And another…
City’s third 2-1 victory in the space of a week was the clearest sign yet that this is a bona fide promotion charge.
Still over half the season to go, but this felt big.
Reading were of course without two of their big names in Lucas Joao and Yakou Meite (Sky Sports were very keen to remind us), and four other fringe players I hadn’t heard of, but still they provided City with, all things considered, probably their biggest test so far.
Add into that mix 2000 of Berkshire’s finest, who succeeded in providing a spiky backdrop, and this had all the makings of being ‘one step too far’ as Daniel Farke still awaits the full return of his cavalry.
But no.
Still the bandwagon rolls on, clearing away all obstacles put before it with the minimum of fuss but also with a clinical edge that, one could argue, even usurps the rightly revered Class of 2019.
Two seasons ago, with Farkeball in its second season, the Canaries simply blew the field away with a swash and a buckle and an ability to outscore most. It was the closest anyone had got to replicating Kevin Keegan’s Toon ‘entertainers’ of the mid-90s but it was all achieved, quite brilliantly, without a particularly solid base.
Those shaky foundations were partly responsible for what followed in the Premier League.
But Farkeball 4.0 feels different. The pleasing passing rhythms are still there but are accompanied with an ability to dig in and be solid when we don’t have the ball, helped by the fact we don’t tend to overcommit when we do have it – a common trait of Farkeball 2.0.
It feels more measured and, as a result, more robust.
The flip side is the comparatively modest goal return, one that I have an inkling may just be about to change.
Among many significant facets of last night’s win was the double change made by Farke at half-time, with Kieran Dowell and Todd Cantwell replacing Marco Stiepermann and Josh Martin – both of whom had contributed successfully to the high press while also being guilty of coughing up possession too cheaply.
In addition to them adding the energy and hunger you’d expect of a pairing who’ve both had spells on the sidelines, the composure on the ball of the whole team went up several notches as a result of their presence.
Both are able technicians whose decision-making last night was on point, but, crucially, both are also capable of easing the goalscoring burden that currently rests firmly on the shoulders of Emi Buendia and Teemu Pukki.
Dowell’s first touch and eye for a pass formed the key elements of his CV when he arrived but no-one expected him to adapt so seamlessly to the heat of Championship battle after just eight days worth of training following his injury.
Cantwell too enhanced what had gone on before the break and his ability to look after the ball and operate in tight pockets played its part in a second-half showing as assured and accomplished as anything we’ve seen all season.
It’s great that Farke has options, but a fit and healthy front four of Cantwell, Dowell, Buendia and Pukki will surely become his go-to when the stakes are at their highest.
Emi’s 12 games this season have so far produced five goals and six assists, and allied to a voracious work rate has confirmed his unofficial status as the best player in the division. Right now, our biggest challenge is how to keep away the vultures in January; something that applies equally to the league’s best right-back.
Both Buendia and Max Aarons are at their pomp and Premier League recruitment teams will have their respective agents on speed-dial; a challenge for Stuart Webber that is right up there with his search for left-back cover.
But that’s for another day. For now, we should bask in the glow of a highly polished 95 minutes that doubled as a shot across the bows of the other 23.
Jason Tindall was a curious choice of Sky Sports pundit for the game but the Bournemouth manager’s very public close-up of what he’s up against made for interesting viewing; contorted expressions et al.
Reading felt hard done by. I think they should consider themselves lucky it was only 2-1.
Someone, somewhere is going to get a right walloping sometime soon.
Never Mind the Danger
As usual Gary a good read.
I think the biggest reason we are more solid at the back is down to Skipp. Like all good defensive players he mainly goes unnoticed. Time and again he frustrates the opposition because he reads the game exceptionally well for someone of his comparative inexperience.
If all goes well this year I hope we can retain his services for a further year.
As for Max he just gets better and I hope he’s still here in the New Year.
Big credit to Farke who’s complete lack of ego is refreshing in an industry that contains many puffed up pretenders. Being scandalously ignored for the monthly manger awards seems to make him all the better at his job.
I’ve got to be honest, the Royals fans are winning this season’s “most salty fans” award by a country mile, judging by their post-match comments on social media.
But, enough about them and their missing players, this game was a different level, as you rightly highlight, Gaz, in terms of NCFC control, especially in the second half, following the introductions of Todd and Kieran.
And a big shout out too, to Michael McGovern. Stood no chance with the deflected goal, had very little to do for most of the game, apart from one top draw save from the Reading free kick in the dying seconds.
This team is making all the right noises, albeit with still over half the season to go, but could easily break a few of the records set by Farkeball 2.0
Opposition fans are at their saltiest when they know deep down that their team has been comprehensively outplayed. Which they were.
