I’ve got some good news for you MFW folks – as if you didn’t know already – that we have finally found a manager with a plan B who isn’t afraid to implement it.
I’m making no bones about it, we were as battered as a loin of Lowestoft cod on Saturday during the first 45 minutes by a Southampton side who were pinging around crossfield and diagonal balls for fun, often ending up at the feet of the dangerous Kyle Walker-Peters who seemed to have so much space in front of him at times it was ridiculous.
Max Aarons got a lot of stick on social media for a so-called poor performance but the red and white overload on him down our right was exploited to the full by the Saints and Milot Rashica did very little in terms of helping him out. More on our Kosovan international later.
The Keystone Cops, aka our defence, allowed Che Adams to slot home after three and a bit minutes. It was like watching Tommy having a bad session on a pinball machine and I don’t know Who would contradict me on that point.
Those from Hampshire chanted “sacked in the morning” at Dean Smith. How they would live to regret that – their message boards yesterday were full of wishes calling for the dismissal of Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Then of course Rashica and Aarons combined to let the latter cross for a stooping Teemu Pukki header at the near post that Southampton keeper Alex McCarthy failed to react to and we were back in it. If I were [Saints’ second keeper] Fraser Forster, I would be expecting to warm my gloves up in time for next weekend.
The Barclay response was typical as in: “you’ve only got one song”, which I think applied to “Oh when the Saints” rather than their verbal attack on Dean Smith.
For the rest of the first 45, we were simply outclassed by a side who knocked it about freely and seemingly at will. About three minutes before the break Adams fired goalwards to Tim Krul’s right. The Dutchman got a big paw on the shot to push it behind and he must have seen it very late indeed as he was clearly unsighted. I sit behind the Barclay goal and realised what a crucial save that was.
That was the first of two turning points in the match.
The second would have been Dean Smith’s halftime team talk. Quite what was said during the break we will never know but the outcome was as impressive as the first time you encounter the Rolling Stones: grit, rawness and a joy to watch.
An understandably rusty and ineffective Todd Cantwell was hooked for Josh Sargent as we switched to what was virtually a 4-3-3 and went on the front foot. With Billy Gilmour playing further forward we started to show a bit of spark and it was the lads from the South Coast who were under the cosh.
The reward came 10 minutes from time when Grant Hanley atoned for some previous errors by heading home a Gilmour corner to send us all ape$hit. Poor old McCarthy stuffed up again as Hanley’s downward header skipped off the turf and through him. Fraser Forster, make sure you’re ready – it was another poor keeper error. But who really cares about that? I don’t.
Being Norwich, we almost chucked it away at the end when a professional foul by Mathias Normann led to a free-kick which was perfectly flighted for the head of Theo Walcott. But Walcott being what Walcott has become it flashed wide.
The Barclay and Snakepit resounded with *Rashica, Rashica, Rashica* in acknowledgment of the Kosovan’s second-half performance after he had switched from right to left which was thoroughly deserved. Certainly the best performance I’ve ever seen from him anyway – maybe the chanting boys have found a new idol.
My unsung hero was actually Sargent. No blood, no tears but sweat in bucketloads. He really knows how to work for the team and made such a difference when he came on.
As for referee Martin Atkinson I admired his ability to let the game flow but there were definitely a couple of incidents when I would have preferred it if he hadn’t. I’m pretty sure Saints fans would say the same.
No oles at the end from Dean Smith, just a round of applause for all of us.
Don’t you just love it when a plan B comes together?
I’ll leave you with this obscurity from Pink Floyd – any MFW reader who’s heard it before deserves our usual prize of a stale bacon roll.
A good old Saturday afternoon battle. Beer and pizza pre match, buzz of an expectant crowd and then 1-0 down, here we go again. But no the Rocky Bilboas of Norwich somehow managed to get to the half time bell. The towel that was being prepared for surrender stayed in the corner. Second round our heroes came out fighting, jabbing, ducking and body blows rained down on our punch drunk opponent. Boom at last a towering knock out punch of a header hit the glass chin of Southampton, fireworks exploded, squadrons of pigs flew overhead and as Billy Gilmour influence grows so we will get stronger much as Pink floyd did when their very own David Gilmour took control.
