Norwich City Football Club

Well that was a turn up for the books. I don't do match reports as I kind of miss things with all the singing and shouting that I do and I also know that anything I write is my own opinion so feel free to disagree! First off due to train times I ended up under the Barclay with over an hour before kick off. The new layout is pretty good plenty of bar space so no queue for my pint! A definite improvement. I got to my seat and there are a few new faces. We have lost a few supporters and it's not surprising considering the last couple of seasons and the style? Of football we have been subjected to, as ever though I always start off the season in high spirits. Seeing the team on the pitch for the first time it struck me just how much bigger we looked. The addition of three rather large units has changed the look of the team and even Hernandez looked like he has bulked up. He must have got some free weights from Argos and been working out! My take outs from the match are, Max who? Stacey looks a much better player and was more open to the overlap and kept on going for the full 90. He put a real shift in and has a good cross that he hits early, we need to get Sarge to get in the box earlier and get on the end of those and it could be a good source of goals. Duffy just looked in control. Positioning and physically dominating for most of the game. I can't remember him doing anything that made me panic. Not the same could be said for Gibson. It was down to his mistake and I feel for him . I try to imagine what it must be like to be in front of 20000 people and have that kind of pressure but that's his job. Giannoulis I thought had one of his best games. I guess if he wants to go then he needs to put himself in the shop window by performing at his best, makes you wonder though. McLean was as McLean is functional not rushed and kind of did everything I would expect of him. It was interesting to see Sara in the back line occasionally playing it out. I thought he played some great through balls and broke up play really well. I'm almost looking forward to the McLean Sara axis for the rest of the season. Barnes is a lump. He and Sargent are going to take time to get the understanding but I have high hopes. I seem to remember just thinking OK thats a proper front man. Sargent well I want him to do well but he seems to be missing something at the moment. Maybe he just needs to smack a few and just give it the "Have it!" And put his laces through the ball. With the crosses coming in he will need to get on the end of a few more. That just leaves Jon Rowe. Well that was some goal and some game he played. I'll leave it at that I think. If he carries on like that he will be some player. A shout out for Idah. Every year there's one player that those around me like to get into and after the first touch it looked like it could be Idah. So when he managed to stay onside and poke the winner in it the first rubbish touch was quickly forgotten! I've got to say thats the first time in a long long time that I've left Carrow road with quite a jaunty step and enjoyed my pint and the train trip home. For me unfortunately that's my last game for a while. I work away and wont be back now until probably Leeds at home! OTBC