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He is a potentially world class centre back. At the top level he is a tall, fast, two-footed, calm, ball-playing, strong in the air, highly competitive, level-headed, English Centre back. A rare - and therefore highly valuable - commodity. He will command - by some distance - the highest value of any of our players. What may occur upon promotion is that Klose signs a new contract and - when confronted by superior teams - we play with 3 centre backs, allowing Godfrey the slightly libero role. Godfrey would be wasted in midfield. There are many other players who can be found, bought or used at CDM, it requires positional discipline, but his gifts at centre back demand that he stay there. From a purely business point of view - we are self-sustaining let us not forget - our best asset must be placed in the best shop window. A fabulous player. Enjoy him now. Parma

I disagree. This team has handled the pressure superbly, we've had numerous games when the pressure was on and it's not gone our way eg Bristol City, Millwall (going behind at home and them equalising away), Rotherham when they equalised, 3-0 down vs Forest.... The nature of football is that sometimes things don't go your way, you have zillions of chances, hit the post, the other side have one break and score. But the significance of last night is that our system and approach worked. Despite Reading having weathered a huge amount of pressure and everyone losing faith, we still scored two late goals to be leading at 96 minutes. It's frustrating that we had a lapse of concentration to let them equalise. But people really need to keep it in proportion. We won 8 in a row and are clear at the top for a reason. Farke has kept the squad focused and in control until now, there's no reason why that should change.

Have to say that our run-in looks no harder than it did before, though - if we can’t get the necessary points from we don’t deserve to go up. It’s astonishing how one small setback (and only a draw, not defeat) is getting some people so vexed, as if we’ve never done anything but win. I can see lots of gnashing and wailing ahead if we - God forbid - get a draw (or worse) come Sunday...but we’d still be favourites and a minimum of 4pts from 3rd.

Put a beard on Emi and call him Joey Jo Jo a new academy product.

Here is our XG from last night... Worth posting cosidering the amount of people saying we didn't do enough with the ball last night. Overall we dominated in every area of the game despite not being at our best. This is dictionary definition smash and grab and 99 times out 100 we win this game. I'm actually encouraged that we can look off the pace like we did last night yet still completely dominate and be 5 seconds away from taking all 3 points.

Yup, Pukki and Rhodes both missed ‘big chances’ and Norwich made chances. Reading’s formation threw Norwich initially, but they adapted. Reading did well in stopping Norwich produce the kind of chances they have often scored from, the cut back from the byline and stifled the normal supply lines. I’m not too concerned and suggestions that Farke needs to make radical changes are well OTT.

I think some of the criticism is shameful, the comments about Steiperman beggar belief. Sure, we didn't get the result we wanted tonight but if they hadn't scored in the last minute I reckon that we wouldn't be reading this nonsense on here tonight. One draw, one, and the knives are out, Marco has played really well this season and played his part in getting us to within touching distance of the promised land. Yet here we are,people queuing up to get stuck in. I'm not his biggest fan tbh, but he wears our shirt and gives his all, even if it sometimes isn't enough to get us a result. FFS, get behind the Team, stop looking for someone to blame and help them over the line.