Hi Andy
That match was what I’d call old fashioned value for money really.
Southampton’s glass chin was sported by McCarthy. Many a PL keeper would have kept out both our goals but hey, I’m not complaining.
I found out from YT comments that Rick Wright and Dave Gilmour shared vocals on this one, which was to be the band’s last single until Another Brick in the Wall sneaked out around 10 years later.
Try and get a read of Nick Mason’s *Inside Out* if you haven’t already – it’s brilliant.
Cheers
Good morning, Martin. I’m no Pink Floyd expert but do know that Blood, Sweat and Tears’ only UK chart entry was You’ve Made Me So Very Happy. Think you may have missed a trick there! Good summary of the game though.
Hi Richard
I wasn’t a fan of BS&T but I’ll admit that I did indeed miss that particular trick as I know the song, obviously 🙂
Cheers
Morning Mr P, makes a very pleasant change to be able to comment on the 2nd positive result of a dire season (so far). Whether it was a plan B or a manager thinking on his feet seeing what was wrong and doing something about it. Whichever one it was, let’s have more of it .
It didn’t look like there was going to be too much to cheer about as the first half wore on, despite Pukki’s glancing headwork. Jerry Goss and the King of Spain were calling it spot on, on the wireless. Giving them too much space and freedom to do what they liked, perhaps a little fortunate not see the net bulge a few times, but really for all that play , they didn’t bother Krul that much.
The change of personnel with the switch, had the desired outcome, however, I get the feeling that there was something else that was said in the dressing room. We know and have seen that when going behind so quickly only leads to heads dropping and a general sense of we are not good enough.
Sargent became the game-changer, taking the freedom of the City away from Peters-Walker, plus working his a*** off, giving their defence something to think about. He will gain a lot from that but needs to add a goal or two to really bring the confidence up.
It was really not about one or two players but all, having a newfound belief that they can perform at this level, these back to back wins give a springboard to launch a belated start to the season, despite what the experts all say there are more than enough points to be had to ensure safety.
I was watching Bein channel on streaming with the delightful (not) Richard Keys doing his level best to grind City deeper into the ground under his feet. saying “There are enough points, but they won’t do it for sure” then forecasting another defeat. I would have loved to have had his email addy, so I could shove his words down his throat Had to make do with a middle finger at the tv.
At last, we can look forward with a little hope, one game doesn’t make a season , but it is the first step of a journey with a new guide.
Morning Lad
I wholeheartedly agree with your comments about Keys – not a man I respect.
I’ve heard Simon Lappin a couple of times alongside Chris Goreham and he is very good indeed – only bettered for me by Mark Walton, but unless we’re playing Cardiff or Swansea we don’t get to hear from him. I like Rivo too.
You’re spot on about Sergant and the way he dealt with KWP. With that threat nullified, Southampton had to look for another outlet and couldn’t really find one.
Could you imagine if Hasenhuttl had brought on Shane Long instead of Walcott? Last gasp heartache if he had methinks as he would have buried that free header.
Cheers
There’s nothing I don’t like about The first few days of Smith’s reign and the fact it culminated in a win that took us off the very bottom of the league is truly gratifying. We have gone from being deep in the sh1t to in with a chance and it feels great to think we can compete in a relegation battle. I think our hope of staying up is still an outside one, but at least we’re showing some resolve and determination. We’re now 12th in the current form league so the seeds of optimism are beginning to sprout.
Dean Smith was a West Midlands schools chess champion. He’ll have to call on all his tactical and motivational acumen to keep us up but the early signs are encouraging.
Hi Don
I think we’ll know more about our survival chances come the darkest days of January – in terms of how slim they might be, anyway.
I had no idea Dean Smith played chess. I know how the pieces move and that’s about it so if he’s a West Midlands champion that only increases my respect for him.
He’ll be so motivated for Wolves and Villa it’s unbelievable.
