I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
New arrivals give Farke’s men hope
THE record books will show how Teemu Pukki’s penalty secured victory for Norwich in this frantic, fractious battle of the Premier League’s bottom two.
Everyone inside Carrow Road, though, will doubtless prefer to remember how the game swung on Steve Cook’s instinctive, incredible diving save that left Bournemouth a man and a goal down with only half an hour gone. Almost everyone, at least. Spare a thought for Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, whose side face Brighton tomorrow hoping to arrest this nosedive without another of their best players.
‘Losing anyone from the squad we have at the moment is a big blow,’ Howe said. ‘Especially one as experienced as Steve and someone that has the leadership qualities he has.’
Spare a thought, too, for Ondrej Duda. Cook’s acrobatics not only stole the headlines but also denied the Slovak the dream debut. It was Duda’s curling effort that the defender somehow tipped on to the post.
For Daniel Farke, the Norwich boss, and his pursuit of the ‘miracle’ they need to stay up, none of this matters. And all of this matters. Because if Cook’s acrobatics symbolised the desperation engulfing Bournemouth, the display of Duda illustrated why there is renewed hope around Carrow Road.
Farke branded his performance ‘top class’, while Tim Krul added: ‘It’s nice to add a bit of quality and this club is known for “pulling one out of the hat”.’ How they need to once more. Before Saturday’s 1-0 win — Norwich’s first in the league since November — only one team in Premier League history had survived from a plight worse than theirs.
If Norwich are to pull off the Great Escape, this could be the defining month.
Both Farke and Howe have faced a raft of injuries. Now both have to cope with suspensions, too. Farke has signed Duda (on loan from Hertha Berlin) and Lukas Rupp — who was a late substitute following his recent move from Hoffenheim.
Howe, meanwhile, is scratching around for solutions among a stretched squad so short of confidence. ‘When you’re in a relegation battle, to find the type of player that wants to come and join is difficult.
‘We’ll only sign players that we think can make us stronger and better otherwise it’s a waste of time and money.’
Duda showed here, though, that there is value in this market — if you know where to find it. Both he and Rupp add much-needed freshness to a squad that needed more investment after promotion.
Howe has spent big in recent years, but he could do with more arrivals, too. He can illafford to lose anyone, either.
His defence has been savaged by injuries, his midfield is short of creativity and his forwards can’t score.
As one source connected with Bournemouth said about their search for potential incomings: ‘Where do you start?’
Finding some goals would help. Against Norwich, Callum Wilson did at least manage a first shot on target since October. But it’s telling that
Norwich have kept three clean sheets all season: two have come against Howe’s side.
The second could prove crucial in the overall relegation picture.
But the truth is three points won’t save Norwich. They’re still bottom, three points behind Bournemouth and six from safety.
Ben Godfrey’s late red card, meanwhile, ensured he is now suspended for their next three matches.
Norwich do, at least, have a glimmer of hope. Thanks to the win — and to the arrival of fresh faces.
After 10 defeats in 12, how Howe could do with both of those. Or even one.