I am starting to take this David Wagner geezer just a little bit seriously. Since arriving in early January his record stands at:
Played 9: Won 6: Drawn 1: Lost 2: Goals for 19: Goals against 10: GD +9: Points 19.
But that record is not the only reason I am ever-warming to our new American-German manager. Oh no.
Wagner has just produced the result, if not quite the performance, of his short tenure with a characterful 3-2 win at Zampa Road SE16, where many mortals fear to tread.
If they are not intimidated by the Anfield-like This is the Lions’ Den sign in the players’ tunnel they will be by the time they have reached their designated warm-up area by the acceleration in noise from the crowd, who are not by any means imaginable enquiring of the visitors if they would like a cup of tea and a slice of cake.
But we coped admirably and managed to blend flair and steel in a completely different way to that of the Daniel Farke era and that is just the type of football that I [and I’m sure many others among us] appreciate.
We had a poor start when Grant Hanley and Ben Gibson contrived in the most pantomime of manners to allow Tom Bradshaw through to beat Angus Gunn with ease and aplomb. Several supporters played the blame game afterwards but I’d have to put it down as equally poor defending from both, not forgetting an intelligent header through to Bradshaw from Zian Flemming.
As has been said before by the Mayor, the more Gaby Sara moves up a gear the more we start to exert an effective influence in midfield. During this period of dominance, a corner was won on the Millwall left and probably created the talking point of the match.***
City advanced in a line reminiscent of Wellington’s Redcoats of old and taking Millwall with them while Sara calmly laid the ball back for Sorensen to sidefoot home through a crowded area. Millwall keeper George Long would probably have kept it out if he had been properly sighted and there hadn’t been a slight deflection from a bemused defender as the ball reached its intended target.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with Millwall starting the stronger, but Norwich soon regained the ascendency and a short Sorensen corner to Onel Hernandez saw our Cuban international fire into the box where the unfortunate Bradshaw inadvertently backheeled past the stricken Long.
Then came the cushion of a 3-1 lead with a decent candidate for runner-up to Marcelino Nunez’s Goal of the Season winner.
Hernandez acquired his second assist of the match when he made a trademark run down the right. His cross fell just behind Sara, whose improvisation was a joy to watch as he flicked the ball with his right foot, pivoted and fired home one of the juiciest volleys you’ll ever see.
Being Norwich we allowed Millwall the sight of a chink of light at the door when Flemming rose highest to a corner to power his header past Gunn but although it took a late crucial goal-line block from Hanley to ensure the points came back along the A11 on the team coach we did more than enough for a completely deserved win.
And it is no small feat to have inflicted the first defeat on Millwall at The Den since September. This was not lost on Wagner, who said afterwards:
“We started not at our best. The occasion, the atmosphere, was very, very intense. We conceded a very avoidable goal and one we’d worked on the whole week – how we would defend these situations. The mistakes that happened in this situation should not happen but they [the players] are humans. How we reacted was great.
“We played for periods some very good football in difficult circumstances here. We created good opportunities and scored wonderful goals. [That] we brought it over the line with this commitment, attitude, fighting spirit and togetherness was great. Psychologically it is another important win for us.”
The inclusion of Sorensen and a fit-again Teemu Pukki for Nunez and Marquinhos proved itself to be a very shrewd decision. If Wagner decides to adopt a policy of “horses for courses” in certain games I feel he has stolen a march on Farke, who very rarely [if ever] did that apart from a not-too-successful experiment with a back three that I don’t think was ever to be repeated. (Don’t fret Daniel, I still love you too!)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s fleeting 45-minutes at the New Den got a light-hearted mention from Wagner who reckoned he missed the best of the action by leaving early while Millwall manager Gary Rowett added: “I don’t know the reason he came – maybe he has heard about the atmosphere here.”
Half a visit was a kind of back-handed compliment to the EFL I suppose [see what I did there?]
***Allow me to return to the talking point that eventually expanded to include two City goals from corners, their unexpected creator and the whereabouts of our current set piece coach, Alan Russell.
