As Saturday afternoons go, I’d say that was pretty good.
The only thing that really matters of course is how City get on, but when your local rivals are loudly cock-a-hoop and have already lifted the 2023-24 Championship trophy, it does them no harm to be given a gentle dig in the ribs to remind them there are still 42 games to go.
When that gentle blow is delivered by a bloke we all like…
That was merely the cherry on top though. What happened in the John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield was what made it such a bloody brilliant afternoon, even though the joy was tempered slightly by what looked like a serious ankle injury to Josh Sargent.
Here’s hoping it’s not as nasty as it appeared. But in his eleven minutes on the pitch, the American got the ball rolling.
The closing down of defenders and goalkeepers forms a key part of this brave new Wagner world and after several close calls in the opening three games, it was inevitable that either Sargent or Ashley Barnes would eventually block off a keeper’s clearance.
What followed was horrible but concluded with City getting their noses ahead on an afternoon that was always destined to be ugly, physical, and hard-fought. Yet for the second time in a week, the type of game from which they would previously cower was warmly embraced.
At the back, Shane Duffy and Ben Gibson were more than happy to contend with crosses aplenty and anything Danny Ward could throw at them, while at the other end, in between scoring a goal and refereeing the game, Barnes found time to grapple with and out-muscle Michal Helik and Matty Pearson in a Grant Holt-style.
Better still, said physical presence is accompanied by an assured touch and a calmness on the ball, unbefitting one who was seen by many (ahem) as just a bit of a bruiser. And to top it all, all of those qualities clearly haven’t been lost on Messrs Sargent and Idah, both of whom have visibly benefitted from playing alongside Barnes.
While I accepted the logic of bringing in an Ashley Barnes, I foresaw none of the above. Certainly not after four league games.
But we are also having one of those mini-runs where you get the benefit of the 50/50s – the type that only come along when you’re in a good place. Jonathan Rowe tangling laces with Pearson may or may not have been worthy of a penalty but I doubt that would have been awarded last season.
We didn’t do pens last season – not those in our favour anway.
In typical Warnock fashion, the Terriers were unbowed by conceding twice and still asked questions, and in Josh Koroma and Sorba Thomas have two widemen who will pose plenty of problems to plenty of teams over the course of the season.
But we now have a back four and a keeper that appears able to withstand the barrage when it comes – another line I didn’t expect to be writing.
Even Dimi Giannoulis, a player I’ve admired for his attacking prowess but doubted from a defensive angle, is embracing the need to stand firm in the pressure moments. I’m not sure even the brilliant Brandon Williams could have done a better job yesterday… or over the previous three games 🙂
But the beauty of this Wagner team (so far) is that it relies on the collective to make it work rather than an individual within it to spark something, which is why the perception of the City faithful is so much more positive now than it was towards the Dean Smith team that found itself in a similar position in the first two months of last season.
It looks and feels solid, and, dare I say it, sustainable. That’s the difference. And it still troubles me slightly that the City board can’t recognise the difference and are still irked that we moaned when Smith’s team was in the top six.
I have to hold my own hands up too. I wrote over pre-season of my concern at there not being a creative spark in the group – someone to create something from nothing – but Wagner, to his credit, was confident that if he could get this group playing in the style he demanded then the chances will come.
Well, it is and they are. My bad.
Back to yesterday. Warnock’s men continued to knock at the door and were met with the same level of resistance although the game was effectively taken from them just three minutes after the interval.
A long kick from Angus, a won second ball, a pass from Sara, a flick from Fassnacht, a fine run and cross from Idah, and the inevitable tap-in from Rowe. Beautiful in its simplicity but every touch by every player executed perfectly.
Notable in the celebrations were the plaudits headed in the direction of Idah – one who has struggled for confidence borne (possibly) of an unsure first touch – but yesterday the shoulders were back, the chest puffed out and the touch assured.
With Sargent looking likely to be out for a few weeks, this was the perfect audition from Idah and when his own chance arrived he took it with the calmness of a seasoned 20-goal-a-season veteran.
Nothing not to like.
The introduction earlier in the day of Adam Forshaw was as welcome as it was unexpected, especially if he can put his injury problems behind him, but despite Wagner claiming otherwise, there is now an argument for adding another central striker to the group.
Unless they consider one of the Under-21 lads capable of stepping up, we are down to Barnes and Idah as our two striking options, and should one of those two get a knock, then we’re back in the realms of square pegs and round holes.
