P.J. Davitt's Blog, page 9

That was for you, Emi. City boss on 2-0 Reds’ win

Daniel Farke hoped Norwich City’s 2-0 Championship win at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night was the perfect baby gift for the absent Emi Buendia.

The impressive midfielder stayed in Norfolk to attend the birth of his second child, Giovanni, but the Canaries continued their remorseless charge towards the Premier League with a ninth straight league win.

Teemu Pukki and Kieran Dowell’s first league goal for the club moved Farke’s squad 10 points clear at the top.

“Hopefully he is as talented and full of potential like his father, little Giovanni,” said Farke. “Of course it was a big blow for us in this game.

“If you miss one of the best players, if not the best midfield player in this league, and our main man it was difficult. But the lads proved it is not about one player, it is about our principles.

“The most important thing is everything is good back at home and Giovanni and his wife are doing well. I hope to have him back for Saturday. I am sure he will be in a good mood.

“Delighted for him and also that the lads could bring him home this little gift.

“To win nine on the spin is outstanding. You forget when you have to deliver every three days that you need to feel the joy of what we are doing at the moment.

“In this competitive league to win nine games is superb, and also the manner we are winning the games.

“This is a well-drilled side under Chris Hughton. In the first half we were fantastic. We scored two great goals and created many more chances.

“I have just seen the statistics, more than 700 passes, 22 shots, two goals. Great performance. I can only praise the attitude, discipline and consistency of the lads.”

Farke also reserved a special mention for Buendia’s replacement in the starting line up.

“I am delighted for Kieran. He has had a difficult season,” said the Norwich boss. “He looked so good in pre-season and then got injured after a nasty foul.

“It is tough for a creative player to come back into your rhythm.

monday.com helps teams work more efficiently to execute projects that deliver results on time.

“He had only some small 15 minute cameos from the bench and that is hard to impress.

“There was some criticism of him but we never doubted him, we know about his ability. You can literally feel him getting sharper each week in training.

“This was his chance to shine and he will have proved some of the doubters wrong. He was top class. The manner of his goal and how he linked the play.”

Not so fast Thomas. Farke dismisses Brentford boss claims after 1-0 City win

Daniel Farke brushed off Thomas Frank’s claim Norwich City can already plan for the Premier League after the Canaries’ 1-0 Championship win on Tuesday night over promotion rivals Brentford.

The Bees’ chief congratulated City in advance of their return to the top flight after his side came up short at Carrow Road.

Emi Buendia settled the top-of-the-table duel, and Frank is predicting Norwich will remain unbeaten over the run in after pulling 10 points clear.

“It doesn’t matter what he says. It is not a guarantee,” said Farke. “I remember some other comments that Leeds were the outstanding team last season and everyone else was playing for position two. Now we are 11 points clear of Leeds at the same stage. We know we are in a great position. To have 73 points at this stage is fantastic.

“We are also seven points better off than two years ago. That is outstanding but there is no guarantee the final 12 games work in our favour as well. We have to win some more points to achieve what we want.

“I will not lie. It was a spotlight game against one of the best sides in this league, who have the chance to finish in a top position. If you return to the dressing room with three points and a clean sheet you have to be happy.

“We didn’t allow them any proper chances in that second half, and maybe we missed too many. I am quite happy with our performance, with the result and another three points towards what we want.”

Norwich have now won six straight league games since a rare loss at another of the chasing pack, Swansea City.

“We have the consistency you need to be successful in this league,” said Farke. “We had a blip, one defeat since Christmas away at Swansea in our third game in six days, and they had a week off.

“This can happen. What is important is what you do over the longer term. You have to fight for every point in this league.

“You cannot praise my lads highly enough. Two years ago was Norwich’s best ever season at this level and we are seven points better off. We want to finish as strongly as possible. We are not too far away now from 80 points and that is the first step.”

Beaten Brentford chief Frank is in no doubt the Canaries are already up.

“I want to say congratulations to Norwich City. They will get promoted,” he said. “They won’t blow this. It is not mind games on my part. They are excellent. Well done to Daniel and his coaches.

“Our performance was good enough to win many games in the Championship. But not good enough to win against the number one team.”

City rejected Aarons’ transfer interest; Buendia Arsenal bid a non starter

Norwich City knocked back a January transfer window bid for Max Aarons but there was no approach from Arsenal for Emi Buendia.

