The Canaries have taken the “Championship is the hardest league in the world” to heart.
Norwich’s late rally in Tuesday night’s 2-1 win over Blackburn marks the club’s fifth victory in as many matches, keeping City snuggled in the promotion race.
Here’s a list of five things we learnt from the midweek fixture.
Blackburn was a “must-win”
At one point in the first half, Norwich were the only team in the top eight places trailing in their respective fixture. Ultimately they won, but a loss would’ve seen them tumbling out of the playoff spots. But more importantly, the result keeps Norwich one point back from Ipswich entering the East Anglian Derby, where City can hop to third with three points and some luck around the League.
Alex Neil is a brilliant tactician
When the lineups for the match first came out, there were a few groans with Gary Hooper getting dropped from the side completely (due to illness). But Neil also kept Alex Tettey on the bench, as the Norwegian international was playing with the brink of a one-match suspension for card accumulations.Having the Johnson-Howson-Hoolahan triangle in the midfield was perfectly drawn up to keep the Rovers out the middle of the pitch, while the Canaries could keep their venomous attacking play. The trio worked perfectly, leaving the home side to rely on “Route One” direct long balls at a back line that had kept clean sheets in the previous four matches.In addition, Steven Whittaker (minus the foul and conceding the goal) joined the pressing offensive front throughout the match. If the consistency continues, any previous charges against the right back and his limitations should be dropped.
City’s bench is the best in the Football League
From an outside perspective, surely it’d be intimidating to face a Norwich-side that keeps its leading scorer on the bench and still as its forward prowess. Any critics of Neil not brining Cameron Jerome on to start the second half were quickly stifled when the forward netted his 17th goal in 30 appearances.Earlier in the season BBC broadcaster Chris Goreham spoke with Jerome and talked about how eager Canary fans were to have a striker they could put faith in. Jerome, a player who struggled in the Premier League, has clearly found his place amongst the Norwich team, where he’s putting in the best performances of his career.The forward aside, Neil still had Tony Andreu and Tettey at his disposal to bring into the match. If they played anywhere else (perhaps other than Declan Rudd), any of the side’s subs would be in other Championship team’s regular outfits. Certainly depth will be a major factor as the season progresses.
How long with this run last?
From table toppers in September to free falling into the pre-teens by November, the Canaries have once again found momentum missing since the beginning of the campaign.But how much longer will these performances continue? Consecutive away fixtures have seen the Canaries find their go-ahead goals in the last 10 minutes of play.As important as these last handful of matches have been, wins against Ipswich, relegation rivals Wigan and Millwall, then current promotion automatics Derby allow City to gain ground in the table as well as offer two of the easier teams on the schedule (Cue “The Championship is the hardest league in the world” cynics).
Time for the Derby
It’s cliché to say every game will be the biggest game of the season, but it’s true, especially when Ipswich is the upcoming opponent. While bragging rights will certainly be on the line, a spot in the top flight could potentially depend on Sunday at Carrow Road.After the Blackburn game, Neil said it best. “In derbies, it’s not how you play, it’s what the result is.” No one is begging for attractive football at the weekend. Then again, a yellow and green goal spree would be graciously welcomed.
