We all have enjoyed life’s guilty pleasures over the years so I’ll admit to a few of mine.
Finishing many a Scotland Yard nightshift in the early 1980s around 0700 and breaking my journey home at Barbican station to walk to The Hope on the edge of Smithfield market to enjoy a few pints with fellow miscreants, which featured almost as many police officers and civvies as it did meat porters. If you were on night duty it was your evening in a funny kind of way.
Listening to the first three Queen albums when Freddie Mercury was still writing lyrics about *faeries* to heavy music and thoroughly enjoying them. *A thin moon me in a smokescreen sky* and all that.
Three or four of us wagging off school at dinner time by running across the graveyard and down an alleyway to end up at Chris White’s house. His elder brother was a guitar teacher and had a fantastic progressive rock album collection. Tea and loads of biscuits? No worries there.
But my current guilty pleasure is that we have exited the FA Cup in Round Four and this season of all seasons it bothers me not one jot. Yes I know I’m probably inviting stick but this really is just my genuine take on the situation.
There’s a few negative boxes in the performance side of things that we can check as in #1 the midfield didn’t really get going, #2 Pepe Placheta should have scored instead of hitting the bar, #3 Emi Buendia isn’t that good at free kicks on the edge of the box and #4 we only really became invigorated when the raft of late-ish subs came on.
It pains me to say it but on balance Barnsley deserved their win – they wanted it more than we did I’m afraid, but I’m not moaning. We’ve had three points from them already and are very likely to get three more in the last game of the season, whereas they will shortly face Chelsea and not go beyond FA Cup round five as a direct result of that particular encounter.
But fair play to the Tykes, they were worth it on the day. For all the good it will do them except gaining something like £50k or whatever the losers bounty for that fixture will be.
Jordan Hugill pulled up with what I can only guess is a hamstring problem. Normally I’d be worried $hiteless but we don’t yet know the extent of the injury and Teemu Pukki should be back for Boro with Adam Idah not too far behind him. There’s also a week left of the transfer window if the powers that be feel really desperate – we don’t want to blow our promotion chances from here.
Talking of which, Saturday’s performance bore only a shadowy resemblance to our Championship set-up but surely we all accepted that as soon as the teams were announced.
There’s a week’s rest and recuperation for all who played on Saturday, which the likes of Grant Hanley, Ben Gibson and probably even Jacob Sorensen will surely benefit from because the first couple of weeks of February are going to be relentless.
I’m very grateful for the rare absence of a midweek match in the sense of it’s a kind of calm before the February storm comes our way.
There’s no way I’m getting too depressed about a defeat like that – trust me, it might well have been for the best in this cynical world of modern football. Let’s face it we surely couldn’t have won the competition and not a single one of us would have gone to Wembley if by a miracle we had reached the final.
Our exit at the hands of Barnsley is certainly no skin off my proboscis.
And back in my world of guilty pleasures, I think I’ll give both Queen live at the Hammy O 1975 vids another view sometime soon. I was at both gigs so I have every right to indulge myself in those memories.
I should really dedicate this clip to when we’re allowed back into the Carra but it’s so good that I can’t resist:
Good morning Mr P, on this bitterly cold morning, but at least a nice sunny start to the day beckons and IMO, it’s what Winter is all about; not the endless days of rain that some areas of the country have suffered.
Onto the defeat on Saturday. I see DDF in one of his tweets on Friday suggested a starting line up with fewer changes and Skipp starting, but it wasn’t to be. As you so rightly say, the opposition wanted it more than us and got their victory. They probably need the £50K or however much it is more than us anyway.
Amazing the difference a few changes in the side can make and as fluent and an enjoyable watch as ‘Farkeball’ was on Wednesday, it was very painful to watch at Oakwell. DF was right to rest some of his regular starting 11, but from PD’s player ratings yesterday, none were able to stake a claim to be added to that 11. In reality, the most disappointing aspect of being knocked out of the cup is the fact that those returning players won’t be able to benefit from getting more time actually playing in a competitive match.
