It’s all too easy to drown in a sea of hyperbole when things are this good, and it’s a trap I fall into on almost a weekly basis, but there really are only so many ways of putting it.
This is a bloody good Norwich City side.
Give them a challenge and they’ll tackle it. Give them a hurdle and they’ll fly over it. Offer them a sniff of promotion and they’ll just keep clocking up the wins.
Seven wins on the bounce when the pressure gauge is stuck on eleven – who the heck does that?
This is turning into one extraordinary season.
The international break gave us a rare opportunity to take stock after what has been a breathless seven months and for many, the conclusion was that the biggest challenges that await were the two away games at Boro and Villa.
While I’m not sure that’s strictly true, because any game when you have to win it becomes hellishly difficult, but if we take that theory at face value, then last night’s win was one giant leap toward the Premier League.
And Boro didn’t disappoint. They were everything we thought they would be; physical, energetic, organised and huge! Also, I must be honest, unless my eyes were playing tricks, they played a little more football last night than I was expecting.
All to no avail.
It was an uncomfortable first half though, there’s no denying that, and ol’ Tony had his troops lined up in a formation that really did make it difficult for City to get out. If there’s a stat out there that tells us how many times Tim Krul kicked long last night, I’d hazard a guess it will be one of the highest of the season.
Pulis’s decision to play Assombalonga and Fletcher up top as a pair, squeeze our full-backs, and press Tom Trybull and Kenny McLean made it properly difficult to work it through the thirds. When we did attempt it, the pressure was such it was far too touch and go for comfort.
Yet, while both centre-backs had their wobbles, behind them Tim Krul displayed a calmness and nous befitting someone with his CV.
With three defensive giants in situ, it didn’t require the tactical know-how of Guardiola to see that anything kicked long by Krul would be gobbled up and returned with interest, but City hung in there, got the blocks in, kept their shape and remained patient.
And tellingly, when they did get the ball down they slowly but surely started to create chances. The Teemu Pukki of a month ago would have sent City in at the breaks two goals up.
That Boro were unable to maintain their high-energy press in the second period came as no surprise, and the calmness and assuredness that Krul had displayed throughout the opening 45 started filtering through the team.
More composure meant more possession and, despite Ayala’s towering header grazing our post, when Onel jinked inside and fizzed that shot inside Randolph’s right-hand post, it was precisely what City deserved.
Pulis thought City’s good spell was triggered by the goal. I’d suggest the goal came as a result of the good spell.
What followed was another masterclass in game management and resilience – now known as Zimbo-time.
Alongside his three defensive fledglings, Christoph Zimmermann stepped up once again. He was magnificent. There was obviously the goal-line clearance from Stewart Downing’s header, but there was so much more.
Since I’ve supported this club there have been some real leaders of men in that dressing room, with the epitome being Duncan Forbes, but since he has taken the armband, Zimmermann’s leadership has been a class apart. For all our technical proficiency and aesthetically pleasing football, a leader has emerged who underpins the whole thing.
And in Ben Godfrey, he has a first-lieutenant who carries out his every order to the letter, and who is every bit as fearless and courageous, especially when the flak is flying.
Boro tried every trick in the book to recreate the Alamo late on but, for all the reasons stated above, Krul hardly got his gloves dirty. It was defending a one-goal lead at its finest.
In an ideal world, City would have taken one of the many half-chances that presented themselves as Tony threw caution to the wind in the only way Tony knows how, but it mattered not because despite Sky’s Don Goodman willing City’s “Achilles heel from set pieces” to be exploited, there was no way Krul was being beaten last night.
With every passing win, the post-match celebrations mean that little bit more and last night’s had a ‘the finishing line is in sight’ feel about them. As away wins go, those at Middlesbrough when the Teessiders desperately need one themselves have to be right up there.
That our friends in Sheffield choked a little, thanks to Weimann’s rather splendid hat-trick, was a bonus but we are no longer in the business of needing favours. Leeds and Sheffield Utd can both win seven games in a row as far as I’m concerned.
A seven-point gap with seven to play is the stuff of dreams. So too is seven wins from seven. So too is the fact Daniel Farke has virtually a fully fit squad to pick from at a time when he needs it most.
The stars aligning people. Believe.
