We did it! We only bloody did it!
And there’s not a single thing Graham Scott, Jonathan Woodgate or Ben Pearson can do to either change or spoil that.
While the plucky™ little Cherries still have the not inconsiderable obstacle of the playoffs to contend with before they can even contemplate life back in the Premier League, for Stuart Webber once the hangover has cleared, it’s all systems go.
And for now, let’s not let the fact we’ll be renewing acquaintances with Mr Scott again next season detract from the mood.
It was a disappointing result on the night, of course it was, but 11 v 11 everything tells me City win that game. Any fears I had before kick-off that events in Swansea and Brentford would detract from the performance level were allayed almost from minute one.
It was precise, it was purposeful, it had tempo and, collectively, was an almost perfect snapshot of why we are eight points clear at the top of the table. On five minutes it was perfect.
Emi’s goal was Farkeball at its finest and Messrs Carter-Vickers and Cook had not a Scooby how do deal with it. It looked like being a long night for our visitors, but none of us had accounted for a Pearson/Scott combo that would turn the game on its head.
Only 17 minutes had passed when Pearson and Dimitris Giannoulis challenged for a 50/50. In real-time, it was Bournemouth’s hirsute little terrier who was reckless and out of control, but it was also their enfant terrible who screamed the loudest. Like a banshee.
With Giannoulis attempting to pull out, his contact was slightly late and with the accompanying soundtrack it didn’t look or sound great. I’m sure the amateur refs out there will tell me Giannoulis’ lack of intent was irrelevant but I’d argue our little hairy friend was equally out of control and had more intent.
Either way, Scott had seen enough and was scrambling for his red before Pearson’s final death cry had drifted off into the night sky. Ironically, I’m not sure, when viewed in slow-motion, there would have been enough clear and obvious doubt for Stockley Park to overturn it.
Either way, it was the lifeline the Cherries needed and, fair play, they made the most of it.
They’re a decent side, and in Danjuma they have one outstanding player, but without the weight of officialdom falling their way and faced with 11 instead of 10 opponents, there is no way they beat City 3-1.
But good luck to them in the lottery of the playoffs.
Of far greater significance is that within five minutes of Scott’s final whistle and after the briefest spell of disappointment and reflection, the Carrow Road home dressing room erupted into a cauldron of champagne, beers, and Sweet Caroline. Those moments that footballers live for.
Minus a Carrow Road crowd to celebrate with, there was a forced, staccato edge to the celebrations on the pitch but that shouldn’t detract from them one bit. It was a promotion hard-earned and it deserved to be celebrated in the appropriate way (although none of us needed to see the Mayor in his pants!).
If the celebrations inside Carrow Road didn’t go long into the night and if there are not a few sore heads this morning I’ll be disappointed. And if that was Kenny McLean after half a bottle of beer, just imagine him this morning after a night also on the champagne and the MD 20/20. Or perhaps best not.
But every drop of booze, every song and every fist bump was earned. In the most difficult of seasons and faced with the biggest of hurdles, Daniel Farke and Stuart Webber have delivered us a club and a team of which we should be so proud.
Most outside of the Canary Nation don’t get it. A few do, but most don’t (I’m looking at you Martin Samuel), and some will already be drafting their obits for May 2022.
We hope dearly it will different this time around, and there’s evidence to suggest it will be, but that’s for tomorrow. For today we should rejoice in being supporters of a club that does things the right way; one that in doing things the right way has achieved what many of us believed to be impossible.
We also dearly hope they get the job done and win the title – the players deserve that – but it’s really all about promotion and anything else is just window dressing. The trophy would be brilliant and would be the cheery on top, but this season was all about – like it or not – getting to what some see as the land of milk and honey.
For us it’s usually anything but, but however we perceive it, it has to be the desired destination. And we made it.
That we were not there to share the moment stung a bit, and it was certainly odd seeing such celebrations take place against an eerie backdrop, but every missing moment will only further enhance the Carrow Road roar that will greet them when we’re next together.
The mere thought of Big Grant leading out our heroes to a cacophony of noise and colour is goosebump inducing, and can’t come soon enough.
What a football club this is.
Be proud.