Scorer from one corner and taker of the other Jacob Lungi Sorensen said:
“Credit to Hughesy [Andy Hughes] who found these two routines. We’ve been working on it and we said that we need to score from more set pieces.”
“We have only scored two this season and have added two more now. We need to keep working on them. I think these patterns can work for other teams as well. We thought about it and didn’t want to just kick it long to their two central defenders.
“We worked on it [the routine for his goal]. To be fair, it didn’t work out quite so well in training so I’m glad to see it work well here. The pass was good in training but not the kick.”
And there was me thinking that the *leave one on the edge of the box while the others move forward late* was first described in the Herbert Chapman Coaching Manual [1934 edition]. But there’s nothing like an old trick that works maybe once in a decade or so, eh, Andrew 
I suppose we can read what we like into the lack of presence from Russell. The club are saying zilch at the moment so we’ll have to play Pin the Tail on the Donkey until somebody tells us something. If there is anything to tell, of course.
Finally, I’d like to congratulate Jordan Hugill on his brace for Rotherham and Carlton Morris on yet another goal for our close rivals Luton, this time against Russell “Fisticuffs” Martin’s faltering Swansea City.
As MFW is a family publication I will keep my thoughts on the guy with the season-ending injury racing half the length of the pitch to score the first of a personal pair against Reading. I can’t remember his name just now but I think he’s got a brother called Jacob who plays for Aston Villa?
My phrase flair and steel is very similar to the spirit of the name of this band. Enjoy:
One of those wish I’d been there for the atmos and the result. The thought of advancing redcoats made me think I should saddle up the palomino and get involved.
And one minute Jacob Spuds brother is doing his ambulance blues routine to get away , them a miracle and he’s off pop North. Maybe he didn’t want to be here without Smiffy.
Hi Bernie
* Maybe he didn’t want to be here without Smiffy.*
Remarkably that’s the only reason I can think of as well.
It’s enough to make you want to question the young man’s decision making.
Cheers
Good morning Mr P and who would even have dreamt of that score?? As usual, we gave our opponents 2 VERY soft goals, but we were still able to hold out for a deserved victory. 👍 ⚽
I was able to view the extended highlights with Chris Goreham:s commentary and there was another incredible strike from our very own Gabriel from about 5 years outside the box that was tipped over the bar. GH made amends for the Lions’ opening goal by somehow making the most amazing block on the line!! Goal saving block of the season.
Back in January when DW was appointed to replace the previous incumbent of our Head Coach, like most fans, I was completely underwhelmed, but said to fellow fans that I was happy to give him until the end of Feb to see if he could ‘get a tune’ out of our players, as I doubted that even Pep could achieve that great. All I can say – is that he has achieved what I considered almost the impossible and more. Hernandez now has an end product that previously had totally alluded him and. Sara is developing into the next Buendia IMO, but without the calamitous defending. Long may it continue!!
At least we have a week to prepare for the visit of the Black Cats and I imagine that CR will be at full volume next Sunday!! 😃
Hi Ed
Yes that shot from Sara doesn’t appear on the short Sky clip and is really well worth seeing so thanks for sending it to me 😉
The difference in Onel is all about the end product and he has been coached into producing the cutbacks which have been a la mode in the PL for some time now.
My biggest worry concerning Sara – and to a lesser extent Nunez – is that Delia and Webber might get their heads together and sell him.
I wouldn’t put it past them I’m afraid.
Cheers
Yes Martin, we all know that Sara may very well be sold to raise funds to buy some more average/injured players such as Hayden. 😡
It’s horrible when you see it laid out like that 🙂
Talking of Hayden, am I the only one wondering if the bright spark who wrote his loan contract has left us with no get-out clause if we do by some miracle get promoted to the Premier League this season …
Hi Roger
*Pay as you don’t play* seems to be a part of it and if the rumourmonger is right on that they can equally be right on the compulsory purchase on promotion.
I don’t know what you’ve heard but I read somewhere last year that it was an eye-watering £13 million.
Saints preserve us if it turns out to be true.
