The saddest story in football at the Weekend, was the passing away of one of the World`s greatest footballers and amabassadors for the game.
Quite rightly, much has been broadcast and written about his career and achievements in the English game.
At the age of 15 he was spotted by Manchester United scout Joe Armstrong whilst playing for East Northumberland Schools in 1953. He signed amateur forms with United and the rest is history. He went on to play 606 games for United, scoring 199 goals. He wore the Red Devils badge for 17 years until 1973 and eventually retired from professional football in 1980.
His Senior England career began in 1958, the year of the Munich Air Disaster, of which he was one of the nine players to survive. His biggest achievement, along with winning the European Cup, First Division Championships, the FA Cup and the Charity Shield - was his role in the 1966 England Team which won The World Cup. Charlton scored two against Portugal in the Semi finals to put England through to the Final. In that historic victory for England, Charlton marked a certain Franz Beckenbaur out of the game. Sir Bobby made an amazing total of 106 appearances for his country, netting 49 goals. He is the third highest goal-scorer for England, having been overtaken by Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane.
He became an ambassador for United and will always be remembered as an icon in the British game. He was Knighted in 1994.
Here`s what Michael Carrick had to say about Sir Bobby Charlton at his Media Conference on Monday 23rd October 2023:
[In the changing rooms] He would come in after the game and have a quick chat and show his support mainly. Whatever the result he was always there and showed he cared so much. He loved Man Utd. Loved the club….the players. He knew what it meant to play for Man Utd….to be involved in the club. After the game he epitomised everything Manchester United…..the family, the history, the tradition, looking after each other and everything he had been through: in his lifetime and on the pitch, with Munich...through that and having the career that he had. [His] influence and support around the club, that rubbed off for such a long time. Its really sad news . [He was] an icon of football.
Being from the North East, from a working class background, going on to achieve incredible things. A special person. [Smile] Obviously very talented as a footballer and arguably the best footballer to come out of this country. Definitely right up there. As a person, his character, his personality, his caring side, that shone through as much as anything for me.
RIP
Sir Bobby Charlton.
Born: Ashington, Northumberland
11th October 1937
Passed away:
Saturday 22nd October 2023 [Aged 83].
Like Michael Carrick said on Saturday after our Fifth League Victory in a row - "we left it late", but there was no doubt we played much the better football. We were more comfortable on the ball, better out of possession, our players defending and crossing was immaculate and every single players deserves credit for an excellent performance. There are still things we can and will improve, with tweaks to technique and timing for certain players - to develop and improve their game, but overall it was a very good game. We played some lovely football and could have won by a much bigger margin, but its three points on the board and thats what matters.
He was asked about certain players, particularly Seny Dieng`s contribution to the games in recent weeks especially the three "clean sheets".. Carrick is one not to pick out individual players, but answered the reporters question:
He`s been a calming influence. He`s quite laid back naturally as a character, but that doesn’t take away from the other side of him in terms of the control and calmness and how that can rub off on the back four and the team. Obviously with the ball he`s a big part of what we do and has an influence on us attacking from the back really. He`s made some big saves at certain times. He didn’t have a lot to do on Saturday, but he made one early on. It goes unnoticed at times, but he`s had a big impact and clean sheets are vital for us to be successful, to get to where we want to get to. Clean sheets, defending and having to score one goal to win a game is a lot easier at times. Football is not easy, but its a lot easier if you only have to score one if you defend well as a team.
He certainly commands his box and can kick a ball from his area and land on a sixpence. His contribution to attack is as important as the midfield and forwards. He is a different man from keepers we`ve had in recent seasons and will definitely improve as the season progressess.
Carrick also had praise for Big Tree, who`s role in the team is sometimes overlooked:
Big player for us Crooksy. Really important part of the squad. His experience, how he is as a person, his attitude, his character, he plays a big part around the group and his performances have been fantastic. His impact on the games have been big….creating some goals, scoring some goals. His general play has been fantastic and his link up really well with Izzy down the right hand side. He gives us so much out of possession….his work rate...[I`m] delighted for him playing so well. He certainly proved his dexterity [even at 30] when he passed back to Morgan Rogers who slotted that winner past Brums goalie. Incidently, Rogers described his initial pass to Crooks as possibly "one of the worst" hes played!
