After a match like last night’s against Chris Hughton’s Nottingham Forest, it would be very easy to say that we did just enough for our 2-1 win, with *barely enough* doubtless the phrase of choice for those of a pessimistic disposition.
I’ll push the boat out a little bit more than that and air the view that we did an unadulterated plain old *enough* and deserved the three points for an excellent first-half display although I will admit we had some dodgy moments in the second half.
These words from Daniel Farke after the game sum the situation up perfectly for me:
“Probably one of the proudest moments of the season so far for me. To win this game feels massive and important for us. I am pretty happy. We have to deliver every three days and we are doing it without so many key players. Plus every opponent seems to raise their game and play as if they have nothing to lose.
“If I am honest I am not spending much attention on where we are in the table. But what I do spend a lot of attention on is how many points we have on the board already. Our points average is fantastic.
“It gives us a bit of a comfort zone and we have players coming back.
“We have some tough away games but to have this cushion is excellent. If we have a bad day or a poor result we are still in a good position. That gives us so much confidence.”
Well I’m certainly with you there Daniel, and for me three things made this a particularly pleasant victory.
Firstly Jacob Sorensen scored his first goal for the club with a *take no prisoners* drive past Brice Samba just seconds before half-time after the Stieperdude’s cross to nobody in particular was weakly headed out by Yuri Robeiro. And if you want a time to notch your first strike for the Canaries Jacob, seconds before half-time in this match was the perfect time to do it.
Secondly, Max Aarons raised his bat to 100 appearances for Norwich City Football Club. Max is still 20 fer chrissakes! An England Under-21 regular and with a complete Premier League season under his belt. No wonder the slightly fragile-looking Barcelona extended their tentacles his way in the summer.
Whenever he moves on – and he will, they all do – I’m sure he’ll make the right choice at the right time as he seems like such a grounded, level-headed lad.
And thirdly, of course, was possibly the most cheering sight of the lot as we looked towards that recently sparsely-occupied piece of furniture to Farke’s left, aka the bench. Well, last night it was almost full of course, and to see Todd Cantwell, Kenny McLean, Jordan Hugill and Kieran Dowell occupying their seats was a cause for some considerable optimism.
Bless me, Todd and the Mayor even got a few minutes on the pitch!
We could debate the Forest equaliser until the moo-moos come home. Anthony Knockaert is a good player [I mean that, I really believe he is] but surely that was a cross? Michael McGovern could claim he went for it too late because he expected a Forest player to get something on it.
We won the game, so there probably won’t be a major inquest at Colney concerning it but nevertheless, I’m hoping to hear another bulletin of positive news about Tim Krul tomorrow – all of us are if we’re honest.
Emi Buendia scored what proved to be the game’s match-winning goal when he was set up by Cantwell for a shot on he edge of the box which deflected off Forest skipper Joe Worrall’s head at some pace, leaving the hapless Samba stranded.
If you don’t shoot you don’t score and Emi was ample proof of that. Mind you he, Mario Vrancic and the Stieperdude also fired a few at Samba from distance during the first period, which was pleasing to see.
Then it only remained to manage a very jittery 20+ minutes when Forest had a string of corners but thankfully nothing became of them as the South Stand [I know, I know] began a largely masked chorus of *We are Top of the League*.
When we consider that we have so far managed to stick to that much-lauded *two points per game gets you up* [34 from 17] mantra against such a cruel backdrop of injuries it’s been one hell of an achievement.
I can’t remember the last time a Norwich player had a bad game (ex Norwich player Greg Downs had a terrible game a couple of weeks ago!).
Sorensen looks as though he may become one of our best ever signings. Imagine what he’s going to be like when he plays in a position that he was familiar with 2 months ago. The amazing thing to me is that he was struggling to get a place on the bench.
We have lots of players coming back but, with the exception of the goalkeeper, it’s difficult to see who should make way. Perhaps DF will do what he did in 18/19 and keep a winning team as much as possible despite who else is available. I hope so, keeping the shirt must be a huge incentive to maintain performance levels.
