Opinion
Chris Reeve: Josh Murphy in full flow for Norwich City is a joy to behold
Josh Murphy on the ball, running at opponents - just how we like to see him. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
What a huge relief that win was against Millwall – it was badly needed, especially at Carrow Road, given the team that was put out by Daniel Farke for the rather drossy draw at Burton.
Now, whilst I don’t think Norwich City should be playing a team to draw at Burton, so that they can beat Millwall, it seems Farke did make the correct call in the end. At this current time, we need to grind out those home wins to try and re-build some momentum in the league again.
Biggest plaudits of this article will go to Josh Murphy. Not short of a fair bit of criticism in the last handful of games, including from myself, I thought he was excellent against the Lions. He is always at his best coming out wide and running at the opposition, putting them on the back foot immediately. The reception he received when he came off spoke huge volumes.
Jamal Lewis – doesn’t he play with such confidence and vigour for his age and experience? He is exactly what Norwich City have been missing at the back. Marco Stiepermann has been a square peg in a round hole this season in that position.
Now, I’m sure I’m not the only member of the green and yellow army that is extremely worried that we’ll be saying goodbye to James Maddison during this transfer window. If the money is right, then unfortunately I don’t think we’ll have a choice. I am keeping everything crossed he stays to receive his player of the season award.
Against Millwall, yet again, his individual class shone through. I honestly think he’s a better player than Jack Wilshere already and have no doubt he’ll go on to play for a Premier League team sooner rather than later. I think we should all enjoy watching the starlet play whilst he’s here.
The news that Tom Trybull has been offered a new deal is something we’ve all been waiting on for quite some time now. Arguably, our signing of the summer window, you can completely understand now why he was so highly rated back in Germany. I’m overjoyed that we’ve managed to scout out and sign someone who has been so consistently great in yellow so far this term. Does Trybull have any siblings we could sign, Mr Webber?
Alex Pritchard’s pinpoint pass, which turned into an assist for Maddison against Millwall, shows as clear as day just how badly we’ve missed him. One of three players who have true Premier League quality within this City side, along with Maddison and ‘our’ Angus Gunn between the sticks.
You may also want to watch:
Gone, for the time being, is the emotional defender at Norwich City. Grant Hanley calms everything down incredibly well. I lost count of how many headers he won against Burton. He’s the Scottish rock at the back that is required to climb the table again.
So it’s Chelsea on Saturday evening and I have no expectation we will come out victorious. I really hope we don’t ‘do an Arsenal’ again because I believe that was one of the catalysts for our bad run of form in the league last time. Play the simple stuff and see what we can do against one of the best teams in the English leagues. With world class quality in abundance, I think we’d have a tough time even against their seventh team!
Most Read
- 1 MATCHDAY LIVE: Norwich City complete their double over Cardiff
- 2 City squad can expect long term disruption due to Covid impact
- 3 STARTING XIs: Pukki missing for City as Barden starts at Cardiff
- 4 City boss on Quintilla future amid Giannoulis pursuit
- 5 Paddy's Pointers: Five observations from the Canaries' 2-1 Championship win against Cardiff City
- 6 Farke's advice for Barden ahead of red letter day
- 7 'The Norwich fans are probably fuming' - Skipp on being Mr Popular
- 8 Farke reveals Buendia concerns and fitness updates on Pukki and Krul after 2-1 Cardiff win
- 9 Cardiff City v Norwich City - all you need to know
- 10 PRESSER LIVE: Cardiff City v Norwich City - Quintilla & Mumba test positive for Covid; Krul still out
Oh, I almost forgot to mention how pleasant it was to see the neighbours lose 4-1 at Fulham too, conceding all their goals in just seven minutes. That’s impressive, even by our standards! It must be that time of year... apple crumble anyone?
I also have a little prediction – that by the time City come up against Ipswich at Carrow Road on February 18 we will beat them to go above them. That’s if we haven’t already. Normal service shall resume shortly...
On The Ball, City!