The ACN Match Review – Sheffield Wednesday (h)

The atmosphere

As the chant goes: ‘We only sing when we’re winning’. Not the best atmosphere Carrow Road has seen by any stretch, and it took a comfortable lead to embed itself before before any sparks of atmosphere really took hold. Such things are to be expected, however. Given the general mood around the club, and such an extended period of falling below our collective expectations, it will take a while for the veil of apathy to lift over NR1.

In terms of the sizable away support (especially for the kick-off time and travel disruption), my brother summed it up best during the match: Wednesday are in an objectively worse position than we are, on and off the pitch, yet they still seemed to be far more engaged than we are. You could say this is a result of differing expectations, but they’re a historic and well-supported club who rightly feel they should be performing far better.

The line-up

Three changes from the weekend, and what looked to me like a reasonably strong starting 11. The return of Barnes in recent matches has certainly added some much-needed potency to our attack.

It was also exciting to see Sainz make his first league start (more on him later) alongside players such as Fisher and Rowe. If we are indeed entering a new ‘cycle’, these are the type of players who’ll be essential for success.

Hurrah moment

The Sainz goal was good wasn’t it? Maybe the Wednesday defenders could have done a bit more, but what fan doesn’t love to watch a scorcher hit the top corner from the edge of the box?

On a slightly more subtle note, outside our goals we created three other really good chances from which we were unlucky not to score. Encouraging signs for a team who’ve struggled in the final third this season.

Boo moment

Wednesday’s goal summed up just how frustrating we can be at times. We switched ball goes out of play; long throw-in; free header at the back post. If we expect to progress and climb the table, goals like that should simply not be happening.

Hero of the match

The obvious choice is Sainz, with a great piece of individual skill for his goal and for the injection of real intent and excitement into attacks.

However, I want to talk about how essential Kenny Mclean has been. Perhaps not always taking the limelight, he was an essential link in the middle of the park and his workrate in defence pulled the plug on many a promising Wednesday attack.

Our post-match takeaway

Let’s address the elephant in the room. We’re now going into a match with our delightful neighbours in somewhat good form. Given their current lofty pitch, I’m not sure it’s enough to fill one with confidence. Then again, when does anyone ever feel confident before a derby? It’s the hope that kills you.