Adam Idah stole the headlines but it was the antics of another City player that caught my eye during Saturday’s impressive FA Cup triumph at Preston.
Of course, Idah was majestic under the Deepdale lights, showcasing all his work-rate, movement, pace and trickery to reap havoc on Alex Neil’s defence and kick-start an – I hope – elongated Cup run this season.
But it was another man in yellow and green whose behaviour in the north-west warrants similar, and perhaps less desirable, attention.
And that man is Moritz Leitner.
Indeed, much has been spoken about the City No. 10’s exploits in one of the few games he’s featured in this season, trying to steal the ball from Idah to deny the 18-year-old a maiden career hat-trick and inexplicably refusing to celebrate when the striker’s penalty beat the hapless Connor Ripley.
And while many fans may justify Leitner’s behaviour on the grounds that he wants to impress Daniel Farke to get more minutes, score because he is an ambitious professional or merely just enhance his own personal record, I struggle to agree with such sentiments.
Leitner was out of order at Deepdale. Yes, I appreciate he may be frustrated over his lack of game-time this season and yes, I understand he will have acute desire to score having not done so since that thriller against Millwall last year, but there’s no way anyone can legitimise refusing to celebrate with a jubilant teenager who has just written his name into Norwich City – and FA Cup – folklore.
The point is, this Norwich team is ostensibly built on the commendable values of unity, togetherness, and teamwork. That, after all, is what currently renders us a Premier League side rather than a Championship one and is what engineered all those remarkable moments of last season.
Leitner’s behaviour undermined all of that. He prioritised personal gain – even with City cruising into the fourth round at 3-1 up – over the unbridled joy of Idah, a player who has waited patiently for his chance before firmly seizing it with both hands the moment it came.
That, for me, sits rather uneasily, particularly in a season where there have been few moments of individual brilliance to celebrate.
One player who did enhance his burgeoning reputation this weekend was Todd Cantwell, furthering his footballing heroics by showing his more personal values of benignity and – if nothing else – common sense.
Of course Idah should have always taken that penalty. In giving the ball to the No. 35, Cantwell was merely doing what was right.
If Leitner wanting to take the penalty was excusable, his response to Idah’s third goal was the polar opposite, turning his back in disdain as the striker celebrated his special moment in front of the travelling City faithful.
If Leitner really bought into this team’s notions of unity, selflessness and togetherness, he – as one of the more experienced players in the squad – would have been one of the first men over to congratulate Idah.
Of course, none of this detracts from the fact I believe Leitner is a fine footballer, an unequivocally important player for City who may well feature heavily in the second half of the season. I hope his actions at Deepdale were merely an anomaly, a blip in character that can be ironed out heading into the apogee of City’s relegation battle.
And none of this is to scapegoat a player who has represented a vital cog in Farke’s yellow and green machine over the years, instead just a judgement on one moment of regrettable selfishness that I hope he will learn from.
This was Idah’s day of FA Cup magic, however, and I hope any tension between him and Leitner can be harmoniously resolved heading into what could be – to quote Farke himself – a miraculous climax to the season.
OTBC
Hi Will.
It’s been widely reported that Todd Cantwell was the designated penalty taker before the game and looking at our starting XI that is hardly surprising.
Todd was utterly happy [at 3-1 up] to give the ball to Adam Idah and was the first to celebrate with him afterwards.
Whatever his motives the penalty incident had nothing to do with Leitner. Perhaps his actions were indicative of why he’s barely featured recently.
I’m not saying Leitner’s a bad player but if that is typical of his attitude I’m not sure if we really need him here.
It reminds me of when snodgrass pinched the ball off wolfswinkle who could of gained some confidence ..never forgave him for that selfish act
Hi Jim
I remember *Snodgrassgate* very well. Like you I was there and from my perch in the UB I could see all the interaction very well. We all could.
Even more mysterious was that RvW was allegedly the designated pen taker – he had a cracking conversion rate with Sporting Lisbon.
There was more behind the *toe-stubbing* injury than we’ll ever truly know but Ricky and his then girlfriend [now wife] occasionally popped into a well-known pub on the Yarmouth Road for a meal. One of my long-standing fellow Canaries mates drinks there to this day.