Hi Don
This will be quite the conundrum as like you I can’t immediately see who should make way when the cavalry comes over the hill.
Krul for McGovern – we would all surely agree on that one. But in early 2021 we will have the likes of the largely forgotten Sam Byram, Onel Hernandez and Bali Mumba knocking at the door. as well. Chuck in Adam Idah too, add him to Cantwell, McLean {$od off Rangers] Hugill and Dowell if you like. Then add a dash of Placheta and Gibson for good measure.
I doubt we’ll see Xavi Quintilla back but even then I think I’ve probably missed one or two 🙂
Cheers
Have to agree Martin, but given the unrelenting current schedule, I can see some rotation, just to give some of these guys just a little rest.
O T B C
I’d imagine the opportunity to truly rotate will come after Christmas but it hopefully looks like more and more bodies are trickling back all the time.
Another interesting press conference later today!
Hi Martin
Well that was a really tough closing 15mins the defence just like the great Wall of China 🇨🇳 stood firm.
We are usually watching city pouring forward to scrap a last minute goal and I must say Houghton’s Forest really tried the utmost to spoil our evening.
On the Red Button it was mentioned that city could/should have had a handball penalty but to instant replay to say so will except that the Ref was ✅ right.
So 2 move away games against tough teams if we can achieve 2 or more points from these games I think Farke would be happy.
It was a surprise to see the Mayor get game time along side Cantwell but is there light at the end of the tunnel only time will tell.
The second string commentators really need to gen up on the teams they are reporting on some how ladt night it was said Houghton on just kept city in the Premiership in his only full season surely it was an 11th place finish.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay Safe and Stay Healthy 🙏
I agree with you about the commentators. In one move, Aarons was bombing down the wing and the commentator called him Jamal Lewis-twice
Really?
Jeez I’ll stick with Chris Goreham & whoever his guest is on iFollow when I can then after learning that.
Max and Jamal were similar – but actually very subtly different – when they were both here together. I can remember Max playing on the left a couple of times but never the other way round.
Sounds like somebody thinking James Maddison is Andy Hughes.
Hughes was much the better of those two, of course.
Hi Alex
Yes the thing about the commentators is very valid. Chris Goreham on Radio Norfolk is the best I’ve ever heard on a local level although dear old Roy Waller, as much as he was loved by many Norfolk folks, is not really a hard act to follow. You could tune in late to an RW commentary and not know what the score was for around 20 minutes thereafter!
After most of a lifetime in journalism one of my absolute nightmares would be to be pitched in to comment at short notice on two teams I know little about – something akin to Barnsley v Blackburn would come to mind. You could mention Mark Robins, Bradley Johnson and Tom Trybull for a while but then dry up like a Christmas clementine.
Actually you’re spot on about the Hughton season – we did indeed finish 11th after that wonderful Jonny Howson inspired win at Citeh. If we’d lost as expected and other results hadn’t gone our way we could have been 16th. It was that tight that day.
Cheers mate
On iFollow they use the Radio Norfolk commentary, have (I Think) at least 4 camera angles, and the benefit of both slow-mo and replays.
The non-award of the penalty last night was even more ludicrous that that given against Hanley in the Luton game last week.
O T B C
Martin, I think you’re right about their goal. Knockheart was definitely trying to put it on their players head (and did that very well), and McGovern was probably right to wait to see if he got to it, though Zimmerman could have put a bit more pressure on their guy.
I know you don’t have Sky, but that red button commentator had to be heard to be believed. As I said on Gary’s piece earlier, at one point he even told us Jamal Lewis was bringing the ball forward for City! He knew everything about Forest, and beggar all about us. He must have travelled here on their team bus.
Hi Jim
No I didn’t hear the Sky commentary – although I have tested out their services relatively recently which I mainly utilise to follow the cricket tbh. Nuff said.
