Well, that was a little unexpected.
Many were forecasting a Crawley (a) type performance but instead a City team made up largely of those who have yet to feature did a number on a Bournemouth team similarly made up of those who Scott Parker deemed in of need of game time.
In that regard, the playing field was even. It’s a term that doesn’t do justice to the fact it’s now a squad, not a team game, but it was essentially two ‘second strings’ going toe-to-toe; albeit some of those in yellow did their chances of starting against Leicester no harm at all.
I’m not sure Christos Tzolis, in particular, will be spending too much time on the fringes after the mother of all debuts, and the same could arguably be said of Josh Sargent and Kenny McLean.
It was one of those nights where Daniel Farke will have hoped to end the game with a selection conundrum of the good kind ahead of Saturday, His men delivered.
In the recent past, games such as this – Crawley (a) again the prime example – have often been missed opportunities for those staking a claim and have enhanced rather than weakened the positions of those already in the current starting XI.
The opposite can be said of last night. Some big names had the squeeze put on them by some very good performances from those looking to force themselves into Farke’s thoughts ahead of the weekend and beyond.
Farke was quick to remind us afterwards, that it was Bournemouth and it was the EFL Cup –- light years away from the intensity and brutality of the Premier League – but at the same time acknowledged that there was a pleasing togetherness and spirit within the group and that every good performance is good for the confidence and the mood.
As ever he’s spot on.
For all of the good things that came out of last night, the positive impact on the collective mood generated by that win was priceless. Two morale-sapping defeats, however expected, had dented the early-season optimism that we still see
bubbling away in Brentford and Watford, but it feels like we’re back on an even keel.
6-0 wins in front of over 20,000 tend to have that effect.
It was interesting that Farke again persisted with the 4-3-2-1 used for the opening two games – a formation that becomes a 4-3-3 when we attack – suggesting this may now be his go-to rather than one used only against opponents who are expected to dominate the ball
Equally, his willingness to experiment with a back three in pre-season may allude to a horses-for-courses type approach to formations compared to the ever-reliable 4-2-3-1 that served us so well in the Championship.
And with Tzolis now well and truly hurling his hat into the ring, the make up of that front three becomes very interesting. Josh Sargent too comes into the equation, although, for now, the Farke way would not be to drop Pukki
after two games in which he’s been feeding off scraps.
But, certainly in the attacking third, the options are plentiful, with the pace and power of Tzolis and Milot Rashica offering us something very different from what we have become accustomed to.
Interesting times.
So, hopefully, we’re all benefitting from an extra spring in the step this morning, a spring definitely missing on Sunday, because 6-0 wins don’t come along too often, whoever the opposition and whatever the circumstances.
While Saturday was one of those where it was impossible to find even the slightest of positives, almost everything that emerged from last night was good; the only concern being the worrying knock sustained by Bali Mumba.
But otherwise, it was good stuff all the way including a man-of-the-match display by a two-goal, two-assist debutant.
And yes, he does come from Greece and he does appear to have a thirst for Norwich.
On the Ball City…
There was many things to marvel at, the Pass from young master Williams with the outside of his boot, curled round the defender. The little flicks and touches in close quarters, the midfield Master class from King Kenny . To the running and no less skill from Tzolis and Sargent , mentioning our new Greek lad, a lot of his style and poise reminded me of Chris Waddle… Not a bad picture
Mumbi will turn into an awesome defender with several tricks in his locker hope he recovers quickly the same for Rupp, who tried to run whatever it was off but never got going again. Sorenson is calm and very collected when in the mix, looking for that ball out of trouble. Gunn while not having a great deal to do must have got a little chilly in the showers, fayed a heck of a lot better than his counterpart. There was no player last night who had an off game, all looked out to put their name forward.into the selection hat.
To be honest the Cherries offered very little in the final third, with one midfield who delighted the crowd by having the ball a lot, so the Barclay could practice a plenty in booing.. Speaking of the making a noise, I hope some bright spark comes up with a better chant for Sargent, than what was used last night.
It seem very strange to walk up to the stadium again after so so long, my lad remarked it felt a little surreal, my last visit was to the last friendly before the first run at the prem. Hard to get tickets for two of us together. As this saturday has already proved.
Hi Gary
Last night was one to saver a win is a win no matter what 11 you are facing.
Zimmerman and Sorensen went about their job with minimal fuss so maybe we could see one of them bolstering the defence or doing the Skipp role.
Will it be Williams or Dimi in the LB slot come this weekend personnelly I think Dimi with Tzolis could be the pairing DF will go for just to give Williams a few days to adapt to team plans.
Could Serjeant or Idah replace Pukki now that would be a bug call and I can already gear the Finnish coach scream find a bigger club in all the media out let’s.
Who would want DF job this week at least he will not have to tell Hugill he’s not in the squad as he is off to WBA on loan with a possibility of a buy included in the deal, Ismael likes city strikers so it seems.
The line up for Saturday should be interesting after this . .The new signings all looked like good acquisitions & value for money . . A comprehensive win against a poor side doesn’t hide the fact that we need an experienced DM & a CB . Still a W/E till the window closes though
PS Does anyone know what has happened to Discus on Pinkun site . When I scroll down through the hopping adverts all I find is articles going back to Naismith & Rhodes