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This Feels Like A Big Win And A Big Weekend For Norwich

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I don’t know about you but to me, that feels like a big win.

Sure it wasn’t as comfortable as we would’ve liked but nobody ever thought that Rotherham would simply roll over, did they? Having seen Brentford lose for the third time in a row in the lunchtime kick-off against Coventry, the same Coventry that were so easily swept aside on Wednesday night by Norwich, there was a big chance here to open up a gap on the chasing pack.

Watford look resurgent and Swansea also looked to be a big concern, at least prior to 3pm on Saturday afternoon. The fact that Swansea were drubbed 4-1 by relegation battling Huddersfield Town was easily as big a shock as the Bees losing to Coventry.

Norwich though, took care of business in the most gritty way possible, grinding out a 1-0 win at home against The Millers who were always in the game, right until the final whistle blew.

The first half saw City create numerous chances that were either wasted or saved or blocked before Teemu Pukki scored his fourth goal in eight days after some charity from the Rotherham defence. A simple through ball from Emi Buendia (who else?) was stepped over by Todd Cantwell and the visitors’ defence parted like the Red Sea did for Moses, allowing Pukki to run through on goal.

He still had plenty of time to think about it though, having to run about forty yards before coolly slotting the ball past Viktor Johansson. It should’ve been two a couple of minutes later after a mistake from Michael Ihiekwe allowed Cantwell in but he blazed over when he really should’ve scored.

At the half-time break it was still only 1-0, although with the chances created and subsequently missed it could easily have been 4-0 but there you go.

The second half wasn’t the easiest watch for the Canary faithful as Rotherham were more adventurous and aggressive in their pressing. City nearly grabbed that elusive second goal in the 71st minute when Pukki was played in but Johansson saved his shot with a strong right hand. The Millers then nearly equalised when Matt Crooks was denied by an excellent close-range block from Max Aarons with Tim Krul beaten.

There were nearly eight minutes of time added-on due to various injuries and substitutions but City were able to see out the game without any more real drama.

After the game, Daniel Farke said the usual things about not being concerned about other teams’ results and only concentrating on Norwich and making sure that we stay switched on in each and every game. Paul Warne accepted the best team had won and that he, like many managers have already said, thinks Norwich are the best team in the division.

This feels like a big win and a big weekend in the race for promotion. Four of the top six have lost over this game weekend with only Norwich and Watford picking up three points apiece. Outside the top six, Barnsley, Middlesbrough, Stoke and Cardiff all won and all four of them will be eyeing the top six now and thinking that they can make it.

Bournemouth meanwhile have reportedly asked Montreal for permission to speak to their manager, Thierry Henry, which seems bizarre to me as the Arsenal legend was terrible in his first managerial post at Monaco and now in Major League Soccer he hasn’t exactly proven himself to the level required to lift the Cherries back into the Promotion hunt.

Anyway, things are looking really good for Norwich at the moment but as Farke says, we need to keep concentrating on the next game in front of us and keep grinding the results out if we can’t blow teams away. The loss of Ben Gibson from the squad after he apparently woke up with a back issue (I know that feeling Gibbo) saw Christoph Zimmermann play alongside Grant Hanley but hopefully Gibson won’t be out for too long. Zimbo did just fine but Gibson has been excellent all season.

Norwich are next up against Birmingham City, playing at St. Andrews for the second time in a week, on Tuesday night and that is the next game to focus on.

OTBC

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Editor - a forty something Canary, who has been following Norwich for 30 odd years. Family man with wife, kids, dog and a love of sport. Fan of Boxing, Vale 46, F1 and Rock.

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