A win!
So scarce have they been over the last year, Carrow Road has all but forgotten how to celebrate, although the muted celebrations upon Josh Smith’s final whistle were probably more to do with the collective unclenching of buttocks than anything else.
We certainly don’t make it easy for ourselves, but let’s not underestimate the value of a win. Any win. Especially in those circumstances. And especially for Dean Smith.
It could and should have been comfortable. In the end, it was a bit ugly.
A defeat and I suspect the place would have been a seething cauldron of venom but we were thankfully spared and at times it was a display that was progressive and easy on the eye.
That it was achieved without the injured Teemu Pukki was interesting. It doesn’t, as some have suggested, signal the beginning of the end for Pukki, but it was definitely interesting.
Although Dean Smith insisted afterwards that the system remained unchanged and the plan was for Josh Sargent to slot into the Pukki role, he did it differently.
He had to – his skillset is totally different. Instead of peeling off centre-backs and running the channels looking for a chance to shoot, Sargent would make those same runs but hold the ball up and bring others into play.
Sargent also offered an aerial threat that’s not always there, as evidenced by his goal, although in fairness it had as much to do with the quality of Danil Sinani’s cross as it did with his towering header.
But it was good, and there are few sights in football more glorious than a cross whipped in with pace being met with a thumping header that flies into the net beyond the keeper’s grasp.
That said scenario occurred after just five minutes and was able to settle down a twitchy Carrow Road was ideal, although from minute one there was an appetite and flow to City’s play that will have pleased Dean Smith and Craig Shakespeare.
The early goal though, in the circumstances, was just what was needed and came not long after another Sargent header that whistled over the bar.
The mood had been transformed and the pre-match talk of the horrors of Hull was yesterday’s news.
With Marcelino Núñez central to everything, there was a pleasing ebb and flow to City’s play in that first half, with Sinani, Kieran Dowell and Todd Cantwell all linking nicely, and Max Aarons providing the natural width down that right side.
When number two went in, it felt like game over – even though it wasn’t.
A jink from Núñez, a nicely weighted pass from Dowell, an ugly scuff from Sargent, all combining to put one on a plate for Sinani, whose finish was as cool and as accomplished as you like.
While the Luxembourger’s City’s career has been a slow burner in the extreme, we’re now starting to see what he can bring, which is a left foot than can open a tin of peas, intelligent movement and a sound technique.
If Milot Rashica is thinking of hanging around, then he has work to do to regain his place in the starting XI if Sinani can maintain the level he showed last night.
Another to force his way into the thinking of the head coach will have been Liam Gibbs.
The 19-year-old from Bury St Edmunds, who of course cut his teeth at the opposite end of the A140, took his Championship debut in his stride and showed little fear in being charged with the responsibility of being the deepest-lying midfielder.
His ability to keep the ball ticking over in there and to pick the right pass at the right time was classic old-head-on-young-shoulders stuff, and while he’s not yet at the Oliver Skipp level of providing a defensive shield, there was more than enough there to suggest he’ll get a fair amount of game time this season.
That he flagged late on and gave the ball away a few times was understandable and all part of his learning curve.
But, this is Norwich City and so, of course, it wasn’t all rainbows and kittens.
The sending off of Tom Lees should, by common convention, have been the signal for the opening of the flood gates but it’s rarely as straightforward as that, and when it’s Norwich City facing then ten men it’s doubly troublesome.
Rather than go for the jugular, the tempo slowed, City’s passing became increasingly laboured and they appeared happy to settle for 2-0, which is all well and good except you leave yourselves at risk of conceding a daft goal that allows your previously beleaguered opponents a sniff of a point.
So, of course, we concede a daft goal and offer our previously beleaguered opponents a sniff of a point.
In fairness, prior to the Terriers’ goal, the introduction of the subs, particularly Onel Hernandez, had added zip and energy to a game that had become staid and passive, but in doing so opened things up to such a degree it became far too end-to-end for comfort.
When Huddersfield brought on Pat Jones for his debut, he added for them what Hernandez had added for us, only with extra composure.
So positive was Jones’ run, he had Grant Hanley twisting, turning and backing off to such an extent the Scot turned himself inside out and was last seen transversing on the A146 at 11:00 pm.
Jones’ finish inside Tim Krul’s near post triggered the collective clenching of said buttocks and it was a long old 13 minutes in which we almost had the inevitable Jordan Rhodes equaliser. But we didn’t – thanks to Krul closing him down before he had the chance to shoot.
So hang on we did and my god that was a welcome three points.
Okay, so it was an unconvincing second half and there is much work at Colney still to be done, but for a team that’s forgotten how to win, to finally get one was massive.
For those who’ve already deemed Dean Smith unfit for purpose, there was still enough there to sink their teeth into but for the rest of us it was a welcome three points that will hopefully be followed by more against Millwall on Friday night.
That’s the plan anyway.
