When I saw the teamsheet for Ashton Gate I must admit to feeling a modicum of excitement as, at last, some issues were made abundantly clear as head coach David Wagner made his selection.
The goalkeeping pecking order is now firmly established and to my surprise the one left out in the cold is American-Chilean youngster Vicente Reyes, who until very recently looked nailed on for the No.3 spot. But the arrival of George ‘I kept a clean sheet on my debut‘ Long and the departure of Tim Krul has changed all that. Yes, that was our Tim looking a bit nervy between the sticks against Gillingham last night!
Angus Gunn. George Long. Jon McCracken. That’s the 1-2-3 for the season.
It bodes well that Adam Forshaw came off the bench to get a few minutes under his belt. It looks like Wagner and coaching colleagues will be specifically working on his fitness from hereon in, so we can consider him an active part of the squad as of now.
Tom Dickson-Peters was nowhere to be seen and that seems to tell a sad story to me, leading on to major question marks about why none of the strikers in the academy were considered suitable for the bench.
And the best news of the night is a contest between progression to Round Three and Wagner’s declaration that everybody emerged from Ashton Gate fit, unscathed, and ready to go again against Rotherham on Saturday.
“Tonight, I’m really proud – we picked quite a young team against a very strong Bristol City side, and the guys played very mature and how brave they were on the ball.
“It was great to see, they had a very good idea of how they wanted to play and they worked their socks off. There’s no question that we deserved this win.
“We were clinical against Huddersfield, but we weren’t clinical tonight. We had two, maybe three, top chances that we didn’t take. As I said, it was a very good night and I’m over the moon and we got the win as well.”
Wagner made nine changes to the side that were 4-0 winners away to Huddersfield, and the head coach is pleased with the players who came in.
“We made a lot of changes. New starters, and they all deserved it. They have shown today why they deserve it. It was an overall top team performance, and individual performances were on a very high level too.
“To have a clean sheet in George Long’s first game is great, and to have Adam Forshaw for the first time in a Norwich shirt too. Everyone is healthy after this game, which is great. It was a very good evening for us.”
Robins’ boss Nigel Pearson was predictably less than impressed with his side’s showing against City, saying that poor on-field decision-making did his side no favours, particularly in the second half.
“Things like recognising who is having joy on the pitch and giving them the ball!
“Norwich are a decent side. I thought we played with positive intent but didn’t create enough goalscoring opportunities.”
PRZEMYSLAW PLACHETA – ‘Now we’ve got to recover quickly and prepare for Saturday’s game’
Przemysław Płacheta started top left and was rewarded with the match-winning goal, making him our seventh separate scorer in the six games played so far. The only Polish footballer to so far grace the turf of Carrow Road in the Yellow and Green agreed with his Head Coach that the Carabao Cup win was a great night for the team and that being in the hat for Round Three is pleasing.
“I think we did what the boss expected of us. Especially as we got a clean sheet. Of course, creating chances and scoring goals. I enjoyed to score the goal as well, so we’ll look forward to playing in the next round.
“I did the work and think how can I do better. I did my best, and what the boss was expecting of me. It was a great run and pass from Sam McCallum, and I try to do my best. Hopefully in the next few games, we can score some more goals.
“Now we’ve got to recover quickly and prepare ourselves for Saturday’s game. We don’t have too much time, but we will be prepared.”
I’d never heard or read Przemyslaw interviewed before so I’ll make a couple of observations. Firstly he seems very focused and likeable and, secondly, I kind of picked up a feeling he knows he is going to have a large part to play in Norwich City’s on-field adventures this season.
It’s worth saying that a fly always seems to appear in the ointment after a satisfying victory.
After the demolition of Huddersfield, it was the injury to Josh Sergeant, with Wagner’s post-match comments last night not offering much in the way of further clarity, simply saying that it will be a matter of “months rather than weeks” and that further investigation is in the pipeline.
No, the spoiler this time was provided by Sky TV.
Normally friends and I have banter-loaded inboxes during every away match but this time we were stuck with Radio Norfolk or that well-known descendant of the teleprinter, the EFL website that displays and updates all the scores simultaneously.
We were all disappointed with Sky’s decision to block Canaries TV and other official club outlets from broadcasting a live feed.
The teams lose out on a few bob in broadcast income, nobody can watch anything but Salford v Leeds [whatever floats your boat] and I’m not even sure precisely what Sky’s gain is either. Ho hum, as my Posse colleague Bernie said and the rest of us agreed with.
There is absolutely nothing any of us can do about it, so ho-hum is as good as anything.
Even more kudos to the 900 travelling Canaries. There won’t be many people who will be able to claim they saw this particular match unless they were beside you on the terraces that night in late August.
So it’s on to Rotherham followed by a rest for both players and supporters alike.
I know I didn’t fool you good readers there – rest will be minimal with two clear weeks at Colney available to Wagner and I don’t think the current, rejuvenated squad we now have will mind that one tiny iota 
Since the substitute is playing an ever-increasingly important role in the modern game, this is dedicated to all those who will pull on the Yellow shirt to feature in the role this season.
