Birmingham (h); The Review

Biggest positive

Did someone say routine win? Complete domination in the first half (except for 30 silly seconds) and complete control in the second. There were a few misplaced passes here and there after the break, but really Birmingham didn’t look like scoring and it was altogether a very sensible performance. I stood with a smile on my face for most of the game that made me look like Don Draper at the end of Mad Men, and frankly this was the sort of no drama performance that we really needed at this moment in time – just to remove the creeping doubt that, because of our regular late shows and the high number in the goals conceded column, we aren’t the genuine article.

Weekend whinge

A frustration of the back four right now is the fact that no one seems to be having individually bad performances, and yet sloppy goals are still being conceded in moments where you can just sense a loss of attention. In this case it would appear that, after scoring, we underestimated Birmingham to the point of complacency and as Shakespeare wrote in Henry V: “In cases of defense ’tis best to weigh the enemy more mighty than he seems.” Something that Norwich City failed to do.

We cannot afford to have a similar lack of concentration at the back against Sheffield United or Leeds, otherwise we will be absolutely blitzed.

Moment of the match

Around the 82nd minute we were playing the ball around a bit and, as I glanced at the scoreboard I realised that we were going to win the game. We were in control, Birmingham weren’t really threatening and finally we were going to win a game of football without my heart leaping out of my chest and we were singing about Ipswich getting relegated. Zen. Like sinking into a hot bath to read a book you’re really enjoying.

Ahhh…..

Random star performer(s)

A whole bunch of gems to pick from here. Tom “Super Tommy” Trybull was outstanding, Marco Stiepermann had an excellent game – then there’s Onel and Pukki and everyone else – but, and regular readers of my match reports will receive this news with no surprise, my star performer was that boy Lewis. Maximillian on the other wing is rightly getting a lot of exciting attention from being a slightly more explosive talent; but all the while our Jamal is there at 21 years old putting in consistent performance after consistent performance as though he is in his 30s and considering moving onto a career in punditry. While it’s pie in the sky to think that we are going to hold onto all of our youth talent, I really hope Jamal sticks around and goes on to become the club legend we all know he could be. Football clubs like Norwich need and cherish players like that, they’re so rare now. Also, his cross for the opener? *chef kiss*

Farke watch

While the refusal to play Hanley may have seemed to the outsider like a strange choice, Farke made absolutely made the right call with sticking with Godfrey. Not only would a switch have dented the young man’s confidence, he has simply been playing too well to be dropped from the starting XI. It cannot be underestimated how unusual it is for a manager to take what could be perceived as the risky call on a young player, and Farke must be applauded for it.

Atmosphere rating

On a bitterly cold January night, with the country in the middle of its biggest ever political crisis, what else is there for 26,000 people to do than go and watch 22 men kick a bag of air about while screaming and shouting at the top of your lungs? Nothing. That’s what.

The flags and scarves looked brilliant as usual, there was a particularly rousing On The Ball City just after Birmingham scored and in the first half there was just, well, a lot of fun in the stands. There was a bit of low level groaning during the second half control job as we did lose the ball a couple of times (and considering what had happened against Derby, it is understandable that some wanted the contingency of a fourth), and it got a bit quiet once or twice as the fairly strong Birmingham contingent barely made a peep. Ultimately, however, (as I remember last season’s 0-0 with Burton with a shudder) it was still a hundred steps higher than what has been the average at Carrow Road in recent seasons.

A big thank you from everyone at ACN and Barclay End Norwich to those who helped out with the flags and everything else too, it was cold and people’s time is very much appreciated.

Summary

When I was a kid, I would often watch Norwich and would comment to my dad how it looked like the other team had more than 11 players, such was their ease at passing the ball around and winning it back (while, for the most part, we chased shadows.) Now, after just the 22 years of watching City, Norwich are the team who look like they have more than 11 players and how good is that?

Defensive frailties could be a worry now we move into a potentially season defining three and a bit weeks, but, whatever, if you score more than the other team then you win the football match – no matter how many they get.

Come on lads, let’s fucking smash ’em!