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Showing content with the highest reputation on 21/04/19 in all areas

  1. 6 points
    So a little while back, my Dad decided we were going to sponsor the matchball and picked out the Sheff Weds game (I'm a teacher so holidays made it a bit easier for me). Outline of the day: Arrived at the ground (4:45pm) and introduced to Bill Punton who was our host for the day. He took us straight to the bar and got us a drink in the Directors Lounge, and we had a chat with him. He took us on a tour of the ground, and then for a meal in Delia's. He then escorted us to the Director's Box. He met us again at half time and again at full time. Part of the package was a picture on the pitch with the MOTM at the final whistle, and then a seat in the Gunn Club to be presented with a replica match ball by a player. Bill was with us the whole time. Bill was very engaging and entertaining, full of stories. He told us the best player he ever played against was George Best and recounted some brilliant anecdotes, about how he signed for us. He was playing for a local team in the Highland league, and the manager of Portadown was in Scotland on holiday and asked to take him to Ireland for a month's trial. He got chucked straight in the first team due to illness and the pitch was a mudbath and he couldn't do anything. Was persuaded to stay and see out the trial, scored 2 and then 3 for the reserves and got put back in the first team where he scored 2 in his next game and never looked back. He moved to Newcastle after they put a bag of cash on the table to stop him meeting with Arsenal (after Celtic had agreed to sign him then reneged due to his religion!) and then we picked him up from there and he played 8 years for us. We let him go as we didn't want to pay for an operation he needed but he refused to uproot his young family so stayed in Norfolk and trained with Norwich on a daily basis, just turning out for Sheffield Utd and then Scunthorpe on match days - totally different era. Meal in Delia's was off a limited menu but was excellent food. Bill was quite forthright in making sure there was plenty of wine and the service was fantastic. Tour of the ground was interesting - but pretty similar to the experience the mascots and Fan of the match get tbf. Only other legend I saw doing tours on that day was Mark Barham, the rest seemed to be media guys. There were LOADS of tours going on simultaneously. Got a half page bit in the programme which just said "Come on you yellows...." with the Children Always First logo underneath it. Disappointingly, the logo was TINY on the video screen pre-match (unless it was prominently displayed and we missed it, as we were a little bit late getting to seats, although they ran it again on the scoreboard at full time. Directors Box seats was a totally different experience of watching the match - padded seats, extra legroom and the noise seem to reveberate round. The banner and the flags in the Barclay looked absolutely unbelievable from there by the way. Great job all involved. Had to obviously tone down the language but was surprised how vociferous it got in there when we scored. Couldn't stop myself leaping out my seat a few times at some of the reffing and think I may have got a few sideways glances for that though! Barclay and River End alike sounded so loud from in there. Didn't meet Delia, although walked past her a few times and said hello. Michael Wynn-Jones stopped a couple times to chat to us briefly and came across very well, seems like a really nice bloke. We were sat on the other side of the box to Delia, and didn't spot any other famous faces in there. We were directly behind away dugout and Bruce came across as a whinging git, huffing and puffing and throwing his arms around at every decision. Farke was much calmer but in the ear of the 4th official constantly (not surprisingly given the atrocious reffing). Met Bill for another drink (which we pre-ordered and was waiting on the table) at half time and some fancy sausage rolls (which were unbelievably good - credit Delia). To be in position to get the photo on the pitch, Bill instructed us we had to go down when the 4th official held up the injury time board. We commented when he said that how dangerous it was given our penchant for late goals, and so it proved. We walked down and were watching on Skysports as Mario lined up that free kick. Unfortunately, the TV was on a 7second delay so we heard the roar from the stands and everyone was hysterically saying "He's done it.... hasn't he" before TV caught up and the lobby erupted in a delayed celebration. Went out on the pitchside immediately on the full time whistle, and saw Emi celebrating in the dugout. Stiepermann as MOTM should have had his picture with us but obviously wasn't clear on protocol, had a photo with a kid (possibly a mascot or something) and then took his shirt off and disappeared down the tunnel. There was a horrible moment when he took his shirt off that I envisaged the photo being with a sweaty Stiepermann in that bra type thing they wear for data tracking, but then he disappeared the PR guy said Don't worry, Mario's doing the SkySports interview, I'll grab him as he comes off. He did and we had a brief chat with Mario and thanked him for saving the day, to which he replied he was glad to hear it and got a picture with him on the pitch (which will be posted out in due course). My Stepmum and missus got some photos from the box of the moment though. Waiting for Mario I even managed to join in with the Farke wave from on the pitch which was totally surreal. After the game we went to a table in the Gunn club where we had our drinks waiting on the table. Cantwell came in and did the interview and then presented us with the match ball, which was another photo op. Thought Cantwell was a strange choice given he hadn't played on the day but he's a good lad, been a big part of the season and he's one of our own so no bother there, happy enough that it was him. A side note, Cantwell stayed around after his obligations were fulfilled to sign some stuff for people wanting autographs and take some selfies with fans which I thought was a decent thing for him to do. Matchball itself was not a replica match ball at all, but one of the cheap canary branded ones. Signed by the squad and in a plexiglass case which is pretty poor quality and difficult to carry. If you were one of those who spotted it as we made our way back to the hotel to drop stuff off then it was me and the family you saw, quite a few commented as we made our way up POW Road and Tombland (stayed in the Maids Head hotel which I highly recommend, lovely hotel). All in all it was an unbelievable experience, and one which will live long in the memory. Bill was a brilliant host, and the whole day was really well organised and thoroughly enjoyable (despite having to wear a shirt and shoes to the football which aint really my style).
