So, who saw that one coming?
Even the happiest of clappers must have had a slight wobble after the Watford defeat. Even with the well-discussed mitigation taken into account, the aftermath of that one had an air of ‘where do we turn?’ about it.
But one international break and one gigantic German later, and the world seems a different place, especially when you can no longer be adjectivised as bottom-of-the-table Norwich. Feels good.
The post-match angle was naturally based around the return of said gigantic German, and we’ll come to him in a bit, but it was also a day when the head coach found his own A-game.
Like his players, Daniel Farke has found the transition from second to first tier a tough one – he’d probably admit that – especially when he has been dealt such a poor hand in terms of injuries. There’s also the small matter of having a squad that, on paper, is the weakest and least valuable in the Premier League.
Farke has had to learn on the job. None of his backroom team has Premier League experience he can draw on, neither has Stuart Webber directly; instead, he has had only Tim Krul and Alex Tettey to turn to when needing first-hand knowledge of what to expect.
It’s not just on the pitch either. Off the pitch, the demands of a Premier League manager are infinitely greater than those in the Championship, especially in terms of media commitments before and after games plus extras in the week in between.
For him, it is far more than getting 18 players prepared for the weekend and it’s something he’s had to handle for the first time. All part of the same learning curve the players are on.
But if yesterday was anything to go by, just as he eventually found the right formula to compete successfully in the Championship, he’s learnt a lot over those opening 12 games. For as much as we looked fragile, lost and jaded against Watford, against Everton we looked solid, spirited and creative.
There were understandably a few jangling nerves early on, and there was a 5/10 minute spell where the ball was given away too cheaply, but as it became increasingly clear this is not an Everton side to be feared, there was a tangible surge in belief.
The forward forays of Onel Hernandez started to carry more oomph and with Kenny McLean and Todd Cantwell offering a level of support to Teemu Pukki that’s been missing in recent weeks, there was a pleasing level of threat to City’s play – the fluency that has been absent started to reveal itself.
That Hernandez and Cantwell both went close when both should have scored was disappointing but offered hope that more of the same would lead to more goalscoring chances.
The key to it all, of course, was the solid base from which these probing counter-attacks were sprung. With Zimmermann’s towering, courageous presence offering the back-four a different dynamic, this had the air of many away performances of last season.
No longer was Ben Godfrey being asked to lead. Instead, he had some booming yet soothing Germanic tones in his right ear, encouraging, cajoling and demanding.
For all the tactical nuances and positional tweaks, a Zimmermann plonked in the middle of that back-four adds presence… and we’ve lacked presence. It also released Alex Tettey to go and do Alex Tettey things in that space in front of the back four – that very area where, in the recent past, Gylfi Sigurdsson has been a proper pain for visiting defences at Goodison.
But he wasn’t yesterday.
With Tettey anchoring alongside Tom Trybull, who himself benefited from having some Norwegian muscle nearby, the core felt robust and competitive – the hot knife/butter syndrome was no more. And it permitted Max Aarons and Sam Byram the chance to push on when the time was right without fear.
Both were prominent in the Everton half – in the Everton box in Byram’s case – without overcommitting and leaving big holes. The balance felt right and such was the impact of Byram on the overall structure of the team, a fit Jamal Lewis may just have a fight on his hands.
There was home pressure to absorb after the break – a natural response to a tetchy Goodison and an even tetchier, under-fire manager – but the way Zimmermann and Godfrey slipped into 2018/19, bodies-on-the-line mode bode well, particularly with Timm Krul being his usual solid, error-free self.
As long as City didn’t concede it always felt like a chance would come and when it did, thanks to Pukki’s cleverness, Cantwell finished with the aplomb of an old pro – the key being a perfectly timed run and an equally perfect first touch.
Cantwell deserved it – had a fine afternoon – and so did the team. No-one in Goodison could argue City didn’t deserve a lead. The roar from the travelling support was tinged with relief. August 9 was a long time ago.
Despite an attempted Everton big finale, the Zimbo/Godfrey axis held firm, the high-fives were unrelenting and the unity infectious.
That the clincher came from the boot of Dennis Sbreny added an element of surreality to the afternoon, but was a big moment for the young German who’s spent almost his entire City career on the fringes. His moment was every bit as deserved as Cantwell’s and he represents, just as much as the big names, the togetherness in this group that’s remained unbroken through the hard times.
While the fans started to splinter, those inside the walls held firm and yesterday was their reward.
