There have been numerous themes running through City’s season – the late goals, Teemu scoring, Christoph and Ben being heroic, Stiepi’s weird goal celebrations etc – but one of the most bizarre has been how at almost every turn there’s been folk telling us how undeserving we’ve been of our success.
Leeds fans, in particular, are convinced our automatic promotion has been more to do with good fortune and an EFL conspiracy than, heaven forbid, us actually being a good side.
It was, therefore, appropriate that our final day win at Villa Park to win the title again had little to do with us being a good side. Oh no…
In case you’re wondering, it was in part due to City’s players not partying as hard as Sheffield Utd’s players – not being “real men” they were hangover-free – and also because Villa had chosen to rest Jack Grealish and Joe McGinn ahead of the playoffs. And I’m sure if we look hard enough there’ll still be a Leeds-related final day conspiracy out there somewhere.
But back in the real world, City won the league because they were the best team, scored the most goals, had the most wins, had the fewest defeats and had up front the league’s leading goalscorer. Do the maths.
They called us tinpot, called us fragile, said our bubble would burst, said our defence wasn’t good enough, said that it can’t be done on a shoestring and basically didn’t believe in us because we were everything Frank Lampard’s Derby were not.
We didn’t go raiding the under-23 squads of the big six for some names that Sky Sports’ finest could salivate over, we didn’t bring in any ex-England internationals to help see us over the line and we certainly don’t need any footballing royalty in our technical area who’d guarantee us blanket coverage even when we were just little more than average.
As it transpired, I don’t think Ashley Cole did too much to help Frank’s boys over the line and in any case, the line they ended up crawling over was the one between sixth and seventh. I don’t know about you, but I find the one between second and third rather more appealing.
And as that transpired, we didn’t crawl over it a la Frank, we smashed it by eleven whole points… the equivalent of three wins and two draws. What on earth were we stressing over? Although you do have to feel for Leeds when Ipswich were today evidently able to field their legendary side of 1981 with Muhren, Thijssen et al.
I can think of no other reason.
This morning I received a message from a Sheffield Wednesday fan:
Congrats on a great season mate. Go and lift that trophy today! Whatever you do, dont let that t*t Wilder get his hands on it.
Job done – although I have to confess until he planted that picture of a beaming, gurning, champagne-swigging Chris Wilder in my head I hadn’t really focused too much on winning the title, seeing it more of a bonus than a must-have. But that would have been horrible, wouldn’t it?
And I needn’t have worried anyway, because our team of mineral water drinkers were determined to see the job through and in the end produced a performance as good as any we’ve seen throughout this nerve-jangling run-in.
As always, there were heroes all over the pitch but, equally, it was no surprise that Messrs Pukki and Vrancic were those to get on the scoresheet – both have been exceptional in front of goal as the season reached crunch time.
So, when the players appear on the balcony of City Hall tomorrow, it will be with a trophy – and don’t they deserve it.
Not since I made my first trip to Carrow Road – when the Main Stand was made of wood, the River End had no roof and there was standing on three sides of the ground – have I seen a City team that plays such beautiful football. Neither have I seen a City side that’s so comfortable in its own skin.
It’s been an absolute pleasure and feels like a weird payback for watching a not inconsiderable amount of dross, nil-nils, games that were laboured and mind-numbing, not to mention the numerous occasions when we’ve slinked off home with the heart broken – which is, in fact, the staple of most football fans who steer clear of the glory hunting path.
From the 1-0 home win over Boro in mid-September onwards, it’s been nothing but undiluted joy interjected with a few, very few, minor blips and even in the few down times there were always positives to cling to; not least the fact we have Daniel Farke in the dugout and Stuart Webber in the boardroom.
It’s been a season that will live forever in the memory, and not just for the winning. It’s been a season where players have reconnected with fans and where Carrow Road has returned to being a fun place to be.
There are smiles on faces, we’re bursting full of hope and, in a footballing sense, life has rarely been this good.
They are champions but they are so much more than that. They’re giants – every single one of them – and they’ve created something that will not just go down in Canary folklore, but in footballing folklore.
As fans, how lucky are we!
For a team of mineral water drinkers, Ben Godfrey seemed to br hitting the champers bottle pretty hard during the post match celebrations!
