At the start of the season, Daniel Farke outlined the goals target his strikers had to hit: 30 between them. He didn’t care who, how or when, as long as Teemu Pukki, Jordan Hugill and Adam Idah’s tallies totalled 30 or more.
On Tuesday night, they hit that target.
Pukki’s hat-trick clinching goal, the sixth of an emphatic 7-0 drubbing of Huddersfield, got them over the line, before Hugill’s tap-in made it 31. To absolutely nobody’s surprise, the Finn has carried the majority of the burden, netting his 25th of 2020/21 from the penalty spot.
The 31-year-old has shown, yet again, why he shouldn’t be underestimated this term, leading the line impeccably when many had doubted his ability amid that miserable relegation. They were right to at the time but any suggestion that Pukki’s race was run has been emphatically destroyed, as he’s posted minutes per goal numbers (122) even more impressive than in 2018/19 (132).
When examining Pukki’s goals this season there’s also a new element of variety, when previous ‘one-trick pony’ criticisms had been valid. In 2020/21 our number 22 has scored chips, headers, tap-ins, trademark low drives and some net busters. Increasingly there’s a feeling that Pukki is able to adapt his preferred finish depending on the situation, an encouraging indicator of development in an experienced 31-year-old.
The question as to the potential of Premier League productivity remains as unanswered as it was in 2019, the test of consistency yet to be dealt with now the one of ability has been passed. Back-up will likely be looked for in the transfer market, although the role of understudy may well go to the Canaries’ current number 9.
Hugill has only managed four goals this season but has stepped up when needed, most notably in the absence of Pukki in January. The main man was out but Hugill stepped up with two fine poacher’s goals against Bristol City and was largely responsible for that 2-0 win at a crucial stage of the promotion race.
In a similar situation, with Pukki out of form and the waster of a penalty in a 1-0 loss to Derby, Hugill stepped up in the following game, leading the line in a scrappy battle with Rotherham before slotting home a stoppage time spot kick to seal a 2-1 win. Upon his signing it was pondered whether Hugill’s brand of robust attack would fit Farkeball, but what he’s created is a refreshing new option in the Norwich City playbook.
The case of Adam Idah is a slightly complex one; a tale of frustration and injury but also of promise for a newly integrated first-team member. Still only 20 and with plenty of time to improve, Idah scored the first goal of the 30 and also potentially the scrappiest.
Selfless Pukki play allowed the Irishman to open the season’s scoring in the 1-0 win at Huddersfield, before he poked home a rebound from a corner at Wycombe’s Adams Park.
Idah will be frustrated that he hasn’t contributed more in a goalscoring sense but his solitary contribution at the John Smith’s Stadium is worth more than Pukki’s three in a comfortable thrashing, and for a man of his age to be providing such serious competition is a genuine achievement.
As far as his goalscoring peak, we may have to wait a while. It’s hard to see an array of top-flight opportunities for Idah next season and a loan may be the best option, but there’s no doubting his ability as a future Norwich City starter. Idah may only have scored twice, but he did win City the most valuable prize of them all: three points.
So, what’s the target next season? Let’s base it on points. The generally accepted promotion guarantee is 90, while for Premier League survival that’s 40. Applying Farke’s rule as a percentage, that’s a target of 13. In 2019/20 Pukki and Josip Drmic combined for 12, suggesting this may be on the low side.
The reality is that City’s other players must step up to the goalscoring plate. Last season Onel Hernandez managed one league goal, as did Emi Buendia, Kenny McLean and Mario Vrancic. Marco Stiepermann didn’t score once. They are players that are certainly capable in front of goal, and attackers Kieran Dowell and Przemyslaw Placheta have been added.
Pukki, Hugill and Idah’s comfortable meeting of Farke’s 2020/21 target has shown just how capable they are. Now it’s time for others to take responsibility. The survival mission starts now.
A very interesting and thought-provoking article Samuel.
IMO, Pukki’s foot injury at the King Power in December was one of the major contributory factors to his goal drought, as was his tendency to mostly go for goal by keeping the ball low and I remember on several occasions, a goal-bound shot was saved by a GK sticking out a leg.
As you rightly say, he has now added variety to his shots and will be much more of a threat next season. Obviously, Buendia provides the assist for many of his goals and IF he leaves, finding his replacement is going to take all of SW’s skills in recruiting the right player who can fit seamlessly into ‘Farkeball’.
What is pleasing is to see other players adding to our goals tally, but as I’m sure you and EVERYONE in the Canary Nation is well aware, SOOO much depends on who stays to relish the challenges next season will bring.