I've been nervy all day again and it didn't help when I arrived at the swimming pool and some amateur combo were attempting to blast out "Yellow Submarine". I didn't know whether to take it as an omen or not but it definitely struck the wrong note🎷🎵 The crowd were in good voice as you would expect and right from the off the boys were swinging the ball about with a bit of style. Reading were sitting back with everyone behind the ball and consequently all the early possession was with the home side. When the first chance fell, Pukki couldn't quite get enough on cross from the right after good work by Cantwell and Aarons. The visitors looked a much tighter outfit than QPR and despite having hardly any ball they managed to restrict the Canaries to very little in the opening stages. Hernandez finally tested Martinez with a typical run inside and a low shot to the near post which the Reading keeper did well to push for a corner. A breakthrough looked like coming at any time but the overworked Reading defence stuck manfully to the task as frustratingly half chances came and went. Hernandez then found spce near the penalty spot when Pukki cut the ball back but he didn't get ptoper contact and Martinez was able to spring to his right and make the save. As we came up to the half hour mark a loose pass from Stiepermann allowed the visitors space down the left and a quick ball in found Meite running onto it and hitting a first time effort from about six yards that flew past Krul before he could move. It was a typical bit of smash and grab and for the first time I began to think we might be in for one of those nights. For the remainder of the half City surged forward with an expectant crowd roaring them on but nothing would fall our way. Stiepermann tried to volley a bouncing ball from the edge of the area but again Martinez was equal to it. Then Pukki got on the end of a centre fizzed in hard and low from the right but somehow the ball ended up in the side netting. Cantwell then had a go at a rebounding ball as a corner was scrambled away but once more the ball bobbled a foot over the bar. Reading were defending for their lives as we came up to half time and City oh so nearly drew level. Pukki got a foot on Aarons cross but not quite enough as the ball sailed a foot wide of the far post with the keeper beaten. It was a bit of a sombre half time as we discussed possible changes. I thought Cantwell had done o.k. but it was impossible not to say that we weren't missing Emi. In any event a quick slurp of Jamesons put me back in fighting mode as the crowd got back in full song when the boys ran out. It was all one way traffic from the off with City trying to work openings down either flank. Trybull hammered in a thirty yarder that appeared to clip the outside of the post but a corner was given and the pressure ended with Aarons slamming one just wide of the other post. Then it really should have been all square as a ball came in from Lewis which Pukki powerfully headed goalwards only for Martinez to react quickly and turn it over the bar. There was a rare burst down the left form Reading and it was Miete again who this time thankfully pulled his effort wide. City were committing more and more men forward and Zimmerman had to be at his best a couple of times to prevent breaks going clear. Time began to tick away very quickly and Farke reacted just before seventy minutes by swapping Cantwell for Rhodes. City were now virtually camped outside the Reading area as corners were scrambled clear and shots were blocked. Hernandez almost caught Martinez out with a low shot but it went the wrong side of the post and yet another corner came to nothing. Now Farke moved again and Vrancic came on for Lewis with under ten to play. As we moved into the last five minutes I for one would have certainly taken a point and when Godfrey powerted forward onto the end of a return pass before rocketing a shot into the top corner, I doubt if I was alone in feeling a surge of relief. The crowd were going insane as City set about getting another and there was total mayhem in our stand when two minutes later Zimmerman's header arrowed inside Martinez's right post. It has been a long time since I've heard Carrow Road that loud and now surely the points were ours. Klose came on for Pukki as we moved into six minutes added and City looked well in control. Rhodes might have aced it a couple of minutes later but somehow headed straight at the keeper from point blank range. As we entered the last knockings Reading came forward down the right and unaccountably a player was left unmarked to lift a ball from about twenty yards past eberyone and into the corner for an unlikely equakliser. Oh dear. Dreadfully disappointing at the time but on sober reflection after the ride home, I would certainly have taken that point with five minutes to go. Over the last couple of games we've still gained a point on Leeds and held the gap to Sheff Utd. Five to go and still more than a couple of games clear, a bit unfortunate tonight but we look well capable of doing this IMO. The Yellow Submarine was depth charged but it never looked like sinking. Zimbo my MOM. Absolutely superb tonight.

Neither Leeds nor Sheff Utd will make it to 90 points.

If both Leeds and Sheffield United pick up 13 from 15 we'd still go up with two wins and a draw from our last 5. We've been in better form than both of those teams over the last 5 games. I might agree about them seeing it 'within their grasp' if both of them hadn't dropped points in the last two games but as it is we're further ahead of Leeds than we were this time last week and the same distance clear of Sheffield with six less points to play for.

There is an exhibition of Munch paintings starting at the British Museum today. It includes his famous painting, The Scream, which is described as a universal depiction of stress and inability to cope with the world around us. I recommend that you all go as it is a deeply moving and thought provoking painting

Franz ?

I think we owe the EFL a debt of gratitude for docking Birmingham 9 pts...the timing of that was immaculate in taking 4 pts off Leeds and Sheff Utd

91 points has never (since the current format in 1992-93) not been enough for second place. Just to be safe let's say 92 so we can ignore goal difference. We need 7 points. Sheff Utd need 13 points to get to 91. Leeds need 12 points. I know you're thinking that they can both do that, but they won't. One of them might, but not both. No one has ever got 91 and not finished 2nd. Only once has a team with 90 points not finished second (Sunderland, 1997-98). 92 will do it. Two wins and a draw.

Can’t believe the sudden loss of confidence on this forum. Hope the squad’s made of sterner stuff Our form is incredible. 8 consecutive wins and a draw. Last 14 games, 11 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss. A 79% win ratio and 35 points out of a possible 42. Including a win at second place Leeds and a draw with 3rd place Shef U. Disappointing as it was to concede at the death, it was due to farcical injury time. Reading we’re very fortunate and these things happen. We’ll be fine.

No one should even be giving time to the thought that a draw in the Leeds vs Sheff Wed game would be of any benefit to us, in any way, no matter how small, rather than a win for Sheff Wed. Current Max 1. Norwich - 85 pts - 100 pts 2. Leeds - 79 pts - 94 pts 3. Sheff Utd - 78 pts - 93 pts There really isn't much room for error at all for Leeds and Sheff Utd if they were to both finish above us! A Sheff Wed win, would mean Leeds can only reach a MAXIMUM of 91 pts. It may sound obvious, but every draw takes 2 points off the maximum possible points and every defeat 3 points. With us 6, and 7 points ahead respectively, at this stage of the season, neither can afford to drop points in more than 1 game. If either dropped points in 2 of the remaining 5 games, (whatever combination of defeats or draws that is) they won't catch us.