Hi Gary
An excellent read this sunny and happy day here in Blackpool who just might beat some team called Ipshite into the League 1 playoffs now that would be a happy season ending.
The Pearson/Scott combo act was terrible and Bournemouth playing with 12 men against 10 I think the Ref wanted to be the star attraction last night and DF did well to keep his powder dry and as usual had a smile on his face.
Woodgate was a class defender in his time and might make a good manager butlast night was dealt the winning hand by poor officialdom but let them have their win I just hope 🙏 that their second season in the championship might teach them some manners 😀 😉
Now it’s time to start planning for next season with Gibson and Giannoulis about to sign will Macullum be our back up LB or will Xavi get the next few games to prove he can do it for us.
Andrew O or Famewo or both out on loan and recruit some experienced back up,for me Andrew O out on loan possibly to MK Don’s and Famewo used in cup games and bench and come January make a decision on his future.
We have Adah and Hugill as back up strikers with Sato and Sinani in the wings the later 2 will go out on loan so can either of the others push Pukki or will we see 👀 a new name coming in.
All the speculation will go on for weeks if not months but let’s get DF signed up with his backroom staff then plan for a happy future.
WELL DONE 👏 CITY
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay Safe and Stay Healthy 🙏
Be proud indeed Gary, be VERY proud of what has been achieved by the heroes in Yellow and Green and not forgetting Delia and Michael (plus the rest of the Board), SW, DF and the myriad of supporting staff who quietly go about their daily tasks which all contribute to the team’s success.
The upgrade to facilities at Colney, our conveyor belt of emerging talent and DF knowing when it’s the right time to bring them into the first team squad and then give them time on the pitch. NCFC have contributed in no small way to the completion of the Nest, where the next batch of talent will hone their skills and who knows, we may well see the next TC emerge from the thousands who are currently being coached there by the dedicated staff.
Admittedly, the decision to Omobamidele wasn’t planned, but he has certainly ‘earned his stripes’ as a CB and has been extremely unlucky with a couple of deflections which in urn led to goals.
Big congrats to all Norwich fans!
I already wrote that I believe that Norwich will be promoted before Bournemouth game and it happened. Same way I believe that Norwich has already won 1st place, there is no need to more points.
Norwich started game well, Pukki made brilliant pass and Buendia nailed it nicely. After Giannoulis sent off game obviously changed. Then there happened once again very typical moment to championship, Danjuma would made 1-1 if he would not have team mate called Solanke. I could not stopped laughing, a player needs to be huge idiot and have no ability to read game and so full selfish that he is even ready to destroy his team mates goals. I would have took him off right away after that. Honestly, when im looking highlights of championship, this league is so full of incredible goal scoring opportunities ruined. Every round there is some Raheem Sterling type misses and basically worse. Clear majority of players are technically bad, I have impossible to see why some british player is championship player and why some other british player is playing lower divisions. There is no real quality difference, its based on coincidence. Danjuma was clearly man of the match, he could have represent Nigeria but typically to todays international football, Netherlands hurry up to get him in their squad and hopefully he is not just 1 player more on list of players who could have really played international football and not just 1 or 2 games.
In Finland press wrote mainly about Teemus knee injury, Norwich got promoted back to Premier league but Teemu hurt his knee. There was also articles, that Teemu should leave Norwich now. I would say that this is rather common opinion in Finland, but I believe he wants to play next season in premier league. There is other Norwich player who sadly got way worse knee injury than Teemu, Grant Hanley. If this means that his dream of playing in euro21 tournament is destroyed, this man is so heartbroken than any player can ever be. It was surely the most he wanted in football, there is no second chance anymore to him. I already hoped that Norwich would not play anymore this season Teemu, same thing can be said about Hanley and McLean and also Krul even he would likely not get playing time in euro21 tournament. Any of those players will not be same if they miss that tournament because of injuries. These coming Norwich games are also meaningless, they will never forgive that. I really hope that mr Farke will look bigger picture.
No Norwich city match is meaningless.
Dead rubbers and weakened side’s are not permitted and rightly so.
With regard to doing favours for international managers with regard to our players being rested, that cuts both ways. After the recent farce which saw half our squad playing three games in six days, including friendlies which caused us serious problems at Preston, the boot is on the other foot.