You’ll have to give them a big old shout for me against the Villains 🙂
Cheers
I’ve got a ticket for Wolves too. So the next few weeks for me in the Midlands could be very very good…….or absolutely atrocious
I’m really pleased you got a ticket for that one – come and have a natter in the Barclay bar before k/o if you can.
As you so rightly say Martin – ‘a tale of two halves. In the first half, it must have felt that the Saints’ players were on a training pitch with the freedom the NCFC players allowed them and but for Krul’s strong right hand …..
I see DDF has written an article on today’s EDP website – ‘We need to improve’ says Grant Hanley!! #aintthatthetruth
It starts with you skipper, as he was partly to blame for the Saints’ goal and then gave the ball away cheaply!!
Two bits of good fortune that led to the equaliser – Mr Atkinson allowed play to continue after Rashica’s tackle and McCarthy seemed as though he had ‘turned to stone’ – I’ll get my coat!! (Younger readers – McCarthy Stone build retirement properties!!)
Such a change for an opposition’s GK to have an off-day – as it’s usually the complete opposite and I see Martinez played a blinder for Villa on Saturday.
Great to see Gilmour putting in some crunching tackles to break up Saints’ attacks in the 2nd half and his corner that led to the goal!! Can anyone tell me when we last scored directly from a corner?? I know it was GH’s first goal in something like 10 years!!
I thought that it was Ward-Prowse who was standing in acres of space that led to Walcott’s header that went inches wide of Krul’s post in added time. I remember as a young lad VERY many year’s ago and playing in goal, my PE teacher telling me that any ball inside the 6 yard area is yours!!!
I’m just waiting for someone to come up with a ‘Smith(s) and Jones similar to the ‘Mr and Mrs Smith’ that appeared on Saturday evening
Morning Ed
Yes, Hanley was floundering at times and there’s no denying that he got away with it a couple of times to be sure.
Also agree about Martinez – he is a very good keeper indeed – but the last time we scored directly from a corner was a few weeks ago when Andrew Omobamidele headed in from a Rashica flag kick. Before that, I can’t remember one!
As you know I’m 5′ 9″ so never played often as a keeper, but back in the days when all my parts functioned I was pretty reasonable in the 5/6-a-side context. No high balls to come for there of course.
As for the McCarthy Stone bit all I’ll say is that the adverts look better than the reality!
Cheers
In recent weeks the names of Gilmour and Cantwell have been uttered in the same breath many times, as if they are equals. Saturday proved once and for all that they are not, at least at the moment. In truth they never have been really.
Gilmour has shone in the Chelsea academy, and is a key player in Scotland’s revival under Steve Clarke. If Cantwell suddenly unearthed a forgotten Glaswegian granny he wouldn’t even be close to joining Billy in their first eleven, let alone ousting him from it.
According to Dean Smith, Gilmour’s “…. a terrific player, but better than that is his attitude and character. He just loves football, wants to be out there all the time; he was watching our under-23s play on Friday.”
So whilst both have been on the sidelines for a while – they weren’t “outcasts” as the media like to put it, that’s what Oliveira became – one knuckled down, maintained his sharpness and made sure he was ready. That’s what true professionals do like Vrancic, Trybull, Stieperman and even Buendia at times, in the past. The other apparently had “personal problems”, whatever that means, and rusted.
The game is full of talented players who never make as much of their ability as they should. Let’s hope Todd doesn’t join them. Here’s one example, a former City schoolboy, and later loanee, whom wiki reports “….finally made his first-team debut on 31 October 2007, in Arsenal’s 3–0 League Cup win over Sheffield United, when he was brought on to replace Theo Walcott in the 83rd minute.” He now plays for Luton.
And talking of Walcott, I would imagine if a bookie were asked to give odds on both he and Pukki scoring with headers in the same game they’d be quite high. And, thankfully, rightly so.
No need for this. How many Prem goals has Gilmour scored?
Todd wasn’t match fit having not started a Prem game for 3 months,plus he’s one of our players.
Oh dear. Have you got a crush on Todd or something?
