The season 2020 - 2021.

7 clean sheets in 10 games, the last Norwich back line to achieve that was Green, Drury, Fleming, Mackay and Edworthy.

 

Another landmark was reached today as well as we are now mathematically clear of relegation!

 

So where does vanquishing Brentford leave us? Ten points clear with 12 games to go is an amazing lead to have. We need another 17 points to reach 90 points. That's 1.4 points per match when so far this season we have averaged over 2.1 per match. Brentford and Watford need 27 points to reach 90, which is 2.25 points per game. Any loss blows a huge hole in that chance. Swansea's 2 games in hand mean that they have 14 games to get the 28 points they need to reach 90, thus an average of 2 points per game, but they also have to cram in the two extra games. If we average 2 points per game we'll finish on 97 points. As more games are completed, the challenge becomes greater and greater for those behind us.

 

Norwich 1st Swans 2nd. Barnsley or Cardiff from the play offs.

 

I really hope Barnsley can do it.

 

I'd like Barnsley because their manager is working wonders and it's a great story - but also because I think they'd struggle to make the step up. We need all the help we can get!

I can't make my mind up over who I think would be weakest in the Prem from Swansea, Brentford and Watford.

 

Considering that we lost to Barnsley in the cup and just squeaked past them 1-0 at home, I'm not sure they're any weaker than Swansea or Brentford, both of whom we beat 1-0 at CR. We play Barnsley away on the final day of the season, which could be tough if they're still fighting for a play-off place.

 

I mean in terms of stepping up. Swansea have managed to survive in the Prem recently, Brentford have been so close to promotion multiple times that they'll have solid plans in place, Watford spent many years in the Prem. Barnsley have been much more focused on Championship survival until very recently, I doubt they have a strong promotion plan, or the finances to invest significantly.

 

I think that's right, DH. I was being a bit tongue in cheek.

 

Brentford - not quite as bad as Norwich were the season before last, but often those better defensively when promoted are better to adapt... well at least for one season if you're Sheffield United

 

Sheffield United's main problem has been scoring goals. To date they have only managed 16, 9 of them scored by two players whose roles this season were meant to be no more than cameos from the bench -- McGoldrick (age 33) and Sharp (age 35). Mousset, McBurnie, Burke and Brewster have managed just 2 goals between them!

 

Beyond the strikers there haven't been many goals either. Last season their whole team contributed, especially wing backs and central midfielders. Nowhere near the output this season.

 

Yet another indication of how important confidence is. If a season starts badly, confidence drops and goals dry up. The Blades managed a good start two years ago and did just enough to keep it going (with few injuries) and survive comfortably. This season they struggled from the start and that's very hard to turn around as we found out in our relegation year. If we are promoted, the start we make will be crucial. Hopefully we won't be up against the reigning champions away first game.

 

We didn't start too bad though. Beat Newcastle and Citeh in our first few weeks. Something went wrong after that home win over Leicester. We seem to have taken on the boing boing mantle from yon Baggies.

 

Who did the Baggies take it from? Chalton?

 

Injuries

 

Never mind a play-off spot, Barnsley an outside shot for autos? 9 points off second with a game in hand, and most of their rivals still to play.

 

I think you underestimate the owners and board of Barnsley FC DH. Chien Lee and Pacific Media Group are serious players. Billy Bean's presence on the board indicates the general approach, very similar to Brentford's and our own. For example, Daryl Dike, whose goal beat Birmingham this afternoon and who has now scored 3 goals in 4 games, is a January loan signing from the MSL, exactly the sort of canny recruitment you would expect. They have far more financial muscle than we do, and will definitely have a plan. My guess would be that promotion this season would be like us two years ago, a year or two ahead of schedule. But they would have the resources to make a greater investment towards survival than we had (or even maybe have). That said, they have the know-how and patience to play the yo-yo card if they want to. Probably won't quite make it, but let's see.

 

So valid that it's going on more than one thread.

 

Seven wins in a row is an incredible ride, but it's the way we've done it that stands out to me. Often it's about getting the lead and then professionally playing the game out in a controlled manner. This is a much more disciplined squad, closely united with one goal in mind - a return to the PL. Every player knows his job and does it. As Paddy Davitt says in his latest 'pointers':

"Plenty of goals but also a 15th league clean sheet of the season, two more than the previous title-winning triumph under Farke. City’s boss spoke revealingly in the build up how plugging those holes was one of the enduring lessons he took from a sobering first brush with the Premier League."

That lesson does seem to have been learned. No longer do we bolt forward recklessly leaving the defence exposed. We saw this discipline last season in the wins over Newcastle, Citeh and Leicester, but it was lacking in too many other games. The experience gained has left a mark and that has been transferred to new players. The result is a more controlled performance which was epitomised in today's game. Collins hitting the post was an early wake up call and the result was no serious threats for the rest of the half. Solid at the back, the ball was worked forward with crisp passing and clever use of space until the chance was there. Luton were limited to 7 shots, only two of which were on target. Remarkable considering how worried some people were about this 'bogey team'.