Ricardo's report v Swansea

[ricardo 8,109]

It came on to rain about tea time and by the time I arrived at the ground I was a little on the damp side but the pitch looked in magnificent condition for a match between what I expected to be two good passing sides.

From the off it was the Swans who dominated the early possession and City didn't get a sniff of the ball for the first couple of minutes. The visitors looked sharp in their passing and Krul was the first keeper to be brought into action when James was set clear with time to crash in a low effort that the City keeper did well to parry before the ball was hurriedly cleared away. At the other end Buendia blocked a ball into Stiepermann's path and the lanky City forward almost got in an effort after a neat one two with Pukki.

Both teams were attempting to play out from the back and there was one hairy moment for the home side when Krul looked like he had taken a split second too long as the speedy James almost robbed him. Swansea were looking a well accomplished side and it was difficult for the Canaries to find any consistent rhythm on what was a very slick surface. Krul was certainly the busier keeper and again had to be sharp to keep out James when the ball was worked in from the Swansea left. City were then nearly undone in a pacey counter only for Aarons to nick the ball away at the last second. It was all a little bit worrying for those of a nervous disposition.

As we approached the midway point you could feel a sense of anxiety in the crowd as City were finding it difficult to dominate in their usual manner. There was however one lovely move when City's persistence through the middle led to Buendia getting Pukki in the clear just inside the box. Unfortunately when the trigger was pulled the ball screwed well wide of Nordfeldt's left upright. Then there was a cross from Hernandez that seemed to beat everybody as it flew across the six yard box. We hoped it was a cue to City turning up the wick but it was the visitors who came back with a purpose and Krul was again called into action to turn a deflected shot over the bar for a corner.

I for one was extremely glad to get to the break without conceding and if it was a boxing match all the judges would have had the visitors ahead on points. The scoreboard told its own story with no City shots on target and five from the visitors. At this stage I was beginning to think that maybe a point here would be a good result.

Thankfully we looked a bit more determined as the second half began. Hernandez was lively down the left and City put on a bit of pressure with a couple of corners but when a shot came in it was high and wide.  However it did look a little more promising although goalmouth action continued to be at a premium. A s we came up to 53 minutes I decided it was the time to nip out for the usual and of course those long time readers can guess what happened. Yes Ricckky again missed the goal🙃 but I regained the top of the stairs just in time to see Buendia crash home an unstoppable drive on the big screen.

Now at last it was a different game because Carrow Road burst into full voice and you could see that the players were lifted by it. The home side pushed the ball about with increasing confidence and at last most of the play was confined to the Swansea half. Stieperman had a shot deflected over as City continued to look dangerous while most of Swansea's attempted ripostes foundered on the rock that was Lewis, Godfrey, Zimmermann and Aarons.

Time ran away very quickly and although the visitors threw on fresh legs they didn't look like breaking through. There were a few free kicks and corners and a couple of long range efforts that sailed high wide and not very handsome but Krul never had to work for his corn in the way that he did in the opening half.

City began to shut the game down fairly effectively and if anything it looked more likely that they would extend the lead rather than concede. Indeed Pukki almost got his obligatory goal with a turn and quick shot that clipped the post. Vrancic came on for the tiring Stiepermann with about ten minutes left and both Lietner and Klose came on as we moved into injury time. Buendia was as usual reluctant to leave but I'm sure he must have enjoyed the ovation. The three minutes added were comfortably seen out and it was a sea of happy face when ref Jones signaled time.

Eightynine points will be enough and I am ever more convinced that we will get them. This time last year I wouldn't have believed we would be where we are now and I bet I'm not alone with that thought. Did you all enjoy it? Ricardo certainly did, even though the seat of strides was wet through when I got home.🚴‍♀️👍

 

[Nuff Said 6,051]

Who would you say was MoM Ricardo? From what I saw watching from afar on my laptop, Buendia or Zimmerman.

[splendidrush 745]

Thanks ric, a good read as always... have you thought of investing in some adult nappies?

[shefcanary 3,081]

Here in Bladesville, with a crowd of people willing the Swans on, I watched the game with relative Zen like calm.  I always thought it was ours.  The Swans will be the Norwich of 2019-20, whilst this year we are able to beat teams that trouble us without even finding 4th gear.  I'm like Ricardo, more convinced than ever this is our year.  And boy does Zimbo look a quality player.

[Branston Pickle 4,169]

Emi wasn’t man of the match for me - good on the ball but too poor in tracking back, and continues to be a bit of a liability in the tackle. I thought TT had a very decent game, as did Max; Jamal was back on form, too. 

[ricardo 8,109]

11 minutes ago, Nuff Said said:

Who would you say was MoM Ricardo? From what I saw watching from afar on my laptop, Buendia or Zimmerman.

Id give it to Buendia.

[ricardo 8,109]

6 minutes ago, splendidrush said:

Thanks ric, a good read as always... have you thought of investing in some adult nappies?

Bit awkward on bike mate😁

[Van wink 2,994]

Well done for hitting the dealine and thanks for the report. Tonight for me was the night when I really felt this could be our year, the crowd did a great job of carrying us over the line, with a bit of added encouragement from Klose.

Great atmosphere and evening to be a City fan.

 

[Crabbycanary3 994]

Scrap the nappies, Ricardo needs to be plied with drink! 

[Badger 2,750]

Thanks  Ricardo. Zimmermann mom for me

[Drazen Muzinic 1,512]

Thanks again Ricky. Not a classic but the points are the important thing. It's happening isn't it!?!?!

[ROBFLECK 135]

Thanks Ricardo,  good read as usual  ... have to agree, if anyone had predicted this a year ago I would have shaken  my head and said "no way" Mom has to be the scorer of the winner imo...Buendia...but Zimbo was a rock at the back again too

Edited March 9, 2019 by ROBFLECK

[ricardo 8,109]

9 hours ago, Drazen Muzinic said:

Thanks again Ricky. Not a classic but the points are the important thing. It's happening isn't it!?!?!

Yes it is.👍

[keelansgrandad 6,680]

Thanks for the report as usual. By the way, invest in some cycling shorts. They have a pad built in to protect the old meat and two veg but could come in handy as "wings". Then you will be able to play tennis and swim.

While Swansea played as well as us, I didn't ever think they looked like scoring. Krul was never at full stretch. And I was convinced the goal would come for us as second half we were getting Hernandez one on one giving Buendia more space.

I find it hard to find a MOTM. Nobody really stood out. I thought Godfrey covered well for Zimmermann who found James pace a wee bit too much for him. And I expect we have all got our choice but that goal was special so I would award it to Buendia. Not only for the shot but the way he went past the defender to set it up. Such good close control.

[CANARYKING 720]

The pitch had such a lot of water on it that it slowed the ball down, perhaps that affected our slick passing game, thought Krul was lucky a couple of times

[ricardo 8,109]

Goalkeepers don't get lucky. They are either well positioned or not😉