It’s a tasty slice of The Who casting off their pop band label as well – they were never hippies in the first place so the venue itself is quite ironic:
Hi Martin
Great choice of music
The Sky commentator said last night after Stoke v Rotherham 6-1 was look out Saturday Rotherham have Norwich and with such a poor defence things aren’t bodding well for Rotherham will this be an ACN moment??
Do we have a settled squad before the window closes I just hope as previously discussed we can get someone in that just might take a few of the 14 chances created last night.
Will Leeds be back in for McLean one Phil Hayes is saying that a second offer is coming down the A1 as Farke wants Kamara and McLean as his midfield pivot.
Cricket Breaking News
ECB has announced that the Women Match Day Game prices will increase so to be inline with the prices for men’s games I can see this as a backward step but that is just me.
Draw for the next round and City is No19 will it be a premiership or a local draw I can’t see City getting Mansfield, Salford or such like.
Hi Alex
We’re not doing ACN moments this season cos Ashley Barnes has heard too much about them to want to be part of one 🙂
Should it come to it – and everybody knows we have [this time wisely] spent what little we had – and Leeds did offer an acceptable amount for McLean what would Webber do?
Keep Kenny or let him go and buy a much-needed striker with the money?
A choice for a latter day Solomon, that would be!
Cheers
At least the Sargent injury is now rather than in September. Would like a proven 27/28 year old striker to partner Barnes. Like a Kevin Phillips for Sunderland back in the late 90s.
Hi Tony
That’s a great idea in theory but that type of striker costs serious money and we are, at least on the face of it, broke.
It’s a really good positive though and we can always hope.
Cheers
Martin. Usual thoughtful piece!
One note: DW has made it clear that the “goalkeeper dept” would now comprise Gunn, Long and McCracken after JM was recalled from Dundee. Reyes must work his way from the Academy. The reports from there suggest he mixes brilliance with massive blunders eg dropping crosses at the striker’s feet!
Hi Nick
Thanks for the intelligence on Reyes – I hadn’t heard that before but it certainly makes the whole chain drop nicely into place.
I hope Paul Clements and his colleagues can eliminate that fault from Yeyes’ game cos, erm, well, it really is rather a serious one 🙂
Cheers
Placheta has developed into the player we bought him to be. Under different circumstances perhaps he wouldn’t be in this position, we usually get impatient and get rid. It’s a tribute to Wagner and his coaching staff for the confidence that they’ve shown.
Louis Cunningham, the ex boxer, has done a great job building up the physical strength of the squad.
Hi gill looks like placheta may play important part this season after being on the back burner for 3yrs just a shame we wasted £20mill on Tzolis and rashicca when he was already here .
Hi Kev
Thanks for saving me the trouble there – I think you have just highlighted the worst two pieces of recruitment since Naismith and Wolfswinkel.
Mind you Webber’s paid us back this season for the two you name with Barnes, Duffy and Stacey.
The irony is that while the Greek and the Kosovan cost around £20 million between them, the others were all frees.
*A Funny Old Game* just ain’t in it sometimes.
Cheers
Hi Gil
I was really struggling to recall where I knew the name of Louis Cunningham from and of course now I know.
I can’t right now remember if he ever went on to fight pro, but Cunningham certainly had one heck of an amateur career and I cannot think of anything better than a boxing background to coach fitness , particularly the crucial element of stamina development.
Placheta’s has been a strange journey with us but there was a moment last night where he was waiting for a through ball and when it arrived he was already pelting like a greyhound and embarrassed the Bristol RB big time.
He was announced as a speed merchant when he arrived but I hadn’t seen an explosion of pace like that in a long, long time and if Dimi has serious competition, which is great all round.
Cheers
Good win at Ashton Gate, always is , but reflections on the game and the Cackapoo Cup have to be put on the back burner due to Sarge’s injury .I’m of the opinion we can cope for a couple of months but it does look like we are now 1 injury from a proper striker hiatus.
With the window shutting I’m hoping that Leeds 2nd reported bid does not become the start of a chain reaction messing with the squads makeup.
The composer has got this group making all the right noises and here’s hoping it’s just Idah for Sarge when we see Saturday’s team for our trip to New York .
Hi Bernie
Yeah, the much-derided Carabao Cup. For the first time in a while I’m looking forward to seeing who we get in the Draw though.
Yes folks might say it is inevitable that Man City or one of the other Clubs with serious kite are bound to win it but if it went we’d lose a bit of living history.
Some massive clubs have won it over the years – we’ve managed it twice 🙂
Cheers
Hi Martin. My mate Pete went to see The Who at Sandringham on Monday night, and said it was excellent. Not bad for an 83 year old!
Even if we couldn’t watch the whole game, there’s a decent load of highlights on YouTube today. Goreham was a bit surprised in his commentary that the goalkeeper apparently tipped Idah’s header over the bar for a corner, but it looked to me as if it was going over anyway. From a free header on the six yard line, any decent striker should have buried it. I really hope they get someone in before the window “slams shut”, as Sky would say.
Good turn and strike by Placheta, though.
Hi Jim
I saw them once in the early 70s, at Charlton Athletic of all places when they played a few from Who’s Net along with some stuff from the *Live at Leeds* era.