On the Ball City…
You have to look at the positves in particular the combinations between The midfield and Aarons were a joy to watch. Dowell’s best in a Norwich shirt for me and Aarons said after a pre-season game how he liked playing with Sinani.
I would start with the same line up Friday and have Pukki on the bench. lso a good mention for Mclean who was excellent.
A good step in the right direction.
Norwich being Norwich, of course a non shaver comes off the bench and makes what should have been a simple task more difficult than necessary.
Indeed a very welcome 3 points and 4 points from the first 4 games is just about acceptable for a team under construction. We look as though we have, for the first time in ages, a decent midfield coming together. We still look nervous defensively and lack confidence in the penalty area but there are some reasons for positivity.
At last a game worth travelling 100 miles for that’s 44 shots in two home games need to be more clinical only criticism on enjoyable game .sinnani and gibbs very good nunes has great footballing brain but his feet aren’t quite up with it yet but still vg play the same Friday unless new lb is here.
Hi Gary
A very good summary of last night’s game.
Sargent got the chance to play in his best position for City and and Sinani had his best game for city as well.
Deputy Dogg on the touchline never reacted to either goal just a small smirk crossed his face he just isn’t endearing himself to the city supporters or trying to win their approval, some will say why should he but it’s a working relationship between him and the supporters that needs to happen or mountains and molehills come to mind.
Will we see the same starting 11 on Friday with possible the Metz leftback coming in on loan or will Smith continue with McLean who he says can read the game so we’ll he can fill in for those injured LB’s.
Anyway it was a good result that needs building on but Millwall are becoming the come back kings this season and will try and bully city from the start just like Cardiff did.
We’ll, at least we didn’t do a Swansea – two own goals in injury time to give Millwall a point! Better be on our guard on Friday, because they are a team who don’t surrender easily.
Hands up Sargent played a lot better than I expected.
I hope there are no changes for Friday as last nights team had more pace and movement than the one that played Wigan.
I was impressed by Gibbs who reads the game well and several times covered dangerous situations, especially when the mayor went missing. I think we need to recruit a left back urgently.
I was pleased to see Sinani put in a good performance as I think his attitude is everything that Rashica’s lacks.
The best night at Carrow Road for a long long time!
Lovely header from Sargent, who said in terview that the No9 is his favoured place. I thought his shot was deflected into Sinani’s path for the drive home.
The young Terriers sub turned Hanley inside and out, no blame from me, difficult going backwards to a fleet-footed striker. The mayor seemed to have a half decent go at full-back. But news today a loan bid gone in for Metz defender Fali Cande.
Hernadez again gave their defence something else to think about, Gossy on the radio sang his praises, as well as Hugill. Not the greatest show, but what mattered was those 3 big points, another 3 on Friday and we will be sitting a lot,lot better.
Did what we asked for. no complaints from me at all.
At last a coherent midfield, after criticising Josh Sargent recently a big well done fella. Liked the look of Gibbs. There was some really good football at times last night. Nunez gets better by the game. I gave Dean Smith a pounding last week so well done to him also. Watching Norwich is a bit like snakes and ladders, a good roll of the dice on Friday could see us heading up the ladder.
A good summary Gary.
As the referee flourished his red card at Lees I wouldn’t have believed that the final score would be 2-1
Or perhaps I would.
Its so heartening to see several players literally grasping the chance to impress with both hands after the half hearted efforts of so many for so long.
Sargent will never be a player possessing of a deft touch but his boyish enthusiasm is endearing and infectious. His goal was sublime and his hold up play, the barrelling runs, his part in the sendi g off are all deserving of another run out in his favoured position.
Enter Sinani, who simply had to start against Huddersfield. His crossing and passing compliments Sargent perfectly and I’m convinced that had he played at Hull we would have taken something from the game.
Gibbs has forced his way in and Smith must be very glad to have him.as a genuine option. I can’t see any reason for him to be farmed out on loan. I’m sure if he was made available most of the championship would be on the phone to webber.
Hernandez is the perfect impact sub., exploding into the match and dragging us 40 yards up the pitch while upping the levels of noise from the stands. His lack of end product might be less of a problem if some of his team mates made more effort to get into position to convert.
We’d better gloss over the performance of Hanley, which wasn’t pretty.
The concession of a shock goal ten minutes from time shows that there is a ton of work still to do but by God, it feels so good to have a win to discuss and enjoy.
Now we must bank the points, gain whatever confidence we can from it and capitalise on Friday night against Millwall. Its imperative that we make up lost ground with another three points.
Comments- the cross from Sinani was perfect but the technique from Josh was outstanding. Dealing with his marker and getting power and direction to beat the keeper was top drawer. Second, I think Rashica needs to move on. After his dismal levels of effort and commitment, particularly toward the end of last season, it looks like he is just marking time until he moves. Extremely unimpressed. Gibbs needs the playing time -he’s got an engine and he only has upside that will come from playing-and he’s a local boy (or local enough!) High hopes for Milwall match as it looks like things are beginning to come together.