Placheta’s miss was pretty dismal, but I’m sure he has the potential to at least be an excellent addition the squad, even if only as a sub and his pace could really frighten some slower defenders, especially late in the game. I was reading somewhere that he is being targeted on social media and all I can say is that a good friend and an NCFC fan I know was berating Rupp and Skipp early in the season – he ate so much ‘humble pie’ in October, he nearly had to buy new trousers.
Hernandez is another player I expect to show some of his skills/trickery that were evident in our title winning season two years ago.
After our defeat at Luton, we then accumulated 25 points out of a possible 30 and if we can even get close to that level, then we are back on course to being in the automatic promotion places at least. Over the same games, although our goal difference was a paltry 9, but the only team to better that is Brentford with 10!!!
A major concern is the injury to Hugill, just as he was showing how effective he can be with the right level of service and we can only hope that Pukki will be able to play part of the game against Boro and I don’t expect Idah to be fully match fit after his injury and spell of self isolation etc.
Morning Ed
I must say that if Geezer the Patterdale terrier hadn’t have had his *operation* at the vets five years ago the heavy frost would have done it for his this morning!
Like most of us I didn’t get to see much beyond extended highlights but PD’s player ratings are normally bang on so I’ll take his word for it. Hernandez looked well off the pace for sure and his slip just before Styles scored didn’t help.
Farke is saying Pukki will be back in training this week and hopefully available for Boro. I sincerely hope so as while we CAN play without a striker I’d rather we didn’t.
Boro would have been a good game for Hugill – you know what Colin’s teams are like – but if it’s not to be it’s not to be. Fingers crossed he’s not out for too long.
Cheers
PS – I’m sure I saw something yesterday that SW/DF won’t be looking to sign another striker before the end of January.
I read that too but I still have this nagging Jordan Rhodes idea in the back of my mind – but it might be too much for even Webber to pull off.
This is how I stand on sat performance good riddance picked up another injury we could have done without look forward to the real football next sat hope pukki is fit also like queen myself my first ever album I bought was Brighton rock hope we’re singing we are the champions come may keep well martin😊
Morning Kev
I’d long gone off Queen by the time We are the Champions came out but I know exactly what you mean 🙂
We definitely need a fully fit Finn for Saturday as you say.
I’d forgotten Brighton Rock but I think it was on Sheer Heart Attack, which is the last one I bought. That’s typical of me with bands – discover ’em early and get fed up after three or four albums when the rest of the world starts to love ’em – honourable exceptions for Sabbath and the Manics, of course.
Keep good.
Well said Martin;
I cannot remember ever feeling less bothered/depressed by a defeat (other then the game between Coventry and Everton which relegated us) ……and going back some 60 years of following the Canaries overall that’s not too bad.
Barnsley deserved their win, although I do wonder if the pitch also helped them just a little. And Chelsea won’t have it all their own way on a cold/wet Tuesday/Wednesday night in Yorkshire.
If we can manage 7 or even 5 points from the next 3 games, then all will be well with the Yellow and Green world.
O T B C
Hi John
Yes they reckon that against Coventry a celebratory Everton side would have failed a breathalyser to a man on the day.
The Oakwell pitch looked awful and I hope I don’t live to regret my cocky remark about getting three points there in our final game of the season – I didn’t realise how bad it was until I’d already written the article and it’s hardly going to get any better.
5/6/7 from the next nine would be fine by me too.
Thanks as always
Happy to be out of the Cup – 1st time in a long time I really wanted us to lose
A one off match v Chelsea was no incentive to me
Promotion should be our only target – in the fantastic lofty position we are in right now
Pity we played so many 1st teamers on that awful pitch, & Hugil getting injured was a real blow to our squad depth of strikers
Nice article to read
OTBC
Hi Nigel
I didn’t go quite as far as you by saying I’m glad to be out of the Cup – but I’m certainly relieved because as you say, promotion must be our only priority
It is now anyway!
Thanks
I must take exception with your words ‘ a fantastic progressive rock album collection.’ A contradiction in terms, surely? Them best thing that I can say about Prog is that it made sure Punk Rock happened.
