Ivan Toney is a confident chap. Bullish even. Those who watched his post-match interview on Sky last Friday following Brentford’s 1-0 win over Blackburn will know what I mean.
Before presenting himself with the Man of the Match award (he would also have awarded himself the trophy) Ivan got the hump when the Sky Sports interviewer foolishly suggested the Bees were essentially scrapping with Swansea and Watford for the one remaining automatic promotion place.
Ivan: “I think we can still catch Norwich.”
Sky interviewer: “But your manager has already conceded that they will go up automatically?”
Ivan: “Nah… the Championship is a crazy league.”
And fair play. You have to aim for the Moon, Ivan. But dream on, son.
City’s eighth win on the spin, especially the way it unfolded, must have felt like a full-on dagger blow for Messrs Cooper, Frank and Munoz and their respective bands of disciples.
With all three of our so-called rivals scrapping out narrow, edgy wins over the weekend and City having to play catch-up, they must have sniffed a chance of a slip-up even before kick-off at Hillsborough. And then Jordan Rhodes goes and does that thing that he’s really good at.
For every fist pump in South Wales, Hertfordshire and West London, a furrowed brow appeared across the Canary Nation. The banana-skin theorists prepared themselves for a round of post-match I told you so’s.
And, to be fair, they had a case.
While Wednesday may appear beleaguered if the league or form table is your guide, on the grass they looked well organised, combative and a threat on the counter-attack. They certainly didn’t look like a team haunted by the threat of relegation.
On paper too they looked strong with a team full of Championship experience and with one of the best players in the division plonked in the centre of their midfield.
Barry Bannan will surely go down as one of the finest exponents of Farkeball never to have actually played it.
City, of course, had plenty of first-half possession – Darren Moore had based his game plan on that eventuality – but for the most part it was slow, a bit laboured and lacked penetration. A few of our brethren looked a little below par; unsurprising given the relentlessness of having to play under such pressure twice a week.
But they never panicked. Never did they deviate from the plan and never did they stop believing.
While some on social media may have been wavering, those in the inner sanctum knew a tactical tweak or two and a small percentage increase in intensity would likely be sufficient to still get something from the game.
And, as ever, they were right.
A bright start to the second-half borne of a higher tempo with the ball and a more energetic press without it, did exactly what it was designed to. It asked more questions of Wednesday’s banks of five and four.
The relentlessness of City’s pass and move football done a few beats quicker than in the first half changed the game, with Wednesday’s centre-backs being dragged into areas they didn’t want to occupy.
‘Where’s a goal coming from?’ became ‘a matter of when’.
When, to be precise, was on the hour mark when Oliver Skipp temporarily borrowed the assister-in-chief stripes from Emi Buendia and rounded off a neat passing move with a burst into the box that took three defenders out of the game.
The weight of his pass to Teemu Pukki was perfect, the Finn’s finish was brilliant.
Sky’s producer followed the City celebrations with a close-up of Darren Moore. He knew.
His worst fears were confirmed when Emi took charge again a few minutes later after his initial free-kick into the Wednesday box was under-hit and cleared.
Josh Windass had the cheek to think he could run through the City midfield but with our little Argentine still bristling at his poor delivery that was never going to happen. No chance.
One perfectly-timed sliding tackle later, and his head was up and he was threading another perfectly weighted pass for Todd Cantwell that took a stretching Wednesday defender out of the game.
What followed from Dereham’s finest was pure quality. On his wrong foot maybe, but the precision was of an ilk associated with the best of the best.
Pukki put his laces through it. Cantwell caressed it into the top corner with his instep. The end results were the same; the celebrations even into the same camera.
Two moments of, dare I say it, Premier League quality that made the difference on what was as tricky an afternoon as City have faced all season.
Once ahead, I don’t think any of us saw City conceding again, and sure enough…
Among many plus points that emerged from that second-half was Kieran Dowell’s best shift to date in a City shirt. The fitness issues appear now to be behind him and the match fitness that follows will only come with a run of games.