This, all day long, with bells on.

Yes, but this season we've done the same and we're... wait for it... six points clear at the top of the f*cking league. Most teams set up to allow us possession, and we beat most of them because we're the best team in the league. It's not like Reading kept us at arm's length all night, we had 25 shots on goal! Pukki missed three good chances, Rhodes missed a sitter, Hernandez pulled a great save out of the keeper, we had two excellent penalty shouts turned down (Trybull first half, Pukki second half)… and plenty more besides. And we didn't try anything different for an hour because it was working. Even not playing near our best, we were still creating chances and raining shots down on their goal. And this off the back of having employed the same system, and ten of the same players, for eight consecutive matches, all of which we won. And your Stiepermann fetish is quite disturbing.

This. And Godfrey wasn't quite tight enough to Meite for the first goal, but I don't hear anyone blaming him. And we shouldn't let a team like Reading score two goals against us, but if someone had shown you the statistics from last night without showing you the final result, you'd have assumed we'd won comfortably. Those games happen to even the very best teams from time to time.

Yep. We are appalling. This week whilst Leeds and Sheffield Utd have taken 3 points and 4 points respectively we have only taken 4 points. In the last 9 games we have only won 8 and drawn 1 25 points out of 27 - a disgrace. We didn’t play that bad Reading just got lucky. 5 games to go 7 points clear of Sheffield United so I make that now a maximum of 3 wins required assuming they win all of Millwall ( h ) Forest ( h ) Hull ( a ) Ipswich ( h ) Stoke ( a ). Leeds will also need to beat Sheffield Wednesday ( h ) Wigan ( h ) Brentford ( a ) Villa ( h ) Ipswich ( a ).

Nah, keep him at centre back. His skill on the ball is vital to how the team play. Rather than seeing his midfield attributes as a reason to push him further forward, recognise that we are redefining the centre back role with the system we play.

Make sure you've had all your jabs.😎

Christ, a signed up member of the Pinkun Illuminati. I thought Stiepermann was sh*t last night and that his sh*tness cost us the game. That is all. I don't think he is a sh*t player; he's had a brilliant season and has been crucial in our upturn in performances. I don't think the draw last night will stop us going up. I think Farke is almost a deity but got it wrong last night. This shouldn't make anyway cry into their Weetabix and assume that anyone (whisper this next bit because it's heller controversial) criticising Norwich players performances on a Norwich City FC forum is having a meltdown The only meltdowns are from those who drop their shopping at the merest hint of a suggestion that we're not the planet's greatest ever team and that every player is as good as Messi, if not better.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the team selection. Despite Reading's tactic of playing with nine in defence, 3 out of 4 of the scoring chances we had in the game were created in the first 70 minutes, with Cantwell on the field. All that was lacking was the finishing. Our chance creation in the last twenty minutes simply followed the pattern of the vast majority of our games, and had more to do with exerting rising pressure on a tiring Reading defence; Rhodes contributed more to that than Vrancic. And while Vrancic's arrival had little or nothing to do with the two goals we scored, it arguably had everything to do with Reading's late equaliser. When, for heaven's sake, are we going to learn how to defend properly, rather than leaving attacking midfielders to run unchallenged and take free pots at goal from just outside our box?

Jesus, Pete! Did any of that first paragraph make sense in your head before it all dribbled out over the keyboard and onto our screens in glorious stream-of-consciousness-o-vision? Even the thread title is afflicted with it! I agree with the handful of observations and sentiments I was able to extricate from the passage, though (ooer!) I do love the prospect of fulfilling promotion creams, though. Made my day, that one.

Although I’m by no means proud of it...I swear A LOT when watching Norwich. I think it is part and parcel of watching football to be honest. I always remember going to my first game at about 10 years old and hearing ‘The referee’s a w**ker’...I don’t think it’s had a overly detrimental impact on my life

Well we're doing a fairly decent job of it on balance (look at the table)

Yes canaryking ONLY not worried like the rest of posters. Draw one game and we are fckued

At the moment we only need 9 points from 5 games to gain automatic promotion.

Ok guys, be gentle with me, first time and all that. I’ll have a good look later and see what I can come up with, but I’m still a little emotionally drained from last night’s high drama!

We are actually in a better position than before last night's game. Third-place Sheffield failed to close the points gap on us and there is one less game available for them to catch us. In the past couple of weeks, the games of the top three show that we are all capable of dropping points.

