If anybody questioned Norwich City’s character prior to this victory at the City Ground, then those concerns have been responded to emphatically.
A full house at the City Ground graphically illustrated the magnitude of this fixture. Forest haven’t been beaten at home since April and prior to this fixture, had only lost once thus far this campaign.
Those statistics speak volumes as to how significant a victory this could be.
There is a genuine belief from all quarters of the Norwich City nation that is becoming more audible with every passing fixture and for once, that sound is resoundingly positive. Character, perseverance and belief in their approach, this side is cast from a very sturdy mould.
Those supporters who weren’t allowing themselves to get carried away may well be pushed over the edge following this victory.
Norwich’s wheels are beginning to turn with significant pace, this is a side who possess an assurance not seen in these parts since a certain Scottish manager was in charge.
Perceptions have altered dramatically towards both Daniel Farke and his fledgling squad.
Only a few weeks prior to this uplift in form, time felt as though it was ebbing away from Norwich’s head coach. Patience was wearing thin both within the terraces but also within the club. Fast forward a month or so later and he is the receiver of an unwavering level of support and fanfare from the Canary faithful.
Farke has concocted a formula that provides Norwich’s game with balance and contains both youthful exuberance and experienced heads. The mood music is growing to an intangible level at present.
Complacency can’t be a factor that sneaks into Norwich’s game however.
At the break, Nottingham Forest were in the ascendancy after an early onslaught from the hosts. Riding that wave was pivotal; inevitably there was scrapes, but in this division, digging in and ensuring you keep yourself in the fixture is key to harnessing upward mobility.
After Lewis Grabban’s early goal, Norwich found themselves under the cosh, but they dug in and maintained that belief in their footballing philosophy and were duly rewarded for their extensive period of dominance in the latter stages of the opening period but also throughout the second.
Remember also, they stood firmly at a crossroads following that Stoke City defeat.
Carrow Road stood in unison and appreciated the high level of performance their players put in without, unjustly, reward.
That defeat ended an unbeaten run which included dominant displays against QPR, Middlesbrough and Reading respectively. Response was always going to be key as to what the mentality of this current squad is.
Lose against Forest, and a slump in a similar vein to last season could have followed. But what a riposte, one which displays why Norwich have been so progressive in their football and why confidence is surging to an unprecedented level under Farke’s stewardship.
No Teemu Pukki? No problem for Norwich City.
Timm Klose has been a revelation this season and appears to be thriving under the responsibility of marshalling a Norwich reargued which contains young operators.
Klose is undoubtedly in that side for his defensive expertise, but his physical prowess is another weapon within Norwich’s offensive arsenal. In the Championship, finding a range of ways to win fixtures and grind out results is intrinsic to any potential success teams will have.
He was the understated figure in Norwich’s side last campaign and has occupied that role once more this year.
Klose is a major cog in Norwich City’s clockwork under Farke. His quality on the ball, leadership and experience is required to provide equilibrium to a youthful side. An eccentric personality within the dressing room, but a warrior leading his team into battle on the pitch. He’s a supremely likeable character, and many Norwich supporters will hope he is rewarded with a fresh deal.
Within this Norwich City squad at present, youth are being giving their opportunities and are rewarding the faith shown to them by their Head Coach.
Proper good win. Love this from Farke #NCFC pic.twitter.com/twQnP4Wwem
— Matty (@MatthewSoakell) October 20, 2018
Todd Cantwell, when he first entered the fray at Reading, Cantwell was conservative in his play. That sweeping reverse pass to assist Pukki provided a glimpse of the ability Norwich fans have witnessed while watching Cantwell throughout his development.
His education is becoming compulsive viewing.
Questions marks surrounding his short-term future at the club were raised prior to the season, with many feeling he required more first team football after a positive loan spell abroad at Fortuna Sittard.
To his credit, he arrived back in Norfolk with a mature head on his shoulders and displayed patience.
Many English players would opt for the safety of a lower league loan within England, but Cantwell trusted his pathway set out by Norwich’s academy staff.
Would say that #ncfc comfortably best side we’ve played this season. Played some excellent stuff. The 36 for them looks a cracking player. #NFFC
— Warren Allsworth (@warrenallsworth) October 20, 2018
In Farke, Cantwell has a coach willing to give him an opportunity and also a platform to develop at his own speed. Cantwell is becoming quite the footballer and is influencing games at Championship level.
Long may it continue, Todd.
Alex Tettey is the most underrated player to don yellow and green in the last decade.
He has a unique skillset rivalled by nobody at Norwich. Every team requires a combative midfielder, particularly in the Championship. Tettey is the drummer within this side, whilst he doesn’t get the credit of the lead man, he ensures the beat continues as it should.
Timm Klose now has 9 goals in 99 games for Norwich City.
He's the first Canaries defender to:
Score two goals in a game since Russell Martin against Man City in December 2012
Score in back-to-back away games since Gary Doherty in December 2009#ncfc pic.twitter.com/7vjIYlVPLD
— NCFC Numbers (@ncfcnumbers) October 20, 2018
Coupled with Moritz Leitner, Norwich have quite a duo in central midfield.
Last season, it was Tettey and Tom Trybull who constructed an outstanding understanding of each other’s game whilst making Norwich steadier and defensively sound. In Leitner, Norwich have an exceptionally talented technical footballer capable of dictating the tempo of proceedings to an exemplary level.
Leitner completed more passes in that first half than any other footballer on the City Ground, he is a major protagonist in Norwich asserting their philosophy onto games this season.
Metronome.
A tough couple of fixtures lay ahead, but make no mistake, this victory is special. Forest will be in the hunt for a playoff place come May, and to dominate the game in such an impressive manner bodes well for the task ahead.
Farke’s stock is rising considerably in Norfolk at present. If he can keep Norwich on this path and ensure consistency is witnessed into Christmas, then this could be a historic season for the Canaries.
Wow.
The countdown begins.
Just 5️⃣days until our #PrideOfAnglia quiz.
You don't want to miss this #ncfc fans pic.twitter.com/W9zwVjFYPQ
— NCFSC (@NorwichCityFSC) October 20, 2018
