Norwich 1-2 Watford

Last updated : 17 November 2003 By Thomas Rooney
 When it became known that if we won against Watford we would go top of the league, I immediately had doubts about the result. Several times over the last couple of seasons Norwich have had the chance to go top and subsequently blown it. The 100% home record had to come to an end sometime. I had a feeling while I was watching Darren Eadie on ‘Soccer AM’ building up Norwich’s home record that it might come to an end against Watford.

 As I sat in the ‘Coach and Horses’ before the game I suddenly became more confident (whether the influence of alcohol had anything do to with this I’ll leave you to decide).  It was definitely a game we should win and with ‘Super Hucks’ in the team we never lose anyway do we?

 I then made my way down to the ground and there was a definite buzz around Carrow Road. The ‘On the Ball City’ before the game was loud and although I seem to be one of the only people singing this in the Norwich and Peterborough stand, the Barclay was in full voice as usual.

 When I saw the team we had put out I was a little surprised. I expected that without Mulryne we would slot Gary Holt back into midfield and bring in Keith Briggs to deputise at right back. Instead Holt stayed at right back and Clint Easton came into the centre of midfield alongside Damien Francis. This does somewhat question the faith Worthington has in Briggs to play a full 90 minutes. However I can understand Worthington’s thinking in that he felt Easton was the most similar player we had to Mulryne and would look to him to be the playmaker of the midfield.

 After the match began and I had finished my Cheese and Onion Pie, Norwich did not have any clear cut chances and were certainly not playing the flowing football that saw them storm into a 3 goal lead a week earlier against Millwall.

 When Watford took the league on 23 minutes through a simple tap in at the back post by Scott Fitzgerald I was not too surprised as Watford probably had the best of the opening exchanges. I also did not panic, as I knew we had been 1-0 behind on a number of occasions this seasons, although I did feel we needed to respond quickly.

 I strongly believe we should have had a penalty shortly after. Neil Cox clearly bundled McVeigh to the floor but Steve Bennet the referee to the horror of all Norwich fans including myself adjudged the foul to be legal. Why the first division gets stuck with the worst referees from the Premiership is slightly beyond me.

 At half time I still believed we could win the game although in all honesty I would have taken a point and moved up to 2nd spot in the table.

 Again at the start of the second half Norwich didn’t really look like creating much with Huckerby having one of his quieter games in a Norwich shirt. The game pulled further away in the 80th minute when Watford were awarded a penalty. My initial reaction was that Green would be sent off for pulling down Fitzgerald. When the oh so popular Mr Bennet only booked Green I wondered whether it was only a free kick and not a penalty. Unfortunately though a penalty was given and Neil Cox neatly slotted home the penalty as it looked as if Norwich would lose their 100% home record.

 On 88 minutes, we were given a glimmer of hope when Huckerby provided a simple tap in for substitute Ryan Jarvis who scored his first professional goal. This however proved too little too late with City’s best chance a free kick outside the area which substitute Rivers wasted terribly. Sadly to the disappointment of all Norwich fans the final score was Norwich 1 –2 Watford (or 2-1 to the referee as some sections of the crowd were singing)

 My feeling as I made my way of Carrow Road was one of disappointment and one of realism. We definitely missed Crouch and with Huckerby not at his best we struggled to create too much. I didn’t feel too down as we are 3rd in the league and with a home record of 8 wins and 1 defeat you have to be pleased. At least Ipswich didn’t win did they???!!

 On the ball…………

Keep the Faith