It’s impossible not to marvel at Pep’s Man City. The football they play, the drive, the desire; it’s a heady cocktail that looks set to dominate English football for as long as Sheikh Mansour wants it too.
Equally – and this probably says more about me than anything else – I do find it difficult to get too excited by it beyond said marvelling at their silky passing and fluid movement. It’s a project that’s been built on a bottomless pot of cash and by the club’s own admission, no expense is spared.
Of course, as we’ve discussed on these pages many times, just throwing money at a project doesn’t guarantee it will work and there are many examples – Manchester United being the best – of club’s spending lavishly to no avail, so there is no arguing that on that score City have got it absolutely right.
But their pockets are undoubtedly the deepest and when you can go out and bring in literally whichever coach you identify to be the world’s best and then he can bring in almost any player he desires, it doesn’t half make winning trophies that much easier.
So forgive me for not hopping aboard the Man City love-in. They’re sensational, outstanding and brilliant in equal measures but when you can afford to buy the fastest car on the forecourt, you’ve only yourself to blame if you don’t win the race.
For many, Wembley in May 2015 was the defining moment in their life as a Norwich City supporter. Even for those who’d been to Wembley before with City or who’d been to the 2002 Playoff Final in Cardiff, it was a magical afternoon that could only ever be matched but never bettered.
Such was the buzz and exhilaration of that day, we convinced ourselves that a playoff final win was the only way to get promoted and that to be starved of that moment of celebration on the biggest stage somehow diluted the moment.
Guess what – I’ve changed my mind.
Part of it, I think, comes down to the fact that for the first time in living memory for many, most even, promotion was actually confirmed at Carrow Road. The word ‘special’ gets bandied around willy nilly at times like these, but there really was no other way to describe that moment when our return to the Premier League was assured while surrounded by our Carrow Road family.
Obviously, the playoff semis offer exhilaration (and heartache) and it was hard not to be moved by some of the celebrations this week as teams booked a place at a Wembley final, but behind it all was an overriding sense of relief that for us it’s job done and the task of preparing is already well underway.
But, while we’re here, given how well we were treated by Villa when it came down to handing out the gongs and the Championship trophy, it’d be a shame if they didn’t join us in the Prem. Class counts for a lot, and Villa showed plenty.
Watford’s cup final humiliation was, I guess, a timely reminder of what awaits us next season. While I’m convinced there will be many days when Daniel Farke’s team will give as good as they get, there will likely be days when the might and power of the elite are simply overwhelming.
The Hornets have proved themselves a capable Premier League outfit and clearly have some good players, but to see the way they were swatted aside by the Sky Blue machine was just a little alarming.
Norwich’s fate, however, won’t be defined by how many points we collect against the top six, but rather how we compete against those in the bottom 14. That doesn’t mean to say we aren’t capable of offering a bloody nose or two along the way to the big boys but any points gained will be of the bonus variety.
Stuart Webber, in his MFW interview with Connor, spoke of the chances of the odd shellacking if we were to make it back to the big time, and how the odd one may have to be taken on the chin, so those in charge are acutely aware that in such rarified air, results like yesterday will sometimes occur.
By biggest fear however is not of defeat itself, but the reaction to these defeats. So much of this season just gone has been built upon the trust and bonhomie between players, staff and fans – so much so the love-in from all sides has reached almost unprecedented proportions – but the recent past has been notable for the overreaction in some quarters to the fallow periods.
‘Patience’ will be a word we hear a lot in the weeks leading up the big KO and so switched on is Mr Webber, he’ll know far better than I of the need to manage expectations, but I really hope that there is a level of understanding among the fans around next season’s win ratio.
We owe them that much.
You may have noticed that in order to *hopefully* safeguard the future of MyFootballWriter, we’ve started a fund-raising drive using the Patreon membership model. If you think you could help, or if you’re at least intrigued as to what it’s all about, please have a look here.
We’ve made a steady start but there’s still some way to go before we can look forward to, hopefully, reporting on City as they mix it with the elite of the English game. We’d really appreciate your help people.
Many thanks
This team has earned our respect and support in more ways than one. Next season will be a rollercoaster ride and we will need to dig in and be resolute in our support. It will be hard at times but we must trust in Farke and the team. If was easy we would all be NCFC supporters but it is not so I ask all the fans stick with team it will eventually work!
Well said, Peter
Hi Gary
An excellent read and I am in full agreement Man C play the most exciting football but I am from an era when they played goid football under Mercer and Malcolm and had talented players like Summerbe, Hartford, Bell, Brooks won the title and still paid big fees for Francis, Reeves and a few others.
Back in those days the Matra was money can buy you what you want but it doesn’t grantee success now it has changed without Billionaires backing a club in the Premiership they can’t get success.
Bournemouth would never gave got out of league 2 without huge backing from their chairperson saving them from bankruptcy then he got Russian Oligarchs involved so money has fueled their success, Huddersfield broke that trend and to a lesser extent Brighton gave lasted 2 seasons in the Premiership.
City as we all know are on a tight budget and I think most supporters will accept any finish between 12th and 17th before the season starts but it will be an exciting season to come and will Farke struggle to come to terms with it, and I truly hope so and that the board don’t panic after a couple of heavy defeats.
Today’s Rumours/Possible incomings
Rhodes city wants him on the cheap Wednesday wants him out can a deal be done.
A German midfielder 29 years old knows Farke a free transfers looks a good deal
A French under 20 striker €8.5m not sure on this one Arsenal are now interested
Defender from Bolton on a free but Spurs, Southampton and Newcastle interested
An Algerian defender from france another free transfer
Explayers that are available
Martin Olson could be a cheap cover for Lewis
Leroy Fer another that could offer cover for DM pisition
Other that have been mentioned
Cahill for experience in defence
Llorentte from Spurs
Obi Micheal this is one I don’t want to see
Hope this makes some LOL
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Regarding the play-off final Gary, I too have changed my mind.
Yes, Wembley was PDG, but this past season has just been one magnificant performance followed by another. And how different it has been with the players, back-room staff, directors, and of course we fans all feeling a small part of a very big family, all pulling in the same direction to the same ultimate goal.
As Stuart Webber has said, we’ve climbed Everest, now we have to do it again. With the leadership of Webber and Farke, and the knowledge that our ascent to the riches of the Premier League was confirmed early compared to a Wembley victory, I feel rather more confident for this promotion than I ever did under Alex Neil.
Yes, as shown yesterday there will undoubtedly be a few shellackings on the way, but if we all continue to pull together, we can do this (again!!).
O T B C
The Cup Final was not a contest and for me became boring, Footy at its worst. There has to be a contest and Man City against so many teams win 4 or 5 nil. They are too good and it will kill the game. Pep seems relentless but for what, richest club, best players, etc, etc.
Much better to support City then with added time goals, equalisers and winners. Man City like but a more humble and likable group plus a Manager who winks, drinks and rides a horse!
The playoff win was amazing & an experience I’ll never forget. I remember thinking back then that I disagreed with those who said playoff winners had a disadvantage due to less time to plan etc. I’ve now completely changed my mind. It’s incredible to think that we would have had a full month of knowing we’re up before the playoff winner is confirmed. That time has to make a big difference.
I completely agree with what you’re saying about Villa. I was sat in the Holte End for our game & they were class throughout. They deserve to go up. BUT as I think they will be stronger than Derby next year, I have to support Derby..
Understand but Villa are a Prem club and we won’t get compared with them whereas Derby are a Norwich and will be seen as equalls which I’d rather not keep hearing. FL DC will be darling of the column inches and Mod, etc it would be nice to see if Frankie boy is quite such a hero in second season Championship.