“Norwich shouldn’t take pride in the result – we made them look good.” That’s the narrative some Sunderland fans have adopted since Saturday’s game. Other, perhaps more sensible supporters, have realised that Norwich played a huge role in the hosts’ demise. Of course, some of the Norwich faithful are also eager to rein in this positive thinking – suggesting that we’re getting ‘carried away’ – probably in wanting a reason to moan. I say let’s savour it, as for all of Sunderland’s ineptitudes, we scored three goals away from home, and that really is a rarity.
Having travelled up and down the country as an away season ticket holder, I have a fair bit of experience of what to expect from a home side, and what to expect from the visitors. I’m struggling to remember a worse home performance than that which graced the Stadium Of Light on Saturday. Their organisation was atrocious, their game-plan ineffective, and their tactics non-existent. We played like the home side.
The Black Cats’ midfield retreated so far it resembled a tortoise cowering in the comfort of its shell. The void created in midfield would prove to be fatal.
Occasionally, I’ve questioned Hoolahan’s ability to play in the top-flight. His vision and innate ability to create a chance is unparalleled by anyone else at the club. But we only profit from that when he has time and space to really get to work. Otherwise he can be a liability. A luxury player.
In the Premier League, space and time are precious commodities. But if you grant the little Irishman a small fraction of both, he’ll start to work his magic. The better teams inevitably close down quicker, and physically he can be shunned out of a game completely. Sunderland gifted him acres and acres and acres, and boy, did he use it. I could watch those two flicks over and over; delightfully weighted, expertly executed.
But Norwich fans should certainly take encouragement from their own team’s display. In fact, as Jermaine Jenas was eager to point out on Match Of The Day, ‘Norwich deserve a lot of credit’. And for a Match Of The Day pundit to even notice us, let alone waste breath talking about us, suggests we did something right.
For me, the team selection was perfect. Alex Neil showed he wasn’t scared to drop a fan favourite in Bradley Johnson after his Palace performance was clearly below-par. This paved the way for Jonny Howson and Alex Tettey to hold down the midfield with supreme dominance, allowing Graham Dorrans to roam forward when opportunity arose.
What was most pleasing was the proof that we are learning quickly. When our chances materialised, we took them, unlike the opening day. Yes – okay – we needed a small helping of luck for the first, but then I always believe you make your own luck – unless of course you have Simon Hooper as the referee. Robbie Brady’s shot was an example of just that.
Steven Whittaker, for all his criticisms, took his goal like a top class striker. Like a Destro, or an Mbokani. And there was something so satisfying, so sweet, so simple, about the way Nathan Redmond passed the ball beyond the giant that is Costel Panitilimon.
The fact Redmond has scored two in two is also very exciting. I suggested in a preview for World Soccer Magazine that this would be his breakthrough year – that he was ‘coming of age’. So far it has played very nicely into my hands.
In his first Norwich City season he scored just once and that came early on against Southampton at home. Now having made a thunderous start to this season, we could see many more hit the back of the net. I believe this links back to manager Alex Neil who has made the strategy of inverted wingers a thing of the past. It may well be worth getting Redmond tied down to a new contract, because if he gets eight or nine goals this season, along with an almost inevitable spattering of assists, big clubs will come sniffing with big money.
Cameron Jerome also proved why he is currently our best striker. He led the line superbly, holding up play, distributing to Redmond and Hoolahan, tracking back. He fully warranted his standing ovation when substituted in the 68th minute.
I’d still like a new striker, but as we’ve seen the options are limited. The prospect of Dwight Gayle doesn’t excite me, however. Without disregarding talent completely, I think the main criterium for any new front man coming through the gates at Colney should be leadership qualities. We’ve been lacking ever since Grant Holt’s time came to an end. Despite Jerome’s uninspiring record in the Premier League, I do think he possesses that leadership quality. He has a powerful presence on the field – Lewis Grabban doesn’t, nor does the depreciating Ricky van Wolfswinkel.
Russell Martin’s position is the main issue in my opinion, however, I must concede that he did have a very solid game on Saturday. Occasionally his poor performances, and the instability that that generally brings to the back line, get blamed on Norfolk’s most popular scapegoat: Whittaker. Neil’s choice to drop Johnson makes me think he’ll be willing to drop the captain too, if we can get someone through the door before the transfer window closes.
If faced with with the hypothetical ultimatum of new right-back or new centre-back, I know which one I’d choose. After all, going forward the Flying Scotsman has been one of our most creative players; he offers width and was the catalyst for most of our chances vs Palace, including some of Grabban’s missed opportunities. His goal on Saturday reminded us that he does have two good feet, and an eye for goal. Unfortunately his defensive side isn’t as good – we know that – but with a better centre-back alongside him I think maybe we could get by. Maybe.
All in all, our trip to Wearside was very successful. Three goals, three points and a bit of confidence to take forward. No our squad isn’t perfect – I don’t think anyone has concluded that – nor is anyone getting ‘carried away’. But equally we shouldn’t write this off as not being a representation of what we can do.
A bit of positivity is refreshing. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed that we can get a couple of players ‘over the line’ to fill in the evident gaps in our squad.