I didn’t see the game, save for the brief coverage on MOTD. I can’t remember being less bothered by a defeat, but would have liked us to win. It looks like we’ll be without Pukki, Idah and Hugill on Saturday, so the only other available player who has played up front this season is Omotoye. I can’t see DF starting such an inexperienced player against Warnock’s band of brothers. Perhaps Soto will get a game as he’s been doing well in a good standard all season-there seems little point bringing him back if he isn’t going to be used. Failing that, Jacob Lungi Sorensen would almost certainly do a good job-I’m only half joking.
Almost everything in the Norwich City garden is still rosy, I just hope it is at the end of what could be a pivotal four or five weeks coming up.
Hi Don
From what I’ve gleaned Pukki is likely to be back in the frame for Saturday, but as we all know DF keeps his cards close to this chest and we probably won’t know until his pre-match press conference on Friday.
Farke has said that he wants Soto back to evaluate him and by the sound of it decide to send either him or Otomoye out on loan within the UK. We also don’t know how long Hugill will be out for but it didn’t look too good to me.
Punk didn’t exist until I was 20 but I did have metal [and Rod & the Faces for a bit of fun], Bowie and Roxy but prog was in its ascendency in the early 70s and it wasn’t all Yes/ELP style *ankery. Early Floyd, Tull and Genesis still stand the test of time, as do a few more obscure bands we liked as well, such as Caravan, Wishbone Ash and Guru Guru.
I get why you see it like that though – there’s a few years between us so no need for you to discover stuff that I very rarely listen to myself anymore!
Cheers
Marty, for me the FA Cup run by the 1959ers was the epitome, the never again to be reached highlight of excitement. Football wise, better even than England’s World Cup victory.. The whole city was caught up in the magic, it had an electrifying effect for weeks, even people who had little interest in football were excited by it.. These days and especially this year it’s of little interest and as you say best out of the way. The Canaries are a totally different and more successful set up these days, I hate to admit it but soccer in general is better now. The world has changed, there are lots of problems but the standard of living and range of entertainment for most people is beyond anything we could have dreamed of. Good memories but onwards and upwards, Championship Champions is within our grasp.
Hiya Cutty
Re 59ers: as I’ve probably said before my best NCFC buddy Keith is a couple of years older than you and still refers to those days with absolute reverence. I was 18 months old at the time so can’t really contribute too much!
The standard of living point is a good one. In my very early years I grew up in a 2-up 2-down in Forest Gate [London E7} with a leaky scullery kitchen and an outside bog but the old boy managed to buy a 3-bed semi on the Cooper estate in Chadwell Heath around 1963.
Central heating, a bathroom with a separate khazi and a garage for Chrissakes. £4k then, £400k now. It’s a cliche but I never felt that I wanted for anything as a kid.
Although we had less entertainment then, did we appreciate what we had more?
That’s a debate for another day of course.
Cheers
Hi Martin
It us a frosty white day here in Blackpool and very cold and like the roads city hit the slippery slope on Saturday.
Will this minor upset cause a longer period of untold injury problems only time will tell and like you Rhodes keep coming to mind the question is will Sheff Wed be willing to do a deal as he only has 6 months on his contract and get something for him or try and get a small sum with a large promotion bonus as an add on.
Saturdays game was all about getting players fit that needed playing time and it backfired with a kick in the backside for Hugill now we wait with bated breath for DF weekend announcement.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay Safe and Keep Healthy 🙏
Hi Alex
I think Hugill had to play to be fair as I can’t remember the last time Omotoye played 90 for the under 23s tbh. It would have been a big, big ask for young Tyrese.
My only concern with Jordan Rhodes is that just like Hugill, he’s never had the chance to cut it in the PL and it’s too late for both of them now.
However a 6 month loan deal [stuff a fee, let’s pay his full wages instead] could be a starter.
And then the financial mess that is Sheffield Wednesday could release him for zilch!
