Not for the first time, I have to open with an apology.
Prior to the Huddersfield game, when discussing on Twitter who should slot in at left-back, I jokingly suggested that as said emergency full-back was almost certain to roll his ankle and be out until Christmas we should consider playing Josh Sargent there.
It wasn’t funny at the time and now just sounds ridiculous.
Sorry, Sarge.
But while my jokes (that one in particular) are rarely funny, football as a game, as Greavsie once told us, most definitely is.
In the aftermath of defeat at Hull, the calls for Dean Smith’s P45 resonated loudly and those making those calls felt they had a compelling argument. Those of us trying to plead for just a little more patience found our lines of defence to be thin and unconvincing.
But roll the clock forward six days and City have collected the same number of points by virtue of two performances of promise. It’s still far from perfect and there is plenty of scope for improvement, but that winning feeling is something money can’t buy.
From a team that had forgotten how to win, and which looked fragile and vulnerable to the slightest of setbacks, to a team that’s threatening to develop a winning habit. The mood music has changed.
Greavsie nailed it.
And while Dean Smith will never convince some, there are signs he too is starting to settle and is finally getting his message across. For almost the first time, we’re seeing signs of how a Smith/Shakespeare team plays and – while I’ll not be thanked for saying it – it does contain shades of Farkeball.
When asked by The Athletic what type of football he wants his sides to play, Smith said, “Forward-thinking, forward-running. Good possession, moving the ball quickly … when we lose it, how quickly can we go and win it back, and setting traps for the opposition.“
All of which is a fairly good summation of how City played last night, especially in the second half when the ball was moved a couple of beats quicker and there was an extra body or two getting ahead of the ball.
The intricacy involved in the construction of the first goal was of a Buendia-Stiepermann-Vrancic vintage and was just what was needed at that time.
After a largely uneventful and frustrating first half, it was always going to take something quite special to break down Millwall’s gutsy and well-organised defence. And so it proved.
The link-up between Danil Sinani and Kieran Dowell showed promise before the break, but burst into life with that lovely one-two, which opened up a channel for Sargent. The ball to him from Sinani was perfectly weighted and the finish was of a player whose confidence level was already on the rise.
Go back a fortnight and that chance is either snatched at or scuffed, but last night the finish was one of a proper centre-forward, which I guess is in itself the answer to the Sargent riddle.
He was purchased as an out-and-out striker, has always played as one and so, lo and behold, when we play him there he looks a different player. And then there’s that priceless commodity – confidence.
If only it could be bottled, or coached.
When Sargent was brought down by Tom Lees on Tuesday night and the Huddersfield defender was red-carded, I commented to my Carrow Road neighbour that he needed have done so. Sarge, for me, would have found a way to miss because he had time to think.
Last night, when sent clear by Dowell after he’d salvaged the ball from Andy Omobamidele’s hoof, Sargent’s body language told the whole of Carrow Road he was about to score. Sinani had also made a run and was there for the tap-in if needed, but no way was that ball being squared.
To see that Barclay End net ripple for the second time was a thing of beauty.
Even then there was still work to be done because, as Swansea found out on Tuesday night, this Millwall side knows not when it’s beaten.
So let’s not underestimate the save from Tim Krul when he turned that fizzer from Voglsammer onto the crossbar because that goes in and we’d have been back into the realms of buttock-clenching.
So cheers, Tim.
And there was still plenty of time for the Hanley/Afobe wresting match to reach its denouement, with the Scot winning by a submission. For lovers of old-school centre-forward/centre-back muscle-fests it was one to savour – and one Hanley will have enjoyed.
While our very own Braveheart has adapted well to the phenomenon of ball-playing centre-backs, he still looks more at home when faced with an opponent with whom he can go toe-to-toe.
As for Omobamidele – him of the hoof that led to the second goal – that was his most assured performance yet in a yellow shirt. He was composure personified with bravery and guts thrown in, to dovetail with his quality with the ball at his feet.
He’s a Rolls Royce of a defender in the making – one we should make the most of while we still can.
But there were plenty of good performances scattered across the park, and when everyone is fit, Smith has some serious decisions to make and for all the right reasons.
No one displaces Liam Gibbs on this form, not even our current emergency left-back, and when fit, Isaac Hayden too may even have to bide his time, such has been his growing influence in the heart of that midfield.
The key for 19-year-olds is finding a level of consistency and when that dips, then the door opens up for others, But for now the #6 position is Gibbs’ to lose.
Onel Hernandez is another who repaid the trust of his head coach. While in the attacking third, he was the usual mix of energy, scampering, stepovers and overhit crosses, the other part of his role last night – to provide some defensive support to McLean – was delivered effectively.
There was even time for some impressive late cameos from Messrs Cantwell and Ramsey.
So, a good night and, as Chris Goreham mentioned when closing Radio Norfolk’s coverage last night, for the first time since the first lockdown in March 2020, Carrow Road is starting to feel like it could be a fun place to be again.
The old place hasn’t rocked for a long time but it did last night.
Early days of course, and still plenty of opportunity for it all to go wrong, but there are smiles on faces again and that can only be a good thing.
Enjoy it. It’s been a while.
Well summed up Gary first time for a while I’m looking forward to the next game with a bit of confidence .think this midfield should be for keeps rest of season injuries permitting I thought my near neighbour Olly skip whoops Liam Gibbs was excellent last night what a baller for 19yrs old as were the rest of the team yes McLean and you .it’s gone from stuttery stop start football to fluent cohesive football good to watch . I think Dean Smith and co have earned them selves ABIT of time to crack on with it on last night’s evidence it may well work Millwall were a tough nut to crack good weekend everyone 😃
Bioko is a blast from the past, both in terms of old fashioned centre forward style, and the nickname (which is considerably more complimentary than some that Millwall fans were calling him last night). His battling in the build up to the second goal would have been worthy of Grant Holt or Ewan, and how well did he take it?
