It was one of those something-for-everyone afternoons.
For the pyro lovers, there was Carrow Road’s best effort yet; for everyone, there was a much-deserved ovation for our heroic Lioness; for the optimists, there was a performance that was infinitely better than its Cardiff equivalent, and for those who continue to demand Dean Smith’s P45, there was a mixed performance against a very average team that yielded just a single point.
And there’s no escaping the fact that earning a single point from two games against two very average teams is a rotten return. But there’s also no debating that from minutes one to 25, City were excellent yesterday and did play with a hitherto unseen rhythm and flow.
There was (whisper it quietly so as not to offend) even evidence of the pattern of play that Smith and Shakespeare are demanding.
Of course, there is still a long way to go before this iteration of Norwich City is the finished article and those lingering effects of that bruising Premier League campaign are still to the fore.
The warning signs were there when, amidst that thoroughly decent opening spell, Lungi Sorensen was far too easily brushed off the ball in the worst area possible, forcing Tim Krul into a really good save to keep the score still level.
It was the type of blunder that blighted the whole of last season and which can be ill-afforded at any level. And then Ben Gibson thought he’d join in.
The exact type of cock-up that saw him dropped from the starting XI at the back end of last season came back to haunt him again – the type of error you don’t expect from one of your most experienced defenders.
Yes, mistakes do happen but they happen too often to us. For all the pressure the Wigan defence was under yesterday, not once did they give the ball away in key areas like Sorensen and Gibson did.
For as long as we continue to do that it will be a struggle.
And then there’s that fragility that runs like a golden thread through this team – the one borne of terrible performances and heavy defeats last season. For now, this is a team that’s forgotten how it feels to win; that wilts when it concedes because it knows what comes next.
I’ll not be thanked for saying it, but it needed some halftime words from Smith and Shakespeare to help steady the ship and, maybe, remind them it was Wigan they were playing, and not one of those horrible games that, even at just 1-0 down, was already beyond them.
That spell betwixt Wigan goal and halftime was a tough watch.
But, in fairness, they rallied well after halftime and that they didn’t end up wining the game was quite frankly ridiculous. Seventy percent of possession and 22 shots should be more than enough for a comfortable win, but when you’ve forgotten how it becomes tough.
Once they overcome that invisible barrier and experience the winning feeling again, I sense it could yet be the season we all want it to be. But the longer that wait for three points goes on, the harder it becomes and the louder the voices of the P45ers will get.
Yet for those of a half-glass-full disposition, there was also something there.
For 30 minutes, Marcelino Nuñez was everything we’d hoped he’d be and looked far removed from a player whose only been in the country for four days. Neat, tidy and with an eye for a pass, he fitted in perfectly to the pass and move football that saw City dominate the opening stages.
That he fizzled out a little as the game wore on was understandable; there was more than enough there to whet our appetite for what’s to come.
At the other end of the time continuum – one who’s been here rather more than four days – was a certain Todd Cantwell, who reminded us yet again what a good player he can be when his own planets are aligned.
This, to me, looks like the Todd of 2020-21 – the one who we were only able to see through our TV screens but who was creative and influential and busy – and a far cry from the lost soul we saw in his rare appearances last season.
Only good can come of a Todd Cantwell in this place in a yellow shirt.
Max Aarons is another who’s part of the Carrow Road furniture but who excelled yesterday. Unlike Cantwell, who’s benefitting from new-start syndrome, Aarons still bears the Premier League scars but appears one of the few unaffected by them.
His was a performance of energy, verve, attacking intent, a gashed shin and a rare but priceless goal. More of the same between now and the end of the transfer window and Stuart Webber may have a big decision to make.
The gash on the shin will hopefully soon heal and leave no lasting damage, but it was a nasty one and I’ll take some convincing that Master Naylor was neither out of control nor reckless when he made contact with the ball first and then Max’s shin.
It wasn’t the only matter of the afternoon on which Matt Donohue and I disagreed but let’s leave it there. I try not to waste column inches on moaning about referees as I’m hardly impartial and confess to seeing everything through yellow-tinted contact lenses.