Canaries’ sporting director Stuart Webber has revealed an overseas club did fancy signing Aarons, but both the player and City rebuffed the interest.

Barcelona made a firm move for the highly-rated full back last summer, with Aarons also reportedly in the sights of Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, and Webber admitted there was a fresh decision to make last month.

“The only interest was in Max. No other players,” he said. “That was ironic as it was the only one that didn’t get out in the press. I spoke to him about that. We are always honest if there is interest and what does that mean for the club and him as an individual.

“We decided not to act on that interest, with Max’s blessing I must add, because it was from abroad and wouldn’t have been quite right for him and definitely wasn’t right for us at that time. It was about keeping the squad together.

“Max, Todd (Cantwell) and Emi want to crack on and help this club be promoted. I don’t think moving in January was a topic for them. It might be different if we were 15th in the Championship and they had Premier League offers. We have stuck by the players, they have stuck with us so let’s finish the job.”

Webber echoed Daniel Farke’s bullish declaration before the window had even closed Buendia to Arsenal was a non starter, despite a torrent of speculation.

“When things are actually happening it is not on some 12 year old’s social media account. When it is, it is rubbish,” he said. “When this 12 year old says he has definitely seen (Mikel) Arteta at Buendia’s house, I’m not sure you should believe him.

“We didn’t have any interest in Emi or Todd. We have all seen it. Moves happen in January for the wrong reasons and you can look back in six months and have regrets.

“Those three lads are good players, good lads and it is inevitable at some point there will be interest. We will make sure we are rewarded and they will go to a good place, like Ben (Godfrey) or Jamal (Jamal) or James Maddison before that.

“Their legacy has to be leaving Norwich in the best place they can.

“Overall a good window for us. We made a couple of signings and we didn’t lose anyone we wanted to keep. That was a real positive. Yes we had some pressure for one of those in particular, not the one in the media every day, but it was good to keep him, and now the window is shut everyone can focus on doing the best they can for Norwich.”

City added Greek international Dimitris Giannoulis, free agent keeper Orjan Nyland and made a deadline day academy signing in Regan Riley from Bolton.

“Delighted with Nyland. I think that is a really interesting one that strengthens us. In the short term and maybe even in the mid term,” said Webber. “Archie Mair out on loan having a good season at King’s Lynn.

“We have had Daniel Barden play a few minutes and it will be important for his development to go out on loan next season. With Orjan it is a chance for us to have a good look at him between now and the summer, the same for him, so in terms of that mid term it really helps.

“We are talking to Michael McGovern at the minute about potentially extending his stay as well.”

City accept club record £25m Everton bid for Ben Godfrey

Norwich City have agreed a club record £25m deal, plus add ons, for Ben Godfrey from Everton on Thursday night.

The Toffees’ initial approach was turned down by the Canaries but the Merseysiders have returned with an improved offer that eclipses City’s previous club record deal for James Maddison.

The 22-year-old is now expected to undergo a medical within the next 24 hours ahead of completing his move to the early Premier League pacesetters.

Godfrey’s previous club, York, will be entitled to a percentage of the deal as part of the original transfer that brought the England Under-21 international to Norfolk in 2016.

City feel they already have enough central defensive options should Godfrey seal his big money move after bringing in Ben Gibson from Burnley on a season long loan earlier this window, when speculation was rife over Godfrey’s future.

Grant Hanley is also back in full training after hamstring surgery ended his Premier League campaign, while Swiss international Timm Klose is yet to make a matchday squad this season.

A proposed £20m offer from Carlo Ancelotti’s club, with a further £5m in add ons, was dismissed by City but reports in the north-west indicated Godfrey was Ancelotti’s prime target after failing in a loan move for Chelsea’s Fikayo Tomori.

He said: ‘We are looking for a centre back. Godfrey is a really good centre back but is playing for Norwich and I cannot say anything.’

Daniel Farke will give his reaction when he speaks to the media on Friday lunchtime ahead of Derby County’s league visit.

City were similarly firm when Liverpool made a cheeky approach for Lewis, before the Northern Irish international joined the Magpies.

Barcelona’s enquiry for Max Aarons got no further, with the Catalans only interested in a loan with an option to purchase arrangement. Barca confirmed the signing of Ajax’s Sergino Dest earlier on Thursday.

