After a two-week hiatus, City maintained their winning form, snatching three points away from their former manager, Chris Hughton. Heading into the Easter weekend, here’s five things learnt from Norwich’s 1-0 win at Brighton.
1. No international break blues
There’s three ways to look at an international break. The first is to appreciate the break, perhaps with the pleasure of seeing the national side (or, at least Harry Kane’s first cap). Then there’s the disappointment of an extended break between matches, potentially altering a club’s current form. And then there’s the manager’s, “I don’t want my players getting hurt elsewhere.” Chances are, Norwich boss felt the latter. Yet all his players returned to Colney just as they left, and proved a week apart wouldn’t crumble the current promotion campaign.
2. Survive and advance
Friday’s match was neither beautiful nor ugly, but it was the perfect start to a two-match weekend. Bradley Johnson’s composed strike brought City two points from the top of the Championship, barring a Watford win at Derby. The win also keeps Neil’s undefeated record in away matches (just two home losses). But the victory also symbolized another message. When Hughton led the Canaries, his tactics focused on defensive football, worrying more about the opposition’s strengths more than is own side’s potential. Then Neil Adams injected attacking football back into the team, but never found the perfect team sheet. So when the final whistle blew Friday, and Alex Neil was down on the touchline, it reiterated City’s complete transformation. They’ve gone from a defensive-side that struggles to a group that consistently flourishes with an attacking style. Well done, Neil.
3. Depth quality
It’s always mentioned, but Norwich have the best roster of any side in the second-tier. The club’s first substitution at Brighton said as much. Wes Hoolahan, arguably the team’s best player in March, was replaced by Nathan Redmond, arguably the toughest player for opponents to defend. What other team in the Championship is able match that trade off? Later on in the match, City was able to replace Cameron Jerome for Gary Hooper, another potentially lethal switch.
4. What’s left?
Norwich have six matches left, but the crucial contest isn’t until 17 April against Middleborough. Between now and then, City plays Sheffield Wednesday, Bolton and Leeds. As for league-leading Boro, they have to play Watford and Wolves in that same window. Sure, City is outside of an automatic place, but strong performances between now and the 17th can truly determine the club’s promotion hopes. If City can produce seven of the a possible nine points in that period, they should be in position to jump into the top two places.
5. On to Monday
Hopefully Neil is able to relax, although that’s not exactly his “style.” All of the questions building up during the break have been answered. At this point, it makes sense to keep the same schedule that’s worked for the club thus far. Sheffield Wednesday on Monday should be manageable, but shouldn’t be overlooked. Neil and Norwich have found a way to prevent that—all while maintain an attacking philosophy.