Cheers
Hi Martin cracking win glad to see we’re over the Smith bug that tired unfit coughing up possession constantly breaking down and had a Wagner jab come back from behind scoring loads of goals without pukki on scoresheet plenty of ideas look fit lots of moment very good tactics glad to see the players have recovered from the bug and the fans 🤗🤗
Hi Kev
Yes, Herr Wagner has had a very therapeutic effect on the team using methods both old and new by the looks of it.
Like you I’m delighted for all us supporters as well.
Cheers
Martin,
I suspect they won’t be sold if this season we reach the PL – Promised Land.
Andrew
Hi Andrew
That might tip the balance of course but even so I still don’t trust them!
I seriously hope you’re right on both counts.
Cheers
Marty, my prediction was well and truly wrong, If Millwall score first we‘ll be lucky to draw. This is most definitely a Norwich of a different ilk. Waggy is the very model of a modern Major General, I know you like the musical connotations. Just been reading Lee‘s tactical assessments in the PinkUn, don‘t understand half of it, but it suggests that Waggy know what he‘s doing and I agree. We might make it to Wembley, God help us.
Hi Cutty
When it comes to NCFC I have never made predictions and I doubt I ever will!
I agree with you in that I like to read an old-fashioned tactical analysis but I cannot get beyond the intro with the guy you mention as he quickly loses me with the science.
I would imagine his younger readers love it though, and that’s important.
Cheers
I said on another forum that my dream end of the season would be for us to beat Boro in a playoff with a last minute OG from that Villa loanee who used to play for us.
I looked at the line up at about a second past 2,00pm and, after putting my eyeballs back in their sockets, tried to work out (unsuccessfully) what the formation would be. That Wagner’s decision to change a winning team was the right one is beyond doubt, that he was brave enough to do it is refreshing.
A superb win and some games coming up which could make or break our chances of some post season (as Sarg and Wagner might call it) action. Not long ago it seemed we wouldn’t have a ride to enjoy at this time of the season, so let’s enjoy it.
Hi Don
I think many of us ARE starting to enjoy it again and that old *we’ve got our Norwich back* feeling is gathering momentum.
I’ve got a couple of good Boro mates but I’ve yet to raise the playoff topic with either of them – I think I’ll tarry a while yet before I do!
Cheers
Hi Martin
Cricket first Bangladesh gave England a run chase of 247 to win, not a bad total but we seem to be throwing the bowlers good word down Ghangi’s S we are at present 58/3 from 13overs.
Rowell made a few comments about the first 2 goals and recons they had more shots on target than Millwall it must have been close, his other comment saying city are as good as Burnley on their day was nice to hear but I think a bit tongue in cheek.
Sorensen and Sara both recorded 9 out of 1o in many reports, I would like to see the pressure taken off JLS and told he’s in the team on merit, not as fill in where needed then we might just see our own Skipp start to shine.
Wagner V Farke would be an interesting game to watch, but I would go with a Wagner win with his slightly more defensive approach.
Is DW planning more for next season’s tilt at promotion and laying the groundwork for the player’s he wants and those he hopes to bring in, the pragmatist in me says that the better way to go but the optometrist hopes for a Wembley final and promotion.
Would Dick Dastardly and Penelope Pitstop(Webbers) in con junction with our owners sanction the selling so soon for our two S American imports, hopefully not but with a hole, the size of the Grand Canyon so appearing in the finance’s we will need the Ant Hill Mob from Milwakee to supply loads of green backs to fill it.
With Andrew O and Sargent getting reviews and clubs looking at Gunn plus those not going to be offered new terms, Wagner must be dreading the close season.
Thursday 08-30am first T20 V Bangladesh
Hi Alex
Yes the close season will deffo be more interesting than usual as all the factors come into play – not least which league we will be in.
As I said to Andrew [above] I don’t trust Delia and Webber as far as I could throw either of them and I guess I’m not alone in that.
I wouldn’t count on Attanasio to come up with any funding for debt clearance or player purchase either,
C’mon, if you were him, would you?
Cheers
Calm down and reserve your strength ready for 16th June Edgbaston when real cricket starts again.
Sound advice, Colin!
Russell has been away on holiday with his American celeb girlfriend, don’t think we’ll see him back.
Perhaps our attacking set plays had become too predictable.