The start of the season has been dominated by transfer speculation around Norwich’s best players. Farke left Todd Cantwell and Emi Buendia out at Bournemouth last weekend, and that speculation is likely to continue with the overseas transfer window closing on October 5 but Premier League clubs still able to buy players in this country until October 16.

Paddy Davitt: Farke, Buendia, Cantwell and a game of high stakes poker

This now ends one of two ways. Either Todd Cantwell and Emi Buendia leave Norwich City or stung by Daniel Farke’s embarrassing dressing down they come back onside.

It really is as simple as that. Cut through the noise, rumours of bids (there have not been any as of Monday morning) and all the social media meltdown from their Bournemouth omissions.

Farke has raised the stakes.

Buendia’s absence from his Cherries’ plan could have been couched in the same injury-related bulletin that accompanied why he did not feature the previous weekend against Preston. Likewise, Cantwell. But the Canaries’ head coach opted to be searingly honest and brutal in his post-match barbs on Sunday.

He questioned the professionalism of both. He also firmly tilted the dial in the direction of Cantwell, Buendia and whatever representatives they have advising them working towards whatever end game they desire.

He may well be a player of interest but it would appear, on Monday morning at least, Bayern Munich’s highly-rated attacking midfielder Michaël Cuisance is the top priority.

Buendia was similarly linked to Leeds at the start of this infernal transfer window. That trail went swiftly cold.

But those recent comments attributed to him in an interview not sanctioned by his club should be seen through a simple filter.

Not of a player who expects to be at Carrow Road beyond next month’s deadline but of one who needs to have his name front and centre, should any potential interested parties wonder why he had dropped off the transfer radar.

This is a murky business and Farke is sick of it.

He has reached the stage he would rather field a Norwich side shorn of arguably his best available creative options to put a team on the park committed to the ‘yellow shirt’.

That is a sad indictment on all parties concerned. Cantwell and Buendia are two very talented operators but if the focus is not right, if they have others whispering sweet nothings there is a Premier League move to be had, then in the modern day this is an entirely predictable episode.

Cantwell had a superb breakthrough in the top flight but with that comes headlines, gushing praise and the raising of a profile which increasingly appears to have altered his relationship with the club who raised him.

What other conclusion can be drawn when the sporting director is calling him out for his very public show of dejection in that lonely pitchside act, when relegation was effectively sealed against Brighton?

The inference was Cantwell cared more about his own personal image than the team. Another stinging aside which prompted a robust right of reply on the young man’s social media in the aftermath. The mood music on the club’s pre-season tour was no less fractious.

The mild-mannered Christoph Zimmermann had a verbal blow up on the pitch with Cantwell during the Darmstadt friendly. There was plenty of other anecdotal evidence to suggest two parties sadly moving in opposite directions.

So be it. But until bids are lodged which meet Norwich’s valuations then both Cantwell and Buendia remain in Norfolk.

The wrong side of Farke, or Stuart Webber for that matter, is a cold, unwelcoming place.

That is another factor that should not be dismissed. If Farke feels his authority is being challenged there is a whole dressing room watching how this plays out.

To include either Cantwell or Buendia in his match day squad after a week when they have failed to reach the standards he demands of others on the training pitch would mean leaving out a Jordan Hugill or a Josh Martin or an Adam Idah. With all the attendant fallout that might induce and negative ripples around a squad.

Plenty who have found themselves in such a tight spot are moved on. The difference here compared to a Marley Watkins, Nelson Oliveira or Ben Marshall is the scale of the finances involved to do so. Farke may have questioned their characters but the quality is not in doubt.

If neither’s representatives can put deals in place that are palatable to Norwich over the coming days then it is hard to see how either return to the fold unless the jolt from Farke’s tongue-lashing has the desired effect.

If Cantwell and Buendia feel, like James Maddison did, they have now outgrown Norwich and Championship football then all stakeholders need to find an agreeable solution. Max Aarons would be well within his rights to have declared himself too frazzled to think about Bournemouth when Barcelona came acalling.

But he played on Sunday and his head coach continues to stress how maturely he has handled a whole different level of transfer madness this summer.

Worth stressing too even in the midst of his Bournemouth bashing there was still paternal affection from Farke. Cantwell is a player he loves, Buendia is a gem who when focused is a stand out at this level.