Gibbs looks as if he’s been doing that job for years. Nunez has slotted in brilliantly, considering how little time he’s been here, and his lack of English.
Two games ago I was more than happy to see a Sargent exit but now must eat those words! Play the guy in his correct position and lo and behold he delivers! My wife made a comment about the team which rings true “When Pukki plays its almost as if the whole team are playing to get the ball to HIM whereas without him all other options are considered” perhaps it is Pukki who now needs to adapt rather than the other way round.
Again the Dowell, Sinani and Aarons trio were top class. Dowel is another who is playing in his preferred role linking the play and it shows.
Optimism is rising and with good reason.
Good summary Gary and I agree 100% that Gibbs has to stay in the team on this form. He really looks a quality player and watching him it’s hard to believe how young he is.
He is stepping into the Skipp role very nicely.
As for Sargent, I don’t think I’ve even seen a bigger turnaround in a player. Long may his form continue.
Special mention for Omobamidele, absolute class and we’ll do very well to hold onto him.
Finally, I hope the sale of the 15.9% shareholding to Mark Attanasio results in more than a nice little earner for Michael Foulger!🤞🙏
I caught most of the game on ESPN. It was an enjoyable watch. We’re all very happy for Sargent, I hope his performances continue to yield results, for him and for us.
Good sum up Gary, most enjoyable to watch, still a little nervy, well I was. A very good all round team effort, think Sargent got the PotM rightly for his work rate and two quality finishes, both very Pukki-esque
Not the biggest fan of Smith, but I have always maintained that 10 games should be enough to jump off any fence. on one side or the other. I said the same during Farke’s time, more than once.
I just wonder what will be said when we do lose a game, will the knives come out again ? We cannot win every game, that is the position with the fans that Smith & Co are in. I doubt that there was as much pressure in the corridors of power.. Still it is back to old adage, enjoy what you have at present.
Yea Millwall organised their deference well, I prefer to say the bus was parked well., spoil the game , be boring but hope to sneak one. The sky commentators sung so lyrically about Millwall, how they had to travel hundreds of miles, how they have the players to bring on with fresh legs. like other teams don’t have to travel or have a bench of fresh legs. Sickening,
The supposed foul by Sargent in the lead-up to his 2nd goal, too much made of it, there was sill a lot of work to do, sandwiched, climbed on, pushed, yet the boy kept going.
How about their own misdemeanours? Their defender sitting on the floor yet pushing himself to bring Sargent down no attempt for the ball or getting off his arse. Or the studs up tackle on Aarons ? Then to show the inconsistency, Gibbs gets booked for hardly touching the player with the tips of his fingers.
How disappointing and very sad to see the scenes that followed the game, more than likely because they lost. bad sports following their manager
Sadly Millwall still has the old thug element amongst them, It is time something was really done about them. Not a lot changes with them. the difference is the thugs are older and grooming the younger ones.
Lions of shame…
Just maybe,at last we’ve found the collective answer to the devastating loss of Skipp and Buendia.. OTBC.
That one was for all the Dean Smith haters. City were excellent – soon as we scored our game management was excellent. Apart from the Krul save did Millwall get I to our box with any vengeance?
Hopefully, Sam Byram will be fully fit for Sunderland I’d have him in instead of Aarons – yes, he’s good going forward but how many times does he get the wrong side of his man or they get a cross in because of the way he sets him self up? At his age he should know where and when to attack the ball or stand off!
MOM was young Gibbs – going to some player. Hopefully we get a fit Hayden, him and the Chilean. That’s a bloody good middle of the park!
PS Gary, bit harsh on big Grant on Tuesday. Done what a good centre half had to do stood the 9 up, showed him outside then, by that time, either Kenny or Andy O should have, for me, been covering the hole!
As controversial as ever Thommo 😀
Maybe a tad harsh on Grant on Tuesday, but he did let Jones skip inside him. Also could have taken a yellow 40 yards from goal. But ultimately, it was meant to be a joke.
Get that gary but it wasn’t just you who said a few people were moaning about him Friday around the ground!
What got my back up was that idiot butler on canary call and lappin about Aaron’s both myself and Barry said the same he can’t defend every team targets him Millwall kept going down our right, Wigan even Huddesfield. Going forward no better full back(needs to hit byline more)but defensively a liability
Hi Gary
A great summary to last night’s game and a good preformance all round.
Millwall resorted some of their old tactics of bullying but for once the REF did his job and kept most of them undercontroll.
Rowell was happy with Sargent but Malone tried to pull him back prior to the other lad getting involved so alls even in that little battle and we now see Sargent playing his normal game and he handles the rough treatment without a blink or retaliation long may it last.
Can we swat a pompous Bournemouth this week or will Parker send out a weakened team to help them with Premiership survival
Well Gary;
I have to admit that after these past 2 games copious amounts of humble pie are being eaten in this household.
2 wins from 2, and Sargent IS a player after all….I thought he took both goals well, with (at last) the confidence of a player who has finally been played in his best position. Amazingly, it could be that Pukki’s injury proves to be the turning point of our season.
Oh; and at last…..a positive goal difference – what’s not to like?
O T B C
Josh Sargent, goal machine. Who would have thought such a thing?
The article was good. The Bilko reference was pointless, would not have been understood by most of those reading and is a waste of time. Just like the constant Ronald McDonald jokes on Social Media. Isn’t it about time people started showing Josh Sargent some respect? He has weathered insults and abuse and has come out of it showing he is a striker of quality. He deserves better than a cheap headline.
Noted.