Great sum up. Mr G. I was sitting radio in one lug watching the game listen about a minute ahead. in case they did the unwantable and score, I could walk out not watching i
Zimmo was immense, it is hard to think he was almost close to packing it in and become a teacher, we all talk about Pukki being the find of the season, what does that make Zimmo, Emi Onel the list could go on. But what a leader he has become not forgetting the playing bit, in that last ditch block he reminded me of Martin Peters the ability to ghost, I didn’t see him drop back a little. It is either luck or good reading of the game. I’ll go with the later,
Has been said Pukki should have had a couple, yep he has a little drop, but he is still fast, finding the positions head has not dropped noticably, their keeper made some cracking saves, including getting a hand to one of Pukki’s efforts. He will come again, I have no worries.
Before I go any further I should like to off Bristol City a huge thank you, anyone who stop that lot is ok in my book, Not surprised as they are a darn decent side. they almost turned us over .
Whatever team set up with brick walls, against, we have a team that finds away round them, over them , and will go through them if they have to. It is amazing to watch and be a part of. it was great to hear on the ball, above the noise of the home crowd more than once on both forms of broadcast. Makes me wonder what Wigwam game will be like.
As an Argos slogan said: You’re Good to Go.’
Totally agree about thanking Bristol City. They’ve been stuttering in and out of form for some time but hanging on in there, and could it be just coincidence that this big significant win on Saturday – for them and us – came on the day when Korey Smith returned to action after being laid up with injury since last August.
This was a huuuuge win. I honestly thought we were at risk of losing this one. Before the game I was saying ‘Well even if we lose, we’ll still be two points clear’ I should have had more faith…we’re just not used to this! Don’t think I’ll get my ‘champions 2019’ tattoo quite yet, but maybe I’ll make a start on the design! OTBC
Gary, I believe!
I think Boro’ were lucky to finish with a full side – the studs into Max Aarons’ calf which went unpunished could (and should) have been a red card, and Ayala’s tackle from behind should have been a second yellow, but I guess some referees don’t have the bottle to punish home teams.
A great result, against what we’re always going to be difficult opponents, and with the bonus of the Blunts blowing it, we’re in a really good position.
according to Pulis Stiepmann should have had a Red
As usual a good read Gary. This was the one fixture I feared as Boro have under performed and are scrapping for a play off place.
This is the most remorseless side City have ever produced, nothing phases them and all interspersed with some wonderful tight passing play. A true delight for the eye.
Special mention should be made of the backroom staff as not only is everybody available for selection but the side must be the fittest in the division.
I sincerely hope if we go up we can keep this side together for another season.
Excellent read! And what a performance.
This was the fixture that I was most worried about also – mainly on the basis that by the time we face Villa I suspect that it will all be decided.
7 and 7 as the Americans might say!
We are not in the mix for 2nd, that’s for others. Different class!
Hi Gary
A good summary of last nights game and a good read.
It was a nevous watch for the first half Boro looked capable of causing an upset to Team Farke caught completely of guard.
As you say city have the knack of getting the job done.
It was great to see all the unused Subs piling on to the pitch after the game to congrat the ones that gad played Hanley had the biggest Grin on his face and really looked happy for them I just hope he gets some game time.
It is a team effort but you must feel sorry for the bench warmers Klose got a run out in the last couple of games surely Hanley could have had the same.
Onwards and Upwards OTBC
Yes, it’s still the one thing about DF’s current management style that makes me uncomfortable… the fact that you’re dependent on fortune (or misfortune) to get onto the pitch at the moment. 7/7 wins says don’t change a winning side maybe, but with Hanley, Klose, Leitner, Vrancic, Rhodes (even Cantwell) all bench warming, there is still an argument for some game time for such good players. Particularly as DF has resorted the last games to only making very late subs too. If he does need to rotate players (because of injury), those waiting will have played almost nothing for months now. It’s good he’s keeping them happy but a modicum of rotation would not be out of place.
I don’t think we need to worry as this has been the case all season. Any player that comes in now will be in the same situation as Godfrey, Vrancic, Trybull, Buendia, McLean who had been out of the team for a significant amount of time. When they got the chance, they took it & haven’t looked back. All the players on the bench know they need to do the same if the opportunity arises.
I used to worry about this, but then we kept winning, so have decided not to.
Good point about Grant Hanley Alex.
I would like to hope that by the time we finish at Villa we’ll be promoted automatically and they will be firmly cemented in the play-offs then Villa can do their thing and we could field Hanley, Klose, Rhodes, Cantwell, one of Leitner or Vrancic and maybe even Ivo Pinto from the start without fear of accusations from others for “weakening our team” – ha ha!