Go back just a week or so and Farke was hailing his attitude since that Burnley red card.

But if the carrot is not working, then it would appear the City head coach has opted for the stick.

As he memorably said one competitive game into his Norwich tenure in 2017 following Oliveira’s public show of dissent.

It is the name on the front of the shirt, not the name on the back that matters.

City new boy Hugill on Mr Nasty tag and unfinished business

Jordan Hugill is not out to win any popularity contests. But he is threatening to acquire cult status in record time with Norwich City fans.

The strapping ex-West Ham striker declared he relishes “battering defenders out of the way” when he was unveiled by the Canaries earlier this week. He also went onto state he was an ‘old school’ striker who can get on the end of things inside the penalty box.

Both traits were evident during his second-half debut in Wednesday’s pre-season win over Dynamo Dresden. In word and in deed Hugill already looks the part.

Daniel Farke insisted after the latest pre-season success the 28-year-old is a “perfect fit” for a club looking to shake the stain of relegation and re-assert themselves on the Championship.

“People might think I am not a nice person when they see me on the pitch but I have to get myself into that mode where I don’t like anybody because I am playing for me team and I want to win,” said Hugill, speaking at the club’s German tour base.

“If that means bashing around defenders and trying to upset them and making them focus on me then that means we have a lot of players in pockets who can get on the ball.

“When I came on the other day I said to Kenny (McLean), ‘the first thing I want to do is give the centre back one because he shoved over Teemu (Pukki) in the first half’.

“For me, now, I need to get settled at a club again and be somewhere that will be pushing to play in the Premier League. Whatever happened at West Ham, happened. I am not bitter.

“I am just pleased I have a new route to try and progress to the Premier League, so the end goal has not changed. It will be even sweeter coming up through promotion.”

That West Ham experience could have scarred many footballers. Hugill arrived for a reported £8m from Preston in 2018 but made just three appearances in two years. Hammers’ chief David Moyes made it crystal clear those odds were unlikely to improve.

But when you have come up the hard way through non league, and only made the professional ranks at 21, you carry a sharper sense of perspective.

“If that move came about again at the same time in my career I would make the same decision, 100,000 times over. I don’t regret it at all,” he said. “For that time in my career I learnt so much about football.

“I was working behind a bar six or seven years ago. If you had told me then that I was going to play in the Premier League I would have laughed and chucked you out of the bar.

“I was grateful for everything they gave me. I didn’t think it would happen. It did. I made my debut and I have a nice commemorative ball in my house that says ‘Premier League debut’ so I have those memories.

“I want more of those memories.

“I want to prove to the people who believed in me at West Ham to take me there in the first place I am that Premier League player.

“For me, personally, when they said I wasn’t going to get much playing time I wanted to go somewhere I can play, score goals, and get back to the Premier League. That was why Norwich is a no-brainer.”

Hugill forged his goalscoring reputation at Preston, where former City chief Alex Neil helped polish a rough diamond.

“He was brilliant for me. I got on really well with him. Probably because I was honest and hard-working, which is how I was brought up, and he liked those traits in me,” said the Middlesbrough born frontman. “I still speak to him now or whenever we play Preston.

“We had that respect between us that when West Ham came in he knew it was an unbelievable move for me and the club.

“Preston didn’t have to let me go, but he knew how well I was playing and couldn’t say no.

“Preston was amazing. I basically started my career there properly after I got myself into the team. I was proving to myself I could score goals in League One and the Championship. Then I became consistent and established myself at Championship level.

“Those six months with Alex I was playing my best football for Preston. I will always say I warranted a move because I was flying.

“I had scored 10 goals by Christmas that year.”

What you see is what you get with Norwich’s new number nine. Honesty, hard work and a healthy disrespect for any opponent standing between him and the Canaries’ bid to plot a swift return to the big time.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone, but more importantly I’m looking forward to succeeding with everyone.”

The inside story on City, Liverpool and Jamal Lewis saga

Jamal Lewis reportedly cut short a holiday to seal a ‘dream move’ to Liverpool. He might need another to stop his head spinning before Norwich City begin their Championship quest.

Not that it is any laughing matter. Not for a 22-year-old who was at the centre of a feeding frenzy before, during and after Liverpool’s very public pursuit played out through favoured media.

