James Colman

Today’s report begins with a bit of Paddy Ashdown-style hat-eating. The most promising news out of Carrow Road this week was that, despite my prediction at the end of my last report, Marquinhos had had his red card overturned and was available for the Stoke game. Given his less-than-stellar performance against Huddersfield, you can see […]

It was a night for reunions at the John Smith’s Stadium. David Wagner and Stuart Webber returned to the club that established their names and reputations, while Jordan Rhodes and Waghorn (Martyn not Rick) both played south of the border, each remembered by City fans for very different reasons. And of course, there was Colin […]

The talk going into this game was how Norwich had only beaten one team in the top six all season. That team was Millwall. It was also how Millwall had scored more goals from set pieces than any other in the league. And how this could be the defining moment of City’s season. Win and […]

If there is one thing you can say about the post-Dean Smith Norwich City, it is that you genuinely don’t know what you are going to see.  International internet meant that I only saw around half of the Wigan game. That was enough.  Contrast the two most recent midweek games. You could watch them all […]

Let’s face it. Burnley was always going to be a tougher test than that posed by either Coventry or Preston. And so it proved. From the off, the Burnley game plan was evident – you may say a taste of City’s own medicine.  Their backroom staff had obviously done their homework on City.  They deployed […]

The planets aligned for me this week. Not only was I in the UK and not working, but there was an away game within striking distance AND easily available tickets.  As a result, I got a break from Canaries TV over sketchy hotel internet connections or the ‘wisdom’ of  Andy Gray on Bein sports. Instead, I had […]

As I write this, I’m having to reach for a metaphorical book of superlatives, unused for quite some time now.  Spoiler alert. In 90 minutes, David Wagner delivered more from his team than Dean Smith managed in what was a miserable last 14 months. Perhaps the biggest surprise in the starting lineup was Tim Krul […]

So the start of a new era at Carrow Road.  Having only held one training session, it was always expecting a lot from David Wagner to have much of an impact on City but, as they say, it’s the hope that kills you. From the off, there was a lot to like. While City weren’t quite […]

Dean Smith has gone. We are now in the awkward period of caretaker management while we await the appointment of a successor.  Steve Weaver and Alan Russell have had barely two days to work with the squad so the question always was going to be what they could do in such a short space of time. […]

Dean Smith elected to field an unchanged team from last week’s insipid performance in Wales, albeit lining up in a slightly different formation.  No Todd Cantwell in the squad again, but Marcelino Nunez made it to the bench. Blackburn took the kick-off, and the initiative straight to City. They pressed energetically and aggressively and for the […]

It’s been a funny few weeks. A winter World Cup. Normally feverish excitement in the country has rarely raised above tepid. I fail to get excited by England at the best of times nowadays and this tournament has done little to change that. With one exception. That display against Wales. For me, it was a microcosm of City in […]

I usually write my match report immediately after a game.  My thinking is a bit like The Likely Lads – I’m trying to avoid seeing the reaction of others which may colour my judgement. Well, it’s 7.30pm here now. While I have avoided all other reports on the game, I’m still not even sure what I […]

The games continue to come thick and fast in this weird, World Cup-affected season. Following a morale-boosting win at the weekend, Smith put our a team that was evolution, rather than revolution, and one that few fans would have disagreed with. The game exploded into life with a horrific-looking challenge on Sam Byram by Iroegbenum.  At […]

It is not often that I find myself staring at a metaphorical blank screen, unsure of what to write about a game. I think that probably tells the story of this game as much as anything. I watched the game from Delhi, with my Liverpool-supporting friend.  After my groans of despair when the team news […]

Following last week’s dismal no-show against Luton, something needed to change. When Dean Smith emerged from the Brammall Lane tunnel before the game and acknowledged the travelling contingent, it seems that if nothing else, he has recognised the necessity to engage with the fans. Both Isaac Hayden and Dimi Giannouloi, described as not ready to […]

It’s amazing how quickly things change.  Only a week or so ago, City were nine games unbeaten. Whilst the performances were not totally convincing, City were widely expected to kick on from there.  Now, coming into what looked like the easiest game of a tough October they were without a win in five.  Dean Smith […]

The joys of international travel have restricted my opportunities to watch the last few games apart from the odd half here or there. But normal service was resumed last night. Dean Smith made a key decision when it came to his team selection. Few would argue with the inclusion of the fit-again Liam Gibbs, however […]