  2. 3 points
    Heard this a couple of times on Friday night... "Rhythm is a dancer. Stiepermann's the answer. You can play him anywhere. He can be defensive, midfield or offensive. On the ball or in the air."
  3. 3 points
    You only ever hear about the bad gateways. The good gateways get no press at all...
  4. 2 points
  5. 2 points
    If ever a free kick was 'bought' by a player , this was it. The defender was at fault , but Mario stepped across him to be fouled . Well played Mario, there is a cuteness in this scenario that has not been evident in our last few games, draw the foul and reorganise, something we did quite a lot earlier in the season, to good effect.
  6. 2 points
    To the tune of Son of a Preacher Man.
  7. 2 points
    Aye, I am intending to do a full write up of the day at some point in the next couple of days. Bill was absolutely brilliant though, really top guy and some fantastic stories about playing against George Best, Stanley Matthews etc. He also never left Norfolk even after we sold him - his contract with Sheff Utd, and Scunthorpe after them included a stipulation that he could keep training with Norwich and just turn out for Sheff/Scunthorpe on matchdays as he refused to uproot his young family out of Norfolk.
  8. 2 points
    Vrancic should start, the guy oozes class, he is so calm in possession and can pick passes all over the pitch. When he initially started for us, he lacked a little steel, but he learned that part of the game and since then has "owned" the Champs. I was massively disappointed when he picked up that knock from those bloody scum cloggers, he should have come back despite McClean appearing in the unbeaten run. Don't get me wrong, McClean is a tidy midfielder, but Vrancic is better, and should be playing. End rant. (more rant) The free kicks.......
  9. 1 point
    The past few months have welcomed a number of national newspaper articles extolling the exciting progress of NCFC. Playing an entertaining brand of football allied to a ‘never-say-die’ attitude, has catapulted Norwich City to a level of respect possibly last seen around the time of those great UEFA Cup nights. Full credit to Farke and his squad for elevating NCFC back to the consciousness of the footballing world. Here’s hoping this is only the beginning.....
  10. 1 point
    ... winning promotion on the road against Stoke followed by winning the league at home against Blackburn on Saturday.
  11. 1 point
    Interesting. It does appear that it's not on ifollow in the UK or aboard...at least for the countries I've looked into. However, I have found this useful international TV schedule that shows all the channels the game is on: Norwich V Stoke TV schedule From that, I'm sure we can find one of the TV channels via the magic of Google. Below I've put a link to that ever popular TV station 'Bein Sports 11 HD'; it should be showing the game tomorrow. It seems to be showing the correct programs as per its schedule at the mo but what it will be like tomorrow is anyones guess. Ad/pop-up blocker recommended. http://kora-live.tv/beinsport11.html I'll scout around nearer kick off time tomorrow and see what else I can find. OTBC
  12. 1 point
    Imagine for a minute Norwich were promoted along with two of Leeds, Sheff Utd and Villa. Leeds would instantly be hailed as the new Manchester City; Sheff Utd the new Cardiff - all Championship grit and nous - and Villa would be the next "Sunderland till I die" team. We'd either be forgotten or pigeonholed as the next Bournemouth. Whatever happens with the national press, I really don't care t.b.h.
  13. 1 point
    Careful. You can't say things like that on here.
