As the Mackems inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light yesterday, Norwich City rose to the dizzy heights of fifth in the Championship table, exactly where they were on November 12 when everybody who is anybody downed tools for the World Cup break.
Then we were ten points behind Sheffield United in the second automatic spot and now we are 15 adrift of the Blades. To all readers out there who are thinking: “he’s going to ponder what might that gap be if we had got David Wagner in then instead of waiting until mid-January” you are right but I am going to leave it at that as I promised last week not to hark back to the Dark Days of Deano, and I will at least try to stick to my word.
My in-match mailbox brimmed over at half-time with sometimes crude terminology for “helter skelter”, “breathless”, “will we get a rugby score” and criticism of Tim Krul’s distribution from my friends.
The tone changed during the second half during the finest 45 minutes I can remember from a Norwich City side in many a moon, if not only because we put all our heart-stopping moments in a package between the 82nd and 85th minutes with a catalogue of errors, including poor passes across our box, playing tiki-taka on our own goal line close to the area and involving Krul in the process when Row Z would have been a safer option.
Otherwise, we were like a well-oiled Maybach engine, sapping the strength and, ultimately, belief from a brave but limited Coventry side who ostensibly cannot afford the key injuries they are suffering from.
Some of the interchanges and sweeping crossfield balls were exquisite to watch, although the pick of this particular crop occurred in the first half for Sarge’s goal, a superb team effort highlighting how effective building from the back can be when the trap is sprung at the right moment.
To say that the Sky studio team of Keith Andrews and the excellent Jobi McAnuff were impressed with us would be an understatement and both praised David Wagner to the hilt, seemingly suggesting he might even be some kind of faith healer with what he has achieved in such a short time.***
The truth turned out to be a little more pragmatic than that, as Wagner himself explained afterwards:
“A big strength and character of this dressing room is that we really like to get messages across. I was angry and I can let them know like I can let them know when I am happy.
“But more important is not to show you are angry, more important is to show them solutions, how they can do things better and this is what we have done. This squad excites me. That is why I signed this contract. Eight goals [in two league games] is a good start, and I am happy with individual performances.
“At the moment the table is irrelevant. It is about us and how we perform.”
Opinion is divided on which is of the greater significance to us resulting from the postponement of the Birmingham game on Saturday: A full fortnight for Wagner and his coaching team to work with the squad uninterrupted, or the loss of an immediate chance to put a demoralised Birmingham City side to the sword at Carrow Road at the earliest opportunity?
I’m firmly in favour of the extra coaching window. Birmingham are dung and still will be in just under a month.
At the final whistle, as we clinched our first double of the season, my mate Bernie messaged to say that just three weeks ago we might well have even lost that one to the Sky Blues. Fair point I’d say.
I have always felt that one spontaneous gesture is worth a dozen that are choreographed and the sight of our players making sure everybody was included in a very special photograph commemorating eight-year-old Amber Sheehy was heartwarming.
So was the way Tim Krul and Josh Sergeant shared a chat with Amber’s family after the picture and the manner in which Kieran Dowell and man of the match Onel Hernandez voiced their appreciation of Amber in their post-match pitchside interview.
And let us not forget all those wonderful Coventry fans who grasped the importance of the eighth-minute clap for Amber and joined in with us. Class.
***
The saga of Todd Cantwell and his imminent move to Rangers has seemingly gone on longer than that of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. So riveting has it been that I think I am the first MFW scribe to even touch on the issue and I’m only mentioning it to make a general observation.
This extract from an interview with former Rangers, Celtic and Scotland striker Kenny Miller in the Daily Record recently offered an insight into thought processes north of the border. It’s as common-sensical and as straight down the line as you’d expect from Miller, but take note of the last sentence!
“Cantwell can be a top player. When he was 21, he was performing in the Premier League. But there’s a reason that Rangers are able to target him now.
“There’s a reason top-flight English clubs aren’t chasing him. It’s because he’s lost his way a bit. And crucially, he’s out of contract.
“So he’s fallen into a category where suddenly Rangers can get him. There hasn’t been a transfer fee mentioned around this deal because he’s out of contract in the summer. I suspect Rangers will pay a small fee now but Norwich will demand a big sell-on clause. It makes sense for both parties to structure the deal that way. Norwich know the boy’s got talent.
