It’s only fit and proper that I should join Gary and Freddie with an apology to our born-again striker, Josh Sargent.
Only a week ago I said on these very pages that if Sargent is a striker, then so is next door’s cat. Six days down the road and it’s a clear case of “just how wrong can you be”.
As aforementioned Gary and Freddie have said, it really makes such a difference when he is played in his natural position, which is a good old-fashioned #9 with a license to roam a little.
On Friday he ticked all the boxes for energy, determination, fighting his duels, helping the team and most importantly of all, showing the key quality that is confidence.
Millwall do not lie down for anybody and were as tough as it gets physically, with the dark arts coming to the fore, particularly during the second half. Referee Robert Jones wasn’t having too much of it though and he often took a bit of time to explain his decisions to players, which goes down very well with high-end professionals.
The confidence shown in Sargent’s execution of both goals was at a very high level indeed. The one-two with Danel Sinani was sublime and the finish never in doubt. As for the second, Andrew Omobamidele’s hoof out from the back to clear a Millwall corner was only ever going to be Sargent’s.
Kieran Dowell brought the ball forward, made a precision pass inside and there was Sargent to sweep the ball first time across Bartosz Bialkowski and into the net.
Sinani was over spare to the right but his arm dropped the second the ball left Sargent’s boot – he knew it was in too.
The Sky cameras panned across to Gary Rowett, Adam Barrett and the Lions coaching team a bit too much for my liking. A scarier crew I’ve yet to see at Carrow Road to be fair and Rowett was not happy with Sargent’s involvement in the build-up to what turned out to be the points-sealer.
He claimed our Josh jumped at Danny McNamara and then fell on Scott Malone. Tough luck Gary old bean, neither Robert Jones, the fourth official nor the assistant referee deemed either to be foul play.
Sometimes you have to reap what you sow.
Millwall seemingly learned nothing from this. They must have left their injury time ju-ju stick back in Bermondsey as they contrived to commit six cheap and needless fouls in the last seven or eight minutes thus effectively wasting their own injury time. It’s a long time since I’ve seen that happen I must say.
Any worries along the way?
Apart from Benik Afobe flicking one over from a corner that could have gone anywhere and a superb Tim Krul stop from a snapshot by Andreas Voglsammer, not really.
Josh Sargent’s father really couldn’t have picked a better time to make the long trip from Missouri and to complete the American theme a special Board meeting has been arranged to [hopefully] appoint Mark Attanasio as a Director in a move I thought was probably dead in the water about three weeks ago.
With somewhere between a 16-18% stake in the Club, Attanasio becomes the second largest shareholder after the Stowmarket Two. With his level of expertise in creative sports administration, surely they will listen to what he has to say.
Won’t they?
I couldn’t get along to the Carra on Friday in person because my walking ability is currently restricted. I have to undergo a series of tests as long as Ben Stokes has had this summer and it may be a little while until I can go again, so regular MFW reader Don Harold has been [and will be] standing in for me.
Here’s what Don made of it all:
“In the 1,098 days since I last saw Norwich win a football match [against Newcastle 3-1, Pukki hat-trick], I had forgotten the real joy a comfortable win and a good performance gives. I left Carrow Road absolutely elated on Friday night and am still smiling.
“We’re starting to look like we’re a class or two above most Championship teams. The engine room of Sinani, Dowell, Nunez and Gibbs are beginning to work well together [wise words mate – Martin].
“Sargent as many suspected is proving to be a good Championship player and in Andy Omobamidele we have a player who is going to play the vast majority of his football at the top level.
“The bench we had last night was, I think, the strongest we have ever had in the second tier. It’s good to see that Dean Smith is forming an impressive team and it’s good to be able to look forward to matches again. Perhaps, with the new investment, we will have a future in the Premier League.
There has apparently been a bit of terrace talk about adopting the chorus of Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA as a song for Sargent. Please lads, have a long and hard think concerning what the song is really about before you do.
I’m not sure if the generations who didn’t grow up with this will realise just how anti-war an instrumental can be, but enjoy this from 53 years ago this month. And if you close your eyes and think you can hear bombs dropping, voices screaming and helicopter rotors, it’s probably because you can:
I quite agree Martin most of us do need to reflect on our judgement of Josh Sargent. Who knew humble pie could taste this good. Let’s hope there are a few more slices to come.
The big question now is what do we do with Teemu. Is there space for McLean in the midfield when we get a left back fit and finally will be able to turn down a £50 million bid for Nunez in January.
Hope you feel better soon.
Hi Andy
I guess you’re asking the right questions there.