Such as it was. One emailed offer last Wednesday night around 9:30pm, to Stuart Webber’s inbox before an immediate rejection was returned.

A brief message containing proposed figures that would have represented a fifth of what Manchester City paid to a fellow relegated club, Bournemouth, for Nathan Ake. Allied to very ambitious clauses inserted for future earnings, such as Lewis’ leading role in another Champions League victory for Jurgen Klopp’s men.

That, after a day when the club had been bombarded by media requests informing them of an incoming offer from Merseyside.

Not that it is any laughing matter. Not for a 22-year-old who was at the centre of a feeding frenzy before, during and after Liverpool’s very public pursuit played out through favoured media.

Such as it was. One emailed offer last Wednesday night around 9:30pm, to Stuart Webber’s inbox before an immediate rejection was returned.

A brief message containing proposed figures that would have represented a fifth of what Manchester City paid to a fellow relegated club, Bournemouth, for Nathan Ake. Allied to very ambitious clauses inserted for future earnings, such as Lewis’ leading role in another Champions League victory for Jurgen Klopp’s men.

That, after a day when the club had been bombarded by media requests informing them of an incoming offer from Merseyside.

That Liverpool did not return with an improved bid and within days had unveiled Kostas Tsimikas from Olympiakos left more questions than answers. Certainly for Norwich.

Tsimikas himself has since suggested his move was already well underway by the time his former club were exiting the Europa League at Wolves.

That came barely 24 hours after contact had been made with the Canaries.

Whether Lewis was a bargaining chip or whether the Reds were prepared to see which of the two chases paid off first is open to debate. The voluminous slew of social media opinion has raged for days since.

There are plenty of Norwich fans who share the club’s own view a lack of respect was shown.

All the more puzzling given Webber and fellow executive committee member Zoe Ward built relationships that still endure with Liverpool from their previous time working on Merseyside.

Now the fear for many of those same Norwich fans is they have to repair one with a player who had the chance taken away to join the Premier League, World and still European champions.

There has been no rupture.

Both Lewis and his representative were as surprised as his club to discover the scale of Liverpool’s modest offer, even in the current economic climate. There has been no fallout. There will be no downing of tools or any transfer request.

City’s top brass were mindful of the negative currents this could unleash around a tight knit dressing room and have already sought to limit any repercussions.

Lewis’ maturity saw him emerge as the first of Daniel Farke’s fledglings to cement a place in Norwich’s first team. But the last few days must have left him bruised, dazed and upset.

Who would not want to jump at the chance to work with Klopp and his galaxy of talent?

The Northern Irish international was no different. It is a mark perhaps of his self-confidence he was ready to take his chance to compete with Andy Robertson. But Lewis can also see the bigger picture.

There will be other offers and other interest, if he continues his accelerated progress.

Liverpool in the short term viewed him, or for that matter Tsimikas, as a prospective signing that could provide back up and challenge the Scot on the left of the Reds’ superb defence.

Yes the champions of England have a duty to their own club and vast fan base, and no doubt a summer transfer strategy where sourcing an understudy to a player yet in his prime hardly ranked as a top priority.

But City should not be disrespected or called into questioned for attaching a different value to Lewis. Or Ben Godfrey, Max Aarons, Todd Cantwell and Emi Buendia.

That was another crucial factor in play. Norwich will not undersell one of their best and brightest, if it unleashes potential demands for similar parity in this transfer window from the rest, should clubs come knocking.

Webber could not have been clearer following relegation.

None of the above leave for less than they received in tougher financial territory for James Maddison.

Many Norwich fans have already noted reports Liverpool will now potentially listen to offers for one of their own in Harry Wilson.

A homegrown player contracted to the Reds for the same length as Lewis is to Norwich. A player who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, where he made three more Premier League appearances, and currently has five more international caps.

Wilson is yet to appear for his parent club in the Premier League. Yet the Welshman is now being touted for £20m. Sound familiar?

If that is the going market rate for the 23-year-old then it is hard to see why Liverpool felt they could lift Lewis for less than half that amount. If they wanted him at all.

The wheel has already turned. Liverpool have their man. Norwich have Lewis.