Cheers mate
I did the watch the game for my sins, bit of a strange one really. Rambling thoughts – Our best attack in the first half was stopped by the lino flagging Placheta offside when the ball was A) played backwards and B) headed by a Barnsley player. I think the pitch affected the team too, a number of players slipped over in the mud – all wearing Yellow & Green – I assume the home side are used to it. For all their shots on target, until they scored, only one attack had me concerned. Omotoye looked a bit lost, but he didn’t get much service and I’m sure the experience will do him good. All the midfield looked rusty, Placheta I think just needs confidence – I hope he starts against Boro if Cantwell is unavailable. Pleased to see Rupp back, his passing radar was off but close control was good. Last random thought, good to see quite a few long cross pitch balls to find the space that Barnsley were denying them, someone was thinking!!
But…can’t say Barnsley didn’t deserve it, I can’t remember the last time I saw a team work so hard and the effort level barely dropped all game.
Hi Bruce
You’re right about the pitch. As I said to John [above] I didn’t realise how bad it actually was until after I’d written the article.
It’s good to hear from somebody who watched the entire match and as you’re a proud owner of BT Sport please don’t feel afraid to send MFW your observations in the future.
Thanks – nice comment.
Breaking News
Frankie boy Lampard has gone after a £200m transfer spend and rge EDT are calling for Ipshite to do the same with Lambert or one person said he could do an honorable thing and resign now that would be a first lol
Looks like Chelski tapped up Thomas Tuchel before the Luton game. Quite a while before I’d say. I’ve no sympathy for Lampard at all – check out his annual salary if you wanna know why – but what interests me is where will he go now?
Maldives? Cancun? Seychelles?
I don’t see him getting back into management too quickly, if at all.
Hindsight is as wonderful thing, but clearly it was too early for the ‘big job’!! Shows the arrogance of the man!!
Hi John
I know Lampard did kind of okay at Derby but it was only an apprenticeship for the “big job” he could not hack.
The one place I know he won’t end up at is West Ham!
Great piece as always Martin.
I agree with all of the above, I cannot recall the last time I was less bothered by a defeat. Though mention of the 1959 cup run did bring back lovely memories of my dad who saw a lot of those games even some away.
And as you say on another day Placheta could have had a brace.
Promotion is the only thing that matters this season, and if we do make it we will already be ahead of the last championship winning team in knowing what we need to do to strengthen the side.
I wanted all those players to be given a chance last time, now however we know who just won’t take the step up.
Sadly that may mean goodbye to one or two heroes but I have seen Kenny Foggo, Malkay Mackay and Bradley Johnson just to name 3 who were swiftly dispensed with once promotion was attained.
( Two of them were disastrous decisions however )
And already signings like Ben Gibson, the new left back are with an eye on the premiership.
I agree that Jordan Rhodes would be my only option to bring someone in, we know him and he knows us a perfect fit. But this guy Sebastian SOTO😂 looks good from the very little that I have seen on the internet so he may well be ready.
Keep safe.
Hi Tim
Yes the 1959 run does resonate with those who around at the time as I said to Cutty [above] and why not indeed. My Dad never forgot his beloved West Ham winning the ’64 Final, going on to European success and their contribution towards the 1966 match that you might also remember!
You raise an interesting point when you say we would be better prepared for a possible return to the PL this time around. How does Farke get the best out of those who must surely know they will be leaving if we make it? The psychology of that one is beyond my ken.
I’ve seen Kenny Foggo play but can’t really remember him very well but I can say that disposing of Malky for Simon Charlton and Thomas Helveg was disastrous. Maybe Iwan was worth another season too?
As for Bradders there was a lot more behind that sale than immediately meets the eye but I’ll leave that one there if I may 🙂
Great comment – thanks.
I think the powers that be acknowledge that they got the recruitment for last season wrong Martin, however in their defence look at the injuries to our centre backs and were we really expecting to come back after the first lockdown ?
With the fitness/performances after lockdown something was very wrong. and I even wonder if the club didn’t prepare for it. Perhaps they thought like I did at the time that it was a non-starter.
Yes I know I forgot the greed of certain clubs.
Its contentious I know but just take Leicester, the last league game played before lockdown and then Southampton the first after. Chalk and cheese I am afraid.
I just think now Farke and Webber know who will be kept and who will depart if we do make The Promised Land, something we nor did the management did with the Championship winning side. Take Mo Lietner started well but tailed of as it got more and more physical.
