The ACN Match Review 24/25 – Plymouth Argyle (h)

How did we play?

Unsurprisingly given the final scoreline, we played really well. Admittedly, Plymouth were not the strongest of opposition, but that should not take away from the fluid attacking football Norwich displayed. An electric opening meant that we could have justifiably been 6-0 up by half time.

The fact that we failed to convert a deluge of clear cut chances in the first half meant caused some initial worry. However, we were able to take full control of the match in the second half, with the 6-1 scoreline a testament to the impressive performance.

What was the best bit of the game?

Sainz completing his hat-trick is the obvious choice (more on that later), but my favourite goal was scored by Slimane. A lovely build-up followed by a smart finish to take us to 5-1. His reaction, running over the celebrate with the supporters in the Barclay with teammates, demonstrates the kind of togetherness we all want to see within the club. That sense of a collective experience is the bedrock upon which a successful team is built.

What was the worst bit of the game?

Whilst it seems churlish to dwell too long on the negatives, Plymouth’s goal predictably came from a quick break down our left that we failed to deal with. There were also a couple of other chances gifted to the opposition as a result of some shaky backline play (all the more unnecessary in this particular match given our aerial dominance).

What was the atmosphere like?

A good crowd for a cold Tuesday night, with a respectable number of Plymouth fans making the long journey over from the the West Country (quite why the fixture computer decided that this match belonged midweek is beyond me).

A good level of noise was generated after City taking such an early lead, but the home end turned nervous after Plymouth’s goal. While the crowd picked up as Norwich extended their lead, it was oddly subdued in the minutes before the final whistle. Perhaps this was because the result had become a forgone conclusion, with the sting taken out of the match. Albeit, this itself was broken by someone in the away end revealing that they were wearing an Ipswich shirt, who then, predictably, became the centre of the Barclay’s attention.

Hero of the match

Sorry that I can’t go for a more left-field choice, but Sainz is the league’s top scorer for a reason. His hat-trick showcased the excellent vision, great position, and ability on the ball that has made him both a prolific marksman and an indispensable element of our starting 11.

Summary in Five Words

More of the same, please