Those who accuse us of getting a little too giddy a little too quickly may have a point.
We are a bit giddy and we have only played three games, one of which was drawn, but when you’ve been starved of joy, excitement, and thrills – the stuff football is made of – for two seasons, then it’s hardly surprising we’re extracting every last little bit of joy from this bright start to 2023-24.
It may be a false dawn. In the same way that the average Farke Championship season took a good month to get going, we may discover that the average Wagner season starts with a bang and then fizzles.
Who knows. But in the here and the now, on August 17, 2023, it feels pretty good.
Not since the heady days of 2018-19 have we experienced the buzz that only comes from snatching a win from the jaws of a draw, yet we’ve now done it twice in the space of 11 days. Add into that same mix Jonny Rowe’s two goals in first-half injury-time against both Hull and Southampton and you have the recipe for some fun times.
Take those injury-time goals out of the equation and we’re left with a draw on opening day, a defeat at the hands of Russell Martin, and a 50/50 penalty shootout in Shepherd’s Bush. Then perhaps we wouldn’t be feeling quite as chipper.
But those small details matter, as do players having that extra five percent in their legs that enables them to give it that little bit more when their opponents are blowing.
How often did a Dean Smith City side come on really strong in the latter stages of a game? How many last-gasp winners did they score?
Answers on a postcard.
Smith, of course, was quick, when questioned on his players’ apparent lack of fitness and sharpness, to point to data produced by the sports scientists, which told the story of a squad physically equipped to manage all the Championship could throw at it, but that data measured neither speed of thought or desire.
Had it done so, I suspect the picture would have been very different.
But here we are. With a group of players that, from somewhere, has discovered that rare commodity known as belief; belief that even on a day when things haven’t gone perfectly and where it’s been a bit of a struggle, they still have it within them to conjure up a win.
And it’s that, along with the very obvious technical improvements, that have offered us this glimmer of hope going forward.
Given that David Wagner opted to make eight changes from Saturday’s draw on the south coast, it was no surprise it was all a bit disjointed and lacking in flow, and it’s worth noting that despite having 63 percent of possession, City only managed to get two shots out of 15 on target.
But in those latter stages, as QPR flagged City grew stronger.
The big guns, in the form of Josh Sargent, Ashley Barnes, Gabriel Sara, and Jon Rowe were deployed and, lo and behold, those 1500 heroes behind the goal in the Loftus Road School End were rewarded with a goal.
And for the second time in the space of four days, a heartwarming connection between players, staff, and fans was evident at the end of the game.
It wasn’t all about beating QPR or even scoring a joyous last-minute winner but had more to do with a mutual appreciation of each other’s efforts – something that completely went missing last season.
They’ll play much better than they did last night but, as the ovation at the end proved, it’s not just about flowing football and precise passing.
If we can see the makings of a plan and a group of players in yellow giving their all in trying to implement it, we’ll be happy.
And right now, we are.
***
I couldn’t end without mentioning those fearless Lionesses and one in particular. The performance of Lauren Hemp and her colleagues in Sydney was right out of the top drawer and was a lesson to us all in how to handle an occasion when the odds are stacked against you.
There are no superlatives left to describe Hemp’s contribution to the win but that reverse pass to Alessia Russo for goal number three was a thing of absolute beauty.
That Sunday’s final clashes with the visit of Millwall is an absolute bugger, but those expecting Sky to shift kick-off time are, I suspect, destined for disappointment. We moan at our friends from Isleworth when they move kick-off times at short notice but are now asking them to do just that.
So we have a choice… Lions or Lionnesses? What’s it to be? 😀
On the Ball City.
Hi Gary.
First thing it’s sad that Krul has left so will wish him all the best down at Luton in another relegation fight and he said Clinton Morris convinced him to join, at the same time I will welcome the new back up Keeper George Long but I just wonder if this could be us seeing a departure in Gunn Jr especially with McCracken being recalled ??
Last night when I saw the team it crossed my aged mind Wagner was resting players for the Millwall game but also giving other time to show they are ready for a first team start and possibly young Kellen Fisher has put his name forward.
So the night ended in a late win and 2 injuries let’s hope both are fit for the bench come Sunday.
Technology for Sunday Tablet with City Game and the Lionesses on the goggle box
To start at the end – for once I’ll be glad if they shift Sunday’s kick off back a couple of hours, as I’m currently due to set off from Cheshire at 6.00am. The only way I can see that happening is if Sky’s advertisers ask for it given there are unlikely to be many tuning in to our game, especially if the WCF goes to extra time and penalties.
Re. last night, for all the big guns coming on, it was the youngest gun who deserves the praise. A few minutes before the end he almost lost us the game with a failed interception/clearance (and promptly put his hand up to acknowledge). Did he dwell on it? Not a bit. That was Kellen’s first full game at a level effectively 3 higher than he’s used to, and after 96 minutes he’s still bursting forward into space – and hits as nice a first-time chipped cross as you could wish for. Rowe’s getting all the plaudits, as goalscorers normally do, but if Fisher can carry on the way he’s started he’s another capable of big things.
Hear hear. Good points, Keith.
As you say, Fisher could so easily have cost us the win with that mis-control but instead provided an inch-perfect cross for the goal. An impressive debut indeed.
Sky won’t shift it back a couple of hours, because that would clash with their 2pm kick off game in the Premier League, and that would leave only a small pool of City and Millwall supporters who choose our game rather than the “big” boys.
It’s a shame, but much as I’d like to be glued to the tele watching the ladies, I’ll be at Carrow Road.
Norwich over England every time.
Nice to bank another win – it seems more special when it comes last minute. Hope this sign of things to come but we did start with a bang when Wagner first came although this feels a little different. I wish Krul all the best – had some great games for us but he’s one of the clanger gang for me, along with Gibson, Hanley and McLean. Would be better off without them.
Hanley……better off without him…love to be a opposing forward at any level!
Captain….pah!
I liked the clangers. Especially the soup dragon.
Good results so far Gary, let’s hope they continue all season!
Very good luck to Tim Krul at Luton, he’s been a great keeper for us since signing up!
A few days ago I thought we needed another striker to back up those we’ve got … post-Jon Rowe, WHAT a little smarty-pants he is three goals already, and we’re currently looking good in that department!
I hope both the important games on Sunday – Championship and Women’s World Cup – are brilliant and give us even more to cheer about!
On the Club v country thing , it’s a no brainer . Club every time.
A rare win, for those of us who struggle to afford football at the stadium. Radio Norfolk commentary, over a muted television for the Lionesses (well, second half onwards!)
I hadn’t been worried about Angus staying, until I read the comment from AlexB 😳
Seems unlikely, to let both Krul AND our Son of a Gunn leave in the same window, but still… currently nibbling fingernails!
On new players – anyone else happier to see a loan from Brazil, rather than another Premier League child to babysit? The Palmeiras lad seems untried, but is he any more raw than a certain Ollie Skipp?
Can’t get to the match so one on the tv the other on iPad, I reckon I won’t be alone. Could be lowest home attendance of the season but reckon there will be quite a buzz as fans from both sides will be tuned in to the World Cup Final.
Lauren Hemp she’s one of our own, etc, etc
Delia is a huge fan of the women’s team she may just stay in the bar and get p****d!