Hi Gil
Todd was rusty as I said in the original article and for obvious reasons but he’s clearly back in the fold and that cannot be a bad thing.
Something tells me the crunch will come at contract option time – and which way that will go I simply don’t know.
To me he’s still a bit of a lightweight – the ability to destroy a Championship defence with a clever flick doesn’t always translate into the PL of course.
And Gilmour isn’t on the pitch to score goals but to provide them with assists.
Thanks
Both were poor in the first half but Gilmour was more match fit.Both could be called lightweight but if you’re comparing its fair to take goals scored into consideration.
Match fitness will always be an issue, agreed.
To me, there is no direct comparison between the players. I wouldn’t want to see TC in the middle any more than I would Gilmour out wide.
Neither are a genuine #10 to me, but both could give it a go I s’pose.
Hi Keith
I had a brace of Irish grandfathers and a German grandmother so my international options would have been RoI, England and Germany. The national managers of the time amazingly overlooked me – can’t think why 🙂
As for the bookies’ odds, I would have gone for the Pukki-Hanley headed double myself. That must have been worth about 250-1!
I honestly cannot remember when we scored with two headers in the same game.
Although Robert played far more centrally Sargent reminded me of Rosario at times.
Cheers
Yeh, but ‘Henri L’ scored that goal for City v Leeds and set up Holty in the derby win, so always fondly remembered!
Good shout Colin – Lansbury was great for the short time we had him.
Well summed up martin and I agree with canarylad about mr keys what a drip see you sat 😊
Hi Kev
As I said to Don [above] Dean Smith will be strongly motivated against the Wolvers.
Should be a cracker – me & my new coat will see you Saturday.
Cheers
Marty, the S&S combo have rekindled a wee spark of hope in my old breast and the players likewise. Maybe the new club badge should reflect a new beginning and Captain Canary too. I remember when the club mascot had a top hat and flashy suit and he was accompanied by the Norfolk Dumpling. Perhaps an inflatable blacksmith’s hammer and a Shakespearean ruff might now be appropriate?
Hiya Cutty
The inflatable Canaries were fun for a while, weren’t they?
I remember my mate Vince leaving his at Hillsborough after the notorious semi final loss to Sunderland. There was a great cartoon about them in the EDP by Tony Hall – it had something to do with Wordsworth and his daffodils but I can’t remember the context now.
Yes, the dreaded hope is starting to spring. Let’s pray that it’s not extinguished during a cruel winter of Canary discontent.
Cheers
You know what they say, Martin, it’s the hope that kills you! However, I do still hope, at least after two wins there’s some small glimmer of light on the horizon.
I’m glad your second team finally got their act together yesterday, to keep us in touch with Dirty Leeds.
Hi Jim
Conte will have been as pleased with that result as we are.
We’ll have a slightly different MFW Spurs preview as they are Alex B’s second team as well – it should be a bit like Derek & Clive without the profanities 🙂
Cheers
I absolutely agree Martin it what dear old Greavsie would call a game of two halves.
I was actually there at the hallowed Carra Road on Saturday and what a contrast each half was.
I said at halftime to my wife that if Dean Smith didn’t know how hard his job was at 3.00pm he certainly did at 3.45pm.
My god we were awful.
We were light years away from the team that beat Manchester City two years ago.
Noel or was it Todd Cantwell playing wide left ? Whoever it was it resulted in the boys in yella playing with 10 men for 45 minutes.
As you say Martin the Southampton wing backs had more room than an Ipswich supporter at a home game !
But Dean Smith and Josh Sargent soon changed the game and the second half was a vast improvement.
But let’s not get carried away like my Marty who thinks we are now on a European qualification adventure.
We could have been 1-3 down at halftime so there is still a lot of work to be done.
Smith won’t be fooled he is far to canny for that. He cut out practically all the playing out from the back, a pragmatic decision at the moment with the players confidence being so low.
But Smith’s football is not long ball. Marty reminded me of how Nigel Worthington set up when he first took over and it was a similar safety first approach and then Nigel got the team playing some lovely football later on in his reign.