Incidentally, today [Tuesday 24th October], marks a year since Carricks arrival at The Riverside. He was asked many questions, but emphasised its results and where we are at the end of the season which matters. According to him, we cant judge success until the final whistle.
Norwich:
There have been dissenting voices raised amongst the fans at Carrow Road. The Canaries start has been indifferent and results havent been good [Familiar?]. But Carrick is in no doubt that resuts dont always reflect performances:
I don’t think you can judge Norwich on their results. [We] judge them on what they`re capable of doing and how they`re actually playing as well. Reminds me a little bit of us when we were finding it difficult to get results, but performances were there largely. Watching them over the last few week….they are very dangerous, very good with the ball . Good going forward, creating a lot of chances, got some good players. You`ve got to be really good to beat them. We are well aware of that. Obviously [our] run is the run, but we`re not looking at that at all. We know it`l be a tough game and we`ll have to be at our best to get the result we want. [Norwich were beaten by Leeds despite a spirited display]
Its crucial for us to continue our current run - certainly for us fans - but we know its not always that easy. A 548 kilometer round trip on a wet night in October isnt perhaps the most attractive prospect, but we are ready and up for the challenge. OK, there are some key players out injured, but as Carrick says "thats football". We have a more than capable squad and thats the difference to recent seasons. We have Carrick and his Staff, who will have the lads ready.
So far, about Carrick`s first year, he commented.....
I feel that we`ve made progress in terms of how we play the game. What`s expected….we`ve been pretty consistent with the group, with the behaviours, the positivity, the connection with the fans has grown no end since I`ve been here, which is good to see. But it does come down to results and its the end of the season….
Highlights the problems he feels the team need to overcome following Leeds United Defeat:
Norwich City head coach David Wagner has called for more consistency after seeing his side fall to a 3-2 defeat against Leeds United.
Norwich led at half-time thanks to goals from Shane Duffy and Gabriel Sara but the visitors would turn it around in the second half to claim the spoils.
"It's a tough one and it hurts all of us when you concede a defeat at home after you lead 2-0," Wagner said.
"We have to make one thing clear today, we have to decide or see the difference between the performance and the result. The result obviously hurts, nobody likes to lose but the performance from my point of view was a good one. We created opportunities, we were very brave on the ball, played out from the back.
"We created moments and opportunities, scored two goals and were able to score more. We put in a very big effort, great commitment from the players. We faced a quality side and gave some opportunities away, that's true. But, we have to be honest about the space we gave them to use the quality that they have. What really hurt us were the moments before the goals that we conceded, the goals that we gave away were too easy. One was a quality shot but the other two, we have to better.
"This hurts, but in general we have to make clear that this was a good performance and we have to be consistent on this level. If we do, we'll win games. That's the nature of football."
He also acknowledged that while his side created chances to score more goals that they also afforded some to Leeds.
Decision-making was another area the head coach says cost Norwich the three points.
"I think we have to be honest. Leeds had other opportunities in the first half, like we did. What I want to do better is the situations, particularly the first and the second one. If you do a lot of things right and invest a lot in situations, you need to show your composure and make the right decision.
"Especially the free-kick, where it was easy to make the right decision because it was a dead-ball situation. They are humans, they make mistakes and we have to learn from it. This was what decided the game and a result where we should have done better. Again, the general performance was a good one."
The saddest story in football at the Weekend, was the passing away of one of the World`s greatest footballers and amabassadors for the game.
Quite rightly, much has been broadcast and written about his career and achievements in the English game.
