Kieran Dowell realising his potential for Norwich City

When I penned my last column, 14 days ago, I was full of gloom.

I highlighted the stats which showed what a mess Norwich City were in and I was really down about the Canaries' prospects.

So what's happened since then?

We've had a new head coach in through the Carrow Road front door and City have bowed out of the FA Cup.

Oh, and the team have recorded the best win of the campaign and served up some of the tastiest football seen by a team in yellow and green for ages.

If two weeks ago you had told me my next column would be based around a 1981 Kool and The Gang disco classic adapted to Kieran Dowell, I would have thought you were potty.

That's the madness of football.

One win doesn't make a season. One glimpse into the exciting world of Wagnerball doesn't mean all the questions and doubts suddenly go away.

But, my word, what a different place being a Norwich City fan now feels.

"Get Dowell On It," rang out from the away end at Deepdale as the 25-year-old midfielder, who has been City's nearly man on so many occasions since joining in July 2020, really purred.

I chuckled when I listened to the excellent Pink Un podcast featuring my colleagues Connor Southwell, Paddy Davitt and Sam Seaman at the weekend after that cracking 4-0 win at Preston.  If you've not listened in, I'd thoroughly recommend it.

Early 80s funk tunes clearly aren't top of Connor's playlists (and why should they be?!)

There was some interesting banter on the pod between Connor and Pad, which resulted in CS saying he'll sing the song on a future edition if Dowell scores the winning goal in the play-off final at Wembley.

Clear your throat, young man..!

KD has certainly been on everyone's lips since his man of the match, two-goal supershow.

I've so wanted the playmaker, who started with Everton as a seven-year-old, to succeed.

It was on a Pink Un podcast before Dowell kicked his first ball for the Canaries that I tipped him to be the player of the season.

That didn't go to plan.

My early hopes for KD were shared by my fellow columnist and old mate Robin Sainty and we've quipped lots of times about how he will eventually come good and we'll be proved right.

This season he has made eight starts, scored three goals, had two assists, created six 'big chances', made 15 key passes and has a 77pc dribble success.

There were still plenty of eyebrows raised and probably some groans when Wagner picked Dowell as a starter in his first league XI.

But how he repaid the faith - and deserved his new song.

The Kool And The Gang (surely we need to rename them Krul And The Gang) original was released on November 24, 1981, the day City beat Derby 4-1.

They were then in the old Second Division - a campaign which saw a Martin O'Neill-inspired Canaries team rise from the obscurity of mid-table to grab the final promotion place on an incredible last day of the season at Hillsborough.

After 27 games of that campaign, City had 37 points - two fewer than this year so far.

Could we sense a similar theme developing this term... ?

Get Down On It was a single on the Something Special album - and Dowell has given us a taste that he really could be exactly that for City.

Also on that album was Steppin' Out (could be apt for him to move out of the shadow he has been in at NR1), Good Time Tonight (let's hope he provides that again for those fans travelling to Coventry this weekend), Take My Heart (surely his plea to the Canary faithful?) and Stand Up and Sing (yes, the supporters are already doing that about him!)

I think the Carrow Road PA music man may have to get delving for more 80s tunes.

It was really intriguing to read Wagner's comments this week about Dowell.

We all know about his creative flair. And we all know he has so far never really got going at a club.

He made a couple of appearances for the first team at Everton, including one in the Europa League and also one against the Canaries.

He had loan spells with Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Derby and Wigan but didn't really establish himself at any of them.

Dowell has represented England at levels from under 16 to under 21 and has played successively more games for each team. But again he hasn't made an indelible mark.

What City's new head coach has seized on is the need for KD to add extra dimensions to his game to make him a complete player.

Wagner said: "I had a clear conversation with him. If he listens, and if he tries to get on board, and we can add elements to his game, then he can be a player on a different level. He has to learn how important it is to defend and that it can be enjoyable to feel the energy, the intensity in your game, to go for the tackles and to really enjoy stopping the opponent."

And in relation to his performance at Preston, Wagner said: “I know everyone will be celebrating his goals but for me I celebrated a tackle shortly before he was substituted."

Right, KD, now show you really are Something Special.

All the very, very best Todd

While we hail the apparent renaissance of one City flair player, it seems certain that another - Dereham's finest and "one of our own" Todd Cantwell - is on his way out.

It's one of my big regrets from recent seasons that Todd hasn't been able to establish himself as a true Canary legend.

The foundations appeared to be in place for that to happen - a local boy with endless talent who was loved by the fans and turned in those fabulous performances in the top-flight seasons.

I think my two favourite moments were the goal at Carrow Road in the epic victory over Manchester City and his penalty (and cocky celebrations) during the FA Cup shootout victory at Spurs.

We will probably never know exactly what has happened to mean the local boy hasn't truly clicked.

A move to Rangers could be massive for the lad. We all know what a huge club it is - shine there and he could really revive his career.

I want to wish him all the very, very best.

Such a crucial event

Next Monday sees the Norwich City Fans’ Social Club Mental Health Awareness evening at Carrow Road.

When the social club started putting the event together it was understandably football-centric - but as mental health transcends the sport it quickly became much broader.

So many people are affected by mental health issues and two very high-profile figures known to us all - Simon Thomas and Darren Eadie - are both special guests, along with some staff from the club, including former player and lead academy goalkeeping coach Declan Rudd.

The event is in the Norfolk Lounge at Carrow Road. Doors open at 6.45pm for a 7.15pm start.

It is free to attend and has developed into a mental health mini-conference with an open, safe, and friendly atmosphere. 

More details at the website: www.ncfsc.co.uk.