Saturday has to go down in my personal history as one of the strangest, most emotional days I can ever recall. Passing my driving test [first time, natch], securing my first job in journalism, the births of my wonderful children and seeing Led Zeppelin at Earls Court in 1974 run it pretty clos,e but I think April 17 2021 is certainly right up there with all of them.
Looking at the lunchtime fixtures I wasn’t really too optimistic. Watford at Luton, Brentford entertaining Millwall and Swansea facing rock-bottom Wycombe in Wales left me thinking: well, at least Watford might drop points.
Mrs P had a couple of her friends round so out of *politeness* I followed the timeline intermittently via the EFL website – you know, the one with the little green lines running under the live scores as the minutes played in the matches rack up.
At half-time, the oracle stated some surprising but pleasing news, as in 1-0 Luton and a brace of 0-0s.
Off I went for a quick shower, emerging modelling my lucky grey NCFC training top. Other clothes were worn too – more on that later.
The next time I checked the scores were the same, barring Swansea 0, Wycombe 2. Surely that wouldn’t remain the same? No, it didn’t. But I saw Watford had received a red card, which turned out to be the only one of those that pleased me that day.
The final five minutes or so of EFL live left me glued to the chair as Swansea had scraped it back to 2-2 and Millwall held on to a thoroughly well-earned 0-0 in West London.
The clocks registered 90+9 and 90+8 respectively until the magic words FT eventually appeared. It took all of a nanosecond for this to register and if the neighbours objected to my dancing around the garden, tough $hit. Both our black dog and the white one started howling in joyful celebration too, so I guess we’ll receive a visit from those wonderful, dedicated and hard-working folks at Norwich City Council in the very near future.
The amount of messages I exchanged nearly froze both inbox and outbox, including a couple from mates I hadn’t spoken to in ages.
Of course, those naughty Cherries somewhat spoiled the evening for us, but frankly my dears, I don’t give a damn.
The dismissal of Dimi Gianoullis left me in a state of shock. Daniel Farke shouted out to referee Graham Scott *you’ve ruined the game* by all accounts and he was right. The incident also caused me to develop an instant hatred for a troglodyte called Pearson which will stay with me for some time to come.
Maybe the decision was technically correct – it looked that way on the replays – but my view in realtime would have been no cards, a stern warning for Dimi and an even sterner one for Pearson who had already gone down like a sack of spuds three times in the first 15 minutes.
At the end of the day we lost for the second time at home this season, but so fri.ggin’ what? Sick again? Oh no.
We’ve attracted accolades from *the best team ever to grace the Championship* from pundits and journos alike down to *a yo-yo team who are as grey as it comes* from a myopic Crystal Palace fan. In Norwich and beyond, there’s a whole lotta love for this team.
As for the play-offs, my heart would love Barnsley to prosper, while my head, unfortunately, says Bournemouth. But let’s all thank the deity of our choice that we’re not involved in that particular competition.
I know Gary noted this yesterday but I’m going to have to add my tuppenceworth. As happy as I am, I never want to see Mayor McLean in his shreddies again. I know you can’t play football in boxers, but behave yerself Kenny, please. Budgie smugglers are so last century.
Anyway that was my Saturday and if any of our beloved MFW readers want to share theirs with us we’d be glad to here from you.
In the meantime, it has to be Led Zep to play us out.
Good morning Martin and a great summary of the events of Saturday. Even the antics of Ben Pearson can’t detract from the joy of seeing us promoted for the 2ndn time in 3 years.
IMO, Pearson went in for a rather outrageous tackle which resulted in Giannoulis’ foot touching his leg! Unfortunately, Mr Scott saw it differently and opted to show a red card to the victim rather than the transgressor and as DF rightly yelled ‘You’ve just ruined the game!!’
Up until that point, the Cherries hadn’t even threatened our goal, but this seemed to spur them on and give Pearson the incentive to keep throwing himself to the turf in the faint hope of reducing us to 9 men!! What a truly despicable player.
Until the powers that be take action to eradicate players going down as though they’ve been shot and feigning life-threatening injuries, players such as Pearson will thrive and innocent players will suffer! ๐ก. Rant over.
I was following the unlikeliest chain of events on an app that updates the scores within a few seconds on Saturday afternoon and I had to rub my eyes at what I was seeing as the seconds seemed like minutes in the matches that could seal our promotion. The yell when I realised it had been achieved could probably have been heard in the next street. ๐
I loved a quick quip from our very own Chris Goreham when he said about Omobamidele – :he was only in the team because of injuries to other CBs and he’s already experienced a 7-0 win and a promotion at 18 – most players don’t achieve that in their career!!’.
To see Delia and Michael go out to the handful of fans outside the Cards was why we love this club and then to see TC go out and throw his my ‘WE’RE BACK!’ T shirt to them was something that will live long in my memory.
I guess the ‘๐ on the cake’ (sorry, but couldn’t resist it!!), would be to clinch the title tomorrow night!! ๐
The referee wasn’t going to give any card until he spoke to his dear friend Pearson. You could see his reaction.
Yes, that’s exactly how it happened. Shameful.