“And if he reproduces what he did in the Premier League a few years ago at Ibrox, big clubs will start looking at him again. Cantwell maybe just needs to go somewhere else, with a different stimulation. He’ll definitely get that as a Rangers player. Because the demands and expectations at Ibrox will be far greater than what he’s experienced at Norwich.”
*** Talking of Faith Healers, enjoy this. For those who know it, I realise it’s supposed to be about eight minutes long but this is the only live version I could find that didn’t sound like two skeletons dancing in a metal dustbin:
That half time talk where he said they could “show them solutions “ rather than stressing what they had done wrong, and throwing tea cups around, showed real quality management and leadership.
You’re right about that last sentence re Cantwell too. I’m not entirely sure he knows what he’s getting into up there (if he really does go).
Hi Jim
Yes, quality management is right. Refreshing any time, particularly so in this case.
As you say, if Todd reckons he can put his parts on in Glasgow he’s in for a shock!
Cheers
Wagner has shown faith in some of the players and it’s paying dividends, if we do reach the play offs we’ve got to be much better, particularly in defence.
Beale has shown faith in Cantwell by paying a fee and the praise he has given, already more than he has received from this club for the last few years. He was impressed by the way Todd tore apart Liverpool U21s when he was manager. We have Todd mk2 in our youth team, Finley Welch, let’s hope he can fulfil his potential at our club.
Hi Gil
I’ve heard a lot about Finley Welch too, not least because of Will Grant’s MFW pieces on the Academy prospects.
Unfortunately I can’t get to see the First Team at the moment let alone the under-18s or under-23s, which I used to enjoy doing a few times a season when I could.
I’d back Wagner to bring him through over Dean Smith and that’s for sure, so as you say let’s hope he can fulfil his potential with us.
Cheers
Morning Martin – Saturday’s game was a breath of fresh air and a weight off our shoulders because we stank the place out until the last two weeks. It’s been a joy to watch and we look forward to the rest of the season now instead of dreading it.
As for Mr no end product Cantwell, it’s a fair chunk of the wage bill for someone that’s contributed nothing for the last two years. Don’t know if anyone going to get a tune out of him – there are a few players around with similar fortunes like Berahama who has gone the same way. Keep well, mate.
Hi Kev
And you’ve not seen them in the League at Carrow Road yet – it’s bound to be buzzing for Burnley!
Todd really is a gamble for the smooth talking Michael Beale and just how it will pan out I do not know. If Auld Firm supporters get a down on a player for not putting in the hard yards they don’t hold back in letting them know their feelings.
He might surprise us yet. Let’s hope he does – think of the add-ons 🙂
Cheers
Due to a previous booking (sat am golf) I got home to watch the last 10mins of the game on a live feed and witnessed a spell of bad passing around the back, almost coughing up chances, and was pleased to be told that is was an abberation during an excellent 45 minutes. We bossed play, had more shots and looked good on that field of opportunity.
The turnaround in the last 2 league games has transformed our misfits who were often lost in space and finding ways to lose into winners with potential.
Long may it continue , Wagner is building a dream that can last.
Hi Bernie
Wagner himself is broadly hinting that it won’t – can’t – always be as good as this and that we should make sure we enjoy the good times when they roll by.
He doesn’t use the same, quirky words as Daniel did but I can definitely see a common thread running through the pair of them in terms of the way they speak and conduct themselves in front of the fans.
Hope is well and truly back on the agenda, “on the grass” anyway!
Cheers
It is a shame about Todd but when we got promoted the press all talked him up so much and he listened. What he needed was a manager to keep him grounded. He is not the first and won’t be the last..
I hope Wagner sees sense and puts Angus back between the posts. All of his other decisions have been spot on.
Hi Cyprus
Yes I agree about Angus, he’s far and away my first choice too.
As for Todd, he’s haf Farke, Parker, Smith and now Wagner who all agreed about him.
Although I want them to proved wrong for his own sake, Glasgow is a tough place for a young man like Todd to make that happen and I doubt that it will.
Cheers
There will only be real pressure on TC in Glasgow for 4 league games a season. Most of the others should be a stroll in the park. He might find himself on the bench for the feistier matches anyway. I’d say 46 games in a Championship side expected to challenge for promotion, and in a league where most away games involve at least a 200-mile round trip, is considerably tougher. Even Glasgow to Dingwall (Ross County) is only about the same as our lot going to Reading.