Our “game management” has changed hugely. From going down under a challenge in the area (Placheta, Aarons etc) to taking bookings or committing fouls high up the pitch (Pukki, Skipp, Stipermann etc) to stop an opposition attack, to playing out time (Hugill). It’s inevitable that we will get caught out eventually and lose a last second goal to drop some points – but seeing out 11 single goal victories to date is very un-Norwich like.
Farkeball 2.0 got off to 3 losses in the first 6 games and then lost another 3 in the next 40. Farkeball 4.0 had two losses in the first 4 games and now 1 loss in 15. Looking similar!!!
This team is more solid and better at game management. They are a bit more conservative in committing men forward but still have the talent to get the job done.
My only concerns are like yours Gary. We could lose Emi and Max in January. Given his form Emi is worth a fortune, certainly a club record fee. However, I doubt we will find another Emi, so in that sense he is priceless. I also hope Farke can keep the squad happy when most of the injured players are available but not playing. It will be difficult to drop players, who are doing so well. Sorensen would be a good example of someone who would be difficult to drop even though he is not playing in his best position.
Onwards and upwards.
I do feel for Mario Vrancic who I thought had his best game in a yellow shirt against Blackburn. Surely he should start ahead of Stiepermann? Two good games of football in a row. Will Cardiff be another or will it be park the bus again.
21 21 21 21 is it anew specie of owl no its super canaries good performance well chuffed we need to be lookin at two dm next year with tetey and skip gone havin got anyone to replace them mayb Sorenson on the ball 😅
Another good read and a tough game but brilliant result.
Watching the game last night V Sky it struck me as Zimmermann and Hanley left enough room between them to park a couple of Bkackpool Trans sideways, the Hankey/Gibson combo are much closer during the game maybe due to a left and Right footer compared to 2 Right footers last night.
Tindal last night had a smug grin during the game and is lucky to have the job, Howes realised he was wasn’t getting anything out of his team so left, Tindal stepped into the void and has the team that shouldn’t have got relegated playing in the same way Howe had them set up so it is Howes team not his in all but name.
Farke has learnt that his plan B needs to be implemented earlier not the last 15mins of a game to continue this charge up the promotion ladder and boy is it paying off.
I said during the week I expected 4pts from the next 2 games so far we have 3 so can we make it 6 by beating Cardiff on a lunchtime kick-off only time and Farke will tell.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay Safe and Stay Healthy 🙏
Let’s all hope for a jolly Merry Xmas and New year with no peaks in covid-19
Thanks Gary, another good read, better than par !
A long way to go of course, but all of the signs are good. I don’t like questions like “ who is the best ever NCFC Manager, forward or keeper, because they have all managed/played in a different era and different circumstances, however if DF pulls off another promotion he is one shrewd cookie and clever operator and has to be right up there imo.
I stated at the end of the 2018-19 Championship season that Emi is worth £40m and one of the very best players I’ve seen wearing yellow & green, nothing has altered my opinion. I would love him and Max to stay but I would also like to see them play at the very highest level too. Let’s just enjoy them until January at least.
I didn’t think we showed any weakness anywhere on the pitch in the 2nd half last evening and that was against a very decent side too. There was no Krul, Gibson, Quintilla, Hernandez, Rupp, Byram, Mumba even on the bench.
Have we ever had a better squad?
Excellent report Gary.
Another masterclass in game management from Mr Farke, and to get 6 points from 2 tough away games is (I think) rather better than most would have expected.
It was a good time to be playing Reading with them missing Joao; Meite and Puscas…..but nobody gave us a thought when earlier in the season we had NO forwards, and a plethora of other absentees. Similarly last season when we were devoid of defenders.
As you rightly say, now we’re getting back towards a full squad, the rest of the Championship need to beware.
Someone, soon will feel the full force of Farke’s army; just a shame that it cannot be 1p5wich.!!
Let’s hope that a few more than 2000 of us will be able to witness it.
O T B C
As long as we are at the right end of the table at the beginning of January, I don’t see either of Emi or Max leaving. Currently, they are only enhancing their reputations and in a win win situation. Stay and help us get promoted, or leave at the end of the season with probably more choice as who to join. Either way, they will be in The Prem next season.
Interestingly, I read that some of the Newcastle fans have turned on Jamal already. It certainly is an unforgiving League!
Love your point on Tindall, Gary. Firstly, at full time he looked like a man who had just been taught a lesson in how good NCFC are and how difficult his own job is about to become.
Secondly, how does someone that devoid of personality manage to motivate his team?