What a wonderful season!

I hope you’ve all been well and enjoyed the sexiest of sexy Norwich football.

It has been a long time since I logged on and posted, as the negativity and impatience was creating a very toxic environment on here last season. I’m assuming (hoping) it’s much better now? Got to say I really missed chatting to Steve in Holland, Usac, Loz, Norway, Dandy Highburyman and a few others though. As it has been a while and I’m overly excited at what has just happened, I’ve got a fair few thoughts to share:

You may all remember that I was an ardent Farke supporter and defender during the more trying times last season. I would say I’m surprised at this promotion, but as evidence shows, I’m not entirely. Que cheeky humble brag:

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Okay, well maybe I didn’t expect the exact nature of this spectacular turn around! To see the state of the squad and playing style during February 2018, compared to now, could not have been predicted (Naismith, remember that guy? Lol). Certainly not to the level the team is at right now. A play off campaign? Absolutely. Automatic promotion via champagne football. Surely not? Amazing to think so many wrote Farke off as a potential “dud” with hindsight.

That leads me onto what I was genuinely surprised about.

Stuart Webber, who I felt left a lot to be desired with during his first two transfer windows (and even that wasn’t bad as initially thought in the long term, thanks to a couple of players mentioned down below), managed to sign the players for those two key positions for an absolute pittance. So where I’ve always believed in Farke, I have to give a lot of credit to Webber now too. This has been the best save of Norwich on football manager ever, really, if you’re geeky enough to get that.

On those two players... Pukki has been a revelation. Technically, he’s not as good as Oliveira, but he fits the system far better with his relentless pressing and running in behind. He’s a fans’ player. The perfect representative of this club on the pitch.

Buendia has the potential to be an upper mid table premier league player, once he gains more experience, consistency and learns how to shield the ball effectively against stronger players. That boy is a special talent. Just a shame he never got the chance to play with a certain Leicester player.

While I could praise all of the players to an extent, I would like to highlight a few more:

Steipermann has been a revelation in the ten position. Sometimes he looks like a world beater, other times he looks like he struggles to walk and control a ball without falling over (part of his charm). But, regardless of form, he scores and creates crucial goals, while generally working hard and acting as a crucial part of the team’s high press. To think how he went from a dodgy reserve wing back to this is quite incredible, especially as he had the pressure of filling a certain Mr. Maddison’s boots. Cult hero in the making.

I’ve been raving about Zimmermann since last season and he hasn’t let me down this season. I think it was Usac and I who both said how odd it was he couldn’t get regular starts when he was defensively the best CB in the squad last season. I’m glad Farke has put all of his trust in him now. Captain fantastic. A colossus. If there’s one player that I’m chuffed to bits for more than any, it’s him. German fourth tier to the premier league. Another brilliant free signing too.

Max Aarons can be anything he wants to be. Consistent mid table premier league player, champions league regular, title challenger, England right back... it’s really up to him, as he has all the talent. The boy has made a great start this season though, slotting straight into the side and acting as two players in one with lung busting defensive recoveries and exciting wing play. Dani Alves of the championship. Amazing to think the team has gone from having two dross full backs (fight me, Pinto fan boys!), to two Prem quality players without paying a transfer fee. Well done the academy!

Finally on the playing side, Vrancic. I was not a fan of this guy at all. Lightweight, invisible, little end product, limited defensive contribution. So I thought. I should have shown more patience, aka practice what I preach. Last season I wasn’t sure if he could even tackle from a standing position, now he’s one of our better ball winners. He controls games, contributes a lot to the press, flights in perfectly weighted assists and scores some absolute beauts. Sorry Mario, I was wrong big time. You’ve adjusted to English football incredibly well.

Also, a shout out to Delia and Michael. I’ve been hyper critical of them in the past, as they have made a lot of big mistakes. But, there’s no doubt that they’ve made a perfect appointment in Webber, an appointment which necessitated them having the humility to step aside and accept their own limitations on the footballing decision side of things. McNally, Bowkett and now Webber. As majority shareholders they have made huge errors, but they have generally fixed them. That can’t ALL be down to luck. Even if there has been an element of fortune, there’s no denying their passion for the club, which helps to maintain a connection with us fans. They deserve far more credit from me and many other fans.

Next season could see some real hammerings playing this style of football, but so did the Lambert prem season and that was a terrific time overall. Farke has shown he deserves patience and time to adjust and build the team. He didn’t receive that last season, so let’s make sure he gets it next season when it matters more than ever. The same goes for the team. There are a lot of young boys who will start regularly. They will make some big mistakes at times in a ruthless league, but we have to stick with them, as it’s in the best interests of the club’s long term future.

Keep the faith.

Posted By: Common Sense Police, Apr 28, 00:29:05