So far his sole local derby appearance seems to have been from the bench for 5 minutes nearly 4 years ago***. He just had time to get booked, presumably for taking too long smoothing his hair. Incidentally, 4 of Saturday’s line-up started that game (Krul, Aarons, Hernandez, Pukki), 2 more were on the bench (McLean and Hanley). Also starting were 3 players whom we subsequently sold for a total of well over £50m.
*** unless he played in one in the Netherlands
Didn’t James Madison say after his Aberdeen loan that he thought the standard was championship level at best .
He certainly did – and Dale Gordon said something similar all those years ago.
Hi Keith
I disagree on one thing there. Todd will be under 24/7 scrutiny from his own supporters in Glasgow, not least because he is English I am afraid 🙂
You’re quite right about the geography, obviously, and the workload. This will suit Todd from what we all think we know about him!
That’s an interesting observation about the derby – I hadn’t realised any of that.
Cheers
Along with the majority of NCFC fans, I was totally underwhelmed by the SW cheap option of appointing DW as our new head coach. I couldn’t have been more wrong!!
We’re playing as a team, and a lot of the ‘colour blindness’ has evaporated (ie – passing to another player in yellow – or whichever away strip they’re wearing!!)
Dowell has been a revelation in the last 2 games and Hernandez now has an end product and was unlucky not to score a 2nd goal on Saturday.
DW’s half-time team talk, rather than being akin to Fergie’s ‘hair dryer’ approach, apparently focused on what needed to improve along with the substitution of Giannoulis. I read somewhere that we prevented Coventry from having any shots on target in the 2nd half.
I expect CR to be closer to full when we entertain Burnley next month, unlike the last few home games when there were swathes of empty seats..
I know it’s early days of DW’s tenure, but I’m tempted to book accommodation in a Premier Inn (other budget accommodation is available!!) for 28th May – the day before the playoff final. 🤞
I’ll end by praising Pukki, who also seems to have rediscovered his Mojo in the last 2 weeks. 👍
Hi Ed
Don’t do what I did in 2015. The trains were starting and ending at Stratford so I booked £70 worth of hotel there for after the game very near the Westfield place as I feared it would be a complete mess.
Bugger me a guard saw my colours and shouted me so I got straight on a train about 7pm and came home – money wasted as per 🙂
I like not only what Wagner said at HT but the fact that he explained it to us fans.
And although he didn’t score when he should have done, I agree that Pukki is well and truly with us in body and spirit – this was one of his best games for us I thought.
Cheers
Hi Martin.
Cantwell in MHO was never b9und for a championship club city wouldn’t have wanted that unless silly money was on offer plus a big sell on fee.
With him going to Rangers he can’t cause any embarrassing moments to the club and a new environment might earn some pennies in the near future so it’s thank you from me and have a great career up north with the Gilmour clan.
Saturday’s game had it all goals aplenty, poor defending and a great celebration of a life cut short with all in the ground taking part so as you say a great part played by the Coventry supporters.
Wagner has made some great steps forward in a short time but one big backward step in replacing Gunn Jr with Krul his form just doesn’t impress slow off his line, doesn’t collect crosses and distribution is poor, is he rusty or like Cantwell needs a new challenge or as he been put in the shop window only time will tell but again I will say thank you and have a last big payday back in Holland or Germany.
A 2 week break possibly a couple of days off for the squad to recuperate then back to hard graft for the next game double training is paying off and no time for Golf for Wagner a one man )R dream so far.
Mumba now can’t be recalled and the Pilgrims managers is a happy clappers, will there bee loans in and out and a possible late sale or two All things are possible and a great discussion to have on Feb 2nd
Onwards and upwards
Hi Alex
Yeah as I’ve said before I can’t suppress a little giggle at the Gilmour connection, as loose as it is in this particular case 🙂
I totally agree with you about Angus and Krul. There’s only eight days of the window left and I’ve heard nothing anywhere about a suitor for Krul. Not a word.
Personally leaving Bali at Plymouth [and I’m glad we did, anything to hinder the Binmen helps] indicates to me that Max might not be off until the summer after all.
But as you say it could all yet turn on its head as anything’s possible.