View attachment 65677
At the age of 15 he was spotted by Manchester United scout Joe Armstrong whilst playing for East Northumberland Schools in 1953. He signed amateur forms with United and the rest is history. He went on to play 606 games for United, scoring 199 goals. He wore the Red Devils badge for 17 years until 1973 and eventually retired from professional football in 1980. View attachment 65679
His Senior England career began in 1958, the year of the Munich Air Disaster, of which he was one of the nine players to survive. His biggest achievement, along with winning the European Cup, First Division Championships, the FA Cup and the Charity Shield - was his role in the 1966 England Team which won The World Cup. Charlton scored two against Portugal in the Semi finals to put England through to the Final. In that historic victory for England, Charlton marked a certain Franz Beckenbaur out of the game. Sir Bobby made an amazing total of 106 appearances for his country, netting 49 goals. He is the third highest goal-scorer for England, having been overtaken by Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane.
He became an ambassador for United and will always be remembered as an icon in the British game. He was Knighted in 1994. View attachment 65680
Here`s what Michael Carrick had to say about Sir Bobby Charlton at his Media Conference on Monday 23rd October 2023: View attachment 65681
[In the changing rooms] He would come in after the game and have a quick chat and show his support mainly. Whatever the result he was always there and showed he cared so much. He loved Man Utd. Loved the club….the players. He knew what it meant to play for Man Utd….to be involved in the club. After the game he epitomised everything Manchester United…..the family, the history, the tradition, looking after each other and everything he had been through: in his lifetime and on the pitch, with Munich...through that and having the career that he had. [His] influence and support around the club, that rubbed off for such a long time. Its really sad news . [He was] an icon of football.
Being from the North East, from a working class background, going on to achieve incredible things. A special person. [Smile] Obviously very talented as a footballer and arguably the best footballer to come out of this country. Definitely right up there. As a person, his character, his personality, his caring side, that shone through as much as anything for me.
RIP
Sir Bobby Charlton.
Born: Ashington, Northumberland
11th October 1937
Passed away:
Saturday 22nd October 2023 [Aged 83].
Jonathan Rowe [7 goals. 2 assists] Free advice abounds that the 20 year old should "resist" leaving Norwich City.
He began his career with the East Anglian outfit, signing his first professional contract in 2015.
Gabriel Sara [4 goals. 4 assists] The 24 year old Brazilian began his career at Sao Paulo and joined Norwich in the summer of 2022. West Ham were reportedly sniffing around at one point.
Adam Idah [4 goals. 1 assist] Born in Cork, the 22 year old Republic of Ireland International joined Norwich Academy in 2017.
Josh Sargent [3 goals. 1 assist] Just 23. Began his career at St Louis Scott Gallagher, aged 8, in the good old U.S of A! Just over two years ago he joined the Canaries and has made 70 appearances, scoring 18 goals. In his spare time he plays as an International for USA. I believe he may have scored against us .....so we owe him one.
Ashley Barnes [2 goals. 1 assist] Now 33, [34 in 6 days time], the aging forward left Burnley after nine years at the end of the 22/23 season and joined the Canaries, after his contract wasnt renewed at Turf Moor. Shouldnt take long for our defenders and midfield to run him ragged.
Christian Fassnacht [2 goals. No assists] 29 year old Swiss International signed in July this year, has so far spent the majority of his career with Bern Team - "Young Boys", from where he rejoined Norwich boss David Wagner.
None of these current Norwich players really need an introduction.
However......
Ben Gibson is still defending for the Canaries and has been there now for over three years.
Danny Batth signed for the yellow and greens in September 2023.
He must have played for half the teams in the league during his career! Onel hernandes is still at Carrow Road, after signing in January 2018. I think his best goal for us was in that match against Forest - where he scored a beauty and we all went potty in the away end. Warnock was in charge and Chris Hughton got the sack next morning.
Cant believe that Adam Forshaw is still alive and kicking. It seems like hes been around football almost as long as Neil Warnock [well, not quite]. 32 earlier this month, he joined on a free from the "dirty whites" this summer. His most memorable Boro goal was that one against Reading right at the death.
Incidentaly - that goal took us two points above Burnley at the top of the Championship back in 2016!
Rowe got 5 of his 7 goals in August. Just the 2 in the 9 matches since 1st Sept . Let's hope he doesn't feel like bringing back his sunshine weather form - if he starts that is . Started last 2 games on the Right
