Norwich City 1-0 Manchester United; Norwich City 1-0 Arsenal; Norwich City 3-1 Ipswich Town (Play-off semi-final, second leg); Norwich City 2-0 Middlesbrough (Play-off final); Manchester United 1-2 Norwich City; Chris Hughton as Norwich City manager; Neil Adams as Norwich City manager; the number 27 shirt.
What at first appears to be an odd assortment of references to memorable occasions is actually a list, a list of things connected to the current Norwich City crop by one thing only: Alexander Tettey.
When Tettey leaves Norfolk this summer, as was confirmed by the club on Tuesday evening, Daniel Farke’s team will boast no connection to the memorable matches listed, or the managers left in the City history books. Long gone will be Wembley glory and toe-poked winners at Old Trafford, and in place will be the Premier League, a prize the Norwegian was unlikely to stick around for, given his three previous top-flight campaigns as a Canary.
That Tettey provides a link between now and then is the perfect example of what he’s become- a dependable source of quality who has risen to every task handed to him when every time his ability to do so has been questioned.
Queries over Tettey’s age had begun as far back as 2017, when recurrent knee problems and the crossing of the 30-and-over line had thrown into doubt his chances of being retained by the new regime. In fact, the idea that he would earn four years under Daniel Farke would’ve been scarcely believable in that summer of change. The 34-cap international has technical shortcomings and was tipped to struggle under a coach that prioritised ability in possession and quickly moved workman-like midfielders on. But Tettey survived.
When promotion was secured in 2019 and Tom Trybull was at the peak of his powers in the defensive midfield role, that appeared the time to move the number 27 on. But Tettey survived.
Trybull was ousted and Tettey even emerged as a player of the season contender, but come relegation many again wondered whether it was time for a refresh, which would include the Norwegian’s departure. But Farke felt he needed that experience, and that his elder statesman was a vital dressing room ingredient. Tettey survived.
But now, when the old routine had led us all to believe that perhaps another year would be added to secure the testimonial, Tettey doesn’t survive. Admittedly, it’s not in any way a brutal discarding but there must be a small part of every City fan aching that they won’t cheer Tettey on to the Carrow Road pitch again. Instead, we’re left clinging to the memories he’s provided.
The legend’s thunderbolt against Sunderland in 2014 stands out as a highlight in terms of quality, while the character moments are at the forefront of the mind when pondering Tettey as a person; the swearing in interviews, the crazy hair and beaming smile on his face during the Team Wes vs Team Russ celebration game.
Even in 2018/19, when game time had started to fade, the midfield destroyer provided us with his rocket of a half-volley at home to Preston, as well as numerous excellent performances, stretching even into this season.
Farke’s desire to have Tettey in the dressing room was also highly beneficial to Tottenham – there’s no telling just how important his advice may end up being when Oliver Skipp goes on to achieve what any City fan knows he will do. The former’s release may well increase the likelihood that the latter returns, although that’s another discussion for another day and one that will certainly be rigorously and regularly had sooner rather than later.
The 35-year-old has stood the test of time better, perhaps, than any City player before him, and will forever be remembered as a club legend.
A player for whom time was not such a friend is Mario Vrancic, the man announced to be leaving alongsideTettey, whose Norwich career came at almost exactly the wrong time.
Arriving after an uninterrupted stint in German football, the Bosnian struggled to adapt in a difficult first season in NR1, before blossoming in 2018/19 when he’d adjusted to the quirks of the English second tier. What was desperately sad for Vrancic was that almost as soon as he’d achieved this, age tempered his athleticism in another way, meaning City fans rarely saw him at the very peak of his powers.
There is, however, no doubting his ability. In terms of pure creativity, Emi Buendia remains unmatched, but the class and technique in the Vrancic left leg belongs in Barcelona (or its more modern equivalent, Manchester) and his free-kicks in an exclusive club along with Messrs Maddison and Beckham.
The moments provided by his trademark curler from the right edge of the D have been perhaps the most magnificent in the Farke era; his late equaliser against Sheffield Wednesday catalysing a Carrow Road explosion rarely bettered in recent years. His winner against Wycombe Wanderers from a similar position at the other end of the same pitch may well go forgotten because of the team performance it was part of, but that was another near-perfect set-piece from the 32-year-old.
The number 8 may not have consistently reached the heights of Tettey, but in the ‘joy to watch’ category there have few to don the yellow shirt and be more successful.
This one felt like a closer call on the club’s part, although in truth Vrancic was unhappy with his bit-part role and is keen to see out his career playing as much football as he can. A prime example of the players Norwich City have been all about since the start of Farke’s tenure, the suave midfielder is unlikely to be forgotten in a hurry.