Cheers
Mr Wagner looks to have changed everything better. You could also ask how bad mr Smith was? Also how those 2 first league games opponents managers were not able to change not much anything during the game and how badly they were prepared tactically before the game? Norwich now gets way better to goal scoring areas. Wagner looks to be using Pukki better than Farke, he understood his football brain and that there is no point of using player like that just waiting for a pass. The more you get him in the ball, the better your chances are to win. Teemu should have scored in that 1-1 situation vs goalkeeper, still he made that chance after beating Coventry defender. 2 brilliant passes, other ended goal other Hernandez missed.
If Norwich really gets 1,5 million for player like Cantwell, they again proved how good they are selling. If Cantwell would not be english, his selling price would be zero or very close to zero. Cantwell had chances to play with Pukki and Buendia. Norwich have not missed him either. In Rangers players must also play scottish league games, a factor that does not interest several players. Champions league and european cup games overall interest. If you look at the comments that their fans or scottish football fans want from players, its hard and fearless trying. If a player does not do that he ends up hated there. To Cantwell this is of course a brilliant move, realistically Ayr would have been more realistic in his situation.
Hi 1×2
Yes as some of us have said here Pukki looks so much happier and he is enjoying playing with Josh Sargent, you can plainly see that,
Like you say David Wagner appreciates Teemu’s speed of thought and his all-round footballing intelligence and the more he is on the ball the better – he has the third or fourth most assists in the Championship this season and under Wagner he will only claim more. And 10 goals, of course!
As I said to Kev [above] *If Celtic or Rangers supporters get a down on a player for not putting in the hard yards they don’t hold back in letting them know their feelings.*
Will Cantwell deliver the goods in Glasgow? I am not sure but tend to doubt it.
Kiitos
The most likely outcome with Cantwell is that he will not impress. Im honestly surprised by the interest and hopes of the media and their fans. To me it looks like kneeling towards english league football. That basically explains their strange hype after that England-Scotland 0-0 game, where England didnt want to play that game and Billy Gilmour was the worlds best player ever. Who in their right mind sees a meaningless game as the most important result of their history?
Rangers getting in the europe league cup final is still something I dont get it. Its very likely that everyone is overrating bundesliga, they beat 2 bundesliga clubs and lost the very even final to 1. Before that they got kicked out by Malmo in champions league qualifications and Malmo was honestly lucky to beat HJK before that. HJK was lucky last season to beat Latvian Riga football school club, after that HJK beat danish Silkeborg. I once said here that I believe that both Celtic and Rangers would surely avoid relegation in the premier league. Im not so sure anymore, it could go either way.
Truth is that the Scots will take any non-losing result against England as a triumph as they have had so little success this century – and most of the last one too, come to that 🙂
We can surely all agree that Billy Gilmour is pretty average. A look at his minutes for an admittedly good Brighton side this season kind of shows that.
I had the bizarre experience of watching the game at 7.30am with my brother among the breakfast diners of the Medellin Marriott in Colombia. We had some very funny looks from our fellow guests as we celebrated City’s rapid fire start to the game.
As far as the game goes, I can’t add to anything you an Gary have said. The change in how I feel about all things NCFC now and a few weeks ago is as vast as it is welcome. Burnley will provide a far tougher test than the last 2 games, so this time Wagner has with the team is a bonus.
I’ve never had anything other than loathing for the lot that Todd looks set to sign for, but I can’t help thinking that better, more resilient players like Joey Barton and the Welsh Aaron Ramsay have stunk the place out recently and been sent packing in quick order. I’m not sure that he has a clue what he’s letting himself in for.
One of my cousins played in a band with a member of the SAHB. Great group.
Hi Don
When I predicted a sea change a couple of weeks back I didn’t expect it to turn out as good as this!
As you know I follow Celtic too and can honestly say I’m glad that Todd is going to the Blue side of town. I’m not sure Postecoglou would entertain him anyway tbh.
As for the SAHB they were indeed great, especially with their ability to wind up the ELP/Yes/Supertramp crowd at festivals in the late 1970s!
Cheers
For the second successive week, I can’t consume enough content when it comes to dissecting Norwich City.
The joy on the faces of the players was plain to see, clearly they have started to enjoy their football again. Perhaps they allowed themselves to get a little over excited and took their eye off the ball for a spell in the first half. Whatever it was, it certainly put a different emphasis on the half time oranges.