But there have been no turned corners, no season-defining moments or scaled peaks. This was a good win, a bloody good one, and there is now a template from which to build, but that performance level now needs to become the norm and not the exception.
More of the same and we can all start to believe again. Maybe starting again Arsenal?
Welcome back Mein Kapitän.
In terms of who saw that coming, did I expect a win? No. Was I surprised to win? No. I’ve always said, even after the depressingly bad Watford game that there is something about this playing & coaching staff so I’d never write them off. I don’t know whether we have enough to avoid relegation but I wanted to see what we could do with with two actual CBs playing together as I don’t think it’s possible to overstate the impact that has had on us. Plus, I do love an international break to help us reset!
Many staunch fans were getting the jitters but thankfully Danny and his lads still have some of the magic left over from last season. It was a well deserved win, Everton are no pushover. Cantwell and Pukki have a great understanding as do Tettey & Trybull, and Zimbo & Godfrey all of which makes the perfect backbone for the team. Gotta keep a troshin.
Centre back pairing yesterday made a difference not just because of better positional sense and organisation, but because when Everton tried to shoot our defenders raced Towards the ball and threw themselves forward to make a block. That intrinsic part of effective defending has been sadly missing in recent weeks as defenders have stood still in the face of attackers preparing to shoot instead of charging at the attacking player – which instantly makes them far more likely to actually block a shot as they become a bigger object every step they take towards the ball.
Gary, I was fearing the worst on Saturday morning, but was pleased to find Zimmerman back in the side. I did my usual of avoiding any news on the score till five to five (much as I enjoy Chris Goram as a radio presenter, if I can’t actually see what’s happening either in person or on the box, I just can’t take it second-hand) so I was delighted when my wife checked her i-Pad and told me the result.
Having now watched the highlights several times, I was highly impressed with our return to effective pressing, and the general air of belief in the team. Loved the way Sir Benny could have gone down and got a penalty, but was determined to force his way through and get himself a goal. Now to get some more momentum in the coming games.
Hi Jim
I’m just the same as you when we’re away.
The only difference between us is that I march around the front room [and other household areas] like a man possessed. Sometimes one of the dogs gets an unexpected walk to take my mind off proceedings. I then turn the laptop back on at 1655 precisely.
Then I give Mrs P the news [but if I go out she flicks Norfolk on anyway but keeps the news to herself until my grand announcement. She has the gift of being deadpan.
Yesterday was really rather pleasing in so many ways as I’ll be saying in more detail tomorrow.
Yes Martin, I’m glad you know how I feel. I have a sneaking suspicion that my better half takes a peek at the score from time to time, but she knows better than to let on to me!
Always enjoy your words Gary but more so after a positive result! I despair sometimes with some ‘fans’ expectations and that a loss is somehow the end of the world (how on earth they survive the ups and downs of normal life I have no idea). Hopefully the majority of fans recognise that we have a brilliant management team and the most tactically astute manager this club has had in my lifetime. DF has had that tactical nouse nullified by injuries but yesterday showed just what he can do when playing fields are more or less level.
Thanks Gary.
Isn’t it amazing what a difference square pegs in square holes make.?? The early return of Zimbo must have been one of Farke’s biggest Christmas wishes, and for one who only had minutes in the Premier League previously, didn’t he just deliver? I was worried that given the severity of his injury it might have been too soon, but hats off to the medical/support staff at Colney. This win had a lot to do with them too.
Zimbo’s return meant that as well as two, yes, that’s two proper centre backs, we were also afforded the luxury of a true defensive midfield shield, which in turn allowed those further forward the luxury of playing with added security and thus confidence. The first goal epitomised this, with Pukki’s hold up play and Cantwell’s brilliant run and excellent finish. He (Cantwell) and Mclean looked totally different players yesterday and if that magic can also be applied to Buendia, what creativity we will have.
An honourable mention also for Srbeny; the radio commentary alluded to a scuffed and scruffy goal, but the TV pictures (to me at least) showed a really composed finished.
Oh; and were they the shortest highlights ever for a Premier League game with a positive result?
Onwards and upwards.
O T B C
If City are ultimately relegated it will be because they’re not good enough over 38 games. If that does happen, but we’ve been playing like yesterday for the rest of the season, then accepting our fate would be a tad easier than if we’d had to endure some of the error prone displays we’ve previously served up.
Todd Cantwell was excellent yesterday and it’s easy to forget that City had to exercise the one year contract extension last summer. The sooner he’s tied down on new terms, the better.