Tribute must also be payed to Xavi Quintilla, who will not remain in Norfolk following Saturday’s curtain call at Barnsley, while the club did technically wave goodbye to Oliver Skipp, but a tongue-in-cheek comment from Stuart Webber kept hopes alive: “We’d of course love to work with him in the future.”
As the squad shapes up for the 2021/22 season, it’s clear to see that the all-change machine will keep rolling on without sentiment, and two heroes may have gone, but there’ll be a hell of a lot more at Carrow Road should Premier League survival be secured.
A great tribute to both players Samuel. After a season in which we have been unable to cheer our team on, publicly, to some great results through superb performances, it is really sad when players we have admired for different reasons move on and we can’t stand up at the end of a match and show our appreciation for their contribution often with a tear in the eye.
Both Tettey and Vrancic have have been rightly praised for their contributions on the pitch and I have loved watching both of them. Vrancic is an exceptional football talent. Tettey was like a fine wine, maturing with age and developing all the time.
It is perhaps off the pitch in areas that we don’t see that their greatest contributions may have been made. Alex is regarded as a superb person to have in the dressing room and a mentor for younger players.
I am convinced that Mario along with Leitner were key ingredients in developing Farkeball on the training ground. Neither had the pace or physicality to last the course on the pitch but both had sublime skills that must have helped to develop the playing style..
I will miss watching Tettey appear from nowhere and intercept a key pass and snuff out the danger. I will miss Vrancic moving forward with the ball and picking out a pass that was a joy to behold.
Best wishes to both of of them and an enormous thanks for them spending time with us.
I’m sad Alex & Mario are going its the right thing for us and them of course but they are both ‘one of us’ and wonderful assets throughout their stay. I’m sure the famous yellow & green is donned in Bosnia and Norway because of them.
We have been so fortunate to see them both gracing Carrow Road.
I would like to see blocks of seats at Carrow Road named, those in line with the ‘D’ Block Mario and those at 30 yards Block Tetts.
Hi Samuel
A great appreciation of those who thoroughly deserve to be appreciated.
I suppose this goes to show that sentimentality is no longer a factor as we attempt [yet] another tilt at the PL. Still brings a tear to the eye in both cases though.
SW said that the door will always be open for Tetts in a coaching capacity in the future and that both players will be invited to a home match at some point during next season as guests of honour where we can give them a good old fashioned round of Carrow Road applause in thanks for all they’ve done for us.
They will not be forgotten, as the saying goes.
Sad to say goodbye to two terrific players Samuel.
I said on here last week, we still haven’t replaced Alex. That is how good he has been for our club.
Over the years all these younger legs arrive at the club hoping to be our new holding midfield player but until Olly Skipp’s arrival a succession of managers have preferred Tettey even though for the last few years he hasn’t trained as much as he did and has been patched up somehow just because we needed him so much.
I hope to see him back here one day in whatever capacity. Good Luck and thank you Alex.
I thought Mario Vrancic was top class from day one. I know I am in the minority in that but what a player. Perhaps like Trybull and Leitner he lacked that pace and power needed for the English game.
He saw thing others didn’t and his free kicks were out of this world. His 10 goals and 7 assists were vital in our 2018/2019 Championship winning side.
If he was in his mid-twenties I am sure under Farke he could adapt to the Premiership, and be a star but as you say Samuel time has not been Mario’s friend.
But like Alex he will always be loved by The Canary Nation and I wish him all the very best for the future.
Two other things just to mention, the fantastic work that Neil Adams does with all the loans in and out. I notice Wolves are now copying us with appointing Matt Jackson in a similar role to Neil.
And finally I was reading a piece in the excellent Football League Paper. It focused on Lee Johnson now the Sunderland manager. Johnson said that when he was fired (unluckily in my view) by Bristol City in 2020 he was invited by Norwich City Football Club to come here for a few days to watch us train etc and Lee said he was so very grateful for this.
In these times of perpetual bad news, especially in football, I wanted to highlight this as we are rightly proud of this club and this is one of the reasons why. We look beyond ourselves and I think that is fantastic.
Well summed up Samuel.
In Tettey’s case I think we must also praise DF and members of his back-room staff for prolonging his career. To think that under previous managements we were told that if we had a mid-week match, Tettey’s knees would not allow him to train. Whether it’s down to diet or a different fitness regime I don’t know, but he looks as fit now as he did 6 or 7 seasons ago, and no one can doubt how much his technique has improved. AND he both trains and plays (when called upon).
From both of them we’ll remember the thunderbolts (and Tettey’s amazing piroutte earlier this season).
They both appear to be thoroughly nice people; it’s just a shame we can’t get to give them the send off they deserve.
O T B C