At 3-2 and with the momentum firmly in coventrys favour, despite Hernández missing a great chance to restore order before the interval, Wagner clearly had his work cut out. As I stuck the kettle on I wondered what he would say and do in order to shift the sands back in our direction. From the 46th minute and for most of the rest of the contest, I got my answer. Tactical changes and a reinforcement of the players responsibilities, an obvious substitution and a renewed energy and vigour from the team. The second half was indeed superb.
Now undoubtedly we will encounter bumps in the road in the weeks ahead. But if and when we do I am far more confident that we can at least have a modicum of hope that we can overcome them.
On Saturday, for only the second time in a year and a half, we looked like a team which has been coached.
All of which begs the question.. just what the hell were smith and Shakespeare doing for 14 months and why the hell weren’t those above them acting on the obvious total failure happening in their remit? Webber went on record as saying he wanted smith to stay. Perhaps mr Webber and others, the humble supporters know a little bit more than you credit them for. Perhaps, it isn’t all their fault.
Hi Chris
*Perhaps Mr Webber and others, the humble supporters know a little bit more than you credit them for. Perhaps it isn’t all their fault.*
Absolutely. Despite our collective feeling of relief coupled with the resurrection of our connection and the sheer joy of supporting a happy and well-coached TEAM again, that is a thought that will not easily leave many of us.
I’m not letting the issue spoil my enjoyment of the moment and my optimism for the future “on the grass”, but I won’t forget what’s gone down.
Nor will you and nor will thousands of others.
Cheers
Yes, the fans have used’ it’s not our fault’ as a cheeky little chant in the last two away games. Now let’s have it full throttle against Burnley.
Yeah I heard that too.
Nice one 🙂
Good article Martin,
Good luck to Todd Cantwell, I have no real idea why he found the last couple of seasons difficult, but a move to Rangers could be a good career-moving opportunity so I’m all for it.
I have some sympathy for Tim Krul – two promotions followed by two relegations, led on by Netherlands for international football and then dropped for the World Cup, finds himself in a bemused EFL squad, led by a comparatively one dimensional manager and coach.
As for “tiki-taka” in our own box, your “Row Z” remark is fully pertinent, as is my remark a few days ago – if your defenders are close-marked go over the top of them – our attackers are capable of holding the ball up and distributing occasionally I’m sure, and the current speed with which the boys are breaking into attack mode. could give the other side a pretty nasty reality check.
Like you, I think the cancelled Birmingham match is an opportunity. A bit of relaxation, lots of fitness and tactical work, a practice game or two with the squad(s), and hopefully Burnley will not know what’s hit them!
Agree with your remarks on Sargent’ goal and Pukki’s pass from the bye-line was sublime.
OTBC !
Hi Kev
I agree with you about Krul, especially given the way you have expressed it. We have had full value from that guy for around five years and that’s for sure.
Burnley will be incredibly tough. They look like they could once more survive in the PL with an astute addition or two and Kompany has done a great job.
Your mix of relaxation, fitness and tactical work sounds good to me and I’m sure that is the route Wagner will take over the next 10 days or so.
Cheers
Well done Martin, you nearly made it in not referring to the man from the Midlands but I realise that bad tastes sometimes take a bit of shifting.
As for your excellent take on the game this really is night and day, chalk and cheese and any other cliche you care to mention. I’m thoroughly enjoying it and contrary to what some think there were some of us who welcomed Wagner’s appointment in the first place and we’re really not that surprised by the changes both on the field and in the stands. The man is a shrewd operator with modern training methods suited to the young players of today, he clearly gets our club and much like Farke oozes charisma.
I often disagree with the thoughts of Rob Butler when I’m driving home from the games but I do agree with him on this in that we as fans are a needy bunch and we do struggle if there’s no connection with the man immediately in charge of the players. Personally I don’t really give a stuff what Stuart Webber thinks but I do want to be on the same page as the coach.
Some good comments as always and I must admit I’m in agreement with Cyprus as regards to Angus, there were too many hairy moments for my liking whenever Tim had the ball at his feet.
Final comment from me, don’t hold your breath on receiving any substantial sell on fees in respect of Cantwell. As far as I’m concerned he’s Dele Alli Mk 2, there’s plenty of footballing ability but until he stops believing all the hype surrounding him his career is going nowhere. I know it’s only a fashion thing (a bit like snoods were and rolling your socks over your knees because Thierry Henry did it) but he could make a start by ditching those ridiculous odd coloured boots after all he’s not a 17 year old kid anymore.