Rashica epitomised us on Saturday, not too great first half excellent in the second. I just think the boy needs confidence. There is a player in there.
Poor Todd was by his own admission very poor and I admire the risk Smith took in playing him which so nearly miss fired.
But it will send a signal to Todd that his manager backs him.
There was a lot of anger around me in the River End regards Todd not turning up for training, hopefully the young man will knuckle down now and get himself fit.
He is without doubt our most gifted footballer now that Emi has departed and we need him.
Finally I found it sad that this was my first game without Daniel Farke.
But his legacy lives on as this bloke all game behind me kept shouting ” Get the ball on the floor city ”
A far cry from the usual River End plea of boot the bloody thing !!
Southampton should have won game at first half, also second half they had some very good scoring chances. Their team lacks decisive quality, when they change their lineups nothing never change. That is their story and saturday proved that nicely. Their goalkeeper should have saved at least second goal, but he was like their whole squad.
Dean Smiths post match press proved that he is realistic. He admit that Soton was better at first half, second half was basically even. Farke always had excuses and wanted to saw game non realistically. Smith said that Norwich cant rely all to 1 man, Pukki. Thats how managers see Norwich. Its not really a problem if same player scores most goals, I suppose he wanted to courage others. Hanley actually was dangerously bad and he keeps on playing like that there will come teams which will use his mistakes, but scoring winning goal saved him and surely he will start next weekend. Taking Cantwell and Gilmour to starting lineup felt more like public opinion pleasing, Cantwell was bad and Gilmour once again difficult to say how he played. Usually when you got that feeling about some player, player have not been involved much. Same can be said about Mclean and overall midfield didnt impress but didnt fail either. Sargent made big chance. He got ball 2 times in good positions, made wrong decision in both. When he shooted he should have passed to Pukki instead and when he passed to Pukki he should have shooted himself instead. You just have to accept that he is like that and appreciate his very good ability to produce chaos to opponents defences. Also you dont have realistic option who would play if its not him?
Once again manager got sacked, Solskjar saved himself so many times in last minute but not anymore. Hey, english football has becoming more similar as other leagues also by sacking coaches. When some club sacks coach more than 5 times per season it proves that no matter brexit you are not safe from outside impacts.
Hi 1×2
Very good points about Sergant’s decision making and I agree with you on both.
I think the Gilmour inclusion was as much down to pleasing Thomas Tuchel as much as anything else – no UK manager goes on public feeling!
Cantwell remains an enigma as he doesn’t have the necessary physicality for the EPL.
Solskjaer is I think the fifth or sixth EPL manager to be dismissed this season but, like our Daniel Farke, he left with his head held high and good for him.
So many supporters of other clubs in England do not like Manchester United so I am sure the majority of us will not be crying many tears!
Kiitos
Dean Smith might have a hard decision to make about Hanley soon with Omobamidele and Kabak waiting in the wings. Although he popped up with the winner, there were a number of basic errors that went unpunished. The game should really have been over by half-time, but luckily football isn’t decided by how dominant teams are for parts of a game. We actually were the beneficiaries of some good luck for a change, just when we most needed it.
Hi Andy
Yep – I think you’ve got it right there.
I’ve not really seen enough of Kabak to judge him, but Omobamidele looks like a real prospect and given our ethos he’ll be a first team regular [aka in the shop window] pretty soon. Actually I was quite impressed by Ben Gibson, who certainly had one of his better games.
I’d like to think we made our own luck second half but the first 45 was pretty poor.
Thank you
Hi Tim
It’s really funny how different folks react during a game and that’s for sure. There was plenty of head shaking and moaning in the Barclay during the first half but the atmosphere changed as we stepped up a gear and the expression of excitement [and okay, relief as well] at the final whistle was profound.
I would think that JWP ball for Walcott must have brought on palpitations where you were in the River End but us lot just saw Tim Krul making his usual kind of umpire’s signal for wide and knew we’d got away with it.
Cantwell remains an enigma. But as I said to Gil earlier, he’s back in the fold. For now.
Thanks – good comment.