Even more promising was that was he was able to dovetail nicely with Buendia and Cantwell rather than battle against them for those same pockets of space.
Dowell’s greater physical presence and penchant for a goal (he went close twice) may just be enough for him to finally take on the role he was originally brought in to undertake.
So, we march on. With a ten point gap with ten to play even Mr Toney must be privately having his doubts now, albeit from a City perspective there is still a job to be done.
In the real world, we’re nearly there right?
Never mind the danger…
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Hi Gary
A good Monday read.
Farke conceded that city are now certain of a top 6 finish and say now let’s finish the job in hand, as for Toney he lives in hope city might do a Leeds of 2 years ago and run out of steam so we can afford to lose 3 games and still be a point clear but not sure DF will let that happen.
With the departure of Wilder and Heckingbottom now in the hot seat I can see Sheff U being a poor team next season and after watching Moore’s Sheff Wed I can see them if they stay up being a top 6 team so a power 🔋 battle to take place in the Steel City.
2 sporting Celebs sadly departed this weekend so condolences to both the Hagler and Walker families at this sad time.
Portsmouth sack their manager another strange decision so there are a few openings for PL to consider.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay Safe and Stay Healthy 🙏
Hi Alex
I see Karanka has gone at Brum too – surely his last gig in English football. Also rumours on a less than reliable site that we’re trying to extend Farke’s contract in order to ward off suitors from the Bundesliga. Mind you, it could be true.
Yeah saw that late last night on Karanka going so the list of possible new positions for Lambert is growing by the day.
As for the Farke rumours, I hope they are true and that maybe we could entice SW to extend by a couple of years that would be great for the club
This article will have been placed by a Farke contact. DF is seeking a hefty wage increase, and it does no harm to put out feelers. Webber will know exactly what games are afoot.
That was my initial reaction too and I’m pretty sure you’re right, as in make your requests while your stock is high. If DF stays on much enhanced pay I’d be as happy as Larry – apart from a few eejits currently eating their close-season words we surely all would.
My only conundrum is: why such a low-key media outlet?
I guess we’ll never know.
Enjoyed that Gary. I did wonder early on if the laws of averages were going to catch up with City and Weds and bring a surprise win for the home side. We’ll have a tiny blip at some point (everyone does, even the multi-million superhumans from the Etihad) so there was a niggling feeling that this could be the one.
However, unlike my usual nervy self, I felt confident once the second half got going because we simply have turned it around so many times before. I genuinely felt less worried than usual when it got to stoppage time, because the team have become so professional at seeing the game out.
Cantwell’s goal was a thing of beauty. Magnificent assist from Emi. Glorious strike from Todd into the corner. Off the top of my head, can’t think of many better goals this season that we’ve scored. Whilst the season isn’t over, it really will take a collapse of never been seen before proportions to blow it now, and hopefully our biggest concern will be who is the most deserving of the Player of the Year award. That really IS giving me a problem (but a nice one!)
Talk about a game of 2 halves – again.
It seems to me we have a clear and recurring game plan.
Start by lulling our opponents into a false sense of security with a golden gifted early chance. For once it was accepted. I hope Sergei “now I know why they didn’t even put me on the bench” Canos was watching.
Then keep possession for the rest of the half whilst:
a) the opposition run around and exhaust themselves
b) all the negative twerps on the Pink’un feed put their heads above the parapet reminding everyone how dire we are really etc. etc. how we desperately need to move the ball around quicker, get Todd off/Hugill on or whatever, and exhorting Farke to give them a half-time rocket.
Finally, prove that Farke’s rocket (or more likely, gently assertive reminder of the basics) worked and start moving the ball around against our cankered opponents, just as the rest of us are running out of fingernails.
You know how it goes from that point….
Good luck to Stoke, Derby, Rotherham and Bournemouth tomorrow – roll on Wednesday.