Webber embraces ‘scapegoat’ tag after City’s relegation

Stuart Webber insists he fits the bill if Norwich City fans want a scapegoat following Premier League relegation – while confirming Daniel Farke will lead the Championship fightback.

The club’s sporting director revealed at Colney on Monday the planning is already well underway, after a wretched top-flight season ended in a swift return to the Football League.

“We don’t have any time to cry. No one has died here. The reality is we got relegated from a league we probably should have got relegated,” he said. “We went to war without a gun really. We have to make sure if we get back there we are fully armed.

“If we sit here looking to blame people it doesn’t help us.

“But if supporters do want someone to blame, blame me. I am in charge of the football strategy. I make the calls. Every player or member of staff who is here I have made the call and given them a contract. If you want a scapegoat, you are looking at him. I have no problem.

“It doesn’t bother me. It won’t affect me. I don’t have an ego.

“Now it is about moving forward. I got it badly wrong. I am not ashamed to admit that. But I am not sulking or lying on a football pitch hoping someone takes a picture of me. What is the best way to fix this? By putting it right.”

City’s head coach had to bat away questions whether he is the right man for the job in the wake of a 4-0 home defeat to West Ham.

“From my side it is really clear. We want Daniel to stay,” said Webber. “What he has done for this club is unbelievable.

“Now is the time for us to back him, not to talk badly or put undue pressure on him. He will be here, as far as I am concerned, for as long as he wants to be here. If he doesn’t then that is a call he makes himself.

“He has two years left on his contract and all I can say is the work we did in the past two or three months on the planning is not that of a man who is lined up to be somewhere else.

“We are not a club trying to make a change. We are in the Championship next year.

“Why wouldn’t you want a guy who won that league with 94 points?

“Like I say, if you want someone to blame, it is not him. Get behind him and the players. That is what him and his staff need. Not a lot of noise and so-called experts.

“He has done his best with a group of players who were ultimately not good enough at this level.”

Paddy’s Pointers: Five observations from City’s dire 3-0 Premier League loss to Southampton

Group Football Editor Paddy Davitt delivers his Southampton verdict after the Canaries’ 3-0 Premier League home defeat.

1. Sterile

Off the pitch and most definitely on it. This was Norwich’s chance to make a real statement they firmly believe the great escape is possible.

What other conclusion can be drawn now other than Daniel Farke’s optimism has not permeated enough of those under his command?

Farke said on Thursday it would require Norwich at their very best for the remainder.

This was a long way short of that. Yes, further injuries and the bizarre circumstances of a return with no supporters after the game was put on hold during a global pandemic may be offered in mitigation.

But Southampton seemingly had no such problems hitting their stride.

City, bar a positive start when they could and should have gone ahead through the likes of Tom Trybull and Josip Drmic, were far too compliant in their own downfall.

There is only one place City is heading if this is the performance level over these remaining ‘play-offs’. Down.

2. Sloppy repeat. Or should that be retreat?

The manner of Southampton’s goals must surely sting Farke and his players. At Southampton they were bullied by Danny Ings and punished for a lack of concentration or urgency on set pieces. There was echoes here many months on.

Ings’ opener owed as much to City’s inability to clear a throw in as his run off Timm Klose, and unnervingly accurate rising finish beyond Tim Krul.

But the second was another avoidable concession from a City viewpoint. Cheap possession coughed up and then Stuart Armstrong found free on the counter, before waltzing back inside half-hearted attempted challenges to guide a low shot back across Krul.

Nathan Redmond rubbed in the salt when he glided past Ben Godfrey with ease to rifle past Krul.

It was symptomatic of the alarming difference in intensity from the two sets of players.

Saints pressed with a desire from the front through the powerful Ings. The hosts, after carving out those early chances, retreated into a lethargic, laboured session. Norwich have shipped far too many goals this season.

Nothing on this evidence has changed following the long hiatus.

3. Central dilemma

Norwich went into this game mulling over another scarcely believable hit to their central defensive stocks. The theme of the season remains a drag on the Canaries’ depleted resources.

Grant Hanley and Christoph Zimmermann have been ruled out of the remainder through injury.

Klose was pressed into a first league start since January 2019.

Ings cashed in ruthlessly but it was the mix in front that simply conceded the initiative to the Saints energetic, high tempo central midfield.

