Win after win after win was bound to lead to a loss. The crucial thing was the time it happened. After escaping the last four matches rather dramatically with 12 points, Norwich finally crumbled to a heart-pounding 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough.
1. No complaints
City fought with everything they had. The seven minutes of added time were enough to indicate as much. At the end, no matter how many corners the Canaries won, or runs of the pitch from goalkeeper Jon Ruddy, it wasn’t enough to nullify midfielder Alex Tettey’s own goal early in the match.
2. There’s only one Alex Neil
It’s only fitting that Alex Neil picks up his third loss commanding City the same day as he’s nominated for Manager of the Year. The manager has surpassed any expectation laid out in front of him when he made the decision to leave Hamilton Academical for a stint in the English Championship. Yet in Norwich’s biggest match of the season, the squad mustered nil points, unjustifiable to their attacking prowess for the majority of the fixture. Corner after corner, City attacked and Boro’s citadel held firm. For as much as the home-side attacked, it sounded as though former Canary Daniel Ayala seemed the knock the ball free from danger.
3. Unwritten future
Sure, there are two matches remaining in the Championship campaign, but the 1-0 loss reiterated City’s season will be extended into the play-offs. Perhaps that’s good. In truth, it’s not. That Telegraph article from Friday morning proved it. Norwich made up 11 points in a late fashion to climb up the table and hop into an automatic promotion place.
4. Yellows, Yellows
But it wasn’t enough. City fans know it. Tettey knows it. The Yellow Army know it. Yet somehow after the match, after the 90 minutes and seven minutes of stoppage time, the fans remained faithful and supportive. As “Come on you Yellows,” echoed throughout Carrow Road, it resembled more of a rallying cry than a plea for Premier League promotion safety. The reality is that all hope isn’t lost. While the Boro result stings initially, perhaps even more if City lose in the playoff race, Friday night’s match would be remembered at the significant moment full of insignificant results throughout the season.
5. On to Rotherham
Were there better scenarios heading into City’s final away fixture match? Of course. That said, any City fan would’ve gladly taken a spot in the playoffs when Neil was appointed to replace to Neil Adams. All hope is not lost. It’s just a moment to reevaluate. City have Rotherham next weekend, then Fulham to follow. At this point, they’re guaranteed a home and away fixture in a playoff (unless Bournemouth and Watford miraculously lose, which could happen given the Championship’s remarkable climax). The full squad is back healthy and no players have picked up knocks that might leave them out ahead. If they frontrunners continue their winning form, may Neil use the final matches to experiment to find a lineup that will generate the maximum amount of points. He thought he solved the jigsaw. Now it’s back to the drawing board, with or without a Manager of the Year accolade. Although he’d probably prefer a spot in the Premier League, instead.