Hi Gil
Thanks for that – it certainly makes sense.
Cheers
A Holiday mid season you couldn’t make that up
Hi Martin, a very good read,
“…we coped admirably and managed to blend flair and steel…’, love that!
I will have to watch the 90 minutes on the NCFC site Martin, I’ve only seen the 10 minutes job on Youtube. I note that Rowett has said we were the best team they’d played other than Burnley.
And in salutation to Rowett’s words, Millwall were pretty good ‘never-say-die’ opposition too.
I know there was a slight deflection, but I thought Sorensen’s goal was a real peach, the guy (who I thought was a figment of my imagination a couple of weeks ago) just goes from strength to strength, and that seems true of the whole City squad at the moment!
Sara’s goal was smashing, and Onel terrifies defences to bits, he had four defenders around him when he played that ball towards the penalty spot! I hope he scores one himself soon, and he’ll deserve the biggest cheer in the stadium for it, he battles and toils for us every minute he plays.
Bring on the Black Cats!
I was pleased for Jordan Hugill too, and Carlton Morris is proving to be quite prolific to say the least!
COYYs !
Hi Kev
Yes Sorensen has proved he was worth being given the chance, hasn’t he?
You’re quite right about Onel too and if anybody deserves a new contract it is him. He has also become Yellow through and through and, in short, we have grown to love him too which can only be for the greater good.
I really enjoyed the first Sunderland game and I’m very much looking forward to round two on Saturday to be sure.
Cheers
I’m with you regards Onel. We all love him, how couldn’t you. His 100% contributions rub off on everyone else his benefit to the squad is considerable. Love Onel to win POTS the guy is a legend and been with us 5 years already. Cuba, famous for cigars, rum, salsa and Onel Hernandez!
We’ve certainly had the best of his career from him and it’s great that there should be a few more years to come.
Great piece Martin.
What a glorious win. Personally I would have settled for a draw at the start of the day so that exceeded expectations. Mind you I would have been gutted to have to settle for a point after being 3-1 up. But the boys withstood the inevitable barrage.
The lads who went said it was a brilliant performance.
So our first real test since Burnley and a different performance and result, DW is really getting into these players heads.
There were of course the typical ACN mistakes, as you say Ben and Grant ? really !!!
And then the woes of zonal marking from a corner. I still don’t know who allowed Fleming a free header and I have seen it 10 times from various angles. Poor Max, had he stayed by the post he would have cleared it off the line easily.
Being a Norwich City supporter is a funny old game, we seem divided down the middle on here and elsewhere for that matter on one Grant Hanley. To me he has been our most consistent player along with Teemu Pukki over the last 2-3 years since we lost Emi.
Todd Cantwell and Max Aarons had slipped from their usual standards, one by a cliff and the other by the appointment of Dean Smith. And every other player has either been incredibly inconsistent or not selected
.
Big Grant has had to play on his “wrong” side many times over these last few seasons but to me he has been a rock. Look at his football intelligence on Saturday in realising he had to get behind Gunny. Not every defender would have done that.
I can remember Mick McGuire who was my favourite player at that time, but he wasn’t everyone’s cuppa tea. God knows why he isn’t in The Canary Hall of Fame mind. Even Wes Hoolihan split opinion, well my old mate Paul🤣
However I do agree there will be a time if EPL status is regained that the whole backline will have to be rebuilt, but I still feel Grant can do a good job for a few seasons yet.
I cannot believe the form of Onel, always liked him but DW has given him like Max a new leaf of life.
And Sara, he is improving match by match. Wonderful goal and it took a wonder save from the Millwall goalie to deny him earlier.
And at last Jacob Sorenson was given a chance ! I was also pleased to see him score, though his celebrations looked only a little bit happier than I did a few weeks ago after having 3 teeth out at Addenbrokes 🤣
Alan Russell seems to be on his way out, it was inevitable that there would be coaching casualties as DW settles in sadly.
I too was really pleased for Jordan Hugill, I hope Rotheram stay up. Carlton Morris was he ever given a proper chance here ? A big no from me.