But we’ll see. In truth, the sooner the window closes the better.
As things stand, we’re in a good place but let’s keep a lid on it for now. Let’s learn lessons from those down the A140.
We all know what pride comes before.
OTBC
Happy to hold my hands up as well, it seems we have a team capable of competing in the championship. The big difference between this team and Smiths is we actually look like we deserve it when we win. Still think we need another CB and agree unless we have someone waiting to step up a loan striker makes sense. I’ll enjoy it while it lasts (or until I have to consider the concept of being relegated to the Premier league) whichever comes first.
My favourite words from you:-
I have to hold my own hands up too. I wrote over pre-season of my concern at there not being a creative spark in the group – someone to create something from nothing
I felt you were over critical before a ball had even been kicked. Great respect for your above comment.
So much more resilience with the wise heads added to the group. I can see why Ashley etc. are a good fit for improving the strikers and adding a backbone to the squad.
Delighted BW down the A140, has mastered the art of falling over just at the right moment, long may that skill remain
Well well young Gaza, what a turnaround. Let’s enjoy it, it’s fabulous and we can really get behind this team. I certainly agree that we need a stand in for Josh Rambo Schwarzenegger, if there isn’t one in the house then we need to get one. Barnesy, such a nice man to be in charge of the nasty department. Let’s hope he can get big Adam his GCSE in utter swinery and then we will have a real brute on our hands.
Angus the man in charge of the defensive bulldozers is doing a grand job as is Kenneth the pointer who is in charge of the whole shebang, marshalls his troops most efficiently. A special mention for our smiling assassin from Brazil, my word he is one hell of a player. The young lad, Rowe I think is his name seems to fit the team just dandy.
A special mention to Colin the Uddersfield manager. You are great entertainment and the game needs more like you.
A big up to Herr Wagner and his gang and to Mr Webber it’s good to have a team that we can be proud of again.
Regards Delfy.
You’re right Gary – nothing won in August, but makes a change for it to be a happy one.
If we can keep this up till end of season it must be playoffs at least, but will the dreaded injuries put a break on it. I hope not but if we were to lose Rowe or Barnes for a period, we are a bit light un that department.
We need to get in a loan at least in that area. Yesterday was great – showed spark and grit when needed so well done to the coaching staff and Webber for the promising start we have made.
It’s got everyone believing again .
Had a ticket but with the train drivers on strike and car unavailable wasn’t able to get there.
Instead I listened to Chris Goreham in the rare moments that he actually commentated on the game. He had with him “former city striker” Stephen Elliott (factually accurate – he played 346 minutes for us in League One apparently). If you watch the highlights on the club website you may note that there are several long silences. In other words Goreham wasn’t actually describing the action at that point, so his background chat with Elliott has been cut out. Large chunks of the game were like that.
Don’t get me wrong. I like his style, and particularly that whilst of course he’s siding with the Canaries he’s still capable of staying pretty objective. But it feels at times that he’s commentating for TV, not radio.
The team have upped their game, at least for now. It would be good if he could do the same – but I suspect he’s become so untouchable that nobody will even tell him.
Keith, I think the reason for Goreham’s silent periods on the highlights video, is that they are mainly when the replays of the goals are being shown, and his radio commentary is added to the video. He is not watching those replays, so isn’t commenting on them.
That’s partly true, but not the whole story. Pick up at 3.00 mins, 4.31 mins and 5.09 mins. All those passages of play start off undescribed – at the time Goreham/Elliott ere chatting about others things and probably had been for a while before the pictures are picked up.
I think when the full 90 minutes go up they have to use the full commentary exactly as it was. If you play that with your eyes shut you’ll see what I mean – but if you decide life’s too short to bother, fair enough.
The bottom line is that if you listen to the RN commentary there are too many frustrating periods when you don’t know what’s going on.
I take your point Keith, but as you say, life’s too short to do the eyes shut test.
I never listen to the live commentary anyway, I’m too superstitious. If I can’t be at a game, I avoid hearing anything about it it till I’m sure it’s ended.
Hi Keith
Elliot scored a brace for us at Huddersfield. If I remember correctly the loan was paid for from monies received from a Sunday who claimed we were going into administration. We possibly would have if we hadn’t been promoted.
I was guilty too. When Pukki left, I just couldn’t see where the goals were coming from. The answer to that was ‘everywhere’.. Such a shame about Sargents injury right when he was playing his best ever football for City, but a possible silver lining is that it puts off any potential suitors in the forthcoming days.