Trybull and Kenny McLean were unable to set the tempo in possession and when the Saints raided with pace and purpose they were unable to protect a back four working overtime.

Farke had seen enough by the time Southampton cruised into a two-goal lead with Mario Vrancic replacing Trybull, but the damage was done. It underlined again what Alex Tettey brings to the mix. Farke’s selections looked bold and progressive prior to kick-off.

But his midfield formula failed to fire. At this level, there is usually only one outcome.

4. Surreal sights

A game in an era like no other. Carrow Road has never seen anything like this. No supporters, just a collection of banners with inspiring messages draped around the lower tiers of three sides of a ground which, when Manchester City came calling in what still is the same season, rocked and reverberated.

The players almost apologetically ambled onto the pitch. Not quite sure of their surroundings. The music blared but there was a hollowness and a sense no one surely wants this for any longer than is absolutely necessary.

Those few in attendance observed social distancing and in the main wore masks.

But the only soundtrack inside the stadium was the booming voice of Ralph Hassenhuttl or the players themselves. Football but not as we know or love it.

5. Status check

Still bleak. Another game day. No more in roads made on the clubs above and the situation may look even more precarious by the end of this weekend.

City were always facing an uphill struggle. Which is why Southampton at home followed by Everton offered a chance to inject some genuine momentum and upward thrust.

Now by Farke’s own measure it is five wins from eight remaining league games. Minimum. On this evidence that looks simply unobtainable. City will press on. There is the tantalisingly prospect of that FA Cup quarter-final in the equation.

But the sight of Adam Idah and Josh Martin finishing this game already shone a light on how this might look when the 2020/21 finally gets underway. What no one wants is a sad, slow trudge back to the Championship.

Those fans sat at home will rightly demand more.

The post Paddy’s Pointers: Five observations from City’s dire 3-0 Premier League loss to Southampton appeared first on Paddy Davitt Books.

‘I am going to have to sack you’ – City coach reflects on Webber’s key role

Norwich City Under-23s chief David Wright has given a revealing insight into the high standards Stuart Webber demands to bring success to the Canaries.

On Webber’s watch, City have reached the Premier League and blooded a crop of exciting youngsters, transformed the facilities at the training ground, while dealing with the huge financial challenges of losing parachute payments.

But that excellence applies to the on going work in the academy to produce more talent like Max Aarons, Ben Godfrey, Todd Cantwell and Jamal Lewis.

Wright replaced Matt Gill as under-23s boss and he insists Webber has revolutionised the culture at Carrow Road and Colney.

“It is not all kisses and cuddles. Stuart is very good at his job, one of the reasons he is, is because he has to make some real, tough decisions,” he said. “I had just taken over the 23s, we had Exeter at home in the Premier League Cup and we got battered. We were awful and we had a coaches’ meeting a couple of weeks later and Stuart is there, Steve Weaver (academy manager) is there and he said,

‘That performance was unacceptable. It was so far away from the values and beliefs and how I want us to play.

‘I drove away from that game and in my head I was thinking I am going to have to sack you’.

“But he said when he got home he changed his mind. It shows you have to have a ruthless side in what he is trying to achieve.

“That is the only environment I know so it is not a great shock to me. But on the other side when a boy from the academy makes his first team debut there are emails and text messages going around, he is so appreciative of our hard work. We played Aston Villa at home, played really well and he sent me a text message saying he loved it, well done.

“But he is like that with the fans as well. From the moment he came here he has been so transparent, in terms of the financial difficulties he inherited.

“There shouldn’t be any surprises. That communication and clarity of where this club is going is so important.”

Wright, interviewed on the latest edition of the ‘It’s just football development’ webinar, admitted every member of staff know what is required.

“Stu came in and he has a vision of how the club should play football, how the staff and the players should be on and off the pitch. He brought people in who share his vision,” he said. “Delia and Michael are absolutely brilliant as well. They share Stu’s vision and vice versa. Stu has found a head coach who ticks the boxes of how he wants to play.

“Daniel (Farke) has been brilliant for the football club. From top to bottom it has been a pleasure to be part of. From where it was when I walked in on day one to where it is now, the training ground has changed, the culture, the environment, the people have changed. It is a pleasure to come to work every day.”

The post ‘I am going to have to sack you’ – City coach reflects on Webber’s key role appeared first on Paddy Davitt Books.