They deserve it, however. Wouldn’t mind betting there’ll be a few sore heads on the balcony tomorrow, if they’ve even sobered up, that is!
Hi Gary,
Excellent read as ever and very emotional, with the week that I’ve had, the title was a given. Our boys, and boys they are in the main, have given us one hell of a season and boy do I feel proud.
Looking forward now to see what rabbits Stuart Webber and co can pull out of the hat and seeing how we fare against the big boys.
As well as thanking the team and all involved at the club, I would also like to thank MFW for keeping us up to date with all things NCFC. Gary and Co. take a bow!
OTBC CTID
Hi Gary
Another great read and summary not only of today’s game but the season in general.
Sheff U will possible try and take sone of the gloss off today’s preformance but aluding to Villa’s 5 changes from their last game v Leeds but let them have their sour grape moment if they must.
Wilder is trying to show he is a man of the people with his comment in an interview saying that he travells too and from work by the local buses why does anyone want to know how he gets to work.
Over the next week or so it will be announced who is going besides the ones out of contract but lets hope there are no complete surprises that come from left field.
The tough choice will be the young guns and there agents they will be expecting large rises but with the big 6 clubs looking at 3 of them what promises can city given to stay, possibly ask for 1 season in the Premiership then let them move on if city is relegated I would guess.
Anyway rumours will be abundant over the next few weeks and today I read that Passlack isn’t wanted back at his parent club as he hasn’t progressed as expected could this be a chance for a player that Farke rates to sign on the cheap with a sell on clause to sweeten the deal????
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Typically spot-on MFW summary of a joyful day and a memorable season. The delight of the whole squad was clear to see in those final celebrations – no showboaters, no sulking benchwarmers, just a group of players who really enjoy being part of this special project. And tomorrow we can all join in the celebrations as we remember other good times with Wes and Russ. OTBC!!
Fantastic achievement from everyone at the club.
Even more so when you consider we lost 3 of our first 5 games. Daniel Farke must have been concerned, but only 3 defeats from the next 41 is absolutely astonishing. And in those defeats, Gary Rowett the Stoke manager at the time admitted his side were played off the park. Then Frank Lampard’s Derby, the floodlight debacle. Preston a tale of 2 penalties. The consistency this team has shown has been exceptional. I just hope these guys all get a chance in the Premiership.
Fantastic piece.
We have a squad that are all instantly known by their Christian names that is how iconic they have become among the canary faithful.
Love the lot of them whatever happens in the future. The best team and football played ever seen at Carrow Road. The whole squad should be inducted into Hall of Fame.
I’m too unwell to attend but my family will all be there. Tomorrow the players will know for certain just what it means to us all.
Well said Colin.
I think you sum up perfectly what we’ll all appreciate tomorrow.
Never known a squad quite like this one tbh.
I’m only going to the City Hall part of it cos I don’t exactly feel top of the shop myself just now and will have to endure a difficult walk home but I promise I’ll give ’em a shout for you.
And having two dogs I know how to get up in the morning!
All of them.
Well said Gary.
All I can add is what an absolute pleasure this season has been since September…..only 3 defeats since then is little short of amazing in the toughest league inthe world.
I think Delia got it right in her interview – Webber is little short of a genius in what he’s done.
Pritchard and 1 (possibly 2) Murphys going the other way…..
We’ve done what just wasn’t possible by selling our prized assets; recruiting from the lower leagues and playing our own young players.
We’re not Frank Lampard’s Derby County, nor Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United……we’re little old Norwich (maybe not so little now!), and very proud to be so.
Yes, next season will be a huge challenge, but given what this season has produced, we shouldn’t be worried. Play without fear…..Manchester City – we’re coming for you!!
In over 50 years, none of the other promotions has been as unexpected as this, and played in such style too.
What a fantastic season for everybody, and what a great time to be a City fan.
Mineral water drinkers rule, OK??
O T B C
Very well put Gary. I’ve watched City since the early sixties and this team has produced the most beautiful football I’ve seen from a City side.
My sincere thanks to all involved.
One final duty is to publicly apologise for ever doubting the ability of Mario Vrancic in these columns. He is now rightly a firm favourite with the fans and will be a big asset next year.
Who is going to be City Hall’s Freddie Flintoff?