The ACN Match Review: Coventry (h)

How did we play?

Like a team that could beat anyone in this league right now. Coventry were super-strong going forward in the first half and previous NCFC incarnations would’ve wilted after their goal but a combination of excellent on and off-field game management meant we were always in this. Even the loss of Pelle Mattsson didn’t throw us off our stride. 

What was the best bit of the game?

Many great moments but what stood out was Norwich being applauded off the field at half time despite having just gone a goal down. When was the last time that happened?

What was the worst bit of the game?

Thomas-Asante’s clear and obvious elbow smashing into Pelle Mattsson’s face was an assault, not a foul, that didn’t even get a yellow card. Big retrospective ban, please.

What was the atmosphere like?

I don’t get to take my son to many matches on a school night but this was worth the sleepy eyes that greeted me this morning. We should play all our games against Coventry in the evening and credit to them for bringing so many on a Monday night; they always turn up the volume and don’t mind a bit of back and forth. This was simply an excellent, fevered, atmospheric night of Championship football at a stadium that is perfect for just that.

Hero of the match

Superb performances all over the pitch but this has to go to Philippe Clement. I love that he treats substitutions like it’s youth football – if something needs changing, off you come, on you go, don’t care what minute it is. His use of Tony Springett to protect Kellen Fisher in the first half, then taking him off at half time to get Diallo at them was so clever. This was a victory made as much in Clement’s head as it was on the pitch. We love him, don’t we?

Summary in Five Words

Ali Ahmed: “It was fun!”