Keith had a brief chat with Ricky who hinted that his problem [caused by that incident] was actually in a part of his anatomy that was as far away from his toe as could be.
I’m with you Jim on that one, I never forgave him either. RVW needed that goal to kick on from his solitary strike against Everton and it felt almost like Snodgrass didn’t want him to succeed at the club (presumably through jealousy). I couldn’t wait to see the back of Snodgrass from that day forward but for me the worst part of it all was the utter spineless behaviour shown by Hughton in his post match comments and the equally weak captaincy shown by Bassong on the day who should have stepped in and given the ball to Ricky. Rather set the tone for our season I’m afraid and showed just who was pulling the strings.
I assume that there is a named penalty taker – if not there should be. Let’s suppose Idah had missed the penalty and PNE had come back to draw the game – there would then have been massive criticism over who takes penalties especially after last seasons record on the penalty front. We all remember Snodgrass’ miss having seized the ball from Ricky and some think that it might have been a turning point for him. As for Leitner’s failure to celebrate, I don’t know…seems a bit churlish.
Mo is desperate to get some game time and his determination is no bad thing, either he’ll learn from his petulance or move on, we need to cut him some slack. Ambitious players need careful handling.
Didn’t Leitner have a bit of a career crisis before coming here. Maybe this is part of why.
Wasn’t looking at Leitner’s actions too closely but whatever he may or may not have done l have every faith Farke will deal with any issues in the right way. His post match Fulham Interview and his comments about Nelson O’s behaviour tell us that for Farke it’s 100% about the club.
I haven’t seen anything on the highlights to suggest impropriety on Leitners part. Was it more obvious at the game?
It was surprising to see him named on the team sheet, particularly as a daft rumour was circulating regarding his exile in Germany. I recall an incident last season where he aimed a petulant kick at the hoardings when a fellow substitute got the call to get ready in preference to him. Something and nothing. I suspect Leitner is very frustrated, he has been very underwhelming this season.
Wasn’t Leitner the designated pen taker after our lack of success last season? If so, he was just doing what was right by taking the ball, I’m not sure sentiment should enter the decision to take a penalty, as nice as it was for Idah! Whilst it would be great if he ran to celebreate with Idah, it does feel like much ado about nothing to me. We know Mo is an incredibly gifted footballer and that it’s his personality traits that have most likely stopped him from playing for a much bigger team than us. You’re right to point out the team ethic side, but I’m sure Farke et al will have that in hand.
Hi Craig.
Todd was the designated penalty taker on Saturday, not Mo Leitner.
As you so rightly say Farke will sort any issues out.
Personally I’d have made sure Idah had his chance at a hat-trick. But I do understand the frustration. Farke likes the play the same team weekly (when possible) and that obviously leads to some players feeling aggrieved. Especially when they’re not getting a chance while we sit bottom of the league.
I’d say cut him some slack. We convinced him to come to the club as a known quantity (having been on loan). It’s not unreasonable for him to be disenfranchised.
Todd actively encouraged Adam, handing him the ball and saying something I’m his ear as he did so.
But I don’t think Leitner ‘refused to celebrate’. He certainly jogged back to beyond the half-way line straight away, but, as he did so, he touched fists at waist height with captain Zimbo and one other player (can’t remember who). To me that looked like an acknowledgement and acceptance that it was right that Adam had been given and had completed the spot kick — and a reaffirmation of the team ethic.
But I’m guessing.
Because none of us knows what his attitude, mood or inward response really was.
Quite a few assumptions there & I don’t agree that it was obvious Idah should take the pen. At 3-1 the game was very much on & if Leitner was saying it should be the designated taker then I won’t criticise him. I’m not sure its Cantwell’s decision to make to give it to him even if he was the chosen taker. As it was, I’m delighted Idah scored.
Quite happy with Mo’s reaction, Great for Idah but Mo is desperate for game time and is a quality player but can’t get into the team as others ahead of him at present. There needs to be some dissatisfaction it stirs people up and raises the stakes. We need players that will fight for the cause not snuggle up and cuddle in celebration when going 4-1 up in FA Cup to depleted Championship side.
The fact that Leitner has been missing from the squad for so long is a worry taking into account his history. This is a player who has had the opportunity to play at the highest level but apparently lacks the work ethic required. If that is the case we should move him out.