Talking of injuries, we can only but hope Dimi Giannoulis’ injury isn’t horrific as it looked at the time. But it’s a blow on many levels, not least for the player himself who had done well and looked set to be Dean Smith’s left-back of choice.
What it’s done, rightly or wrongly, is to open the door for Sam McCallum, whose second-half cameo was one of promise. Despite having a wobbly pre-season, the ex-Coventry lad has talent and is, for me, more than capable of fulfilling the role of attacking left-back.
Onel Hernandez too made his mark from the bench. At a time when the levels were flagging, Onel, scurrier and scamperer extraordinaire, added energy and freshness when it was most needed and dragged others along with him.
His final ball may let him down at times, and he’s so unpredictable even he doesn’t know what happens next (so how can his opponent), but his enthusiasm is infectious and gives those around him a lift.
In cricket, they’re now called mystery spinners. In Onel, we have our own mystery winger.
I’m not sure Hernandez will be a regular starter in any Dean Smith starting XI but he’s a great option to have on the bench, and he’s certainly good for the LOLs (as the kids say).
There weren’t too many LOLs as Mr Donohue’s final whistle went though as another two points drifted off into the ether, but there weren’t too many boos either as most appreciated it was a performance several notches up on that witnessed in Cardiff.
Tuesday night offers the chance for those on the fringes and who need minutes, and crucially will give Gabriel Sara, whose late cameo offered promise, an opportunity to stake a claim for a start at Hull next Saturday.
I’m not sure when we’ll get to see Isaac Hayden in action but I hope the wait’s not too long. A midfield that contains him as its anchor and two fully fit South Americans in front of him will be a considerable step up from what we’ve seen so far.
For now, we just have to be content with incremental steps of improvement, and pray that somehow, from somewhere they can conjure up a win.
Then the season can begin.
I sit on the halfway line. Sorensen didn’t surrender the ball easily, he was forcefully shoved in the back and illegally taken out. Unfortunately the item that was referring failed to notice along with the red card and penalty later on.
I don’t know if my expectations are too high or whether English league referees are among the worst in the world.
Totally agree John…players have to be strong but Lungi defo shoved in the back. Sorry but Gibson is a liability….he got away with two other errors that Wigan failed to capitalise on. Regarding Aaron’s, yes played the ball but the foot was high and made definite contact and should’ve been a penalty. VAR would’ve given it. Disappointed not to win but definite improvement from last week. As mentioned, once we get that midfield spine fit and gelling I see good times and performances ahead. Again no need to panic as yet. OTBC
Gibson hanley and McLean have been giving the ball away for years yet we still keep playing them when will the club move on from these players until we do we will keep scratching for results Happy to see all gone in transfer window doubt anyone would want them if they’ve been watching us last two years .
The hangover from the Premiership fail can be cured if we remove the core /spine/leadership group of Hanley and McLean, Their energy and passsion are commendable and in crunch, last minute defending they can be relied upon. But this is not what we want or are going to be about this year. Big Andy O is a different class of defender, the main reason our attacking play in the first 25 minutes opened up gaping holes for players further up the field and was in command at all points yesterday. Gibson is the best partner we have at the moment but I would be investing in Tomkinson and using a loan to get another CB in as cover. After seeing the new South American lads, I am certain that the GOAT can be fed but he doesn’t have the same pace against opposition CBs as he did. Idah’s return will be crucial to support Pukki, I don’t see our other forwards being able to play the role. Aarons and Rachica were excellent, I understand Garry’s frustrations with the the latter but his movement allowed Aaron’s space to attack. Throw into the mix our other young talents coming through and a Ramsey, who people tell me is better at this stage than his brother and I am hugely optimistic about our chances this year.
I wasn’t as happy as Gary with this performance but I agree with him it was a vast improvement on Cardiff.
However Spud I disagree wholeheartedly regarding Hanley.
If he had played yesterday I feel we would have won.
Still my first choice centre half, but Andy O is not far off as the number one.
Hi Gary
The Sorensen stumble was more than ably helped by Keane I think and even the ex Wolves commentator said why isn’t that a foul.