Foggo was a massive player in the late sixties early seventies for us and it was a huge shock that Ron Saunders dispensed with his services so early in our first time in the top league. And I couldn’t agree more about Malky and definitely Robbo too. Should have both stayed.
Rob Butler got Craig Fleming to talk about that on Canary call some years back, he was a bit reluctant to say too much but it was clear he agreed with us and felt Nigel got it massively wrong.
As regards Romeo Bradders, as you say best left alone😉
I couldn’t go to Leicester because of a serious-ish leg injury so my *last game* was Liverpool. Shortly after that everything fell apart of course.
Funny how you highlight Leicester and Southampton [not in this sense] but they are two clubs we could realistically aim to get on a level with.
I met Craig F once outside Greens gym when picking a mate up – he was very taciturn but equally pleasant as you suggest.
Thanks for the Romeo line – we all know who was leaning over the balcony but she shall not be named 🙂
Hello Martin! Excellent read.
I can honestly say I’ve never wanted us to lose any game. I hate losing. From the moment I saw the line up I was more or less resigned to a bog standard grim cup exit which has become par for the course during the last twenty or so years.
Remove McLean, pukki, Buendia, cantwell, Vrancic and skipp from the starting line up and that’s what we will get. It’s quite depressing that the fringe players did absolutely nothing to advance their claims for further inclusion. Poor effort from the front six, regardless of rustiness.
However, beat Middlesbrough on Saturday and I will happily trade this result for the three points. lets get the real quality back in the side ASAP.
Hi Chris
I hate losing, too. Even at cards, pool or table tennis which are just about all I can manage to play these days in later middle age. Or rather I could when the pubs and leisure centres were still open, of course.
It certainly seemed like the *squad players* did themselves no favours in terms of making a case but it looks like a couple might have to feature against Boro.
Daniel Farke’s comments at Friday dinner time will be as interesting as usual!
Cheers
True Martin. Obviously we weren’t going to win the cup this season and Barnsley certainly won’t, but it might be nice to try.
Regarding the team sheet for Saturday, I’m hoping for a little Greek on the menu, moving the Danish into the centre. All this while praying for the health and fitness of Teemu and idah.
It’s worth noting that Middlesbrough, after yesterday’s bruising encounter with Blackburn, have another game on Wednesday night. Hopefully we produce a performance with a good deal more energy than Saturday’s effprt so we can take full,advantage!
I’m not sure that Giannoulis will get his clearance through in time but if he does I too hope he plays- abd there’s always Xavi.
I reckon Sorensen and Skipp could be an excellent partnership, particularly as the Mayor is very unlikely to be fit in time for Boro.
‘ The sun is shining and hope is just around the corner’. A quote from Wordsworth you might think; actually no, it’s just that the sun is shining and the Hope pub is a ten minute walk away. In these dark times it is comforting to see our team doing so well and hopefully we shall fair better this time around in the Premiership. Ipswich on the other hand have the East Anglian Daily Times baying for the manager’s blood. How desperate can you get ?
The pitch at Oakwell was atrocious, perhaps some tractor boys had ploughed it up. No excuses though, it didn’t stop Barnsley ploughing a fine furrow. A field with some large gaps in it, gaps which had all but disappeared with the link up play established with Kenny Mclean, Olly Skipp, Todd Cantwell and others. My personal view, for what it’s worth, is that this performance reminded us of how things used to be, and could become if there is a lack of quality players in the team. In my fantasy football dreams I would sign Olly Skipp, ‘ £20 m Jose ? No problem, we’ll take him off you. It’s not going to happen is it.but it won’t stop me from dreaming. Hoping you’re well Martin.
Hi Rumps [if I may refer to you in that manner]
Is the Hope still going all these years on? There were a couple of other early pubs around there too but I simply cannot remember their names now.
I haven’t have time to check out the EADT this morning. I’m going to let things build up into full crescendo and indulge later on in a relaxed manner buoyed by our Test series win in Sri Lanka earlier today.
Your point about too much quality missing at the same time is spot on of course.
