Well I think its safe to say that was a very exciting Easter for all Norwich fans! The home match versus in-form Everton on Saturday was an excellent match between two evenly matched sides, although I have to say I feel City can feel hard done by that we didn't win the match in the end. Then on Monday, the performance of the season away to Champions-League-chasing Tottenham. Nobody should be fooled by this result - this was a sensational victory and thoroughly deserved. The scoreline flattered the hosts massively and there were yet again some ridiculously poor refereeing decisions, just as there were in the Everton game which went against us. What was most pleasing was the way the team ignored those setbacks and got on with the task in hand, fighting back against the Toffeemen and responding magnificently after the Defoe equaliser. Not only are we safe and sound for another season, I'd suggest we are still improving this season. We've had a few poorer results of late although performances have been ok, but with the additions in January of Ryan Bennett and Jonny Howson improving our starting XI massively, the future looks even brighter! Praise should be forthcoming to every single member of the squad for this season but I'm going to give my biggest pat on the back to Elliott Bennett. I've been saying for a while that he has got better and better with each game that passes and grown in confidence but that he needed one to fly in to the back of the net from 25 yards to really take off... I can honestly see him becoming a real star next season. His all-round game is exceptional and with all the clamour for Ruddy and Holt to be included in England squad's, isn't it great that there are others with the potential to figure in the reckoning in coming years - both R and E Bennett, Howson, Naughton - all potential England stars in my opinion. I'll use one of Lambert's favourite words to describe not just yesterday, but the whole season - colossal. And the way things stand, I can only see us improving next season
E.Benno was sensational yesterday, but every time he plays his work ethic is outstanding and unlike many wingers puts in a huge amount of defensive work as well. Really pleased for him as he seems like a really nice lad as well, very much liked by the rest of the squad who seemed so pleased for him to get his first prem goal
an epic weekend allround really for us, well above the expected points haul, and with really good performances. We truely can go out and enjoy the last 5 games now, bravo bravo all! Loved also the comparison Lambert made between Howson and Iniesta. p.s if two of Wigan, Blackburn and QPR lose their mid week games, then i make that mathmatical safety in the bag.
The defining game for Bennett, in my opinion, was when he came on to play at right back against Bolton. He was brilliant and the team kept a clean sheet. It's great that Bennett can also come back and help defensively with R Martin and Naughton.
Benno has been the most improved player in the squad - he's got better with every game and will be a huge player for us next season. Howson and Ryan Bennett have been excellent signings and both look like they belong playing Premiership football and I'm so pleased for Alby to be given his chance - his awareness created Holty's goal on Saturday (best game of the season for me in terms of excitement) and he was a real nuisance to the Spurs defence yesterday. We have an awesome array of young talent in the squad and with one or two useful additions in the summer we will be well set for next season. Bring it on - OTBC !
Can we have a mention for Pilks. Whats that 1 goal every 3 starts. That is tremendous back up to the strikers. He doesn't have the same impact as Bennet at times but has been Johnny on the spot enough times and contributes by holding that left side by the touch line instead of the diamond approach.
pilkington has had a tremendous first season for us. performances perhaps not quite as consistent as bennett but offers flair and width, along with goals and has had more attention than bennett because of his goals. i'd been begging lambert to sign him last summer so i was delighted when we got him and he's done even better than i thought he would to be honest! on his day, can tear his full back to shreds. he's a little bit better than mcnamee...
I agree with everything so far on here, but for me Ryan Bennett looks like the buy of the season. He looked as if he'd been playing in the Premiership all season, both him and Ward were immense against Everton, Ward looked a far better player just doing the centre backs job and clearing the ball rather than trying to be a fancy Dan and losing posession with stray passes. I've noticed a change in the last couple of games, not the systems or positional moves, but it seems that everyone on the pitch has had really good games, I couldn't find fault with any of them, not that I want to, but there's always been a talking point, "so and so looked out of sorts today" Elliot Ward for instance, but no, the last two games have been fantastic, full and total commitment from EVERYONE, including our incredible away support. A big well done for Elliot Bennett, he's had a brilliant season. ILD OTBC
as i said on a different thread, ryan bennett is a future england captain. pure class on the ball and mature beyond his years... his value has probably already trebled after only four games!
It's amazing that Howson and Ryan Bennett cost about £5,000,000! If we give Lambert £20,000,000 in the summer who knows what he might find!
It has certainly been a jolly good weekend. The missus is a Spurs fan, so I was not looking forward to the game.