Your comment about Norwich upping the tempo in the second half was spot on Gary and it would be great to see them do so more regularly. This City team has the technical skills to rip teams apart but often seems overly patient in the build-up which gives the opposition time to regroup and means a good opportunity is invariably lost. Didn’t happen yesterday and resulted in a couple of beauties.
Summed up nicely Gary and keith B you know if we arent winning its time for farke to go bad recruitment and ownership even though we,re top with Record points for us Just look what was Said after two draws and a defeat hardly a dissarter but all The above were mentioned glad we are mot 3rd,or fourth dont you ? 😊
Will be interesting to see if this strategy actually works in the Premiership as it didn’t in 2019-20 when we looked devoid of pace and ideas for most of the season.
I think the foundations for next season will be based on a much more efficient defensive system. Whilst goals scored this time around are rather fewer than in 2018/19, so are goals conceded..and for the result, look at the points total.
Sheffield Utd proved last season that provided your defensive set-up works, it can also do the same in the prem. We have the benefit of also knowing that our (current) offensive play is somewhat better than theirs.
Of course, everything depends on who amongst our “jewels” is prepared to stay with us in the Prem, and of course, who we bring in if/when they leave.
I’m sure that with every passing game The Webber/Farke list of requirements becomes more defined.
O T B C
I think it could work if we kept our key players, we managed to have all our defenders free from injury, and if we managed to find a proper No 10 to play alongside Pukki, Buendia and Cantwell. It would have been very interesting to see our attack with Maddison or someone of his class playing the No 10 role. Otherwise, I think lack of ideas, pace and the constant repelling of opposition attacks will take a similar toll as 2019-20. On a positive note I am hoping that DF/SW did very good business in cashing in on Lewis and Godfrey as they were weak links at the back and the current back four are a definite improvement on the previous two seasons.
Ok – I will start the rumour. Thomas Mueller on loan as our new No 10 next season.
First half Norwich were not wake, second half was typical one sided game. 2 very good taken goals, which SW players are not able. Especially Cantwell did fantastic goal, pass was difficult and shot like that happens maybe 1 or 2 times per 100 shot. Skipp is player to be mentioned, he is someone Norwich surely wants to keep but Spurs likely want him back. I doubt that he would get starting role in Spurs, but they still want to look that option. About Spurs, Lamelas goal was something to remember forever. Yes, it still bothers me that Pukkis art kick, goalkeeper happened to save.
About Ivan Toney, I happened to watch highlights of him. Clear majority of his goals comes from very close range, many tap in goals, he is good at headers and is surprisingly good passer because he is technically not good. Would I change Pukki to him in Finland national team? Never, based only on football and not even because of his age.
Norwich made huge profit when sold Godfrey and Lewis. Based on what I have seen, selling Aarons will not affect Norwich negatively. Selling Godfrey and Lewis didnt affect negatively to Norwich. Selling Cantwell would affect negatively to Norwich. Now when people are upset about Chris Wilder sacking, I can easily understand owner because Wilders transfer policy was beyond stupidity. Also style how Sheffield United played does not have future in premier league and im not only one at all who 100% gladly change Sheffield United to Norwich for next season. Burnley sadly still seems to survive, all they have ever offered is desperate trying and defending. Championship is full of those kind of teams. Yes, SW scored lucky goal against Norwich but honestly that team was awful and I got feeling that they played their best game of season.
Good summary Gary. In the second half we showed why we are the best team in the league. Our press was better and further up the pitch. They eliminated the mistakes of the first half. They increased the tempo and sharpness of their passing and they were clinical with two excellent finishes.
I too thought Dowell did well. Maybe he will get a run of games. We could do with someone in the number 10 role, who can score. Steipi is an option in the Championship but not the Premier League.
Sheffield Wednesday played well first half and made it difficult but they ran out of steam. They look like they will go down so no Steel City Derby next season.
Looking ahead to Forest and Blackburn it would be great to get another 6 points on the board before the international break. Forest will be defensive and another team hard to break down but the way we are playing those are both eminently winnable games.
Stay safe.
OTBC