Hi Bob
Yes Wagner has plenty of charisma, something we probably needed in this moment even more than we as fans realised.
Years ago when the figurehead was the Chairman you’d have people like Tommy Trinder, Jimmy Hill, Eric Morecambe and even our Sir Ar-fur if you like. Everybody had an opinion on them and whether they liked them or not – and they all loved the attention whether they were worshipped or reviled.
The sporting directors, DoFs or whatever you want to call them are a relatively recent phenomenon who are really CEO’s under a different, aggrandised name. They are not exactly faceless but as you say us supporters are largely only concerned with the head coach and I reckon that’s how it should be.
Put it this way, would you rather have a beer with Wagner or Webber? 🙂
Cheers
If they’re buying … either but I guess I’d learn more from Herr Wagner., fans always have more affinity with the team they support.
Loads of good comments here today.
Cheers Martin,
COYYs !
Yeah the comments have been really good and I’d choose Wagner too 🙂
Well Mr. Penney; I deliberately didn’t comment after the Preston game because as we all know they were decimated by injuries..weren’t they??
Now, what can one say?? 2 games, both away from home, 8 (eight!!) goals for, and 2 conceded. 6 points, but more importantly for everyone, once again it seems that all are singing from the same hymn sheet.
Just how bad were the previous pair, who in 14 months sucked everything good out of our club…in 2 and a half weeks it appears that we have a totally different squad. I guess it’s amazing what playing people in their correct positions can do to their confidence. Pukki looks like a player re-born, and McLean has really made me eat my words.
Wagner shows them clips of their errors at half time on tablets…I’m convinced his predecessors thought that such things were only there to help cure headaches!!
And if S&S are ever employed as football manager/coach in the future, they shoud be referred to the trades description people.
However, please spare a thought for the golf club which has apparently lost a permanent 1.30 tee time booking for 2 players for 18 holes….except when NCFC had a mid-week game (totally true!!).
2 weeks to get ready for Burnley, which time I’m sure Mr Wagner will put to good use.
Cantwell to Rangers has to be a win, win. One can only wonder what he could have achieved if his thoughts were in the right place.
And after 14 months of smugness, I’m now really feeling sick that I gave up those season tickets.
O T B C
Hi John
I am loving what Wagner has to say as well as what he is doing. This from the Pink Un this morning, although it’s probably [quite sensibly] saved from Saturday post-match:
“From my perspective, maybe too much intensity and too much energy. You also have to have your moments where you can calm down and control the ball. And this is what we missed.
“Maybe because of the energy which we had in the stands, because our away support was amazing. The players perhaps got over-excited in the first half.”
Can you imagine our players getting too excited three or four weeks ago? 🙂
You are not the first person to mention the golf. How they must have been frustrated to have to travel to a midweek away game. And that attitude would rub off onto the players for sure.
I’m anything but a follower of John Knox but if it’s true [I don’t disbelieve you for a second] that, to me, is bordering on the immoral. And cheating the fans.
You’re not alone – I’m really pi$$ed off that I’ve been forced to give up my ST too now whereas a month ago I couldn’t have cared less!
Cheers
Excellent article with great responses by your readers. Wagners appointment did not greatly enthuse me at first, but I admit I was totally wrong. Like others above, the only error he has made, in my opinion of course, is to recall Krul, who has been a great servant to our club, but whose day is surely done. I have mentioned on another platform that Nunez was probably our best player at the start of the season, playing his own natural game. But that was trained out of him by S+S until he became a shadow of the player he could be. I saw SAHB live in ’76 at The Valley in The Who concert there. great gig with Widdowmaker and Little Feet also on show.
Hi Roger
Fielding the responses is genuinely the best part of the MFW gig for me and I agree with you that there have been some cracking ones both to this and Gary’s on Sunday.
I don’t think too may of us were all that fired up when Wagner was announced but as soon as his skillset and enthusiasm came to the fore most of us thought exactly the same as you and within three weeks are fully behind him.
Agree about Nunez and particularly Krul.
Unbelievably I was at the Valley that day and night too. The Who finished so late we were stuffed on the trains and walked all the way to Trafalgar Square to pick up the N98 night bus back to Chadwell Heath where I was living at the time.
The Who were as loud as their legend would have it 🙂
Cheers