Pukki has scored of Norwich goals
20/21 season 39 %
19/20 season 43 %
18/19 season 31 %, that season in my opinion he wasnt playing as striker in the beginning.
Its completely ridiculous that there is quite many people who follow football and complain that Pukki wasnt success in premier league. Player who carry about 40% share of all Norwich goals, is very rare. Healthy Pukki can score about 20 goals in premier league, if that is not enough to avoid relegation, its not his fault. Pukki also scores plenty of international goals all the time, its interesting that people can think his goals are very much thanks to service what he gets in Norwich, at same time same people have no answer why he scores similarly high stats also for Finland. They want to ignore that part, in Finland players who assist him to those scoring chances can be anyone of the squad. In Norwich is mainly Buendia and sometimes Cantwell. If I remember right it was Sheffield Wednesday manager who commented Pukki that they would likely get promoted if they had him in their team. What people dont understand is that he started really training from 2016 when german Alexander Zorniger came to Brondby as new manager. Pukki owns a lot to Zorniger, Zorniger has said that he only manage to motivate him training better and living professional sportsman life. No one else couldnt do that before. Teemu Pukki is perfect example to young very talented players that no matter how talented you are, you will not find your personal best without turning yourself from comfortable to uncomfortable. I believe, because Teemu has started harder training later he still have several top class playing years left. If player can play about 10 years in his top level, he should have 5 seasons left. Buendia looks to me as a player who have understood professionalism earlier, his only worrying is his very brave playing style and likely because he is so lightweight he has survived without bad injuries.
Hi 1×2
You make some very good points there and I would like to discuss a couple of them with you.
I am aware of Zorniger as in I know who he is, obviously, but did not realise the extent of the influence he has had on Teemu Pukki.
From the day Pukki arrived in Norwich he has been the ultimate professional and by all accounts loves living here amongst us with his young family. I had no idea that maybe he did not look after himself quite so well in the past, which is why it’s always good to hear from you with your extra knowledge of Teemu, his background and his history.
You are right about Buendia in that he is brave, always expresses himself and is completely dedicated [when his agent is asleep anyway :-)].
But please do not think our Emi is a lightweight. He has that Maradona/Messi build with a low centre of gravity and is as tough as they come. He has to be with the poor treatment he gets regularly from EFL defenders and indeed many referees.
Both Pukki and Buendia give so much to our team defensively also.
Hi Martin, Pukki has been known in Finland about his huge potential and kind of laziness. Time before mr Kanerva as Finland manager was completely mess. There was period when Mixu Paatelainen (long career in british football) was manager and after some games he made comments like “if you are lazy you are lazy”. He didnt give any name who or whom he meant but basically all knew who he meant. That felt very harsh, because Teemu was basically whole game alone in attack and only one who saw good scoring chances happened was Paatelainen. Paatelainens last game after match press is surely one of the maddest, he started to pick sport/football journalists and claimed that they dont understand anything about football. Paatelainen had counted abput 10 scoring chances for Finland and journalists 0. It was very heated press conference. After him Finland somehow founded swedish football pundit Hans Backe as new manager, results went even worse as Finland played 1 draw and lost all other games. After about 5 years later in 2021 Backe first time commented that period as Finland manager. About Pukki he said that he is very happy that finally Pukki has started to use his talent more and that he is not surprised that he keeps scoring plenty of goals. Teemu has admit that he has liked to eat candies and unhealthy food way too often. Nowadays his body looks different, his work rate is fantastic and attitude surely has improved too. Finland other striker Joel Pohjanpalo is similarly huge talent like Teemu. He just gets injured often and also have not found his top level. Leverkusen have kept him no matter what injuries he got and keep on loaning him to other german clubs. In my opinion he gets injured not only because of bad luck, but also because of his playing style. Its same thing what I commented about Buendia, likely better word is that Buendia is not heavy build. Championship obviously is very physical league, its just so rare to see so technically gifted player fighting so hard battles against opponents. Amount of knocks and also brutal tackles is so incredible high what Buendia takes.
Story about how Zorniger got Teemu motivated to get better, I dont know. Brentford manager Thomas Frank was sacked by Brondby and Zorninger took a job after him. That was vital manager change to Teemus career and yes Teemu has commented about Norwich only good things. He was basically had to be kidnapped by his agent to get there, but this has been very good transfer for both sides.
Another strong article Samuel.
I had forgotten about Farke’s target for the three strikers. I think Idah would benefit from a season out on loan. That means we need another striker alongside a few more reinforcements. Even this season the goals have not been spread around too much. The defenders and defensive midfielders will need to add more goals next season, particularly from set pieces.