And that isn't hyperbole? You're well aware of what you're doing, young man, and I'm not biting 🙂 Regarding your first sentence, yes, I believe it was working. And here are my workings: Over the course of this season – and particularly up until Christmas – we were consistently scoring late goals to win matches, overwhelming teams with our superior fitness and unshakeable belief in our own ability. In the last couple of months, we've got on the front foot a lot earlier in games, often leading early on. Throughout this fantastic season, Farke has backed his players and his tactics to the hilt. He doesn't shít himself if it doesn't bear instant results; we recycle the ball, keep possession, stick to our patterns of play. Last night we were creating chances, and plenty of them. We made one mistake, and were punished for it. I've queried a lot of decisions he's made this season – and of course we can and should query things – but check the table and you'll surely agree that in the grand scheme of things he's been right. We can pontificate until the end of time – "if he'd just made substitutions earlier in this game, and if he'd have picked this played instead of that player in that game, we could have won the league by more" – but ultimately any football team in history has had days where it hasn't worked out. I'm sure there were Barcelona fans under Guardiola, Milan fans under Sacchi, Ajax fans under Michels, who could see apparently obvious flaws that they believed would iron out perceived shortcomings, but sometimes you've just got to trust the system and its architect. And I trust this architect as much as any I've seen at NCFC, and that includes Stringer and Walker.

Just realised we're on TV that day. A song for the Sky viewers needs to be composed.

To be honest it was one of those false results that lower teams often pick up towards the end of a season. I was reminded of our 2-2 draw at Wolves last season. We were far superior and they had something to hold onto after the breakaway goal. Six or seven more points will be enough.

So there we go. If Cantwell is dropped it will be for tactical reasons, but if Stiepermann isn't dropped it is because he played well. Have you heard of cognitive dissonance?

Interesting. So, Cantwell had a bad game did he?

You can't remember anyone playing sh*t in a Norwich shirt. Ok. I think we've arrived at the crux of the problem. And I don't think Stiepermann lacks commitment, far from it. I just thought he was absolutely awful last night. He was almost fully at fault for goal number 1 and largely at fault for goal number 2 and ignoring those crucial incidents his passing was poor and he wasted several attacks with poor decisions. I actually think if I was to rank our squad for who has had the best season, Stiepermann would probably be 5th (Pukki, Aarons, Buendia, Zimmermann, Stipermann would be my top 5), so I'm not saying he's useless, but some hysterical people on here seem to think you can't criticise individual performances without automatically thinking that player must be god awful. It's bizarre. We had it with Krul a few weeks ago on the back of a couple of horrendous howlers. Pointing out that they were horrendous howlers and making the suggestion that it might be risky having him as our first choice goaly in the Premier League, should we get there, was considered pant-wetting or having a meltdown. You're not. You're hugely entertaining.

...and there was more in-date milk in the fridge anyway. 🤣 Apples

Ah, the bastion line of the flat-earther. You're wrong. I can't offer anything to prove it, but you are JUST WRONG. YOU'RE WRONG, OK!!!! Out of interest, what do you think constitutes a sh*t performance? I mean, the best pass he played all night was a cracking through ball; the only issue being that it was towards our own goal and straight to a Reading player. He also misplaced half a dozen passes, wasted several attacks and made a weak attempt at a tackle that allowed an assist for Reading's equaliser. Has anyone ever played sh*t in a Norwich shirt in your eyes? You can't ask questions like that. A wise old man told me it was childish. I did think it was you who told me that, but clearly that couldn't be the case, could it?

We completely dominated the game and no-one had an awful performance. Stiepermann was far from a problem for me in that game. Still linked the play up well and looked most likely to make things happen in the final third alongside a couple of others. No need for a shake up, we were all over Reading and in other games, on other nights, we'd have been comfortable winners. Vrancic may well start on Sunday - although I wouldn't be worried if Todd still started.

My comprehension skills are lacking when I'm coming down too.

Six points clear. See you at Wigan, folks!

C'mon, let's sleep it off. We'll still be six points clear in the morning. YEEEEEEEEEEEEELLOWS!

One of the most schizophrenic posts I have ever read. Are you taking any medication? I'm not taking the **** mate. I am seriously worried.

I think it says CITY. Looks ok to me.

Arguably very slightly less fluent in attack, but a lot more solid defensively. The team that won us the last eight before Reading hit the sweet spot for balance for my tastes. Mind you, Reading were superb tonight in my opinion. Their goalkeeper was outstanding tonight and they fully deserved the point for doing a Norwich on us at the end there.

What happened to 'in Farke we trust'? Lots of people with 20/20 hindsight accusing him of making an error in picking Cantwell on the back of eight straight victories. We had 75% possession tonight, and 25 shots on goal. Lack of creativity wasn't the problem.

Should help to lubricate the process of 'going up'.

Send Lambert a case of rough Scotch and a thesaurus. Apples