That City were able to hit three and still find time to miss a penalty on what was, by their own admission, an off night speaks volumes for this iteration of Norwich City.
Cliché time I’m afraid: they found a way.
I tweeted at half-time that I would happily settle for a point and I think most would probably have done the same. It had been a torrid first-half and a fine goal and a rather less-fine missed penalty by Teemu Pukki were interspersed with long spells of hesitancy and lethargy.
An energetic high-press from Aitor Karanka’s men was the very antithesis of their approach at Carrow Road in October, where a couple of parked buses were the order of the day, and if it didn’t take Daniel Farke by surprise, it certainly did me.
And even if Farke’s men had been prepared for said onslaught, it wasn’t obvious.
Birmingham’s opening was of a similar intensity to that of Barnsley’s in the FA Cup a few weeks ago and City struggled to cope. Given the joy had by the Blues for the opening 45 and the Tykes for the full 90, it’s a method of attack that we should expect to see repeated over the next 14 games.
Christoph Zimmermann, in particular, struggled both in and out of possession but was far from alone, as the Karanka plan of doing anything and everything to stop City from hitting those pleasing passing rhythms worked perfectly.
There were a few glimpses of the City we recognise but generally it was Birmingham in the ascendency and asking the questions. The St Andrew’s surface of which the Canaries made light just one week ago suddenly became a minefield, with every bobble and mis-control being seized upon.
Even on iFollow it was possible to distinguish some harsh, disgruntled Germanic tones being launched from pitchside.
Alex Neil used to refer to it as a “wee chat”. Well, halftime at St Andrew’s last night was host to the German equivalent. Ein kleines Gespräch, perhaps?
But whatever it was and whatever it was called, it worked.
While the St Andrew’s pitch didn’t undergo a half-time transformation, the reminder of the need for more steel and intensity out of possession rendered it flatter and more playable. The bobbles became less frequent; the mis-controls barely existent.
And the tempo. Up at least two gears.
While the Blues will point to the fortunate deflection into the path of Pukki for City’s second goal, it’s no coincidence that the Finn regularly finds himself on the receiving end of these opportunities – think Elland Road, February 2019.
Whether it be instinct or the sixth sense of a goalscorer, no-one does it better, and Farke’s post-match point that Pukki rarely chips in with meaningless goals in big wins or consolations is a good one (aside from the fact we rarely do big wins). It feels like every goal matters and when the stakes are at their highest, the Finn delivers.
The contribution of Onel Hernandez was also significant. Bumpy surfaces and opponents determined to deny time and space is an unhealthy combo in Vrancic world and it was a tough night for the Bosnian. The extra energy and power offered by the Cuban, with Todd Cantwell dropping into the 10 role, added something extra, including Onel doing the groundwork for the second goal.
But it wasn’t just the tactical tweaks. It was those extra two gears.
The third goal may have added a little unwarranted pizzazz to the scoreline but in itself was a thing of beauty. Rarely in the modern game do we get these Charge of the Light Brigade moments but when they happen and when it’s your own doing the charging they’re glorious.
Glorious too was the unselfishness of Lukas Rupp as he sprinted half the length of the pitching before zigging to Ollie Skipp rather than zagging to Jordan Hugill.
That feeling of relief mixed with joy mixed with finally being able to finally breathe again was quite something, and was summed up perfectly by said Cuban:
So, for 24 hours at least we go ten points clear, and if the stats, graphs and comparisons with seasons gone by are anything to go by, it bodes well for those who dream of a return to that Promised Land.
For those that prefer life in the Championship… sorry.
But, for those of the latter persuasion, there remains hope. A lot can happen in 14 games and as Birmingham proved for 45 minutes last night that a few chinks can appear in the armour if the press is organised and executed with energy.
And the banana skins keep on coming with Wycombe’s home win over Reading last night acting as a timely reminder that in the wacky world of the Championship anything is possible.
But, spin it however you like, both the title and promotion are now City’s to lose.
I thought there was a slight tactical shift in the 2nd half, with Aarons and Gianoullis playing a bit deeper and so giving the Krul, Hanley and Zimbo more options for passing out. That seemed to ease that pressure, combined with that extra intensity you highlight.
With all the discussion around No. 10 role, I’ve been wanting to see a 3 of Hernandez, Cantwell, Buendia for weeks – was great to finally see it, and see how in theory it might be an option for the future. How we’ve missed seeing the direct, muscular runs of our stocky Cuban wing wizard! More of the same please!
Agree totally! Hernandez appears to have barged in front of Dowell, which wouldn’t take much effort to be fair. Dynamism and pace and his added devilment are just what the doctor ordered.
