Well, if Carlsberg made friendlies… we couldn’t have asked for much more. No injuries. I repeat no injuries. And there was also the small matter of a 5-1 win against a side who strolled to a well-deserved promotion last season against the odds.
Does that remind you of another team we all know well?
Apart from one unintentionally heavy tackle on Kenny McLean, there was nothing in this one to complain about. Luton wanted to keep a clean bill of health as much as we did.
Teemu Pukki and Emi Buendia did not feature on Saturday at Kenilworth Road, which to me appears to be sensible management of resources by Daniel Farke as Pukki (toe issues aside) had a 56-game season and Buendia can only take so many over-enthusiastic challenges.
Several bonuses emerged from this game too.
Josip Drmic notched a hat-trick. How bad is that to boost the confidence of a striker who, although a Swiss international, has never played in the English Leagues before?
By all accounts, Patrick Roberts played a blinder, with an impressive strike and two assists. Yes, a well-taken corner or two count as assists to me.
Timm Klose was back and in full effect.
All we need now is to see Super Mario and our very own functioning antique (aka Alex Tettey) back on the green stuff. And it should be imminent in both cases, we are told.
Of course, it’s under a fortnight to go now and this is probably the last light-hearted article MFW readers will get between now and next season’s end. Oh yes, it’s down to that proverbial nitty-gritty.
Atalanta on Tuesday night will be a real test. I’ve never seen them play but they’re supposed to be a bit tasty. I fully expect a large element of largely non-contact showboating in that particular match.
Then it’s Toulouse on the following Saturday and I will subsequently realise for sure that the season is imminent. I parlez enough to be able to ask their supporters afterwards what they think of us and I will do so. Mind you they probably speak better English than I do. I hope so as the Southern French dialect and my lugs don’t really get on too well.
I’m meeting my mates in the Ribs of Beef before the game (if anybody knows why it’s a 16:00 kick-off rather than a 15:00 please let me know – can’t be the weather) and that is when it gets serious.
No more soporific enjoyment of the summer after the high of promotion. Just the black humour concerning what we’re about to face that will abound among the “middle ages” such as my lot.
I’m looking forward to it immensely – I haven’t seen the lads since April.
And then I’ll enjoy my “Newcastle Day” Upper Barclay reunion to see who’s returned, who’s moved and who’s jacked it in. I don’t suspect many, if indeed any, to be in the latter category.
Football’s coming home all right. And I’m glad – it’s been a long old summer.
Talking of injuries I have to attend the NNUH on August 27 to have every single one of my teeth out under general anaesthetic so if I’m a little quiet after that for a brief while I’m sure MFW readers will understand. If you’re grateful for my abscess (I mean absence) I fully understand.
Finally, I would like to offer best wishes to Archant’s Michael Bailey in his new career, as many others have done elsewhere. A true gent, a genuinely lovely fella. Doing a podcast with him is just pure fun.
And good luck to his successor Dave Freezer who is a great bloke too.
On to Atalanta…
***
I went to the Carra Ticket Office this morning to get my ticket for Toulouse.
After an unexpectedly long wait, the extremely pleasant young lady behind the counter asked me where I’d like to sit. I replied that absolutely anywhere in the Barclay or the Snakepit would be just fine.
She advised me of entrances etc but I said don’t bother as I know the Barclay double backwards.
I didn’t look at my ticket until I got home and… I’m in the bl00dy South Stand!!!
First time for everything and I don’t care – after all, it’s a friendly – but I’ve never known DC’s lot make a cock-up like that before.
So what actually is Bailey’s new job?
I presume it’s not press officer for the Referees Association.
I’m disappointed to hear too that you’ll be writing toothless articles from now on.
My grandad went in hospital in the early 60s to have a large cyst removed from his head – and they noticed his teeth rotting, and thought it was the cause of the poisonous lump, so removed them too. He only found out when he woke up. The 6 year old me thought it very amusing. Don’t think he did….
