Derby Comeback Hints at New Strength
By: Edward | November 6th, 2007
Norwich, for the first time in a very long time, came back from the brink in the game of all games for those living in Norfolk. The East Anglian derby is always a great affair, but with Norwich’s crucial plight this season it acquired even greater importance. Would Ipswich come to Carrow Road on the top of their impressive form and knock us another step towards League One as they headed towards Championship play-offs? At half-time it looked likely with goals from Alan Lee and Counago leaving Norwich 2-0 down. However, with a better playing performance from the likes of Brellier, Cureton and Russell empowering the team it seemed possible that some optimism would survive the scary outcome facing us in the interval.
Glenn Roeder, the man dubbed sarcastically by some Norwich fans as “Mr Charisma” said something at half time. What that was must surely be profound because Norwich fought back in a style not seen in recent games. The new loan signing Martin Taylor created a goal that was later credited as a deflection off Ipswich’s Owen Garvan on 54 minutes. The atmosphere of the game changed then. Cureton, having missed two great chances previously, put away the third on 67 minutes leaving Norwich with what should be the greatest gift to their confidence this season. We pressured, and played well but the scoreline finished 2-2 at full-time. To be honest, I make no complaints. That would be insane given the run of form before this game. At half-time it was unthinkable, now we know that the team still has the capacity to compete. If Roeder makes that derby performance permenant, and we climb out of this dangerous position, he will always be a favourite at Carrow Road. Yes, only a point. But after losing so many games consistently, and scoring so few goals, this really could be the sign of a team believing they can win this battle. I am not naive enough like some callers on Radio Norfolk’s Canary Call after Sunday’s game to believe that we will end up marching to mid-table or the play-offs. That at the moment is dangerous fantasy. Out of the bottom three, consolidate, and move on is what we should be obsessed with. The important thing now is to maintain a new mentality and not fracture like we have done so far this season.
Norwich face top of the table Watford tonight at Carrow Road. Watford lost to West Brom 3-0 at the weekend, I only hope their form does not recover in time for tonight and Norwich give them no opportunity to stroll back to a victorious run of form. Let’s wait and see!
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