Sadly Cardiff showed other teams how to combat cities skills and until the REF’S get a grip of these tactics not only for city but other teams will get kicked off the pitch.
Onel has a low sense of gravity and with his running style looks to be going to ground but yesterday he a 6ft defender with his had on his shoulder pushing him down but the REF decided he went down to easy why not book him for diving then.
These REF’s at the moment want the game to flow which is good but are unwilling to take or make tough decisions that will spoil their afternoon.
Last moan why was it Liam Richardson the one that got the game stopped when Giannoulis was injured none of the city team went over to him and the REF waved play on, the opposition manager was the only one who noticed he was in trouble.
If we’re to escape this league, we’ll need to score our way out. For what feels like the 8th consecutive season, our defense appears inadequate.
I agree, but I can see our wins being based on low scoring affairs and able to shut the other side out,
When you look at what Rashica and Sargent cost us, I’m sure many of us would have rather seen the club spend £15M on a decent CB, but for some reason the club always prioritises other positions.
I’m still not quite sure what to make of yesterday’s game. Much to be encouraged by, but equally as much not to be. We are far from the finished article and we still lack the pace we will need to have to succeed. Smith is never going to be the most inspiring manager we’ve ever had and is probably the type of person who get this wife to by his clothes from NEXT and is happy whatever she comes back with.
That said – cock ups aside – we are slowing getting the right ingredients, but the jury is still out on whether Smith is a Gordon Ramsey or a Little Chef.
A tale of 2 McLeans, one of them was in the premier league last season. You really couldn’t tell from that game which one it was.
Also on the ref , another poor game. 2 games in two performances by the officials at this level prove var is needed.
I saw highlights and watched a little bit at the same time with the Fulham-Liverpool game.
Norwich was unlucky and the referee was awful which is typical of this league. The game is not anymore football when the referee allows all kinds of wrong playing to happen. The championship playing style is now close to scottish league and its almost impossible to watch or enjoy. Im 100% sure that the Norwich squad will get nasty long time injuries during the games, referees let just all to happen. Im very concerned every time Glen Kamara is forced to play scottish league game and now im worried when Pukki plays. Your new south american players also have a big chance to get severe injuries and they have just started playing there. Cantwell and Rashica are others who are close to that. This league is now more and more for less technical players, which are ready to accept severe injuries too.
Its impossible to see how Norwich didnt get a penalty? It could have also been a red card, but a 100% sure penalty. Norwich made 2 very awful defensive mistakes, the second one resulted goal. Teemu set up a Norwich goal, I think Wigan goalkeeper likely should have saved it. Teemu was very unlucky when his shot hit inside the crossbar. Statistically Norwich had plenty of shots, but the clear majority were not from dangerous areas.
If Norwich loses the next game, there might grow some pressure to start winning even its only the first games. If there is no change to refereeing, it can be difficult.
In reply to SpudGunner,
Why do we need a “Ramsey”, who hardly pulled up any trees whilst at Cheltenham last season, when we have so many of our own young mid-fielders out on loan, and Gibbs had a really good pre-season? What sort of message does it send to them?
Sign for Norwich and play for anyone but them, and then be sold for a pittance or merely released….
I wonder how much his loan in is costing us – funds which could be better used elsewhere I think!
O T B C
I agree, would love Rowe and Springett to get the nod ahead of him.
Waste of a loan which could have been used for a defensive player. Josh Martin finished last season well. Smith’s blood is claret and blue.
I enjoyed the game yesterday.
Although Norwich played well yesterday, as did Wigan, it’s worth remembering the quality of opposition NCFC were up against.
Local north west newspaper Wigan Today wrote about the eleven players Wigan fielded yesterday: ‘Latics remain four or five bodies down even on last season’s squad’ and ‘The biggest compliment you could pay the (centre back) duo is Jack Whatmough – last season’s player of the year – wasn’t missed.’
So, Wigan were up to six players short of their best team last year. In League One. And Norwich (erstwhile of the best league in the world) only managed to draw 1-1 against them. At home.
Some think drawing against essentially a League One reserve team is quite encouraging.
I do not.
I think it’s quite embarrassing.