To me McLean should not disrupt this little midfield diamond [if it truly is a dia mond] but the Pukki conumdrum is one I cannot get my head around.
Interesting thought about Nunez!
Thanks for the kind wishes.
Marty, not sure if Smudger has stumbled upon a winning team due to injuries or if this is the coming together of some cunning plan? Either way it brings a smile to our faces and hopefully the successful tactics will continue. I’m glad Sarge is strutting his stuff and his dad must be proud, seeing his son scoring the match winning goals. Lovely Roy of the Rovers stuff.
Hi Cutty
I think the unfortunate injuries have certainly given the selection a nudge in what very much seems to be the right direction.
Sometimes we forget that Sargent is still just 22 and it must have been great for both him and his dad as clearly they don’t meet up very often.
One or two outlets Statesides were praising him to the hilt yesterday too.
Cheers
Having watched the highlights several times now, it’s just confirmed my view at the game. Sargent’s tussle in front of the dugouts was clearly a case of six of one, half a dozen of the other. He used his strength well, despite being pulled back by one of the Millwall players before the other one joined in and fell over in an attempt to get a free kick. Sargent’s little poke forward to put the ball in the path of Dowell was excellent, and the pass from Dowell was sublime, just the right angle and weight for Sargent to run on to and hit first time. Last season, he’d have taken a touch, it’s wonderful what confidence will do.
Gibbs and Nunez were excellent, the Chilean’s 70 yard diagonal pass out to Aarons just one example, and clearly the seasoned pros are confident in giving the ball to Gibbs.
All round, a really enjoyable game, and a treat to have a referee like that.
Hi Jim
I couldn’t agree with you more about the Sargent tussle, both in real time and on slomo. For once Millwall could not bring their quarry down and they suffered according to what they deserved.
That Nunez pass to Aarons was indeed exquisite, particularly as it hardly bounced and thus became easier to control.
I too would have referee Mr Jones officiate every week if I could.
Cheers
Hi Martin
Sorry to hear your not able to get around that good get well soon.
Canaries Swatting Lions was my take on watching the game but as you say the REF stood Strong in all the major decisions maybe DS&SS moaning has got a few looking at how the manager a game.
JS has said in the past that judge him when he plays in his preferred position and now we can see a player emerging slowly but surely into what city needs at this time, will it mean less game time for Pukki or a move too pastures new only the next 2 weeks will decide that hopefully we can see them both bloom in this team but if Pukki leaves he will go with my blessings and a heartfelt thank you for the memories.
With the American joining the board and negotiations taking this long I would think that they will have got options on more shares hopefully to become the Majority holders in the near future also on how to take the club forward.
2 weeks of the transfer window still to go Watford have sold 2/3rd of their forward line and the 1/3rd is being chased by premiership teams so will we see them stumble early on, City have 4 Brazilian youth on trial, rumours of Aaron’s still floating around and no news on a new LB but do we need one hopefully Byram can fill in till one or more gets fit.
Hi Alex
Can Sargent and Pukki play in the same side? I can’t answer that for sure although I get the feeling it might be a bit awkward.
As for Attanasio acquiring further shares I am not too sure where these would be coming from tbh as on the face of it I see no availability anywhere on the horizon. I doubt he’s waiting on Tom Smith as there will be a clause in there somewhere to say he cannot sell during his aunt’s lifetime – and even beyond if that’s legal 🙂
I understand these Brazilian lads to be teenagers and being looked at as possible Academy material. Our academy reporter Will will know more about that than me but that’s how I understand it anyway.
It’s a deep shame, but we cannot rely on the unfortunate Sam Byram.
Cheers.
Martin, the board have an option to issue more shares, so Atanasio could buy them, without having to buy out nephew Tom, or anyone else. Just takes the board to announce an issue.
Thanks for that Jim – you’re quite right of course.
It kind of got lost in the long grass for me as I can’t actually imagine them ever doing it, but it’s a straw to clutch at.
It was great to see a midfield where the players were playing for each other and there were very few stray passes.
All we can say is a big thanks to Huddersfield for letting us have Sinani back (pity we’ve loaned Mumba out!!) and as for Gibbs, he along with Omobamidele have a bright future ahead of them!! 😃 ⚽
We can only hope that DS doesn’t change the team too much for future league games and McLean is only on the bench when Byram is fit!! 🤞
It’s great to see daylight between us and 1p5wich!! 👍
Hi Ed
Why Huddersfield didn’t buy Sinani ranks with why did we loan out Mumba in the mythical *dumbest decision of the summer* competition.
