It doesn’t matter which bus you travel on, which branch you travel with, the clock is always an hour out. A fact of football life, I suppose. The weather turned sunny as we moved south, and there were rugby-style picnics in the car park to make the most of it. I chose a sunny stroll around Norwich and a pint of Adams in a pub with more Australians than is healthy, but at least you could still say “cricket” and get a reaction.

As the squad warmed up (in that heat?) there was no sign of Collins, Bent, Cana, Richo, Cattermole, or Fulop, but there was Murphy. Wasn’t he supposed to be thirty miles down the road making Roy a cup of tea?

Gordon
Edwards Noz Da Silva McCartney
Henderson Leadbitter Tiny Reid
Jones Campbell

So, plenty of changes there which was no surprise as Bruce had indulged in some early season manager-speak. You know the stuff “it’s disappointing to have to be thinking about resting players this early…” Yawn.

As we settled into the game, Norwich didn’t look like a side who’d lost 7-1 at home recently as they moved the ball about quite decently, and had a (very small and never realistic) shout for a penalty when Noz put in a tackle. When we won a corner on the left, Da Silva headed just wide at the near post, then on the quarter hour the ball came in from the right and Campbell produced a fantastic overhead kick that was tipped onto the bar.

Norwich then came through the middle but Gordon did well to save, then tipped over a long range effort as we allowed a bit too much space to the home side. Reid and George, not for the first time, combined to find Jones, but the header was wide. Soon after, Kenwyne turned provider when he rolled the ball in from the right and Tiny was there to sweep it home. We Want Seven was the cry from the visiting fans as Jones again opened up the home defence, this time to Reid, and the chip over the keeper was the most audacious thing since Bishop tried to sign Pele. Barely had we stopped purring over that one when Reid was in again and it was three.

As half time approached, Gordon got his foot in the was of another Norwich effort, then the ball came off a Sunderland head to prevent OG making it four, but three up at the break was very nice indeed.

Murphy replaced Jones for the second half, and, with the pressure off, we didn’t really push for more. Twenty minutes in they played some decent stuff and scored with a Hoolahan header, and we responded with a couple of breaks down the right which ended with Murphy crosses ending up in the wrong place. From right wing corner, Reid’s kick was partially cleared, but then pinged in off a Canary head for 4-1. On came Healy for Tiny, and we won a series of corners, before Norwich mustered another spell of pressure. When Campbell looked to be through, Norwich’s defender shoved him, he crashed into Ben Alnwick, and off went Spillane. On came the stretcher, confusion reigned, and off went Campbell and the keeper, replaced by the shortest outfield player they could find. Was the keeper injured, sent off, or both? Injured, and all subs used, as it turned out. Not sure, to be honest, but Steed came on for us as Campbell looked to have damaged his shoulder. Edwards thumped a special against the bar and McCartney managed to miss from all of a foot as we did little to test the stand-in goalie. Reid was getting a bit of a rough ride, and was booked when he decided to clatter somebody back by way of retribution.

Man of the Match? Several good saves by Gordon, a take-no-prisoners debut by Da Silva, and a lively left side partnership between George and Reid. Two goals make Reid my choice.

A decent day at the office, as you can’t complain much about winning 4-1 away.

Keep the faith

Sobs' Book click here...