Hi Keith (which rhymes with teeth of course)
I don’t actually have an abscess – just a gobful of rotten teeth, exacerbated by too much smoking and imbibing cider over the years. Hereditary I’m afraid. The weak teeth, not the smoking or the cider.
$hit happens and as Mrs P often reminds me I should have looked after the old gnashers better when I was younger. It wouldn’t have made much difference if I had I am told by professionals.
Back to the real stuff yes, I’m sure nothing we write on MFW will be too critical of our set-up either on or off the pitch this coming season and I think readers as much as writers understand why we’re not doing a Fulham or a Villa.
Perish the thought.
We’ve made a very decent bed so let’s all see how we lie on it.
Thanks as ever.
Hi Martin
A good read as usual.
Sorry here about the nashers going I have a few gaps these days and at one time had the idea to have screwed one implanted till I was told they can easily break so I will keep the gaps.
Well it’s been a good weekend all round Marshall gone with a payoff, Husband moved to Blackpool and city winning at Luton, the only sour note was the Talk prog saying city have no ambition for this season due to their lack spending.
Lewis and his cohorts want all clubs to spend beyond their means then they can write an article blaming said club of over ambition and careless with their money so the clubs never win.
Spoke to a couple of Wed fans that seem to have a bit of knowledge about the club seems Marshall wants to return rather than go to Hull, so why on earth didn’t city do a part ex for Rhodes.
Politics might be the next one in to the U23 wonder if any more for the first team.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Hi Alex
I have a couple of long-standing Sheffield Weds friends who say they’re not in a good place just now – the Club – not them!
They STILL reckon Jordan Rhodes is itching to come back here – we’ll see.
I have to be honest and say I wasn’t aware of Politic until about a week ago, but having subsequently checked out a bit about him he seems a classic Webber swoop. Depends how much he wants regular first-team time I guess.
My pals have no idea why Ben Marshall would choose Hull over themselves but the Owls are apparently in serious need of wide players (and a manager!)
All I can say is that having been to one of those places many times and the other one once I know where I’d choose to live:-)
Immingham’s lovely in the summer he said… books doctor’s appointment.
Dave Freezer handled Talks***t very well indeed. I simply do not bother with it.
Thanks mate.
As you rightly say Martin, just the remaining two friendlies before the real stuff begins.
Having watched the highlights from Saturday’s game, I’m pretty confident that we’ll ruffle a few feathers’ in the next 10 months whilst at the other end of the scale, suffering some quite heavy defeats.
I’m certain that DF will pick his boys up and they are such a well-knit group that they will also gee each other up when the going gets tough.
I’m in Block K for both friendlies.
Hi Ed
If you can find me in the South Stand please come and say hello. I’ve never been there in my life before so I might be a bit disorientated for Toulouse!
Just in case my “satnav” location is J, row K, 0087.
It just seemed a bit churlish to get a ticket swap so the South Stand it shall be.
For one friendly only:-)
And yes, we shall ruffle some feathers.
Thank you.
Hi MP – I’m actually very close – Block K, Row L and seat 106.
I’ll be wearing a new home/3rd strip with 23 on it!!!
It’s like that scene from that old B&W film where they meet under the London station clock!
I’ll come and find you mate – in the nicest possible way:-)
So Marty you’ll soon have a mouthful of pearlies ? to blind us, what next a syrup? Getting all spruced up for the Prem? Carn’t have you out doing me in the Ribs, a new pair of braces to go with my yellow strides I think. We have to look the part now that the Canaries are in the land of milk and honey, mustn’t let the side down.
Hi Herr Cutz
No syrups mate, number one cut till the end.
The great thing is that Mrs P has the Stuart Webber approach. Do it effectively and at no extravagant cost, so for £35 quid it was a set of Wahl mains clippers from Sally hairdressers’ supplies and they’re a bit like Alex Tettey – still going after all these years.
I feel more confident about this PL incarnation of ourselves than I ever have before. I really do.
Thanks pal.
I second the best wishes to Michael Bailey. I quite enjoyed his undisciplined beard when he let it go. Was that for a bet? I wonder if he has responded to a call from Delia….”lets be ‘avin you!”
yes best wishes to Mr Bailey. are the corridors of Carrow Road awaiting ?