My heart nearly stopped and my breathing did on the Walcott chance.
Martin it all seemed to happen in slow motion, it was like “oh no Tim’s not diving” Is it wide or is it in ? What a relief !
I am just glad it wasn’t Shane Long who came on and who used to have a habit of scoring against us and nobody else if my memory serves me right.
Great win and along with Manchester City are now the form teams in the EPL.
Now I just wonder if Talksh!te will mention that anytime soon.
I never expect any credit for NCFC from TalkSPORT which for me is one hell of a good reason not to engage with it 🙂
Hi Martin
As they say the King is dead long live the King.
Farke and his style will long live in our memories and so they should but now we have a new man at the helm with a similar style but possibly a more pragmatic approach to that style and only time will tell if it will be a success.
As city supporters we have seen to many young players that left the club to achieve great things only to flounder on the Scroby Sands of the football pitches, Murphy twins still trying to set football alight but struggling similar to the Jarvis boys both lots if potential but something lacking in their make up I just hope Cantwell has more about him than those boys.
Football like life in general is hard and you only get out what you put into it and thinking you are entitled to a great career will not cut it at the top level and maybe other coaches have noticed Todd’s head drop when things aren’t going well a lack of fight maybe.
Shakespeare was as verbal as Smith on the touch line both giving the same message not sure Farke had anyone doing that but now it looks like being a full on coaching during games.
All coaches have their preferred choices in the team and Hanley/ Gibson will dominate the defence and we could see a back 3 at times.
I think the up coming games will get us into double figures sooner than later but can we see any deals in January to rally push on and that will be possibly to send to buy or will their be a gamble to stay up over to you Alias Smith and Jones
Hi Alex
I remember an old Steinway upright piano in the music room at school which had *made for Kings and Koenigs* on it in gold leaf, so I know what you mean.
I’m ambivalent towards Todd Cantwell but I do know that the next six months of his footballing life will prove crucial for him – whatever happens.
You are quite right – Smith & Shakespeare consulted often, but didn’t feel afraid to shout at the players individually. Farke never adopted that approach as you say because I cannot even remember Eddie Riemer getting off the bench apart from the Lambert fiasco.
January acquisitions? Ask me in February.
Cheers
A fantastic result – but imagine where we’d be if Leeds had held on to their lead against Spurs last night and we hadn’t won the last two games! Ifs and buts, but we would have needed four wins from 17th, not counting any points the 17th placed team would’ve picked up over those four games.
The catch-up journey has barely started and will still be a very long slog before we can actually overhaul those above us. The goal difference means an extra point required too.
First steps…
Hi Chris
When I made a cock-up at work an old boss of mine would say *little steps for little feet*. Mind you he said that to everybody who displeased him. Pity he couldn’t do any of our tasks himself but I’ll let that one go as he wasn’t fundamentally a bad guy.
The Faces first album was called First Step. Hesitant, laboured, and parts of it remain unlistenable to this day.
But when I look at what they became – here’s hoping 🙂
Well Martin; what a difference a couple of wins make!
I suspect that I’m not the only one who went with hope more than expectation as Southampton had been on a decent run of form. Being NCFC, of course we had to make things harder for ourselves with yet another Along Come Norwich moment after about 4 minutes – what a shambles that bit of defending was!!
For once however we struck back remarkably quickly with a true collectors item – a Pukki header – but then were completely over-run for the rest of the half. How we managed to be level at the interval will always remain one of the great mysteries of the twenty-first century (so far!).
Replacing the totally ineffective Cantwell with the previously pretty average Sargent, along with whatever Deano said at halftime, turned out to be a masterstroke. Now we were in their faces, the crowd were getting involved more than at any recent home game…..and Southampton gradually wilted and crumbled.
So many players turned in a decent second half; luckily for us Gibson and particularly Krul did the same in the first 45. Without doubt there is a decent player in Gilmour, and Rashica put in his best shift so far.
How brilliant would 6 points from the next two games be?? Definitely not beyond the realms of possibility now I feel.
O T B C
Hi John
Yes you’re quite right about the Saints opener – it was truly shambolic.