At least the article does not gloss over the shortcomings of individual players. How the EDP can mark Hanley and Zimmerman the same, I cannot imagine. We miss Gibson last night and one thing which will move City closer to the promised land is his return to fitness.
The bench looks strong but City are heavily reliant on a core of nine players, Krul, Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, Skipp, McLean, Cantwell, Buendia and Pukki. How worrying is it that at least three of them may be gone next season?
We did look knackered, didn’t we, and the pitch was just that little be worse than week? I think those two elements were significant. But it has to be said (that penalty aside) Pukki looks to be back at his sharpest, and when technique occasionally deserts the team, workrate is upped and they still manage a result. Premier League here we come? Well, that’s something to dread/look forward to!
OTBC
Enjoyed that Gary. For me, one of the most satisfying wins this season, because I got the feeling by half time that nothing was going to come off. After watching some niggly tackles from Brum early on, it was obvious the first booking would turn out to be ours. Then the penalty miss, the silly goal conceded, Max laid up in pain, and the fact that Birmingham looked the stronger side. To say I had a bad feeling was an understatement.
In the end, it turned out to be the reverse of some of our games this season in that we got stronger in the latter half of the match and by the end looked more likely to score than the opposition. To get a win on a windy night in February away from home against a battling side near the bottom is the stuff that makes a promotion winning side. It’s not done yet by a long shot (and I’m never the confident type, even when a situation looks done and dusted), but it will have to take a spectacular capitulation to really mess this up now,
Your sense of relief oozes from your words Gary, what a win indeed.
So pleased Onel made a difference, he had a massive impact last time we were promoted then injury has robbed him and us of his unique attributes, even the fortunes of Argos have suffered although that’s not all of Onel’s making.
I’m looking forward to our game a week today, The Bees at The Carra, both teams will want to win that one and it should be a night when football is the winner on a near perfect surface.
I reckon 7 more wins and a few draws from the remaining 14 and we’ll be home and dry. However, your final paragraphs do pose a quandary, can it really ever get any better than topping the Championship and how b****y talented is our current manager?
We’ll out score Wycombe come Saturday.
Good summary as usual Gary. Farke definitely earned his money last night.
If we go up I dread to think how we’ll do without Skipp and don’t mention Max departing to subsidise the social club.
Every player misses penalties, penalty is not at all 100% sure goal. To Norwich it was good that missed penalty didnt affect to result at all, Lucas Joao (Reading) seemed missing penalty same time which affected to result. I watched Farkes post match press and there obviously is sport journalist who seems to feel that Teemu has been pissed to his cereals. I do believe its possible that Pukki can win golden boot again, but its like mr Farke said not so important. To Brentford, now that Toney is injured this is big opportunity to Marcus Forss and basically he must help his team to get back winning. It seems likely he also goes head to head against Teemu soon. From Finland national team perspective this is perfect and should interest local media well too.
“pissed to his cereals”? Is this some auto correct blooper or a real (Finnish?) saying? If the latter, I am going to include it in everything I ever say or write, whatever it means.
Loving “pissed to his cereals”. I prefer semi-skimmed if I’m honest.
“pissed to his cereals” 😀 Brilliant!
Although I’m more of a “pissed on his strawberries” kind of guy 🙂
Haha, I dont know if its finnish sentence but yes something we might use when someone has something against you and you dont understand what is the problem?
Morning Gary, morning everyone, hope we are all safe & well. Great read as always Gary. I’ve a question if anyone can answer it please ? Onel subbed late on last night but not sure why. Read it was a facial wound rather than an injury. His tweet above doesn’t show any injury, just rapture, so just wondered if anyone could clear up why Farke brought him off please ?
Farke swapped him with Hugill at the point Brum got a free kick in a dangerous area with a couple of minutes to go. He wanted Hugill in there to defend it – which turned out to be a good decision because from defending that free kick we went up the other end and scored!
Spot on.
Onel looked bemused, but so would I have been 🙂
HI Gary
Well the England 🇬🇧 Team this morning are playing like city in the first half ladt night poorly.
DF must have as you said had some harsh words to say and it did the trick.
Tireness is going to hit all teams over the next few weeks so there will be some unexpected results and DF will have to be a lot smarter with his subbing of players to keep them fit and free of injuries.
Last night we were all surprised on how Karanka set his team up possibly if he had done it sooner they wouldn’t be in the situation they are in now,
Wycombe are going to be another tough and surprise package come Sundays I am hoping for another win 🙏 but could settle for a draw.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay Safe and Stay Healthy 🙏
A tale of two strikers last night. Similar ages, similar heights, similar sorts of player.
