The ACN Match Review – Sheffield Utd (h)

The atmosphere

I’ve long said Norwich fans like nothing better than being the underdog, and the sense of injustice that followed Baldock pushing Aarons into the advertising hoardings sparked a solid few minutes of chanting. Normal service soon resumed and the sense of melancholy that’s been present at Carrow Road since the doors reopened pandemic quickly made itself known. I remember sitting at home during lockdown thinking about how I’d give anything to be back in the ground, even for a stodgy 0-0, but now it’s just a never-ending misery fest. It’s hard to get excited enough to sing, because right now I’m just not happy to be there.

The line-up

Three strikers, one winger, an injured Núñez, and a lack of of any discernible midfield. What a lovely welcome back from the international break.

Hurrah moment

My mate actually answered his phone and agreed to leave five minutes before full time. Best moment of the match by far.

Boooo moment

My seat neighbour and I like to challenge each other to predict how a set piece is going to play out.

Neither of us could have guessed ‘passed to a nonexistent player only to roll gently out for a goal kick’. Baffling. 

Hero of the match

Twelve goals in as many games for the Under 23s saw Abu Kamara rewarded with a place in the first team, and the 19 year old got his senior debut today. He looked lively, almost immediately having a run at goal before being fouled. Many Norwich fans have been begging to see him in the squad for quite a while, so it’d be nice to see him grab some minutes as the season closes.

Lungi watch

After being hooked at half time against Stoke it was admittedly unsurprising to see him on the bench today. What was a little bit confusing was that he didn’t make so much as a 30-second cameo when our midfield was so clearly overrun from the first whistle. Again, I know I’m not the most objective voice on the subject, but surely when your most solid midfielder is spending most of his time being dragged out to the wing (this is no slight on Kenny, who was my MOTM) it makes sense to add some strength to the centre of the pitch. 

He was interviewed for the matchday programme though, which was predictably entertaining. I’m half convinced most of his quotes were made up because I can’t imagine him speaking for such an extended period of time. We learnt Lungi is “courteous and polite interacting with fans, staff, players and coaches alike, he regularly manages to go under the radar”. Five paragraphs on how quiet and uninterested in the attention that comes with being the footballer he is – and you all wonder why he’s my favourite. He’s a strange lad, and good on him.

Our post-match takeaway

Another season, another two embarrassing performances against Sheffield United. That infamous ‘late bus’ game in 2017 was funny, as was their continued fascination with it, but it does seem to have put a bit of a Blades related curse on us. They love to hate us and we love to make ourselves look like idiots when we play them, so everyone got what was expected.

Norwich are a difficult watch and have been for a long time. There seems to be no concrete plan on the pitch; our formation changes by the match but there has yet to be one which has led to a truly comfortable looking performance. We have a striker leading the line who thrives on through balls and perfectly weighted passes, yet we insist on speculative punts up the pitch. No wonder we can’t score.

As a vocal critic of our previous manager I think it’s only fair that I apply the same standards to our current coach, and although I accept the limitations Wagner is operating under he must take some responsibility for the current level of performance. Yes, he inherited a squad with poor levels of fitness and a lack of confidence, but his insistence on constant changes and attempting to fit square pegs into round holes can’t have helped. 

To give him credit, the only times this season where I’ve looked forward to Norwich playing have been under his tenure, and he did put out a genuinely entertaining and competitive team. 

To start with.

We’ve only just had an international break and I’m already ready for the season to be over. Maybe I’m part of the problem. Maybe my overwhelming feelings of negativity towards the club aren’t helping our dismal home form. But what’s the solution? 

Three more home games until we’re done; until we hopefully get the reset the club so desperately needs. What a great time to be a Norwich fan.