The atmosphere in the second half in the Barclay just built and built as the belief started to surge through us – such a marked difference to the Leeds game.
Can we beat Wolves and Newcastle? I dunno so I’d take three points from those two while desperately hoping for four. That’s not to say six wouldn’t be nice 🙂
Cheers as always
That second half performance is telling. We now have a manager who if the plan A isn’t working is prepared to bin it and move to plan B, and do it early enough for it to have an affect.
Hi Bernie
Daniel was great for us outside the PL but this was truly refreshing.
In this case *new manager bounce* was largely due to said manager himself.
Cheers
Funny how people remember things isn’t it? Sure Hanley made a couple of errors but during that first half siege he and Gibson kept us in the game with the number of blocks they made. Todd apparently was in training throughout the international break and I think that confirmed my suspicions that he had fallen out with DF. I remember a lad that had bags of talent who kept getting knocked off the ball. He played for Villa and now Man City!! Deano got the best out of him and I hope will out of Todd.
Craig Shakespeare will certainly influence his progress. I hope so because the talent is there.
How many times have we said on here DF couldn’t change the course of a game. Early signs suggest Dean can.
I suspect that there is some tough training going on this week.
Hi Cyprus
Yes the blocks came in at a rapid rate and from my Barclay perch I saw most of them from behind the goal, which is the only true observational angle in that situation.
There was an excellent one from Brandon Williams as well when he tracked his wide player back and got everything in front of the shot.
Tough training? Maybe and nothing wrong with that if there is.
But this squad has discovered some appetite and fight within themselves for sure.
Cheers
I thought Tim Krul was immense and the difference between the two sides.
T C looked out of his depth, I’m not sure where his future lies, only he can decide.
Brandon Williams also deserves a mention, he’s on loan but 100% committed.
The rollercoaster is moving once again, we are back in the mix for 17th.
Good to see some energy and a double act again on the touchline.
Hi Colin
*We are back in the mix for 17th* – that’s kind of progress I guess!
Brandon Williams messaged a really classy *thank you* to OGS yesterday but for now his heart seems to be with us. He was excellent in the second half and just like you say appears to be 100% committed.
I think we all appreciated both Smith & Shakespeare giving it some from the touchline.
Cheers
I agree with most of your article. However, I would not describe it as Plan B. It was obvious that Cantwell was way off the pace and that Sargent needed to come on, which in turn meant Rashica could move to his better position. That change gave Aarons much better cover.
Smith is tactically aware and has changed the approach by not insisting we play out from the back.
Several players had their best games for a long time: Williams, Gibson, Gilmour, Rashica and Sargent.
I now have hope again. We need to be pragmatic and play in a way that minimises our mistakes and the consequences of the mistakes we will inevitably make. Our work rate will help too.
My song for this match was M People’s search for a hero. Webber may have found our hero in Dean Smith.
Cantwell blew his chance, in my opinion. We cannot afford to carry anyone. I understand he maybe rusty but his attitude was poor.
Hi Colin
I suppose *Plan B* is rather a grandiose way of describing a substitution, a switch and a few choice words at half time – but the most important thing is that it worked!
*We need to be pragmatic and play in a way that minimises our mistakes and the consequences of the mistakes we will inevitably make* is absolutely spot on.
Cheers
ps I dropped into St Martins on my way to the game 😉
Brilliant summing up as always Martin. Truly nothing matches that winning feeling. Not much anyway..
The first half was spent viewing largely through my fingers in front of my eyes, real edge of the seat stuff. The goal was hideous. Your description of Tommy having an off day on the pinball machine does it justice. Weak and pathetic.
The instant response was as surprising as it was unlikely. A header from a cross. Lovely stuff. The myth that Pukki cannot head a ball is largely due to the fact that he hasn’t had a cross for three years above ankle height.
The rest of the opening period became the Walker peters show. Thankfully, his adeptness at finding acres of space isn’t matched by his ability to exploit it and combined with some old fashioned defending\blocking allowed us to take no further damage.
