JAMES SHIPLEE on the first home game of the season and more.
The Premier League finally returned to Fortress Carrow Road on Sunday as we showed we can compete with the established sides. It also showed just what we`re up against in the world`s best acting school.
The first half started nervously for the hosts with a couple of attacking runs that came to nothing. After that though Norwich started to settle and were soon dominating. With a straight 4-4-2, Elliott Bennett and Anthony Pilkington had the chance to get at the Stoke defence, both doing so with due success, both looking like they could prove big, big players this season.
In the 37th minute Bennett was fouled by Jonathan Woodgate and from the resulting free kick, former Leeds man, Bradley Johnson put the ball in for Ritchie De Laet to head home in front of the Barclay, causing Carrow Road to erupt.
The second half Stoke came out and showed more of the attacking intent and got two balls in behind the City defence within a minute. Chris Martin showed why he was back in the side as a turn and shot forced a reaction save from Asmir Begovic. On 64 minutes disaster striked as a tumble outside the area between Leon Barnett and Jon Walters, continued into the area and the referee pointed to the spot, the linesman keeping his flag by his side.
Barnett was then given his marching orders as the ridiculous decisions continued by referee Neil Swarbrick. The penalty, taken by former Ipswich man Jon Walters, was brilliantly saved by John Ruddy exactly one year to the day after his penalty save against Swansea. Norwich hearts were broken in the third minute of injury time as Dani Ayala, brought on after Barnett was sent off, lost Kenwyne Jones who rose to head home the equaliser.
Although the game felt like a loss there are a lot of positives. The biggest is that Stoke are now an established Premier League side and we showed for the majority of 90 minutes that we can hold our own and dominate against them. The defence held up well to a strong physical side going forward and the strikers managed to get through an also strong defence. They have shown that they aren`t here for the ride and to enjoy it but that they are here to stay.
It also showed that we have the options to change it about occasionally. Pilkington and Bennett will give us the chance to play a 4-4-2 or go with five in midfield with one up front. It gives us the chance to surprise teams that expect us to still play with a diamond and Wes at the front of it. Our attacking forces were strong last year but this year they look as if they could be even more lethal, and this will be vital against the top teams and competing in this division.
There are only two games gone and we have two points; 36 games to go and I`m more confident than ever that we will stay up, and do it confidently.
On a minor note, it was nice to see the Canaries exit the Carling Cup in their usual fashion; first game, battered and to lower league opposition. Ah well, even though it was embarrassing, as I said on Twitter: #leaguemoreimportant
Let`s hope we can #crushchelsea on Saturday! If we can compete there then there is no reason why we should not go into every game with the confidence to win, anywhere.
In Lambert we trust. OTBC!
You can follow James on Twitter via @James_Shiplee
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