’ve achieved this season is truly unbelievable, with a squad put together for less than half a crown Villa, WBA, etc must feel mighty embarrassed.
Hull will be fine, Rotherham next Saturday is massive for us and I can see changes being made to keep everyone motivated.
Mowtown for me, Smokey!
Hi Colin
Couldn’t agree with you more, really. Hull SHOULD be fine and I reckon Rotherham will give us our fourth or fifth double of the season – we didn’t have a single double until Bolton.
Leitner in for McLean sometime soon seems good to me.
I have a mate who cuts hair for a living and he gets the occasional City footballer into his salon on a weekly basis. I wish I could afford it – I have to make do with Mrs P using some mains electric Wahl clippers from the Sally shop which have served us well (no promotional advertising intended).
I love the Tops, the Vandellas and obviously the Supremes but when push comes to shove I’d like to hear Chris Wilder’s version of “Tears of a Clown” at the end of the season.
Smoky won’t let us down – I feel he’s with us.
Thank you.
Dam friday KO’s Missed your post yesterday, so here I am Monday .
That was a real nerve jangler, the tenseness of the crowd came through on the TV also did the sense of relief when the wing magican layed the ball off to midfield one, and what a finish, I am glad sky played it from different angle and more than once. I appreciate the first touch but didn’t he belt with such power, sure if some brave defender had stuck his head in the way he would have been out for more than one count.
Apart from one decent effort straight at Krul they didn’t put much at the goal, although the stats will say different , Krul was perhaps their best for efforts on goal. Their plan was pretty clear to see, two older heads on either flank in Routlige and Dyer to give our young fliers something more to contend with. I reckon we will see that a few more times as we try to cross that line starting wednesday Adkins is a wiley old fox, I am sure he didn’t miss noting that.. I managed to get in early and get a ticket for me and my lad for this one, last row top of the Barclay. Mrs Lad, will drive in from Dereham to pick us up as last bus is 9.10 . how crazy is that on a match night
As for us affording another Bowen, a ruddy huge pinch of salt can go with that one, his price come the window will be close to £20m, for some reason I cannot see Mr Webber going for that. I am of the mind to think a bigger battle will be keeping some of our stand outs, even with promotion. In will come those with bigger wallets or who do not worry about the figures in the red, thinking they can bully the newcomers once again.
Thanks again Mr P for my monday morning breakfast read.
Hi Lad
Yes the fixture changes affect us writers too!
It’s the penalty City pays for doing well of course.
Many people around me had to leave bang on the final whistle – or even before – as the train times were also a nightmare. I/we actually live in Mundesley but luckily Mrs P has a house in the City so I can walk back or Courtesy Cab it for eight quid all in if I’m feeling knackered. Buses must be a nightmare and you can’t park anywhere near the ground any more.
If I’d realised you were in the UB I’d have come over to say hello. Next time maybe?
Your observations about Adkins and Bowen are both spot on as the former is indeed a wily old fox and the latter would probably be astronomically out of our price range even if we were to go up. I think namesake Mark, possibly my favourite City player of all time, cost us about £300k from Spurs.
Talking of which, if we did achieve what (almost) all of us want I don’t reckon we’d lose any of the Fantastic Four (Lewis, Aarons, Godfrey and Cantwell).
As Paddy Davitt said in the EDP, fasten the belts for a bumpy ride!
top of the barclay againt Hull Mr P, if my knees let me climb .. lolol
Interview with youn master Aarons, says he takes no motice of any of the rumours , think he is a level headed young man, as well as many of the squad seem to be . Any disturbance was shown the door
If you give me a location I’ll come and find you at half time.
Cheers.