Seatbelts on? As expected, the rollercoaster is well and truly underway. City have gone through a loop already and now we’re only on the first of a few probable drops this season!
This international break will be a bit of much-needed respite for our beloved Canaries, as they looked completely short of ideas and edge against both ends of the table – high-flying Wolves and blundering Bolton.
It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that the one shining light of late has been James Maddison. Looking more lively and more involved in each game he plays, the midfield man absolutely deserves his England Under-21 call-up, joining big Angus Gunn in the national limelight.
Now, is it just me, or is it that attention and recognition that as well as feeling a sense of pride, also gets the nervous Norwich City fan out from within?
I’m not looking forward to hearing about the rumoured approaches within the January transfer window for our ‘new-found’ talent, that’s for sure! I’ll be looking forward to the window ‘slamming shut’.
On top of that, City have seemingly unearthed another gem in the mighty midfield maestro, Tom Trybull. Despite his latest two performances being sub-standard, I’m sure any switched-on side in this league will swoop if he’s not on a new contract soon. Saying that, I think he probably enjoys his dog walks around Whitlingham Lake far too much to leave our beautiful city.
For me, it’s all eyes on the gaffer, Daniel Farke, to turn around the latest dip in form. Whatever whiteboard he used after ‘that’ Millwall horror show, it’s time to use it again and get back to the basics, the technique the players credited Farke with whilst on our impressive unbeaten run.
Everyone knows that apart from defending set-pieces, the most important area that needs drastic improvement is our lack of clinical X-Factor that those attacking players seem to be under the spell of in front of goal. Sadly, the stats back it up too. Despite the fact that Norwich are averaging 13.9 shots per game, with only four teams having a higher average, we’re only getting 3.8 of those on target. Only Championship strugglers Bolton and Birmingham have a worse record. Not to rub salt further into your wound.
Despite the latest dismal displays, I’m definitely optimistic as well as hopeful that we’ll be more than able to get back on the right track again. Tactically, Farke knows what it takes, it’s safe to say – after the impressive run he’s proved that. Then personnel-wise, every member of the yellow army will be licking their lips at the thought that not so far into the distant future we’ll be seeing ‘the Brighton destroyer’ Alex Pritchard link up with ‘Lord Nelson’ up top.
Both of those players will, 100pc, bring a new-found energy and lease of life into our side. I’m sure this will help get fans on the edge of their seats again, maybe even in the City Stand!
Who would you drop to have Pritchard in your Norwich City line-up though? That’s a call I wouldn’t want to make, but what a wonderful problem Farke will have to deal with shortly.
This time next week we’ll be up against Barnsley, another tough game at home. Putting their funny goal celebration GIFS to one side, they’ve not been an easy side to play against this season. However, they have conceded one goal more than City, if you want to read anything into that stat...
Heck, it’s alright to admit that the players aren’t the only ones who’ve needed this international break! Let’s get the Barclay bouncing again and do everything we can with our voices to drag our team across the line.
On The Ball, City!
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