Michael said he wouldn’t be moving far. I think its fair to say Ipswich is out…Reporter for BBC East? Working for Delia seems most likely to me…there is a vacancy.
Hi Cobwatch
The respect for Michael B has been pouring in from everywhere in all forms of media and deservedly so. He is class.
As for the beard I could easily outdo him – trouble is I’d only need a patch of pink bristles for a snooker set. And Mrs P would kill me for trying.
If I let the growth go for a week or so I’m despatched to see Ali at our local roundabout for a hot towel shave.
Nobody will ever beat Bradley Johnson though – except two thirds of ZZ Topp and Brian Blessed.
Thank you.
I could do with a visit to have my teeth out, which have been shattering in chocolate. lately. dentists do not want to know. so a little tip MR P, if you please who is your dentist..? I have tried 3 and they will not entertain.
On to other matters.
I had a dream the other night I went online and got tickets for 3 home games in a row. next morning I went online to see,but managed to get two for the Toulose game this week .. so much for dreams coming true.
All the waiting will soon be over.. the big kick off. but what an honour for Sky to pick us, that out of the way Narwich for thier opening gam of the new season. Just think there are all those other large clubs they could have chosen . I really feel honoured.
Of course we all know , sky and the rest of the media, will be like a pack of savage wolves, around a carcass, just waiting for Liverpool to show us how to play and put 5-or 6 past us..
Whose else is praying to the many faced god of the round thing to cause a right old upset..
I was hoping to make the Atlanta friendly tomorrow night as it is my enforced annual leave period – the automotive industry insists on it. However I have been asked to cover my boss at HQ in Costa del Rochdale instead for the first half of this week so bang goes that. I rarely get to Carrow Road because a) I’m midlands based and b) tickets are hard to come by so I always look forward to some good home friendlies, hence my disappointment this time round. Still I’ll take missing them for City putting in polished performances and the players getting through unscathed! OTBC!!!
Hi Laurence
I’m aware of that automotive industry custom – I used to work for a company which as one arm of its business produced paint for said industry (branded as Inmont, later BASF C+I) and our sales guys knew that more or less the whole of August was a write-off!
You’re spot on when you say we must hope to get through these final two pre-season games unscathed. The make-up of the starting XI against Toulouse will be particularly interesting.
Thank you.
.
Hi Lad
I reckon Liverpool against City is a perfect pick for Sky. Champions League winners against us? It’s a no-brainer for them but we know every Man Utd fan in the world will be cheering us on. Not that I want their attention or sympathy – I don’t.
I’ll keep the dentistry bit short as if I don’t MFW editor Gary would quite justifiably punch my remaining teeth out and save the N&N a job but:
Aylsham Dental Practice. I told them I’d had enough and wanted the teeth out. They agreed, referred me to a surgery on Barrack Street who passed me on to the N&N as I wasn’t suitable for “dental sedation”. I was ID’d as a priority case (the teeth are really dreadful now).
I’ll have to return to Aylsham later for the falsies and yes it will cost a few bob – probably nudging four figures.
Oh, happy days:-)
cheers martin appreciated greatly and thanks Mr editor sir , tipping hat in thanks. might give them a buzz.
Too much Heavy Metal, I’d say Martin!!
Hi Dan
You can never have too much heavy metal – me and number one son are going to see Opeth and later Uriah Heep at the UEA LCR later in the year.
I last saw Heep in 1972 so I could be in for a shock:-)
Cheers.
All best wishes for the dental treatment, Martin.
I’m with the commenters who believe Norwich will ruffle a few feathers – not in a Wimbledon or Cardiff way, but with the quality of our football.
Hi Stewart
Yes I think we were seeing, particularly after Christmas, a style which should work well in the PL. Several of us said just that on MFW more than once last season of course, including thee and me.
Glad you enjoyed Luton – I’m really looking forward to tonight and Saturday.
And thanks for the good wishes:-)