Wind back to the summer of 2017. Scott Hogan, scoring goals for Brentford was very much on the radar of City fans, even though most recognised he was out of our price bracket. He moved to Villa. The fee is in some sources “undisclosed” but elsewhere is given as £9m, potentially rising to £12m.
It would appear he scored 9 goals for them, including 3 in the League Cup, and none the year after, so not the hardest price per goal to calculate. Not an untypical piece of Steve Bruce business though….
Meanwhile I wonder how many City fans took the chance to complain bitterly about our lack of investment, no ambition, owners lining their pockets etc. etc. And again the following summer when we signed a back up striker nobody other than ardent Celtic fans knew of, for free.
Funny how things turn out isn’t it?
Not really as Delia has always been lucky. Unfortunately her inability to properly finance the club has held it back for the past ten years.
Lucky, really?
Being majority shareholders of a team that’s spent 5 of the last 10 seasons in the top flight doesn’t suggest to me an inability to properly finance the club. If you suggested, Newcastle, Forest, Leeds, Derby, Middlesbro, Stoke, Sheffield Wed, Sunderland, all arguably ‘bigger’ clubs, were guilty of the same you’d have a point.
No owners will ever please all the fans, but if I were in their position I’d try and safeguard the well being of the club too. Look forward not back, if we are promoted far greater investment will be made.
The problem is we come straight back down again.
It’s the parachute payments that keep it together. Any period of time in the championship and we’ll be just like the clubs you mention.
Yea, last season was a real gas.
Agreed, but they did have to cover for the huge overspend from the previous failed managerial regime, and the ultimate failure to retain PL status (anyone remember Naismith….no, I thought not!).
If/when we are promoted to the PL this campaign the purse strings will be rather more flexible…in fact, if the press are to be believed, both Gibson and Giannoulis become permanent transfers, and the fees for those 2 alone are rather more than was spent 2 years ago.
O T B C
Who was responsible for the previous failed management regime?
Enjoyed reading your piece Gary.
Interesting game last night as Birmingham gave far more than they did at Carrow Road. They need to do the same in their remaining fixtures if they are to survive. Even though we only played for 45 minutes we are too good for teams in the lower reaches of the league.
I’m sure Webber will have his plans in place for promotion. We will complete the signings of Gibson and Giannoulis, which will be a big investment. Will we sign Quintilla as I thought there was an obligation to buy him. It would be great if we could get Skipp for another season, although that is seeming unlikely. We probably will sell one or more of Emi, Max or Todd to fund the shortfall in this year’s income plus championship winning bonuses, which was I think reported at £5m last time around, and the loan players we are obligated to buy. It is going to take a fair bit more investment to give us any hope of being competitive next season.
Well said Gary.
At half time I wonder how many of us ardent City fans wouldhave settled for a point?
Given how we had played in the first half, this one for sure. We seemed hesitant about everything, were always second to the loose ball, and Pukki’s strike apart, generally second best. No one can know what Farke said during the break, but it certainly worked…..as did the master-stroke of bringing Hernandez on for the last half-hour. THAT was the real game-changer and Birmingham couldn’t find an answer to him.
Have to agree that he was subbed off to give us more physical and aerial presence against the final Brum barrage….and how well that too worked out.
To win there 3-1 and to go 10 points clear when so few players were better than 6 or 7 out of 10 has to bode well for the remainder of the season.
O T B C
Hi John
Another spoiler for me tomorrow – have a read and you’ll see what I mean!
A very good summation Gary and the usual accurate and thought provoking responses as well.
I was uncomfortable all night as we failed to get a grip on the game as we did a week ago at the same venue. The referee didn’t help, booking Zimmermann’s infraction after letting no less than four similar or worse Birmingham fouls go unpunished. This continued into the night, with the stamp down Aarons’ ankle not even meriting a free-kick.
Crude and ugly, the home side were nonetheless effective and could have gained a point if it wasn’t for the fatigue from their prodigious efforts and Karanka opting to play safe for a pint with his fist substitution.
That and the introduction of the flying Onel changed the emphasis and direction in our favour.
I note that the possible loss of some seriously good players looks likely no matter what division we are in. In fact, I also note with some dismay that the latest utterings of our owner have served to whip up interest in Max to devour pitch by touting him around on Sky tv. In the midst of a promotion battle, this is neither clever nor helpful. Perhaps follow the old maxim, if you can’t say anything useful, better to say nothing at all.
“Playing safe for a pint with his fist substitution” 😙
An auto correct classic