The ACN Match Review: Birmingham (h)

How did we play? 

For the first 20 minutes we didn’t so much play as run around after the endless long balls Birmingham kept launching into our half. It was ugly, we were panicky and the opposition were thriving on it. But once they’d run out of puff and we’d calmed down, our goals came and Birmingham had little else to offer but endeavour, shit-housery and plenty of favours from the referee. 

What was the best bit of the game? 

Oscar’s goal was a sweet moment that put the Blues back in their battle box. It was perfect timing and a reminder of the class we possess in abundance. We didn’t need long after that to take total control of the game and it completely turned the atmosphere and any chance Birmingham had of winning, despite their fruitless flurry after we gifted them a goal.

What was the worst bit of the game? 

I could wang on about the referee’s inconsistency and interpretation of what is and isn’t a foul in the penalty box but given the amount of cheating Birmingham players insisted on I have some sympathy for him. So I’ll plump for their goal, which, at the time, came out of nowhere and unnecessarily gave us a wee fright. But no worse than that. 

What was the atmosphere like? 

I’d forgotten how loud Birmingham fans are, which would be to their credit if their songs weren’t stuck in the 1970s. They reeled out the old farming Norwich tropes about tractors etc which was ironic considering their team’s thoroughly agricultural football. 

We brought plenty of noise but the longer Norwich had control the more the atmosphere became a contented murmur. We seem to have this thing at Carrow Road where, once the noise drops below a certain decibel level, the opposition strikes, much like in Father Ted where a bomb will go off if the milk float Father Dougal’s driving drops below 4mph. Just not quite as funny. 

Hero of the match.

Welcome back Jovon. You gave it absolutely everything for the short time you were on. It entertained us and made the Birmingham defenders shit their pants. 

Summary in five words 

It’s starting to come together.