As long as McLean does not take the place of any of our emerging midfield core I will be quite content.
Cheers
Martin
Just a note to all City supporters who remember the injuries that Louis Thompson had while at City – Let’s hope after the dreadful tackle on him yesterday by Glenn Whelan (when Pompey played Bristol Rovers), he makes a fast and full recovery.
Thanks for the input
No probs.
A very large and heartfelt *amen* to that.
A great game to watch with some good football. What an awesome team we must have now. We have a Brazilian and he cannot even get in the side 🙂
Hi Dave
Yes, that’s a great way of looking at it, isn’t it?
Cheers
Did Dean Smith get lucky , if Pukki had not bruised his foot against Hull I’m pretty certain he would have started the last 2 games. He didn’t and we finally got to see Sargent play as the central striker, kind of proved he’s not one for playing wide in a front three.
Could that be Pukki’s fate, or would he be better used in the hole, nice choices to have.
Then there’s Sara, Cantwell, and eventually our 3 broken footed ones to add to the mix. With 5 subs allowed it’s becoming a 16 man first 11 , with interchangeability. And our bench looks like one that can change games.
Hi Bernie
That’s a great point about the quality on the bench – Hugill couldn’t even get a seat on it on Friday.
Did Dean Smith get *lucky*?
I’m leaning towards thinking so myself.
Cheers
I am with you Mr P, in having to eat some of that pie, ?I was suggesting he should shipped out, in whatever form they could.. Sometimes over some things, it is perfectly fine to be proved wrong. I do not mind one iota in this case.
One of the best displays from a strike I have seen for a while. up there the best of Holty and Pukki. The understanding is forming, that is if you want to see it no doubt some will not. I also wrote off Dowell, thinking how many chances he will get and fluff. ? Worth noting he played a part in both goals, to spot-on passes. Sinani, well I am not surprised by his contribution, friends in Huddersfield sang about him a lot, always asking why we let him out on loan. I always answered we have him next season for sure, my fingers were crossed behind my back I might add.
As to Millwall, I would like to complain about a studs-up challenge on Maxi, a player on his arse sliding across to pole axe Sargent only to get a yellow. When there was absolutely no intention of getting the ball, they say Leopards can’t change their spots.. well Lions cannot change their Manes on the pitch or in the stands. saying no more.
I do wonder what will happen should we lose a game, will the knives come out for S&S ? I still hold to my 10-game mark, It isn’t as if we have been crap, just the opposite been very good just missing that important part of the ball in the net. We can never criticise Pukki or would want to, but right now Sargent must get the first shout. Perhaps there is a way of playing both together, more in the middle area or would they get in each other’s way?
The Mayor put in a decent shift, saw a lot of the ball plus got forward, not bad in my eyes, we have a player we will be struggling to keep here in Omobamidele and Master Gibbs as well, wonder how they think about that down the A140. No, I don’t give a sh*t what they think.
Aarons did worry me a little, brilliant going forward but was beat a little easy at times, Hanley still a master at winning free kicks . Hernandez may be a little wayward at times. but did anyone notice he had sometimes 3 players on him, that frees space for others, still love the guy.
Have to come onto Nunez, his passing reminded me of Crookie, if Sara is anything like him when up and running, we have two players indeed
No doubt Webber is already working on what we can get for him. Again I have to say enjoy what you have at present.
With rumour Manure want Krul as their number two, part of me would not blame for getting a last payday, but I have an inkling he will not be too keen on being a second fiddle. Besides I do not think he is unaware of the unrest at Old Trafford.
Looking forward to Tuesday’s night cup game.. Hope you soon get mobile, Mr P, I know the problems of that only too well it is now 23 years I have had that limitation. plus like now that freaking gout makes it harder.
Hi Lad
I think many of us are like you and I – there’s nothing like being proved wrong in a healthy, productive kind of way.
Millwall were a bit near the mark quite a few times tbh but referee Jones coped with it all much better than some would have done.
Liam Gibbs has deserved his breakthrough and looks like he is going to make the most of it and I completely agree about Omobamidele. Only just 20? !!!
It’s satisfying to know that there should be more to come, for sure.
Thanks for the kind words – I won’t know exactly what it is for a while, although reading between the lines I’ve got a pretty good idea. Docs [quite rightly] like tests and scans before they make pronouncements and I’ve got a good Doc.
Cheers
Afternoon Martin sorry to hear of your mobility issues two of last seasons absentees are back Alan and the pieman from Weybourne had triple heart bypass enjoyed Fridays game look forward to seeing you in near future 😀
Hi Kev
Say hello to Alan for me – I’m afraid I can’t remember the Weybourne pieman at all, which given his location and occupation seems a bit strange!
