JAMES_SHIPLEE on the international break, Russell Martin and Saturday`s game against Swansea.
So we`re coming to the end of the international break and back to the proper footy as Norwich host Swansea this Saturday.
First, however, a look back at the last City game at Manchester United. I missed the first half commentary due to playing commitments (I lost 6-2, what a waste of time!) but in the second half was sat watching Soccer Saturday in the pub and hoping, wishing, praying that we`d get a bit of luck and one of those chances would go the right way!
One-on-one after one-on-one went past, the woodwork was rattled but it proved it just wasn`t going to be our day and Manchester United`s ability shone through in the end.
Ultimately the points go the Mancunian way but it was a display we can be proud of; it shows how far we have come. Two seasons ago, after that fateful August day at Carrow Road (I don`t need to tell you anymore really), we would have lost to United probably about 15-0! Now we`re giving them something to worry about and the usually arrogant Sir Alex Ferguson had to sure up his defence with the introduction of Rio Ferdinand at 0-0. That tells you just how worried he was. That tells you just how good we can be.
The last three games have seen us pick up 6 points from 9, an impressive total but the media are not ones to notice this. Bolton were under-par, Sunderland were poor and Manchester United had an off-day. Is it so unbelievable that a newly-promoted team with not a lot of cash behind actually CAN compete in this league!?
I wish the journalists would wake up and realise you can be great without costing £50 million and give our players the respect that they deserve. They`ve played so hard and should be rewarded for having done so, not be told they got lucky the other team weren`t having a good time of it.
It`s been good to see the “Norfolk Cafu” back on the pitch in the last couple of games. After his displays and improvement last season it`s been hard on the lad to lose his place at right back but Kyle Naughton has made the position his own. With the aid of a few injuries Martin got the chance at centre half and hasn`t been half bad.
It`s hard to think that before the start of last season I was one of those who was dreading him playing and wanted a replacement brought it fast. He`s one of the best signings Mr Lambert has made and deserves to be back in the team.
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Where do I begin with England? They almost threw it away again, Rooney got sent off and we only just qualified for the Euro 2012. Business as usual really!
I didn`t watch the game because I just couldn`t be bothered. The fact is if the players aren`t going to care (and I don`t think many of them do) about playing for their country, which should be an honour, not something they get paid for, why should I? I`ll watch major competitions and maybe England v Spain just to see the brilliance of the Spaniards but apart from that there`s just nothing urging me to watch.
That is, however, until Fabio sees sense and gets Bradley Johnson and John Ruddy in the squad. I think Johnson would be better than Gareth Barry and John Ruddy would provide suitable competition for Joe Hart. How he isn`t in the squad when David Stockdale of Ipswich is I honestly have no idea.
Elsewhere in the international break canaries were impressing. In Wales Steve Morison and Andrew Crofts starred in Wales` 2-0 win over Switzerland at Swansea`s Liberty Stadium. Both impressed with Steve Morison helping the Welsh on their way to victory with an assist for Gareth Bale to put them 2-0 up.
Simeon Jackson`s international career got even better this week as he became only the second Canadian to score a hat trick in World Cup Qualifying as he helped them thrash St. Lucia 7-0. This surely would have helped his claim to get a chance in the first team with similar style team mate James Vaughan out of the scene for a few months.
Bring on Swansea! #slaptheswans
OTBC!
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