Hi Martin. It wasn’t just the charge into the six yard box for the first goal, it’s the way they peeled away to the sides to give Lungi a clear sight of the goal. Considering it hadn’t worked too well in training, it was brave to try it at the Den.
Like several others, I’d have been pleased with a point before the game, so I was delighted when I found we’d won. (I’m too superstitious to follow the game on the radio or even check the score till the match has finished.)
Sara’s goal was real class, and regardless of any supposed plot by Delia, we’ll do really well to hold on to him in the summer.
Hi Jim
I have a similar superstition although if it’s on Canaries TV or Sky I lap up every second of the coverage. I guess it’s not being able to see the game unfold that counts 🙂
You’re right about Lungi’s shot, especially as it was sidefooted rather than a wild slash that might have gone anywhere.
As for Delia plotting, you can call me David Icke if you like but I don’t think it’s beyond her when it comes to cub finances [especially when we’re ostensibly skint]!
Cheers
I imagine Sig Infantino may have possibly received an ‘ offer he couldn’t refuse’ to leave E14 at h/t on Saturday, his sort may not be most welcome in those parts in my experience. Loved your ‘backhanded’ remark Martin, pleased you enjoy tennis so much.
Our boys look so much fitter and happier now they understand their individual and collective roles. You just know DW’s superior people skills are beginning to pay dividends. Our Latin mob are on fire, our Scandinavian, Scottish, Greek and English lads pretty hot too. Millwall we’re decent that was a great performance and result.
Hi Colin
Our international brigade do look a lot happier now they are achieving more and good luck to each and every one of them.
I’m not sure that Infantino would be made welcome at any ground in the UK tbh, but he’s a brave lad going to the Den in the first place!
Cheers
Excellent column Martin, and as always, some great comments.
Having suffered (yet again!!) a truly comical concession thanks to Hanley and Gibson doing a Strictly Come Dancing routine, who would have thought that this group would have it in them to not only level, but go on to win the game?? Re-wind to S&S being in charge, and I fear that the outcome would have been rather different….
The change in attitude amongst the players seems remarkable, and it’s astonishing how much better they are coached, and the fitness levels are so much better than they were…..
To score twice from corners was something we have never remotely seemed capable of before. And the third goal was pretty special too.
Just think where we might now be had the board made the obvious change at the obvious time.
As you say, curious that our ex-loanee who was supposedly out injured for the season could put in that sort of performance for ‘Boro…..I wonder how our boys will treat him when we play there??
Are we Wembley bound??
O T B C
Perhaps Ramsey’s injury just wasn’t as bad as initially thought. If the injury served any other reason maybe it’s better he’s gone – who wants an uncommitted player, after all?
We’re seeing a great transformation and the players and coaching staff have really got it together., fantastic to see them playing this well and enjoying football again!
Milot who?
Hi John
Are we Wembley bound? How long’s a piece of string!
I reckon we’ll have to get used to this fortitude lark as its absence under S&S made our hearts grow very much fonder and it’s great to see it back in spades.
Our lot were pretty matey with Yorkshire Jonnie early in the season and nobody has a particular grudge against Boro so we’ll await the outcome of that particular
encounter with interest!
Cheers
Hi Tim
I was going to bemoan Flemming’s free header as well but luckily I’d come to the end of the word count so didn’t have the space.
It was either that or a dig at Aaron Ramsey so I chose the latter 🙂
Sorensen is definitely cool to say the least – I wasn’t expecting a wardance so I sure wasn’t surprised at his quiet acceptance of his strike.
I totally agree about Carlton, but he did have a lot of bad luck with injuries while he was developing and was never consistently fit enough for a run in the side.
Three fantastic points at a quite unlikely place to get them.
Cheers
The Ramsey situation really “reeks” Martin.
We are stuck paying Isaac Hayden but for whatever reason Aaron can “exaggerate an injury” and switch clubs midway through a season.
Okay he may have been arsed off that Dean Smith was sacked but he signed for Norwich City FC and not Deano Smiffy’s All Stars, what he has done is massively disrespectful to the club.
We have to assume that was the way it worked and I can’t see any other reason for him leaving the dodgy [but legal] way he did right now.