Morning Ed
I don’t think your comments about Pearson are a rant – I think they’re perfectly reasonable. There’ve been too many referees like Scott this season but throw in VAR and I doubt it will be very much better in the PL from our point of view.
I heard the Chris Goreham comment too. He’s always good for the odd ad lib alongside his main commentary function.
As we’ll see in our Watford preview later, I personally reckon 90 points is already enough for the title when you consider who the Hornets still have to play.
Cheers
Martin, I hate to be pedantic (no, I don’t!), but surely all football commentary is ad-lib? Mind you, it become scripted when we’ve got the European/American Sooper Dooper League!
Hi Jim
On the pedantry bit Chris G always sounds like he’s got his research on the oppo in front of him – he seems to be very thorough.
It worked really well when BBC staff weren’t travelling – whoever we were playing got a really fair crack of the whip from Chris, who imo is excellent at his job, as are many of his NCFC pros alongside him.
Holty was unique ๐
What’s the point of kicking off at 20:00 hours , six hours after promotion was confirmed, I’d already celebrated in the sunshine with a broadside of broadside ( yes the local beer garden is open ) , chuck in the three o’clock toast to the Scottish duck and I was happy when the game kicked off , and wasn’t that one hell of a team goal finished off with a Pukki pass and an _Emi dink.
Completely agree , Pearson was already sliding in studs up and I’m making the point that in trying to avoid a reckless lunge Dimitri unfortunately landed on Pearson’s leg. Apart from that great day.
Hi Bernie
Shame about the result but… what a bleedin’ day.
The Ribs cannot open quickly enough. They were closed today, I walked past around dinner time. Not long until May 17 though.
Cheers
Very impressed with Ben Pearson,a glimpse of a modern-day Trevor Hockey..If Bournemouth don’t go up,this is the best rehearsal for the replacement(s) for Ollie Skip since Will Vaulks at Cardiff.
The manager should drop Mclean for Watford as he might be on the pitch but his liver may have other ideas.
Hi Pete
I can’t imagine our Kenny going home for a cup of tea either.
Some of them will have found somewhere to enjoy themselves and that’s for sure ๐
Cheers
I thought you might go for Party Party by Elvis Costello, but Led Zeppelin is never a bad choice. Everyone around here seems to have a Robert Plant story and he’s one of those people who no one has anything bad to say about-there is certainly a whole lotta love for him.
I can never understand how players such as Pearson, who is at his physical peak, can squeal like a puppy when he’s barely touched. I often wonder what their friends and families say to them-I know what my dad would have said to me if I was rolling around pretending to be hurt, and it wouldn’t have been congratulatory!
Still, Buddy the Border Collie and I celebrated and the result of the evening game was rendered irrelevant. It’s a shame that Emi’s exquisite goal didn’t prove to be the first of a rout and that the ref fell for Pearson’s nonsense. We’re up, we will be champions and hopefully Bournemouth and Pearson will be able to con Scott in league games next season.
Hi Don
I’ve heard similar tales of Robert Plant who I’ve never met but I did accidently bump into Jimmy Page under surreal circumstances – at a village fete in Hampshire, very close to the satanic mansion that was reputedly Headley Grange.
He asked if he could join in the tug-o-war across Standford ford but bottled it. Maybe LZ’s insurance wouldn’t have covered it.
Bournemouth were a con and it’s a shame Scott fell for it.
As for the playoffs, for me it’s anybody but Bournemouth.
Cheers
Marty, that Swansea game seemed to go on for ever and I enjoyed our exchange of emails the minute it finished, like you I had a bevy in my hand. As for that bunch we played Saturday night, canโt bring myself to mention their name,I do bear them ill will and Iโll say no more. Except maybe it will encourage some serious thoughts about what needs to be done to improve the squad for next season. You already have my comments for the next game and I still think 100 points is possible and we will be Champions.
Hiya Cutty
Yes I too bear them malice and ill-will after that. If Geezer’s in the appropriate mood later on we shall visit the Patterdale curse upon them, which is not to be taken lightly.
Cheers bud
Great as always Mr. P.
Whilst the earlier results were pretty unbelieveable, even they were totally trumped by the totally inept performance of the “man-in-black” (or whatever colour it was) on Saturday evening.
OK, so Giannoulis was a split second late, but please, take a look at the picture on the Pink’un web-site which clearly shows the troglodyte (what a great description!) with both feet raised, launching himself at Dimi. And for him to continue throughout the game, throwing himself around, squealing whenever any player in yellow got within 2 yards, and openly laughing at the camera when he conned the ref into booking Skipp was nothing short of disgraceful. To rub salt into our wounds, I cannot recall at any time the referee having a quiet word with him.
Bournemouth didn’t have a kick (or even a prayer) before the red card. Yes, we saw it out to half-time, but they have multi-million pound players in their squad, and the end result was inevitable. Their first looked offside, was given off-side by the assistant, but correctly over-ruled. The second was a worldie, and the third looked to me to be a good yard offside. This time the assistant didn’t raise the flag – presumably he thought it was a waste of time.
Still; we’re up, and if we play tomorrow as we started on Saturday then the title is ours.