Sorry, but we can forget Ollie Skipp. Well we’ll never forget him, we just won’t be able to wring a second loan season for him out of Jose I’m afraid,
Thanks – hope you’re good too.
The Hope is still there as is the Fox and Anchor in Charterhouse street. I don’t know about calling me Rumps though, that’s very informal I’m well thank you despite the occasional grandiose delusion that one day I might buy Norwich City fc and by extension sign Ollie Skipp, which reminds me, I wonder if I can get Iwan Roberts to have a chat with Gareth Bale
Rumplestiltskin it is in future [c’mon it’s a hard word to spell when you’re knackered] and apologies for any unwarranted informality 🙂
If ever there were a clash of footballing personalities and playing styles I can’t think of a better one than Iwan & Bale. If they did have a conversation in the Welsh language it would be fascinating if I could only understand it.
Cheers
Good day Mr P . Late this morning with read and coffee. Can,t say I am too fussed about exiting the cup, had we been mid table , I might have had a moan.
The game served a purpose in getting minutes for those returning and gave Krul some sharpness although he looked mighty fine to me. A couple of things did bother a little hardly creating anything in front of goal . And the ease which Barnsley pressed us credit to them they worked their socks off and fully deserved it. Good luck with Chelski after. Frank got his P45.
One question, why did Farke risk the only fit striker we have ?, Now there ain’t one, just hope Pukki is fit to face Colin,s lot Saturday. It did appear a gamble and one that didn,t work.
We,ll see come Saturday dinnertime .
Hi Lad
I think we had to play Jordan Hugill because there was the legitimate excuse that there was simply nobody else available.
Seeing the regular back four selected surprised me too as if there was ever a chance for Andrew Omobamidele this was it. And maybe Bali Mumba could have given Max 45 off?
But then again at Max’s age and obvious level of fitness I can quite understand that it won’t have been much of a hardship for him.
I’ve no sympathy for Frankie L as I said to Alex [above].
Thanks and I hope you’re keeping well.
Hello Martin, really enjoyed reading your article.
I thought our defensive 7 put up a decent performance in the 1st half given the high energy onslaught of Barnsley. It seemed to be that 3 of the 4 offensive players were how can I put it – well rusty!! And we found it really difficult to progress the ball up the pitch. If Barnsley had a bit more quality to take advantage of the many chances they created it could have been a really bad day at the office. Zero shots on target for us tells it own storey. Barnsley fully deserved the win, their effort was impressive, I fully expected them to fade but they didn’t.
I’m trying to convince myself that there’s no need to worry the latest injury to Hugill, I’m just hoping DF is not being economical with the truth regarding imminent return of Pukki!! Because if Pukki doesn’t make it we are left with Omotoye, who appears to be a very raw 18 year old to lead the line and from what I saw on Saturday I’m not sure he’s ready for championship football. 🤞
I’m as green as the green in our kit that you were at the Hammersmith Odeon in ’75 for that Queen concert 👌👍 I think that’s the one the BBC put out live on Whistle Test which I saw as a ‘snot nosed’ teenager from the comfort of my parents sitting room? That really was the take-off point for their career.
Cheers
John
STOP PRESS – Omotoye’s move has just gone ahead, as Hugill’s injury is not as bad as feared!! 😀
Now that IS good news – for Swindon too, of course and indeed Tyrese.
Hi John
I think the key was that Barnsley really wanted it. They’re not going up, they’re not going down so why shouldn’t they chuck everything at the Cup?
The one thing I don’t get is why a side that obviously likes to get the ball down and play football are apparently content with such a crappy surface. Beats me.
We cannot go through the remainder of this campaign with a barely fit Pukki and an unseasoned Idah with just Omotoye as back-up, surely.
As for Queen I saw them twice previously to 1975 – once supporting Mott the Hoople at [I think] the Hammy O by accident – we went to see Mott – and then the Finsbury Park Rainbow on the Queen II tour in 1974. There is footage out there of the latter but I didn’t think it was good enough quality for Gary to post on MFW.
I went to all four gigs with my lovely friend Marion who I never actually *dated* but in the mid 70s we seemed to be the only Chadwell Heath people who were into them.
Never saw Queen again after that Christmas in 75.