Having bumped into an old mate at half time, my worst failing of getting embroiled in deep discussions with like minded souls on the subject of Norwich City ensured I alighted the steps some 40 seconds after the restart. Looking over my shoulder I saw on the big screen a ginger mop and quickly ascertained a swap had been made.
While Sargent will never make a centre forward, he has all the makings of a decent winger/attacking midfielder as his insane work rate allied to his physicality completely served to nullify the threat, Southampton’s only real threat and pin him back into his own half, stopping his infuriating forays into our final third. The sight of Sargent haring back ro get goal side and force his opponent back raised the energy levels and morale of the crowd and his team mates and the whole shooting match moved thirty yards closer to the Barclay end.
The winner, killed another bugbear of mine. That of the set piece. The importance of set pieces to a team like City is beyond measure. A great leveller, particularly when a team finds it so damned hard to fashion chances from open play. Learn to convert a good percentage of our set pieces into goals from the pathetic levels we’ve endured for years and we will all notice the difference in the points tally and the league position. I realise it’s not sexy or virtuous football, it won’t sit with the football snobs and purists. Quite frankly, bugger them.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and smith, although due huge credit for this performance isn’t a miracle worker. However there is enough on display here and enough raw material to at least make a fist of staying at the elite level.
Not for me the defeatist nonsense about being “excited” by our impending relegation and humiliation. 27,000 souls in attendance and countless others listening or keeping in touch would agree, there’s nothing like winning a top flight contest.
As long as I see that effort and pride in the shirt I will be firmly behind the manager and players and I’m ready to lose my voice and my sanity next Saturday when the next huge test comes our way.
Hi Chris
Excellent comment as always – I like the replies that make me laugh the best and thankfully there are quite a few of those!
We always get embroiled in such conversations as you describe in the Upper Barclay and the amount of folks we don’t know who join in proves what supporting NCFC means to all of us as in if a total stranger thinks somebody’s talking hor$eshit they’re not afraid to say so.
Set pieces are interesting as in I heard Dean Smith had a specialist coach for them both at Villa and previously Brentford. Watch this space? Maybe.
And as you say, Sargent could be of considerable value to us this season. He won’t trouble the golden boot adjudicators but is starting to look like a decent signing – especially when played out wide as his role in shutting down KWP cannot be underestimated.
Cheers
Good stuff!
I actually think Sargent will score some goals for us, its just a matter of time, he’ll come good.
I was not able to attend, but followed the match via the Beeb, the fact that Pukki and Hanley scored both goals with headers adds a goal-scoring dynamic which has been missing for NCFC for quite a while, it was good to see even if only from Sky’s extended highlights!
I honestly do not think we are going down anyway, I know this NCFC squad has the capacity to go toe-to-toe with 2/3 of the Premiership, and its time for them to do so – and it looks so great when they’re firing on all cylinders.
Would be really good to beat Wolves at the weekend!
To quote the lovely Lily James, “Hello possible!”
COYY !!
Hi Kev
As I’ve said to Chris [above] I’m not too sure Sergant should be judged on goals alone and his work ethic is something else.
So different to Cantwell but I think we’ve debated that guy more than enough!
Right now I’d reckon being able to compete with 2/3 of the Premiership is pushing it a bit but I’d go for a solid 40%+.
I honestly had to look Lily James up on Google as I don’t do modern films. You’re quite right of course, she does appear to be lovely.
Cheers
Hi Martin,
I haven’t judged Sargent as a goal scorer, although I’m certain he’ll get some of the season, he and Pukki will be a good match.
Totally agree on Cantwell, he’ll come through it all though once he finds full fitness.
By 2/3 I was referring to the fact that we play Wolves next – a solid 40% will do for me though!
Yes, Lily James is indeed, as you say, lovely. She does the Sky Mobile ads, their advert is where the ‘Hello Possible’ reference comes from.
I knew I recognised her from somewhere!
I just don’t watch modern films which is my bad – I should give them more of a chance I suppose.
Hi Don
Also have a ticket for the Wolves game, leaving Cannock around 10.30 if you need a lift