Hi Gary
In a resdent Martin article I predicted a 2 – 1 to city but as my wife says that is always my city predictions as I never see city keeping a clean sheet.
Watching both MOTD and GOS it seems city are the permanent last game with the fewest minutes but both goals were well deserved.
Now we have the Arsenal game coming up so lets hope it’s not after as they say the lord Mayor’s show and they keep their manager for at least another week.
Last thing just seen the Srbeny goal again he looks embrassed after scoring and didn’t know how to celebrate after wards, let’s all there is no niggles for Zimbo after a long layoff and Srbeny can get a few more goals and a better celebration
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
It looked and felt like the beating heart of the team had returned yesterday such is the impact of a fit Zimmerman. You don’t get many of his ilk in football nowadays. Big Dunc, Malkay’, Watson and Bruce are previous legendary Centre back captains and Zimmerman has the presence to join that list. Daniel Farke must be very relieved that he can now play people in their best positions. The massive void in defensive midfield was filled extremely well yesterday giving a balance and feel to the team that has been missing of late. A special mention for Todd, he gets better and better. Byram deputised very well for Lewis yesterday and it will be a tough ask to displace him. Finally I noticed the absolute delight displayed when Srebeny scored by all of the team and it looked like he is a very popular member of the squad.
The difference for me was purely attitude and our willingness to do what it took, even if playing dirty. There were a few cynical fouls on our part (not least Zimmerman when he was clearly outpaced and out of position), and I loved them.
I don’t think we played that much better football than them, but mentally we easily beat them.
Season starts now. 30 points to go.
Funny old game football, after the last game I seriously wondered whether or not to support Leicester or perhaps Leyton Orient and that after the best part of 60 years supporting the Citizens. I have grown tired of having my hopes raised to a pinnacle only to be dashed because our purse has mysteriously disappeared. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing yesterday, a vision of paradise unfolding before my eyes. I was expecting a 3 or 4 nil defeat and to be honest that might have made me reach for my coat, I was beginning to feel like Ralph Mctell’s old brown dog, but then Pukki threads through the eye of a needle and Todd with his fabulous hair puts the ball in the corner and goes off break dancing, how cool can you get on national television or Sly sports, where the hell did that come from ? the ecstatic afterglow of Finnish unification or Germany qualifying for their first major tournament ?
If we can perform that feat again, we might just survive the drop, and lets face it, Arsenal looked rubbish yesterday, they’d be way better off with Farke at the helm, I DIDN’T SAY THAT, that’s just among friends and must definitely appear in the Guardian next to Gary’s comments. I’m not sure that Norwich City serve their fans and community well, they are just that bit too irritating for my liking, and performances like this go to show that just a small investment may go a long way, it’s about giving us a fighting chance Delia and on yesterday’s evidence the gap does not seem to be monumental, if it was, I would not be on here driving people mad with my professorial rambling and flippin heck Gary, take a bow and get out the trumpet
:https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/nov/23/premier-league-best-and-worst-so-far-part-two
‘definitely NOT appear’
a most welcome respite from the constant humblings to which we’ve grown accustomed.
It’s clear that to have any hope of survival Zimmermann and Hernandez have to be permanent fixtures until May. Not only did Zimmermanns presence remove a square peg from a round hole, it had a galvanising effect on Godfrey alongside him, who had a great game. In addition, it released tettey into the midfield to add steel. This in turn allowed McLean forward where he had a storming game.
It is surely not a coincidence that our results show a marked improvement following an international break, once farke has taken stock and drilled his available troops well in advance of their next game. As such, we should welcome the breaks!
A glance at the league table shows the damage done by our appalling run and the parlours position we still occupy. However, it is with slightly less trepidation we await arsenL next week. Hopefully we can avoid the hubris which followed our last victory and which lead to a humiliating spell of results.
It is the hope that kills you.
I think people are only praising half of Zimmermann’s impact, not only did he solidify the defence but his range of passing was phenomenal, the 50-60 yard diagonals he was spraying out to Hernandez and Byram as well as Cantwell’s goal coming from his ball up to McClean. Where the sideways pass is used a lot by Amadou filling in there, Zimmermann will look for a forward pass first and he played so many Saturday, I honestly don’t think people realise how crucial he is to the way we play out
Very good point, Adam.
The couple of diagonals he hit were top drawer and, as you say, having played this system alongside Godfrey (and others) for a whole season, he’s more adept than most at picking his moment to play an incisive forward pass to beat the first press.