Its players who wants very much to play international games, they always wait those. In bigger picture clubs benefit very much about international games, their players become way better known. International football is clearly most followed football, local leagues interest is always mainly local. Also players gets better when they have possibility to play international games. Players do have possibility to say no to international games, its very rare that anyone do that. When there was international friendlies, several countries rested their regular starters. Pukki played about 15 minutes. Norwich have players in their squad who have played very little, its also fair to give them chance to show can they be part of squad in premier league. Main thing is still that those few Norwich players who will be selected to play in euro21 tournament see it as their most important thing in football. Ruining someones dream will left very negative feeling to player and it easily affects to their motivation to represent Norwich. Solution to that would be of course to build a squad by players who will never have any chance to get selected to play international games.
Thanks Gary for an uplifting read this morning. A fantastic achievement from everyone associated with the Club. Last night was disappointing. The sending off certainly changed the game. Whatever Giannoulis deserved then Pearson deserved the same. Reckless with intent. Also the third goal appeared offside in the build up. Watching nearly all the games on tv has been a consolation but doesn’t replace the applause that the crowd can give the players. Buendia adding consistency and self control to his incredible talent. Cantwell coming of age. Pukki doing what he does best and Hanley just immense. The greatest disappointment though is for Skipp to play a whole season and not experience a Carrow Road atmosphere and standing ovation. If he isn’t here next season hopefully he will play for Spurs and we can rectify that. Fingers crossed we can finish the season off with the title. We deserve it. I know the season hasn’t finished yet but thanks to you Gary for always making Sunday morning something to look forward to with your take on all things Norwich. I wonder if you and your team were able to pop down the park for a kick about, who would each of them be? Who would be Krul or Buendia? Might be an interesting read one day. Many thanks again.
Hi Graham
Great fun point at the end. I’ve no idea who the others would be but if I had a time machine I’d be Dimi Gianoullis. These days? A six-inches shorter version of Tim Krul, but only on 6-a-side astroturf pitch as I never could take a goal kick very well.
Over to you, Gary and team 🙂
Thanks for the kind words, Graham. Much appreciated.
Sunday’s mornings, when the team and club are in such fine fettle, are an absolute pleasure. I’m just very grateful that some of you choose to read the ramblings!
And the MFW team in Norwich City form. What a brilliant idea for an article!
Watch this space.
As a (very) occasional contributor, I’m in. Put me down for a Grant Hanley please, it’s where I finished my playing days after failing to make much impression as a Teemu Pukki.
Bournemouth’s version of Robbie Savage, got me ranting at the screen, but soon claimed down before the end of the night despite his best spoiling and cheating efforts changed very little for City. Watford losing, so we remain as you were.
What concerned me more was the sight of Pukki going off, plus Hanley looking done for, bet the 4th official got a shock when Grant tapped him, saying put that board away. Tettey looked really amused by the unfolding event.
Good ;luck to Bournemouth, not sure I am a fan of their tactics, I found a few fans of other clubs feel quite the same. One thing I would not mind seeing is City going after Danjuma, that would be a class act .
Having had one of his offside decisions over-ruled by the referee, despite said ref not being in any position to see it, did the linesman just not bother when it came to the third goal? Even VAR wouldn’t have found it necessary to draw their lines and run the replays fifty times to make that decision. The linesman probably thought “what’s the point? He’ll only over-rule me again”.
As for the red card, Giannoulis stayed on his feet going for a 50/50 ball, while Pearson launched himself into an old fashioned sliding tackle, so who was “reckless and out of control”. That one has surely got to be worth an appeal. Oh, and is it too late to nominate Pearson for a BAFTA?
I agree with Canarylad about Danjuma-classy player who will be playing at a higher level next season-hopefully not with Billionaire’s Bournemouth.
It’s not fair to rank achievements, but to win this league (which we definitely will) after the post shutdown debacle of last season is amazing. I celebrated by going for a run in a Norwich shirt making sure that I did a lap round Molineux. I forgot that they had an evening game, so had the added pleasure of plenty of Wolves’ staff being about. I then went to my local where people congratulated me (on City’s promotion, not my running) before questioning whether I think we’ll stay up. Right now I don’t care a jot about what we’ll do next season, I’m still loving this.