2 points to end with; what a superb goal (again)created and executed by our main two, and secondly, somewhow I don’t think Graham Scott (or Ben Pearson) will be on NCFC’s Christmas card list!!
O T B C
Hi John
Nicely summed up. Nobody will ever join Muscat at the top of the NCFC dislike list but Pearson is certainly in second place for me.
At least the twit Savage had a sense of humour so he remains in joint third spot for me, alongside Hurlock and Horne.
Cheers
I think everyone has said all that needs to be said about BAFTA nominee Pearson, and his friend Scott of the Whistle.
However, I’ve got to mention the sheer quality of our goal. Everything about it was top class, from Cantwell’s first time pass to Skipp, and on to the Mayor, his penetrating pass to Pukki, then the clever little drag back before flicking the ball between the two defenders, for Buendia’s perfectly timed run and exquisite finish. From the edge of our penalty area with the unfortunate Giannoulis, to the back of their net, it oozed class all the way. One I’m going to remember for a long time.
Hi Jim
Yes the Buendia goal was truly awesome.
I’ll remember it too, but not as well as I’ll recall the Scott & Pearson show.
Things went well with the Patterdale curse [see Cutty, above] so it hangs upon Bournemouth and they will not lift it lightly. As for the ritual itself I invited Geezer the dog to wee on the match report in today’s Sun.
The response was lengthy and copious. Woodspit & Pearson thou art cursed.
I’m actually semi-serious about the dog – it was a very quick response ๐
Cheers
Hi Martin
Well during my long span as a city supporters and in life generally I have had many great times and Saturday afternoon has joined a long list with my 3 grandkids at the top.
Bad Ref’s or wanting to grab the headlines Scott seems to ignore his assistants and reacts to the players rolling around like leaves in the wind.
Breaking News
Spurs sack Jose and Chris Powell and Ledley King take charge till a new man is recruited how will that effect Skipp in the short term or impact on a possibly loan for next season all is up in the air.
I hope city have apealed the Red Card decision but any result will be to late for tomorrow nights live game.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay Safe and Stay Healthy ๐
Phew!
Incredible isn’t it that within 48 hours we’ve been promoted, the ESL $hit has begun and Mourinho has been tin-tacked.
I would have thought he’d have been an ideal face-fit for this ESL malarkey.
As for our beloved Skippy, maybe this gives us a little bit of hope depending on who the new Tottenham manager might be.
Spurs should never have got rid of Pochettino imo.
Cheers mate
Have you read Skipps piece on Newsnow about his wants for next season and says all will be clear after pre season so that gives us hope, if it is Neglemann at Spurs he likes youth so only time will tell
We don’t know about Skippy’s immediate future – but we can hope ๐
Brilliantly put Martin.
I chickened out of our opponents games till late on and it was nail biting stuff.
As you say 90+8…really ?
I know many a promotion or championship has been won by not playing but must have been strange for the boys having to wait so long. But they started with so much energy, skill and were well on top and then came THAT moment.
Initially I thought Pearson was in trouble but when it was slowed down I knew Giannoulus was off. My mate Trev is adamant it wasn’t a sending off, but there is a photo of Dimitris studs on Pearson’s shin.
Was the incident caused by Pearson going in at such speed ? yes I think so and even 5-6 years ago he may have got away with a yellow card.
Safe to say it was harsh and from thereon in it was a case of managing the game and losing by 2 didn’t hurt the goal difference too much. Though Emi was extremely unlucky not to put us 2-1 up.
I think we fans were more disappointed than the players, the only real disappointment was the missing Canary Faithfull. And the players and staff deservedly celebrated a remarkable achievement.
Before Saturday’s game I think it was something like 2 loses in 37 matches, unbelievable.
So c’mon City lets get that title.
Hi Tim
Yes, it really was 90+8. And 90+9. I hate following football that way but it became addictive in a slightly masochistic sense.
Had we have all been at Carrow Road an hour before kick off on Saturday I think it might have turned into one whole joyous, peaceful riot – if there is such a thing.
Pukki, Hanley and Cantwell are doubts, but as I’ll say in the Watford preview whenever MFW runs out of today’s terrific articles, I reckon we’ve done enough already ๐
Cheers
Enjoyed that Mr P. enjoyed all until the ref went red and Savage -whoops sorry Pearson was rolling around like a pig in a sh*t hole. It did ruin the game totally. But not the party. stuff them all We are Premier League . and that might be minus 6 prima doner teams. Giving the rest more than a fighting chance .
Now for the title and for Barnsley or Brentford for me, as long as Bournemouth get hammered
C’mon now Lad
Number One son’s mate is a pig farmer and he wouldn’t let Pearson anywhere near his stys in case he upset the sows. Or the boars when they’re around, come to that. That muck is for them to roll around in, not the likes of Ben Pearson, who is a disgrace.
Pearson was a disgrace and I too want Bournemouth to stuff up big style which is very unusual for me as I’m rarely vindictive.
They won’t make the second auto spot and I sure hope Brentford can take them out in the playoffs. Or Swansea or Barnsley – it’s anyone but rich little Bournemouth for me.
Cheers