On the back of a rather unorthodox away win at Cardiff, having gone two goals down, most Norwich fans were extremely positive for today’s game versus Birmingham. Cameron Jerome’s introduction mid-way through the second half changed the game; suddenly we had an outlet, and when the first went in, Cardiff crumbled. No one knows what Adams said at half time, but it worked.
Birmingham arrived in Norwich with a points total of just six, and that had left them anxiously above the drop zone. Obviously it’s very early days, but it did provide some indication as to the side Norwich were up against.
Cameron Jerome showed his eagerness to perform against his former team, taking a snapshot from 25 yards within the first twenty seconds. His shot was blocked, and the resulting corner came to nothing.
It was a little scrappy in the early encounters, but when Reilly was given the space not far outside Norwich’s box he made full use of it. With a large slice of luck the ball found it’s way in to the net; originally deflecting off Hooiveld, wrong footing Ruddy. Agonisingly, he reached out – got a hand on the ball – but it was a weak hand, and the ball trickled on as Ruddy’s eyes followed it over the line. Michael Bailey described it as a goalkeeping ‘howler’ – I think that’s a little extreme, but he could and probably should have done better given the circumstances.
That killed the atmosphere.
Still Norwich foraged away, looking for the equaliser. Grabban came close from Martin’s cross, but he couldn’t adapt his body to keep the volley down. Birmingham sat back, and kept their lines tight and compact, for they had something to defend. They worked forward and back as a unit. Little room and few spaces opened up for Norwich, and so they were chiefly restricted to shots from distance. Tettey blazed a few high and wide, while Redmond, who impressed all game, also had a left footed effort charged down.
With Redmond on the right side of midfield, his efforts seemed to be channeled into more efficient outcomes. Instead of cutting inside all the time, he looked to take on his man and deliver the ball into the box. Not only that, the way he takes a player on has changed. Instead of trying four or five step-overs, he is limiting himself to one or two. That way he’s hitting full speed quicker, and Birmingham’s defenders struggled.
As time past and Norwich still failed to find an equaliser, players became more frustrated (as did the crowd). Grabban and Johnson both received bookings; the former not for the foul he committed, but for stupidly kicking the ball away afterwards.
City’s best chance of the first half came near the 40 minute mark. Russell Martin picked the ball up on the wide right, where ahead of him he had Nathan Redmond making a run inside. He supplied the tricky winger and just before Grounds got a tackle in, he stabbed it goalwards. It wasn’t a clean strike by any means. But it was on target, and ‘keeper Randolph was required to make a brilliant one-handed save. Lucky for Birmingham, the rebound didn’t fall to a yellow shirt.
Having survived that scare, Birmingham went up the other end of the field and doubled their lead. The ball was played into Edgar who muscled Hooiveld out of a challenge far too easily, before laying off Gray to pick his spot in Ruddy’s top corner. 0-2.
Birmingham should have been three up, but lucky for Norwich Jonathon Grounds’ header fell the right side of Ruddy’s post. He was rooted. Norwich had the blues.
If Norwich were to get anything out of this game, they were going to have to show some of the same character that warranted a victory in South Wales. When they re-emerged they were a different team – as in Wes had been taken off for Murphy. Rightly so too: the Irishman had been well below par in the first half and had consistently put the Norwich defence under pressure from losing possession.
Mentally though, Norwich looked different too, and within 7 minutes of the restart the fans cheered the goal they had been wishing so hard for. Martin played the ball in towards the penalty spot where Cameron Jerome was lurking. In a beautiful but equally difficult sweeping motion, he slotted the ball across Randolph and into the net. Game on.
The momentum and belief came flowing back; within 3 minutes Norwich had an equaliser. Cameron Jerome the man again! Rising like a salmon, he met Redmond’s out swinging cross and guided it in for 2-2.
At this point, Norwich should have really ‘turned it on’ and finished Birmingham off while they comprehended those two Jerome goals. Instead, the whole intensity of the game fell away.
The Blues were allowed back into it, and looked just as likely to score. In fact, Donaldson missed the best of opportunities to renew Birmingham’s lead, heading directly at Ruddy. It did require the ‘keeper to make an impressive reaction save, but either side and the scoreline would have read 2-3.
Countless corners for Norwich came and went. Most were either headed over by Hooiveld, or cleared by Birmingham defenders. One particular one came out to Josh Murphy, who leathered the ball goalwards, but it was unfortunately blocked.
Lafferty’s introduction lifted the crowd once more as Norwich searched for a winner, but it did not come. Redmond went closest, but unlike Jerome he couldn’t haunt his old club, as his left-footed shot went wide of Randolph’s post.
A point keeps us in second position, so it’s not too bad. Once again, it was a game of two halves, and although we’re managing to grind out results in the second half, we need to be far better in the first half. Hoping to turn around a two goal lead isn’t sustainable.
Ruddy – 6 – The first goal he should have probably kept out. Then again, he was wrong footed from the deflection so it’s a difficult one to call. Couple of other good saves.
Martin – 7 – Offered himself well and supported Redmond. Perfect cross for Jerome to get City back to 1-2.
Turner – 6 – Struggled a little in the first half. Not much specific to be said other than conceding two goals is obviously disappointing. Neither necessarily his fault though.
Hooiveld – 6 – Got turned and muscled out of the challenge for Birmingham’s second goal. Missed at least three headers at the other end of the field – you would expect him to get one of those on target.
Olsson – 7 – Not given much cover by Hoolahan in the first half, but otherwise didn’t have too much to do.
Hoolahan – 4 – Lost possession far too easily, and often in dangerous positions. Overall didn’t contribute much to the team and was rightly substituted at half time.
Johnson – 6 – Sloppy in possession on some occasions.
Tettey – 6 – Missed a golden opportunity in the first half, but otherwise a fairly solid performance. A few misplaced passes, and tired as the game neared the end.
Redmond – 8 – One of his better games in yellow; always looking to take a player on, and got another assist from a cross! Hopefully it’s a sign his delivery is improving.
Grabban – 6 – Drifted in and out of the game, often having to come deep to get the ball.
Jerome – 8 – Didn’t get much service in the first half but his hold up play still impressed. Took both opportunities in the second half exquisitely.
Josh Murphy – 7 – Added a bit more pace and width when on at half time. Like Redmond, direct mindset to beat the full back is refreshing.
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