As I said to Lad [above} I hope to be back – no timescale on it though.
Cheers mate
Good afternoon Martin.
Like you I owe Josh Sargent an apology. A big one.
I was trying to think of the last time a player’s performance shocked me so much.
Jeremy Goss is one that springs to mind, and as that was years ago it just goes to show what playing a player in his correct position does to our opinion of that player.
And that us keyboard warriors cannot see what the manager can see. Sarge over Jordan. So another apology this time to the manager.
I do not think Alex Tettey would hold Canary Legend status if he had have played as centre forward for us nor Rob Newman on the wing ( it did happen once, away to Bolton in the League Cup…it sends shudders down my spine to remember it )
Josh was excellent and like you Martin didn’t think it was a clear foul by him leading up to his second goal. I was surprised during the Huddersfield game when he gave the Town defender a head start and easily brushed passed him resulting in the defender being sent off for bringing him down.
I stand by two things though, one, he is not nor will he ever be a winger and two, on reflection he was nowhere near ready for the EPL last season. In fact it was very unfair on Josh himself as the club did nothing to dissuade us fans that he was not the finished article.
And I am still of the opinion Josh was the wrong player, he needed more time, to buy for a relegation battle.
We were all warned Tzolis was one for the future but with a £9 million outlay Josh, we were led to believe was a vital player in keeping us up. I still think he can play up front with Pukki on occasions so that is another plus point.
After Hull my optimism for this season started to waver but after these two games, Huddersfield and Millwall looked better teams than our previous opponents, I am feeling good again.
I am pleased for Dean Smith, who has now shown a distinctive playing style, I was worried that the club may panic and sack him. But I still feel he needs time, but by the World Cup break we will now if this is real progress or a false dawn like early in Smith’s time here last season.
Also Sky said on Friday night that we are well ahead of all the other clubs in all the attacking data for the championship on OPTA or whatever it is called today, Im not completely struck on all that but it does bear out Smith’s assertion that we have been unlucky.
Finally on Nunez, Smith says he is still coming to terms with the Championship…. wow that is brilliant news. What a player he is now but how good could he become ?
I am so sorry you are not able to go to the games at the moment Martin. I do not go now primarily because of my hips and back. And if I do go it takes day’s to recover.
So I hope you are soon well enough to be able to go.
Hi Tim
I think Dean Smith’s problems may shift from getting a win to keeping everyone happy.
Does he play Pukki alongside and feeding off Sargent .. if not, who does he choose and who goes on the bench … and where does this leave Idah when he returns. .. and does this mean Hugill drops off the bench.
Then the attacking midfielders. …he has brought in Ramsey whilst we have Sara pushing for a place as he overcomes his injury with Sinani and Cantwell both good enough to play regularly..
In the defensive midfield area, after discovering the talent of Gibbs sitting in front of the defence, how does Dean manage Issac Hayden when he is fit
A real depth to the squad in these positions which is good for the club, but none of these players will be happy to sit out each game on the bench.
Very good point about the unhappiness of those left out, Dave.
Tuesday’s line-up against Bournemouth should be interesting!
Hi Tim
You’re quite right about Gossy – he really struggled at first to the point where he was not a popular name on the teamsheet to manys supporters.
We could all see that Segeant wasn’t the finished article and it would indeed have done the Club no harm to have said so.
The Canary jury will remain out on Dean Smith for some time I am sure.
I like Nunez – I think we all do.
Thanks for the good wishes – I’ll be back when I can I am sure.
Cheers
It is looking more and more likely that a few more players may go out on loan Martin.
But as we have both said, we have a plethora of midfielders/wide players but a right back who could yet get sold and another one who sadly, as you say we cannot trust.
And we have Bali Mumba tearing it up at Plymouth playing at left wing back. And 3 left backs out here until god knows when.
I do wonder about clubs and their ” truthful “communications these days. In the seventies, eighties and nineties I always felt if the club said a player will be out for a given period of time that wouldn’t be far from the truth.
Nowadays, Hayden, Idah and Byram have all been nearing fitness, but that announcement was weeks ago. It is like they either don’t know in truth when they will be back or to head off criticism they give over optimistic dates.
How many time have we heard Adam and Sam maybe ready next week ?
I take with a pinch of salt the dates the clubs say Dimi, Lunghi and Sam will be back.
Sad to see the Millwall supporters behaving as they did, and that among other reasons is why I am controversially against “safe” standing areas.