Emi’s brilliant goal had me feeling that we could be about to embark on a Huddersfieldesque hammering. A shame the Cry Baby Pearson and Scott of the AntiFarke-It combined to spoil that prospect. Ho-hum.
You question whether Woodgate will be successful as a manager. I have no idea, but my cousin’s wife who went to school with him told me his nickname was Village.
Bournemouth have under achieved given their squad whereas City are class act in all departments.
Great to watch and listen to after match celebrations and interviews.
Your final two sentences say it all Gary!
Love to beat Watford on Tuesday.
I like Onel’s tattoo. Now that really does say something.
Just seen it, what a guy.
Back where we belong!
Brilliant day, spoilt by the antics of cynical Bournemouth and the underhanded efforts of the officials.
Having settled in for a celebration and an exhibition of art dressed up as football we were robbed of an evening of rich entertainment and a huge statement of intent. The early goal and the workmanlike way we eased into total control boded well and dispelled fears of a less than professional performance.
The game changing moment arrived when Pearson, he of the habitual foul play, went off his feet and lunged with intent at gianoullis. Quite how the hell dear Graham saw that as a red card for the Greek remains a mystery. Incompetence or something more sinister?
Decisions and bizarre situations flowed Bournemouths way frequently after that, as the game effectively degenerated into defence versus attack. Spoiled. Thanks a bunch.
The third goal took the biscuit. I didn’t even need the benefit of a replay let alone to be standing in line with the attacker and a supposed qualification as a linesman to smell the offside from my living room. Why on earth didn’t the hapless tool raise his flag and stop the third goal? Answers on a postcard.
As for Bournemouth I won’t extend my best wishes to them in the play offs and would actively relish watching one of brentford, swansea or Barnsley breaking the hearts of their puny fan base, as well as those of grunting oaf Woodcote and the vile Pearson and his pals in a months time.
Don’t you hold back Chris. Say what you think 🙂 I quite agree for what it’s worth.
Hi Congratulations to Norwich City on their Promotion, it will be difficult for you to stay in the Premier League next season without spending good money, after reading your posters I must say what a lot of bitter supporters who seem unable to accept defeat, after all the reasons for losing were down to yourselves, Look again Pearson made contact with the ball, your player was unlucky he could not pull out of his tackle and slid in with foot raised and his foot raking Pearson’s leg, I did not feel it was a sending off, but the referee has only one sight of it. The team having gone down to ten men, then made the wrong choice, most teams going a man down, reshape themselves and have one man up front, Norwich did not do that they appeared to think they could defend there slender lead, by the time they conceded the equalizer they then started to push forward, but it was too late, Bournemouth had them in a strangle hold, and it really was a case of how many they would score, as for Danjuma he is a class act who will move on to a bigger club, I do not see that club as Norwich
Fans always see games in their perspective, I dont see Norwich fans at least here to be anything exceptionally one-sided. In my opinion here people write about football in good spirit, many are also realistic. In my opinion, Pearson did wisely when Giannoulis touched him. Danjuma has scored this season 14 and assisted 7, Buendia has 13 goals and 15 assist. Real top clubs does not buy players who might get better later, their starting line ups are full of experienced internationally proven players. Clubs which can buy players like Danjuma are not top clubs. Its possible that Bournemouth gets promoted too, I dont see it as good thing if all same 3 which got relegated gets back right away. 2 of 3 clubs which got promoted to premier league is now very much doomed to relegation. From neutral perspective that is very boring, system does not work and basically its becoming closed league.
Boyer, bond, Powell machin, Benson, reeves all moved on to a much bigger club. Who was that now?
So now we know where we went wrong. Chapter and verse on our tactical naivety.
We should all defer to a self confessed Bournemouth, yes that’s Bournemouth fan when it comes to the last word on how our team, when reduced unfairly to ten men sets about beating one of English footballs true powerhouses.
The brass neck it takes to come on an ncfc website and correct Daniel farke, thats double champion Daniel farke to you and I, is truly breathtaking.
We stand corrected.