No matter how the league table shapes up in May, it will be fair to say that this season has had more than its share of drama.
From early on, when City went Slytherin down the table, to all the Hufflepuff surrounding Kenny McLean and Borja Sainz. And now City players stand accused of acting Weasley in order to con the referee by the opposition manager.
OK, enough of the contrived Harry Potter references, other than the suggestion from Hornets’ manager Tom Cleverley that the Canaries had mastered the Dark Arts at Vicarage Road this weekend.
In fact, it seems to be Tom who has cleverley (sorry) deflected attention away from his team’s poor run of results by switching attention onto the City players.
Even without my Yellow and Green tinted spectacles, it is difficult to see how anyone can watch the Bayo v Marcondes incident as anything other than a straight red card.
Match referee Lewis Smith made the right call again, awarding a goal kick and not the penalty that the home team were screaming for – Gunn clearly got the ball first.
Cleverley suggested that Gunn feigned injury in order to deflect attention from the possible infringement, however, the referee clearly pointed for the goal kick straight away and in no way was affected by anything Gunn did or didn’t do.
Then the incident that got Johannes Hoff Thorup hot under the collar. Sargent through on goal and brought down. It looked like a red to me, although from where the referee was standing, Mattie Pollock may have looked like he was covering.
And then finally Tom Ince bursts into the area. Kellen Fisher tackles. Ince takes a step and a half before changing his name by deed poll to Tom Daley and diving theatrically to the floor.
Strangely, having his appeal waved away, there was no yellow card for simulation for Daley Ince.
The result of it all, courtesy of a poached Josh Sargent goal, was a 1-0 win for City. A victory that has caused the Pad-o-meter to swing towards a promotion party – famously non-Norwich supporting Paddy Davitt from the Pink Un has been through the full gamut of outcomes so far this season but has now re-declared City as contenders.
Looking at the big picture though, it’s not hard to see why, with Sargent back in and scoring, Marcelino Nunez, Anis Ben Slimane and Borja Sainz to come back in and Matěj Jurásek to add to the numbers, it certainly looks positive.
And appearances aren’t deceptive.
Over the last six games, only Coventry City have a higher points total than Norwich. Yes, Leeds have been unbeaten, but no one has won more of the last six than City. It’s not quite HMS PTL launching ceremony time yet, but gentle enquiries have at least been made at the Champagne supplier.
That City have got within two points of the players having missed their best players for a significant chunk of the season only serves to reinforce the Pad-o-meter’s optimism.
Thorup arrived with a reputation forged upon selecting youth team players – although partially dictated by FC Nordsjælland policies in this respect.
City’s own crop of youngsters certainly didn’t let the boss down this weekend.
Oscar Schwartau made another impressive appearance. Fisher did what Fisher does so very effectively.
Meanwhile, Lucien Mahovo nonchalantly dismissed the difficulties associated with marking a former Champions League player by putting in a wicked cross that was easier to score than not, before hooking in the deflected Marcondes free-kick for Sargent to pick up the pieces from the save by keeper Bond.
Mahovo looks the most assured City left back for quite some time and looks to have all the attributes to go a long way in his career – hopefully not just yet though.
And an honourable mention must go to Jacob Sorensen, who got on with his defensive midfield duties with his usual aplomb and seemingly lackadaisical approach. He did little wrong all game and it was good to see him back and performing well.
Thorup was forced by Sargent to lead the olés in front of the visiting City fans – much to his chagrin! From his comments, we may get a line-up of players at the next game, instead of individuals.
This, of course, was not the American’s sole contribution. Other than the goal, he worked and ran tirelessly for the full 90 minutes, demonstrating once again what City have missed in his long absence through injury.
Onwards to a meeting with Derby next Saturday and then a midweek fixture against Preston. Will these see City break into the top six?
I’ll finish with a tune for the week. Thanks to Mr T Cleverley, it picks itself – Saint Montana – Dark Arts
You displaying a photo of he great lae Alan Ricknan in his role at Hogwarts, I mentioned him in my comment yesterday. Perhaps the Watford Whinger should have signed up for his classs defence of the dark arts. Instead of WANDering around covering his own shortcomings. annot fo first time, I found a YouTube of him saying th same things of Man City, coupe lof years ago. Is the m obssesed with Dark Arts.
As for playoffs, although I would not suggest chucking the chance away, we would be nowhere near ready for a crack at the mountains of the premier. We would be successful as our ex SD at mountaineering..But we might just ses more given for equipment this time.
I can,t quite work out if City have had the large bid in for the defender from Peterbro or another club has. Whoever has the deal the boy will be loaned back. No doubt it will become clearer as the day unfolds. According to JHT business might still be done.
Funny how views change after some positive games, I had few fthoughts about the project. But did 100 lines I must not doubt
With the injury list dwindling were now looking at having a healthy squad hopefully for the rest of the season.
Rumours are City have agreed a deal for an up-and-down coming CB at Peterborough with a loan back to them but the player with a limited CV and his agent can’t agree on personal contract detail seems like this could rumble on as will the young Northern Ireland lad from Brighton is that going to be a loan or permanent deal?
As for Mr. Tom he made some MAJOR ground control errors and city for once stood put another Brick in the defensive Wall.
Update: City pulled out of the deal for the Peterborough lad, but have permanently signed Ruairi McConville from Brighton. Small fee given he only has six months left on his Brighton contract.
Fee according to Sky is reputed £1m up front plus add on to a max £2.75m could be a good deal.
Hope he impressed supporters in his cameo of 21mins in the FA Cup against City.
I’m quite tempted to view ‘the full 90’ to check him out!