I know that view will not be popular.
The Physio’s trade was a lot simpler [not neccessarily easier] back in the day and much more was done by feel, by eye and by instinct.
These days there is none of the *you’re fit, you play* stuff as everything is geared to risk assessment and avoidance.
A player with a history such as Sam Byram could suffer a setback at any given time and I must admit Adam Idah is starting to concern me too.
As for safe standing I remain in favour of it although quite naturally I do have some underlying doubts.
Who cares if Smith got lucky. He still had to pick the players he did have and put them in the positions they played in. I’m more concerned with him making changes when those that are injured get fit. Stick with Captain America, and as it seems to be working, keep Kenny at left back for the rest of the season.
Hi Tim
There’s a good old positive comment!
I’m not too sure about Kenny though – we haven’t faced a side with an out and out right winger yet 🙂
Cheers
So long as he doesn’t drop Gibbs to accommodate Kenny moving infield…
Hi Sue
I think that’s a pretty common fear amongst NCFC fans right now.
I agree, it must not happen.
Cheers
So sorry to hear of your problems Martin; get well as soon as you can.
This humble pie doesn’t actually taste too bad at present, but I have to admit to eating rather a lot of it!
What a performance by Bilko on Friday, and as everyone has agreed, Millwall like handing it out, but when somebody stands up to them……..
Oh; and I notice that absolutely no one in the comments has remarked on the missing Rashica……Bundesliga to being behind Sinani; Hernandez, Gibbs and Ramsey in just over a season takes some doing I think! (He may well get minutes on Tuesday??)
O T B C
Hi John
I am sure Rashicsa will play on Tuesday. He cannot say that Dean Smith has not given him enough chances but to my mind we look so much better without him.
Tuesday’s selection will be very interesting indeed.
Thanks for the good wishes.
Cheers
Hello Martin, I trust you will be fully recovered and in top form again soon.
Friday night football under the lights with a raucous crowd in attendance is always a treat.
Having finally broken our duck on Tuesday it was vitally important to follow it up against a determined and we’ll organised if technically limited side.
This we did with aplomb after stepping up the performance level after the interval.
It does indeed seem as though we have stumbled upon a strong line up by default – the sight of cantwell, pukki and rashica on the bench while Hernandez, sinani and Sargent strut their stuff would have seemed highly unlikely a few weeks ago.
Sargent is the archetypal confidence player, hitherto seen as a hard worker with sporadic influence on the team he has altered many a perception- mine included- in the space of four days. A bullocking presence up front. Foul? I counted at least three fouls on Sargent during that incident, including a sandwich.
Sinani lest we forget was all set for a cut price move to Huddersfield courtesy of Stuart webber until thankfully the Yorkshire men ram out of cash. I enjoy watching him play
Hernandez simply raises morale and gives everything, he drags us 40 yards up the pitch and creates noise and energy from the stands.
Omobamidele, gibbs and nunez deserve special mention but for once there were no weak links and no grave lapses in concentration.
More please.
Hi Chris
You make several good points in there – particularly about good decision making and lack of individual errors.
Sargent is the first to have that *bullocking presence* since Holty and it just goes to show what a player can do in their natural position.
With Sinani the Terriers’ loss and very much our gain we just have to hope that any further loans out or permanent departures are sensible and not done through stupidity or greed.
We’ll have to keep our fingers crossed.
Thanks for the good wishes.
Cheers
Get well soon Martin, hopefully you’ll be jogging up those Barclay steps before much longer.
Re Mark Attanasio and the upcoming General Meeting, as a shareholder I’ve received an email from the Company Secretary with supporting paperwork.
Although no Company Law expert, I’ve ascertained that 10m Preference C shares are being made available, which presumably MA will purchase for £10m. They will pay interest at 7%, and offer a possibility they can be changed into ordinary shares at some stage, so long as they do not come to more than 10% of the issued share capital.
Consequently, if Mr Foulger’s ordinary acres are also purchased MA’s total shareholding could be 26% ish.
My personal take with no inside info whatsoever, is that £10m could cover a lot of the cost of a new main stand which is long overdue.
Hi Mark
I had some shares myself for several years but donated them to the Canaries Trust a couple of years ago as I felt they would be of more use to them than me 🙂
Your comment is really interesting as I miss the shareholders bulletins that obviously I no longer receive. Your analysys sounds a very feasible one and I quite agree that a two-tier revamp of the main stand has been dragging it’s heels for far too long – of far more value than, say, a Rashica.
Thanks for the kind wishes and a good comment.
Cheers