Millwall (a); The Review

Random star performer

Jordan Archer’s one of us? Odd that the Millwall keeper was allowed to wear a kit that’s a ringer for our fluorescent green. Not sure the goalie as chameleon interfered with play and though Archer conceded three – they were pretty unstoppable – he made good saves from Hernandez and Pukki.

Moment of the match

Christoph Zimmermann – in horizontal flight – powered his header from Emi Buendia’s corner past Archer for the goal that took us back to the top of the league. Shame on the BBC live texter who described the move as ‘from very close range’ How apt that NCFC showed they can mix it up; Zimbo nutting the ball with an apparently iron clad forehead and pulsing neck muscles that must be the envy of the Fightmare team. Zimbo’s object lesson in physicality in the same game as a Pukki goal signed off a 16 second move from goal to goal means that we have nothing to fear in the run in. Farkeball meets WAW ball

Farke watch

Wink alert – Daniel’s arch answers to press questions about the next 11 fixtures seem to have an aside to camera just for us – ‘We don’t pay any attention to other stadiums’ he says while clearly rejoicing not just in the other top 6 results this weekend ‘except Leeds’ but also in the performance of wayward prot’eg’e Nelson Oliveira contributing to Ipswich’s demise at home to Reading. Crowd Funder for Farke jodhpurs for the victory parade anyone? We’re allowed to say this now aren’t we?

Biggest positive to take

Shout out to fitness coach Chris Domogalla – not only has he provided the regime for Zimbo to become Supermann but Lambert’s streetfighting nemesis has managed player conditioning and recovery to ensure there is constantly depth in the squad – it’s like playing Zelda with unlimited extra lives.

Btw, shameless plug – check out Zimbo and Domogalla’s Rainbow Laces along with those of Wes and others at Proud Canaries Ebay store – the shutters go down tonight! https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/djana-logue/m.html?isRefine=true&_nkw&_armrs=1&_ipg&_from&_mwBanner=1&fbclid=IwAR2r-wZCiURGJTK4D7BbAZEPAGrWrsPrAQXUcsNxyOWHlb36WEDUAJGjy1k

Weekend whinge

The disarray at set pieces is incongruous given the unity and mutual understanding of the team in almost every other aspect of their game. It’s as if a group of synchronised swimmers were abducted underwater midway through a routine, perfection rudely replaced by splashing doppelg”angers spewing chlorine and weeping mascara. Everyone knows I’ve had no concerns about unclean sheets – atm the lads can just bang some more goals in at the other end – but it needs sorting for next season because we’re going up. We’re allowed to say this now aren’t we?

Atmosphere rating

3.5k Away, virtually ceaseless singing of Farke’s on a Horse, Going Up Going Down, each and every player’s song and the minute long hummmmmmm anticipating Farke’s 5 bursts of die deutsche Welle. I think the hairs on the back of my neck are going to take a hit in the next couple of months.

Summary

City triumphed in an exercise in measuring up to a physical scrap and imposing the Farkeball aesthetic on what could have been an awkward game. It was a decent effort from a team fighting to maintain its place in the Championship and though they played some reasonable football the gulf in class was evident – the Canaries clearly warrant a place in the Premier League. We’re allowed to say this now aren’t we?