Afternoon Mr P bit behind today. big up upheaval in the household. I kept myself awake to see what ITV did to us with for me was one of the results of the day, along with Stoke exposing the Black Cats. Sadly no better than just a run of the mill offering, hardly a mention of another wonder goal, Mackie did just manage to say what a goal before being over talked.
I stuck my neck out for a 2-2 draw. got close.
The defensive pairing need to sort themselves out, that was sunday morning defending at best, but Hanley certainly made up for it, with the block. In fact my lads team did better at U16 level . who won their league yesterday with 4 games still to go, plus unbeaten . After the 18 months my boy has had it was a joy to see the smiles.
As to that Villa loanee, like you I thought it was season over the boy, but a miracle has occurred in the 2nd City. Waiting for the pope to OK that. I always thought he only came here because of Smudger, no other reason.
Still never mind, we may have the better loanee from North London ..
Like others I was pleased for Hugill good start for him, and Morris is showing what many thought he would be, think the club grew too fast, like it did for one or two other lads, Korey Smith for one.
It happens .
Hi Lad
Well done to your boy – starting a silverware collection early is always a good thing!
Birmingham’s hardly Lourdes, it it? Or closer to home, even Walsingham I guess.
I saw a bit of Carlton in the home Youth Cup semi and the final and the one thing that impressed me was his physicality and sheer bl00dy strength at 18. He had no luck whatsoever with injuries while he was here and it wasn’t really a surprise that we let him go.
It will be interesting to see how the scalded Cats respond on Saturday!
Cheers
A great report martin and the usual excellent comments to follow.
Winning ugly against the ugly sides isn’t something that comes naturally to us in recent years so this win probably ranks as out best win since the days of Daniel.
Maybe webbers mojo has returned after the aberrations of the last 18 months with the appointment of a proper manager who talks and plays a good game. In any case kudos where its due.
The goals were great fun and without the intervention of a flying goalkeeper we would have been salivating over a Sara 30 yard screamer and a fantastic pukki diving header!
Players who previously looked as if they hadn’t been introduced to one another now look like “different animals”.
Hernandez has been transformed into peak Jairzinho, the only thing missing is the blue shorts.
I’m fully aware that the stinking self funding model could potentially decimate this squad in june but for now I’m just enjoying watching our team.
Hi Chris
I didn’t see the Sara screamer until *Ed* sent it to me this morning. The Sky clip was very short at 1:59 but you would have thought they might have pushed the boat out to include that one!
As they go back to happier times at Huddersfield it’s quite possible that Webber and Wagner really can work effectively together again.
Webber would get some kudos back if he could make up with the Pink Un boys but I doubt he will after a read of that *Training Ground Guru* interview the other day.
Webber clarified which a few of us already knew in that it was a dumb headline from a new editor wanting to *make his mark* that caused the rift, not Paddy and the other two lads. I mean c’mon, they’re not exactly scary or out to cause offence now are they?
As you say, at least we’ve got a team worth watching right now and that’s something we’ve not had in quite a while.
Cheers
Rare home game for me at the Den. Always prefer enablement and self funding to begging bowl funding.
Hi Mike
I think the idea of self funding [aka fan funding] has worn very thin with much of our support over the years.
It is in many ways a noble concept but nonetheless doomed to failure in terms of success where it counts: on the pitch.
Moths against mammoths.
Cheers
Hi Martin,
Is Sheffield United’s thought to be position of second spot faltering ?
Is it so unlikely that they may stumble at the final hurdle ?
Could Norwich supplant Sheffield United. ?
I’m warmed by the memory (can’t remember when😃) of our opponents, Sunderland, bottom of the league at Christmas to win, win, win, enough to be rewarded with promotion.
We have to do a Sunderland, and win, win, win.
And much as l love Sunderland,…. I was living in London in 1985 and acquired a ticket from City’s London Area Supporters Club for the Friendly Final, (£5:00), it was the best day’s football I’ve ever experienced, but sentiments apart, we must win on Sunday..
Automatic promotion is not entirely off my radar.
Hi Martin,
Ignore my last.. I’m leaving my green and yellow tinted glasses on the mantelpiece.
Andy.
🙂