As I’ve remarked to Alex [above] I normally stick to iFollow as Chris Goreham and guest usually provide great commentary and ALWAYS with some knowledge of the oppo. It’s a bit like us here writing on MFW – if we want to know what’s going on with another team we ask somebody credible who supports them. We’d rarely get any insight otherwise 🙂
Cheers
Goodness me Martin – you and the other MFW writers are working overtime these days!!
As you rightly say -2 points per game with our injury list is one heck of an achievement and who makes way for the injured players returning?? At least DF will have a full bench once more and be able to rest some of his players.
IMO, one of the most pleasing aspects of last night’s game was the return of TC, the Mayor, Hugill and Dowell. I know the last two didn’t get on the pitch, but they may well play some minutes before we entertain the Bluebirds a week on Saturday I’ve got a ticket for this game, so my match report will be posted on 21st Dec!!
Last night, we had 20 shots on goal and 10 of them were blocked, so I think Emi was entitled to score with the aid of a deflection. As expected, I’ve seen criticism of McGovern for the Forest (Tricky Trees?) goal, but I think it was just bad luck and I’m not convinced may keepers would have kept it out.
Yet again we were denied a clear penalty, but once again the fans were pivotal in helping the players keep going for the club and securing the win.
I’ll be quite surprised if Emi is still at CR next year, as I’m sure several PL clubs can see his skill/talent. Having said that, what’s the point in swapping a potential promotion to join a club battling for their PL survival? The trouble is, his agent will only be looking at how much his share of any transfer fee would be, rather than what’s best for Emi.
The 64,000$ question is – where will Max be playing next season?? I’m confident that he won’t leave in January, but I can imagine some serious £sd (that’s money for the younger readers!!) will be dangled in front of SW in the summer to tempt him away and I can see the bidding starting around £30M. A pretty impressive ROI on an investment of around £150K. I was reading a couple of days ago, that the new JM was also born in Luton.
Hi Ed
As for Emi and Max I’m pretty sure you echo the concerns of us all. It’s kind of predictable that at the same time as several come back from injury we’ll have to worry about that wretched window opening again.
I didn’t know Josh Martin was from Luton, but he’s in good company with Max [for now] and the recently departed Jamal.
I guess this time next month we’ll all be nauseated at the sound of the words *window*, *agent* and *undisclosed fee*.
Yes MFW is a bit busy just now but that’s the way we like it. We’ll look forward to your match report after the Cardiff game 🙂
Cheers
Marty, you’re right about the little miracle that’s happening at City, the lads just keep winning despite the injury problems. Danny isn’t a big loudmouth know-it-all manager, one of the brash publicity seekers, thank God, but it does mean that little ole Norwich stays under the radar. Even some of our so called fans complain at our poor performances and ignore the fact we are averaging 2 points a game with half a squad.
Hi Cutty
I love a good old moan as you know but I can’t fault Farke or any of the boys for the way they’ve been battling under the circumstances.
And as I said to John [above] it won’t be very long before we get a few back fit and the rotation process can begin for those who need a break – and there are possibly more of these than we might reckon.
Cheers
An excellent read Martin. I agree with your assertion regarding the points being the most important factor at this moment in time. Performances will hopefully follow with the long awaited return of virtually two thirds of our first choice eleven.
The options, limited as they were, available to farke on the bench swung the game in our favour. Without doubt both Coventry and Luton would have been despatched had we had the luxury of any senior pros on the bench.
It’s interesting to note that come January and FA Cup third round day, we might actually play a Strengthened side with the amount of returnees we hope to have back in the mix!
Hi Chris
Yes you’re last sentence might well prove to be true which astounds me as I thought the FA Cup tie with Cov is one we would have understandably written off two weeks ago.
Daniel’s dinner time press conference with the injury updates will prove more interesting than usual today I feel.
I think Luton saw us at our most threadbare, not exactly a nadir but something akin to it. All being well I wouldn’t fancy their chances at the Carra next year!
Cheers