Oh, and in your opening paragraph, you forgot Wroxham 4 Ipswich 0…..
I am delighted so far to be wrong, my worry I stated where were the goals coming from now we stand at 13 league goals from 6 players, which is better than having just one, even if it was Pukki.
Creativity was not so much a concern as scoring in my mind, with Gabby pulling strings, Nunez in waiting and Hernandez giving the odd decent cross. To be honest, all any of us can do is trust the coach, and that caused me concern too, his previous two efforts were not that eye-catching. But full credit to him he is getting a very good tune out of all.
When you look at the team lineup, from defence through midfield to front line, there are old heads doing the business. A strong spine, prisoners not taken from front to back. Again I have to admit being wrong over Barnes, what a monster of a player, something we have lacked.
As you say nothing won in August, but surely the foundations have to be laid at the start
Great article for a very entertaining match.
Last season it would be us kicking against the opposing attacker, we don’t get the penalty, and their shot doesn’t bounce off the post but nestles in the net. Once those moments fell our way there was no looking back.
Fingers crossed for Sargent. If there is a silver lining it could be that any late bidders for him have just been convinced not to.
Hi Gary
An excellent read on a Sunday morning. Has set me up forlater in the day to watch the final of the cricket 100.
City gets a shoestring penalty and Warnock says it was a coming together, and I agree last season that wouldn’t have gone our way.
Watching via a streaming service, I was surprised that Huddersfield were so good and caused City some problems and were their own worst enemy at times, or just didn’t get the run of the ball.
Is this a Wagner squad or a Webber one? But who really cares – it’s getting the job done and, like many, I didn’t see that coming so will admit being wrong and long may it last. The proof will be when Leicester and Leeds come calling but for now we’re above those that think there entitled to another promotion.
Sargent’s injury seems to have taken the gloss somewhat off the result but let’s be optimistic and hope once the swelling has gone down he will be back after the international break, full of energy to go again.
Forshaw is a strange signing – lots of experience and possibly great cover but I just wonder is he our new Byram. Six seasons at Leeds, 91 games completed out of a possible 240ish. Will the Wagner fitness regime make or break him?
Sorensen, Sainz, Hernandez are all due back soon and Hanley might be in the mix early November, so I will agree we need a committed striker to come in and another free agent could be good.
OTBC
In the U21s there’s only Tom Dickson-Peters. In the seniors now we only have two players for two positions. Wagner spoke of playing other people in that position but we need someone who can cause trouble and get on the end of the crosses.
Injuries were the undoing of Wagner last season having started well. Let’s get cover and not make the same mistake. We need someone like Tettey who can come on and see the game out – we might have found him in Forshaw.
The U21s is now a collection of players scouted from all over the world and the new Brazilian could be an amazing talent. The victory over Chelsea is a credit to the club. Let’s hope we keep them all at the club as their success spreads to the first team and you’re only as good as your second string.
Also, really pleased for Idah and Placheta
Agreed Gil and others – we do need a striker. I do see what Wagner means about others playing there, but so could I at 70 – would not be doing much let alone scoring.
It it horses for courses. I think over the last couple of seasons we have had enough of mend-and-make-do. There are not many players around like Sargent, certainly not with his work-rate. The job of finding one in less than a week seems like a tall order.
This is another chance for Idah to cement a place, perhaps his last. He has to bust a gut to make it happen. I would be more worried if I was a multi-million pound striker who looks terrible at times. I mean, Richarlison at Spurs, yesterday in three-minute spell he gave the ball away at least five times. I think it was so long ago he scored, Moses wrote the report
Only four games in, but the league’s top scorers, with the largest positive goal difference. None of us saw that one coming, and are delighted to be wrong.
The only other thing that surprised me is why their keeper wasn’t carded for the challenge on Josh? If you were being generous to him you’d say it was clumsy, but, effectively going through the back of the player seemed like a yellow at minimum to me.
Agree 100%, Gaz. Don’t see how it couldn’t have been deemed a foul tbh!
Guess these things only *really* matter when you don’t win 🙂
Should Sarge be out for a stretch , it wouldn’t be a bad move to bring Placheta on to play up front. ,after the hour.
Two years of nothingness and after a handful of games this season we are all looking forward to the next one. What a sea change and credit to all concerned. Must be at least two weeks since I saw an anti Webber article. Jury still out, plenty of tougher opposition to come but what a refreshing start …….