What a bench we are blessed with.
Hi Martin
Yes we do have a stong bench and all fit and ready to enter the fight but without any gametime they as you would say are ring rusty, 10mins here and there just about keeps them more prepared.
I can’t remember last time Rhones got on and Hanley has no had a furst team kick since he was injured but as Micheal D says Team Farke seems to be managing expectations for the whole squad.
As for Villa I would prefer them out of the top 6 then Spurs do a deal for Grealish
They won’t be that ring rusty – from what I can gather training, match prep and therefore sharpness refers equally to the whole matchday squad, not just the starting XI.
For that reason it’s not a significant worry for me.
However after seven wins in a row I see no immediate selection changes coming down the track in any case.
Stieperdude got a bit of a kicking and he’s vital to our cohesion – see the work he did on the right that eventually led to the goal. I think he must be okay (if a bit sore) or we’d have heard by now.
Exceptional stuff Gary. Unlike you I won’t be wishing Leeds and Sheffield any luck and full points from their remaining games. I’m still in “pinch me” territory and will only believe it when I see it confirmed.
With Randolph excelling and the referee turning a series of blind eyes to persistent home foul play Pulis ugly round ball rugby was causing some anxiety. Particularly when some of our passing out from the back lacked focus and accuracy, the foul on Aarons, which was indicative of middlesbroughs approach was completely ignored by the linesman, standing yards away and at one stage the referee, mr coote, blundered into the path of an obvious pass and kicked it out of play. Giving the hosts another chance to hurl the ball into our box. Idiot.
The goal, when it came was delicious. The way onel arrowed the ball into the corner it resembled a wire guided missile such was its unerring accuracy. Such a shame we couldn’t get the second that our frequent attacking intent deserved.
The goal line clearance was immense, viewed live through fingers held in front of my face it appeared initially to have struck the post, only the replay told the true story, what a machine Zimmermann is. A colossus. Gary’s mention in the same breath as Forbes is as high an accolade as the German will ever receive and not one given lightly by anyone fortunate enough to have seen Forbes in his prime.
As injury time extended into the night and threatened to delay British summer time, I switched from roaring city on to finish the job on the break to cursing the time keeping of this official. Middlesbroughs whining about our time management at the end are particularly rich given the amount of time it takes them to take a simple throw in! Every time the ball exits play within a 50 yard radius of the goal we all have to wait while some wretched ball boy hunts for a bath towel and the ball is polished and rubbed like a new cherry in the hands of Jimmy Anderson. Note to Pulis, if you want to speed the game up, start with your own throw ins.
The contrast in the job done on a non- budget by farke and the mega bucks available to Pulis is stark and not to be ignored. I honestly believe you could put me I charge of Middlesbrough and their credit card and the football and subsequent results would be better. I hope Pulis is sacked and that Bristol city usurp them in the top six.
In fairness Middlesbrough played some decent football, outplayed us in the first half and should have been in the lead. We were saved by their woeful finishing . But a win is a win . Tactics have changed since McLean came in , I don’t think our game is the same silky smooth passing machine it was with Leitner/ Vrancic . BUT we are more difficult to beat , so why change a winning formula . I’ve been a believer since Terry Alcock came to my junior school and put the ball on the bar from the half way line ! I stood in awe and wonder that day and now 55 years later I feel the same .
I can’t agree with the word ” outplayed” Johnny. Middlesbrough had a few shots from distance, which Krul comfortably fielded. It was Randolph who was flying around his box clawing the ball away on three occasions, notably from Pukki which were the closest efforts either side had on goal. We weren’t at our best but I had the first half even at worst.
I do agree that McLean has changed the dynamic, we aren’t as silky a machine with the Scot, but it appears Farke likes what he brings to the party. He must be hitting his key performance indicators spectacularly in order to keep Leitner and Vrancic out of the side!
Let’s hope the hard to beat aspect remains for eight more games.
I have a sneaking suspicion this ride has only just started. I genuinely feel winning the championship will merely be the beginning of something very interesting indeed. I have given huge levels of warranted jip to the owners in recent years and I am now fully prepared to doth my cap. I am having a moment of lily livered MP susceptibility. They have spotted a gifted young chap in Webber and convinced him to sign up over a newly promoted side. It was a ludicrously impressive move with hindsight. We have to develop fast now, backing Webber to get enough of an advantage over the clubs that will obviously imitate this model. That head start will be central to how far this can go.
Well said Jeff. Credit where it’s due.