Edit - DDF was on ‘player watch’ at the Liberty yesterday and this is his report on Pukki - 'Verdict: The crucial goal City needed, after forcing the opener and playing a key role in the third – you just can’t underestimate how important Pukki is to the Canaries. A total of 11 goals and four assists from 17 games in all competitions, the free signing every Championship club now wishes they’d made.' #brilliantsigning
My favourite quote from the comments: impressive stuff by the canaries sees them soar over the owls and into third place in the all bird intra bird table. the swans on the other hand remain sitting on the newspaper lining the bottom of the cage with just one measly point from three matches played.
That could well happen, JMF. Rotherham have been doing well lately, holding Boro to a goaless draw at Boro. The packed defences will be a test of our current attacking strength. Pass those tests and we have a real chance of promotion.
Luckily, 2 are at home, so we'll have the crowd YELLING the team on!!! Edit - message for KIO - send your ex-manager this headline - 'Paddy Davitt verdict: Pause, play, repeat. Irresistible Norwich City a compelling watch' and a link to the article - 'https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...-1-cahmpionship-win-at-swansea-city-1-5794023'
Great article, JMF. I liked this bit: "There is an assurance and a self-confidence bordering on arrogance. It is stamped through City’s play in the moments they are under the microscope. Farke has a group who know they are good, who know in all probability they can achieve promotion or at the very least stay in the conversation for the rest of a season of rapid progress. In that context, when the Canaries are over-achieving beyond the horizons of even the most optimistic fan, there really is no pressure or expectation. No burden from leading the pack." The underlying confidence is bolstered by each win and if they can now break down the packed defences coming up, they could just push their lead further. Swansea was a big test and one they passed with flying colours.
I've just reread Gary's article and recommend it to any who haven't seen it: "It’s not just about two points per game, or six on the bounce, or four goals in each of the last three – it’s the way it’s all being done, with the beautiful football, the swagger and the unerring belief that their way is the right way. Seldom in my 40+ years of supporting this club can I recall it this good. There has been some beautiful football of course. The Bond years dished up some lovely stuff, as obviously did the Stringer and Walker years when they had one Ian Crook to spray passes around with seemingly not a care in the world. But this feels like the passing game has been transported to another level, even with the added addition of mixing it up a little bit more, which has been one of the tweaks that has propelled us forward." As another who goes back 40+ years with City I can remember similar feelings when we were on top of the then 1st Division for most of the season before finally slipping down to 3rd place, which of course produced our finest moment in Munich. This does feel like that again because of the quality of football we're producing match after match. The Lambert promotion year was exciting, but was through battling rather than beautiful football with battling as well behind it. As Gary sums it up: "The big question is how far is how far can this take us. Forget talk of Bielsa’s Leeds (they’re injury ridden – did you know?), or Pulis’ Boro, or Moore’s West Brom, or Wilder’s Blades or even Frank bloody Lampard’s Derby – City are the best side in the division right now." Eventually others will realise that, but by then it will hopefully be too late.
Thanks for those FML and I hadn't heard that interview with DF previously. I'm LOVING the way our team is playing neat little '1-2s' to unpick defences and I'm sure I remember seeing that out of our 11 goal attempts on Saturday, ONLY 2 were off target. Compare that to some of the games last season, when ONLY 2 would be ON TARGET. DF in one of his interviews highlighted that stat. Not only do we now have a striker who's confidence is sky high, but the quality of the final ball is superb and 2 of Aaron's: passes have been ABSOLUTE precision - the one for Pukki V Owls and the one for Stieperman V Swans. He obviously likes playing against 'bird' teams and I see we've got 'the Robins' away in a few weeks!!!
Some VERY high scores from MB for most of the team on Saturday and ‘Bendy’ just seems to get better and better!!
Would agree with MB's ratings, though I'd prefer the option of .5 in places (Aarons, Lewis, Leitner and Krul). Buendia has been on fire in recent games. PotS is going to be really tough if it goes on like this. I think we might see Vrancic for Leitner (calf problem and he needs a break) but otherwise an unchanged line-up. Our rivals have tougher games, so here's hoping that we can extend our lead tonight! OTBC!
Sorry, but I don't see why Leeds at home to Reading should be deemed 'tougher' than our trip to Hull? What am I missing?
Our trip to Hull is tougher - despite their position in the table I think we will find them a tougher opponent than the Swans. I expect us to win but it won't be easy by any means and we may have to grind out a win tonight. OTBC.
But 'high-flying' Leeds are at home, and Reading are only one point better off than Hull. Yet RER reckons "our rivals have tougher games" but as I said above, a Leeds home win should be a banker. So how come tougher than our trip to Hull? I just don't get it.