They were seiously LOUD,
Yes Placheta’s turn and finish was well sharp. OK the defender should probably have stuck closer to him but it was with his *wrong foot* which makes it all the better in my eyes 🙂
Cheers
Great piece and a nicely picked tune with the old rockers Rog and Pete in town this week (well Royal Sandringham) What an amazing gig that was and followed a super showing from out team on Saturday. Are we going to be successful this season? You better you bet!
Hi Simon
Yes Canary Lad [above] mentions a friend of his going to see them at Sandringham,
Now it seems like the perfect place for a Who gig but I’m nt so sure they would have agreed to it back in the day 🙂
There is a lot of hope and happiness around at the moment . Maybe the more reactionary supporters are starting to believe they Won’t Get Fooled Again – the Club have certainly picked up on the vibe with some excellent recent recruitment,
It might have been forced upon us, but now it only remains to get that striker in!
Cheers
Enjoyable read Martin. I listened to the game last night in the capable company of Chris Goerham.
The overriding impression I got from the evening was one of relative comfort, with Bristol kept at arms length and displaying little in the way of attacking intent.
Placheta was prominent in most of our forward play and would appear to have been reinvented by wagner and his coaching staff. His cross for idahs poor miss and the turn and hit for his goal were top drawer.
Mccallum and Fisher also advanced their claims with strong performances and it was good to see nunez and gibbs growing into the game. They will be needed.
The dampener on proceedings of course was the inevitable news that one of our several outstanding early season performers would indeed be missing for the foreseeable future.
I wouldnt adv0cate moving Rowe, fassnacht or Barnes into Sargent berth as the fine form all have displayed could be disrupted. Placheta looks a good bet, but in a wide berth, and I’m unhappy with suggestions that gibbs or nunez could do that particular job.
Perhaps Sainz, who looked to be an exciting prospect would be better suited as a player who seems to like the press and finishes well.
Only the sale pf Omobamidele would release funds to rectify this situation with a loan or possible purchase. Which is a sad state of affairs.
This is particularly galling as wagner would appear to have the pot bubbling along nicely and a little bit of backing would go a long way. It would be unforgivable if due to the usual monetary distress we spoilt the ship for a ha’porth of tar.
Hi Chris
Thanks for that overview,
I find it particularly difficult to follow on the radio simply because I find myself working overtime trying to visualise situations and that simply isn’t something I’m any good at.
As for the financial side of things they are talking of young Tom Cannon from Everton at £7 million.,
To the best of my knowledge we haven’t got that kind of money but it does almost exactly equal what we got for Max Aarons from Bournemouth. I thought that particular trache of money was earmarked to cover part of the fan funding defecit but I could be wrong I suppose,
I normally work on the estimate that about 25% of what comes in from player sales goes out in the same direction, but two seasons ago I was utterly wrong as we went mad with the chequebook by our standards, even if we did end up with a sack of unsuitable cack,
Fair play to Stuart Webber here, he has compensated for that extremely well with the acquisitions of Barnes, Duffy and Stacey,
A possibly season-defining 60 or so hours remain of the window.
Fingers crossed, hey?
Cheers
For anybody unaware we have drawn Fulham [away] in the Third Round of the Carabao Cup.
And if that doesn’t bring us back to reality with a jolt, nothing will,
‘Nuff said 🙂
Only cos the EFL can’t spell and put Norwich before Newcastle in the accepted list of alphabetic numbering of teams
Copious amounts of humble pie currently being consumed by myself.
What a brilliant start to the season…long may it continue.
Interesting that the BBC have Fulham hosting Norwich of the Championship while Liverpool are playing Leicester…and there I was thinking Leicester and us were in the same division this season .
Why did it have to be Fulham away??
O T B C
Hi John
There’s nothing whatsoever wrong with consuminghunble pie if it’s done in the way that you, me and many others are doing right now, as in openly, publically and with just the right amount of shrugging of shoulders 🙂
I don’t know why it had to be Fulham [a] either. Maybe it’s karma’s way of telling us not to get too carried away right now?
Cheers
Ah , the Who , courtesy of these guys I spent a pleasant afternoon watching South Parade Pier burn down as ‘ something’ went wrong during the filming of Tommy in 1974.
Wow!
I was in London then so don’t really remember the incident at all, although obviously I’ve heard about it.
I hope it wsn’t down to Moon the Loon getting bored again – Daltrey always reckoned a special little devil appeared alongside the illustrious drummer when he was bored.
Hi Martin,
I agree with your assessment of the needless blocking of Canaries TV. It’s not cheap for a streaming service (140 quid for a season) and I can’t see too many US sports providers losing out from having Canaries TV streaming the game.
Still, I always enjoy the Radio Norfolk boys and we won (again), so I shouldn’t complain too much.
Take it easy,
Dave
Hi Dave
Yes I think yours is the right level to take it on.
Do you reckon they might pick Newcastle and Citeh in Round Three>
You know, just to give the poorer clubs with no hope of any current investment a break, like the avuncular, philanthropic Sky loves to do.
Cheers