  14. 1 point
    No doubt if it was Robert Snodgrass, LDC would have a completely different view 😂😂 If Hennessy doesn’t know what that salute means, he’s a complete buffoon - however, most people will come to the conclusion he knew exactly what he was doing and has got away with it. Apologies to Flake District Canary that my opinion is different to his pompous and sanctimonious drivel 😴😴
  15. 1 point
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6Nne8RvaA
  16. 1 point
    Mario is sublime in his skill and vision. Does anyone know'' for sure'' the rule regarding moving the ball backwards to take a free kick, i know that in the defensive half of the pitch it is never an issue as moving it forward is seen as trying to gain advantage. i wonder if there is any mention in the rule book of the scenario ' a la Mario'. WestCoasto...please note...a Pinkun Poster, other than yourself, trying to increase their knowledge of the game. Thanks.
  17. 1 point
    Mario is the consummate pro, he knows what he's doing pretty much at all times, to win the free kick, then edge the ball back a couple of yards and then deliver that free kick is genius. I agree with your dive in point wholeheartedly as well, if you dive in on a player like Mario, he's going to go down that way every time, and get the decision often enough.
  18. 1 point
    For Sure Dazzo, Its 50/50 scenario, Mario could just as easily have been penalised for it. There's a reason coaches yell 'stand him , stand him, dont dive in' .....remember Leroy Fer v Man u penalty incident, i got a bit of Teddy on here for saying Fer was at fault rather than the Man u Player diving... if the defender doesnt dive in then there's no leg out to fall over.
  19. 1 point
    I was hoping you were going to say that instead of an actual referee, we were doing a matchday refereeing experience for the local blind community. Would be preferable.
  20. 1 point
    Welcome Sweary, hope you'll be posting regularly now you've joined. 👍
  21. 1 point
    I think it's all cantwells fault. We should have started ubuntu against reading and wigan and we would have had no bad gateways in either match.
  22. 1 point
    "Ipswich are going to run away with League One next season" (Obviously not what was actually said, but I like a caption competition!)
  23. 1 point
    Caption for the last photo?? "The ref had a good game". Cheers for posting.
  24. 1 point
    They will once they see this thread. 😜
  25. 1 point
    Still getting it . Both mobile site and pc. Pain . Bit bit ironic when you can’t get onto a thread about a bad gateway , because you have a bad gateway. This season couldn’t get any worse .
  26. 1 point
    Hey look everybody, LDC is taking the contrary view because he wants a bit of attention 🙄🙄🙄
  27. 1 point
    Either way, it's great to see the club heavily incentivising promotion with a team of fairly unknowns instead of overpaying big names to come here.
  28. 1 point
    I agree. Justice for Cantona. Unfairly maligned all these years over a wasp of all things.
  29. 1 point
  30. 1 point
  31. 1 point
    Did you not see some of them? I'm not one to stereotype (I am) or unfairly judge (also guilty) but a bunch of skinhead tattooed 45 year old beer-bellied dole-collecting yorkshiremen tend to lend themselves to this sort of behaviour.
  32. 1 point
    Google Translate does have it's uses...
  33. 1 point
    Linux? Wasn't he Charlie Brown's mate?🤔
  34. 1 point
    Sorry all, just gave the server a kick, hopefully that got it.
  35. 1 point
    Apparently they drink it in the Congo
  36. 1 point
    Wouldn’t be great if just for once a player owned up to cheating a,
  37. 1 point
    Ah yes, the infallible Google Translate. And you get your education from Wikipedia and current affairs from The Sun. Give him a break, Boris' posts are usually insightful and positive.
