The Tuckster on the comfortable win over Aston Villa and a plea to new England boss, Roy Hodgson to pick Ruddy and Holt…
This last game of the season was to be played in the all too rare May sunshine. It was to be a celebration for fans of both teams.
Norwich were obviously celebrating the end of a wonderful season, whilst Villa seemed to be celebrating the fact that it was the last away game and hopefully the end of Alex McLeish`s tempestuous reign.
After last week`s fantastic match at Arsenal and a return to the sort of football that has got us where we are now, both players and fans were determined not to finish the season with a loss.
It was pretty much as you were for the line up with Holt and Jackson up front and a midfield diamond with Hoolahan at the tip. At the back, Russell Martin continued alongside Ryan Bennett in the centre and Simon Lappin started successive Premier League games for the first time.
The game started quickly for Norwich and after an early booking, Grant Holt put the ball into the net from a nice Bradley Johnson free kick. I wasn`t sure how he`d scored at the time but when I got home a TV replay showed that he used his shoulder. In his post match interview, the big man said “I`ve just been telling the lads in the dressing room, it`s a difficult skill to shoulder the ball like that!”
Just eight minutes had gone and it was clear already that Villa were going to be poor.
It suited me down to the ground though as a win was vital to carry on the feel good factor into the summer.
On 21 minutes it was two nil, as a long ball from Ryan Bennett was launched towards Holt on the edge of the Villa area. Carlos Cuellar jumped highest and flicked the ball on to Simeon Jackson whose first shot was saved by Given from six yards but the rebound was kind and Jackson side footed it home.
Given was shaking his head – not the last time he would do that this afternoon.
“There`s only one Paul Lambert!” sang the City fans – they were joined by the Villa fans who repeated the chant, presumably in the hope he will become their new manager in the summer, after recent press reports.
Clearly Villa need a new manager. We all know that managers generally (not including Fergie and Wenger) have a shelf life and Big ‘Eck is clearly well past his.
I was staggered when the Villa fans started booing as McLeish stood up for the first time and walked out into the technical area – he quickly sat down, which is where he spent most of this match in contrast to Paul Lambert who stood virtually throughout in his technical area, regularly waving to the fans who called for him to do so.
As the half wore on it became a case of keep ball from Norwich and the shouts of “Ole” came from the stands as early as 30 minutes on the clock. City continued to dominate and Given had to make several good saves to stop it being embarrassing – more shaking of his head.
At the start of the second half, Villa had a little bit of a go – McLeish had obviously given them as much of a rocket as his dwindling popularity allowed.
John Ruddy had to make three smart saves which all resulted in corners, in quick succession. Nothing too serious, but enough for the watching Ray Clemance to note.
Norwich continued to play lovely passing football. Wes Hoolahan was at the heart of everything and had a fantastic game – my definite man of the match. Wes continually picked the ball up in loads of space and started attack after attack, he had chances himself and was unlucky not to score as well as playing in others for chances that prompted more head shaking.
In all honesty, watching Villa today I can see why they have finished where they are – they were woeful. No fight at all and nothing up front. Emile Heskey blundered around winning the odd header but he never troubled our back four, I doubt Leicester will want you on this form, Emile, even for free.
Agbonlahor, even with his electric pace struggled to make any sort of impact. Russell Martin had him in his pocket for most of the match. His best chance was in the second half when he cut inside Naughton and shot low from the edge of the area. His shot was met by the outstretched palm of Ruddy who tipped the ball onto the post – I hope you hadn`t left by then, Ray.
Holt and Jackson were replaced on 66 minutes by Morison and Wilbraham and the Barclay sang Morison`s name as he came on which was a nice show of support.
Big ‘Eck left his seat again to be met by chants of “W****r, W****r, W****r!” by his own fans – I`ve never seen anything like it. “You should`ve gone down?” sang the Norwich fans – on this performance that was spot on.
And that`s how it finished – a perfectly straight forward professional win from a team that many say have punched above their weight. There may be some truth in that but they also showed a little swagger here, a bit of arrogance. They know they can compete and only Shay Given stopped this being our biggest win of the season.
In fact, I`d go so far as to say that without Given, Villa would`ve been relegated. Time and time again he has made great saves throughout the season to keep his team in matches – he should be their player of the season (if he isn`t – I couldn`t be bothered to check). – {He wasn`t, it was Stephen Ireland – Editor}
Talking of such awards, after the game, with Wags and kids in tow, our lads came back out onto the pitch for the award of the Barry Butler trophy.
For the first time ever and cementing his place in history a player has now won this award three times.
Grant Holt`s heroics in his three years here have meant he has now won the award three times in a row.
John Ruddy was second and David Fox was third.
After the match, both Holt and Ruddy said they thought the other would get it. In truth, it wouldn`t have been a surprise to see Ruddy win it this time. His contribution has been immense and has been as important as Holt`s.
Remember that save from Suarez in the last minute at Anfield? Or those three saves in injury time at Arsenal last week? Tremendous, and if he isn`t called up for the Euro squad, then Hodgson needs his head testing.
Likewise with Holt, his goal at Anfield, his goal at Everton, two against Newcastle?
Another superb season from the former Carlisle tyre fitter and an award he has thoroughly deserved. I heard Holty interviewed after the game and he was bigging Ruddy up – you could hear the passion in his voice when he spoke of other players possibly coming out of retirement for the Euros “You should never quit on your country” he said – I whole heartedly agree.
While this was going on, everyone had half an eye on the title race. I`d heard that Man City were one nil up and then 2-1 down. Next to me I saw a bloke texting and couldn`t help looking over his shoulder – he was texting Dawn, probably his missus. And Dawn was telling her man that Man City were losing and she was pleased UUUUNNNNIIIIITTTTEDDDD! She wrote.
Then came a text that told of an equalizer, followed quickly by another that Aguero had scored to win it. Dawn and her man, presumably a closet United fan, were gutted.
On Match of the Day I saw what Joey Barton did – that bloke needs locking up. He is an absolute disgrace. Only last week I read a quote from him along the lines that QPR fans were now seeing the best of him – oh yes, that`s the best of him. He elbowed Tevez in the face, very bravely kneed Aguero from behind after the red card and then tried to head butt Kompany before being held back from Mario Balotelli. What sort of ban did Cantona get? Barton`s should be similar – at least.
He was lucky that Bolton were robbed at Stoke or he could`ve cost his team relegation – what a tool.
Anyway, back to the beautiful game. Norwich City have confounded the critics and so called experts. Paul Lambert and his men have achieved what seemed like the impossible last August.
If we can keep Lambert at the helm then I predict another season of strengthening, a few unexpected departures and then another great season ahead.
I`ve thoroughly enjoyed this season, almost all of it, although the defeat to Liverpool was a low point for me, but even so I am bursting with pride to be a Norwich City fan.
Now, you`re probably not going to read this Roy, but Mr Hodgson can I make one last appeal – take John Ruddy and the legend that is Grant Holt to Euro 2012 – you know it makes sense?
OTBC