  38. 1 point
    It's been very difficult to sleep again this week what with all the permutations going through my mind and at three fifteen this afternoon I was starting to convince myself that it was all going to pot. I watched the Blades win against ten men and when Leeds went one up against the ten of Wigan I was certain it was all a terrible conspiracy. Thankfully there was another twist of fate and on the ride down to the ground I was telling my son that one more win and it would all be over. With Leitner back in the team I thought we had plenty enough to see off the Wendies but right from the off the visitors looked pretty sharp and were in no mode to play second fiddle. City had to defend strongly in the opening minutes but when City sprung onto the front foot they looked very dangerous. Pukki forced his way between two defenders but couldn't keep his shot low enough to bother Dawson. At the other end Boyd had the ball in the City net from a fine through pass but thankfully the flag was raised for offside. The tension in the crowd was obviously transmitting itself to the players as passes went astray and the visitors continued to look dangerous. When City broke down the right Dawson handled the ball outside his area and received a yellow card with the home faithful baying for a red. Stiepermann stung the keepers hands from the free kick but eventually the ball was cleared and Wedensday again came forward swiftly. Krul then did well to get in the way of a swerving thirty yarder that dipped right in front of him. It was all very end to end stuff and looked far too open for this early in the game. Hernandez almost opened the scoring just before the twenty minute mark but somehow Dawson got a foot to it and deflected the ball over the bar. City were really pressing now and Carrow Road was soon a cauldron of noise as Hernandez picked out Stiepermann on the edge of the box who finished hard and low into the net. The relief was palpable and City now began to get well on top for a while. Pukki had a couple of half chances as the visitors lived dangerously but the second goal would not come. As we passed the half hour mark there seemed little danger when Forestieri got the breaks in a duel with Trybull. He was fully thirty yards out but his powerfully struck shot flew into the top corner giving Krul no chance. Oh dear, we seem to give far too many goals away at Carrow Road but getting out of this league is never going to be easy. Just before the half Aarons almost got on the scoresheet but his effort at full stretch didn't have the power to beat the keeper. So all square at the half and probably a fair reflection all things considered and to be perfectly honest I was somewhat surprised at enterprise the visitors had shown. City's performance was good in parts but it was apparent to me that Leitner was not up to his usual game sharpness which was no real surprise after fair length of time on the sidelines. City sprung forward straight from the whistle and a corner flashed just wide of Dawson's far post. At the other end Krul had to pull off a stunning save to deflect another thirty yard bombshell from Forestieri, over the bar. However a second goal from Wednesday was not long coming. A cross from the left seemed to elude everybody accept Fletcher at the far post. I couldn't see from my end but there were big City protests when the ball ended up in the net. Ref Eltringham would have none of it and Krul was booked for carrying on for too long. Very disappointing as for the third game in a row City found themselves behind with half an hour to play. Stieperman crashed o low cross shot a yard wide and then Keeny McLean was a similar distance off target with a flying header from Aarons centre. City were putting lots of energy ito chasing the ball down and a couple of times seemed to be unfairly penalised when winning the ball back cleanly. There were cries for a penalty when Aarons was dumped on the floor but from my vantage point the ref got this one right for a change although nothing came of the free kick. It was all getting rather desperate and Krul had to make another good stop to his left as City began to leave gaps at the back. With ten minutes left Vrancic came on for Trybull, then it was Srbeny for Lewis and finally Klose for Hernandez. Steipermann and then Aarons both almost wormed their way down the by line but were crowded out by defenders as the frustration grew. Stieperman and then Zimmerman put too much on final passes and with three men screaming for the ball at the far post, Godfrey, to the obvious dismay of the crowd played the ball the other way. It looked all up as the final seconds of five added minutes ticked away only for Vrancic to win a free kick just outside the "D". Time was added as the ref arranged the wall but we must have been into the seventh minute when Vrancic struck the ball. For a split second there was silence, then the roof came off as the ball hit the back of the net with the keeper stranded. Thank you God for answering my prayers, it saved a point but in the context of the big picture it certainly felt like a win to me. Three games left, five points clear, surely we can dig another win out somewhere because that is all it will take. Please Emi, come back Monday, we really need you to put this season to bed. Tim Krul my MOM.
  39. 1 point
    Surprised by those saying Marco had a poor game. He has a habit of running into blind alleys and his decision making isn't always the best but he's very good at finding those pockets of space between defence and midfield and putting the opposition defenders on the back foot. Sometimes we can struggle to move the ball through the levels and he is one of the best at turning and bringing the ball forward. I'd argue McLean is probably also best suited to that role but Stiepermann has more physicality.
  40. 1 point
    I think you need to work on your understanding of 'fact' and 'opinion.'
  41. 1 point
    Don't really get why people would want to drop Stiepermann, he is vital to the way we play, he isn't perfect, but offers a physical approach that other players don't - and he scores goals. His positioning and awareness is excellent, his composure is good in front of goal and his clever play and his interplay with Pukki is a big part of our success this season. Krul Aarons Zimmermann Godfrey Lewis Trybull Vrancic Emi Stiepermann Hernandez Pukki Harsh on Maclean maybe, but Vrancic is fresh and looks well up for it - that goal last night was huge and showed the stature of the kind of player/person he is.
  42. 1 point
    How's your Hungarian Klo? Keep posting your opinions Boris and ignore the name calling.
  43. 1 point
    Leeds could wipe that goal diff out in one fell swoop when they play ipswich!?
  44. 1 point
    To suggest dropping Stiepermann would equally suggest a complete inability to realise how integral he is to this playing setup. No way is he being dropped for Monday. Leitner struggled just as, if not more than Cantwell today- but everyone has been begging for that change.
  45. 1 point
    No idea why he didn't come on earlier, Farke has developed an annoying habit of waiting too long when the game isn't going our way
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