Don't think I've ever felt this buzzed the day after a game. I have calmed down enough now though to actually go into a little bit more detail about the game itself.
I imagine that for the neutral, that the 2nd half in particular wasn't particularly spectacular. Looking back on the game, there wasn't really any significant chance for either side after we went 2-0 up after 15 minutes. It was an absolutely flying start and when both teams hit the bar within the space of a minute I thought we were in for an absolute cracker. However it didn't matter at all to me and every other Norwich fan that it wasn't that great a game, because it was just such an enjoyable day, and the atmosphere all the way through the game kept it incredibly entertaining.
I think that we shocked Middlesbrough really, and they didn't really know how to react when we came flying out the blocks at them. I imagine they planned to do what they did to us at Carrow Road, however we didn't give them a chance to do that, because we nullified their attack every time they tried to go forward, didn't give them any time on the ball, were really organised defensively, and then took an early 2 goal lead, and from then on it was barely a contest. The double substitution we made with about 20 minutes left completely killed the game, and I thought a big reason for that was that Dorrans added a lot of energy to the midfield, and Middlesbrough's tired legs couldn't cope with that. I have seen Boro fans complaining about how they can never seem to get back into a game once they go behind, so it was clear that Alex Neil had done his homework. I thought the only players that actually impressed me from the Boro side were the left back George Friend, who looked good going forward as well as quite solid defensively, and I think I'm right in saying he won their POTS, and Albert Adomah was always a bit of a threat, but although he put plenty of good balls into the box, we dealt them practically every time.
For us Cameron Jerome was rightly man of the match. Took his goal very well (although what on Earth the keeper was doing I don't know) and worked tirelessly all game, causing so many problems for their defence. Redmond as well was class and like many he has clearly benefited from Alex Neil's arrival. What he does now which I haven't seen him do before, is he often comes inside to collect the ball, and then he runs at defenders, and it causes real problems. His record since AN came in is 5 goals and 7 assists, whereas his record under Neil Adams was 1 goal and 6 assists. He's really starting to add some end product to his game, and hopefully that continues into next season. I also thought Martin and Bassong at the back were absolutely solid. Martin was questionable over 2 legs against Ipswich. He was partly at fault for their goal in the away leg with a poor header, and also lost out aerially to Daryl Murphy who assisted Tommy Smith for their equaliser in the home leg, but he won everything pretty much in the air yesterday, as did Bassong. For some reason I felt love for Russell Martin after the game yesterday more than any other player. I think partly because he's had a lot of stick this season, so I was delighted for him that he played so well when it mattered in the final, and also because it's really clear how much he loves this club, so great for him to lift the trophy at Wembley. I have to admit I don't think Wes had his most effective game, but he was undoubtedly still very good, and humiliated Boro defenders on several occasions. The rest of the team I would describe as 'good'. Not spectacular but solid. Ruddy on the whole dealt with everything very well, although he didn't have much to do.
As you can tell by my post a couple of pages back, I was on absolute cloud 9 yesterday. Just felt ridiculously happy, and I would definitely go as far as to say that it was one of the best days of my life so far. This is what I don't understand about people who live in Norwich but support Chelsea or Manchester United or whatever. Why would you support them when you have such a wonderful football club on your doorstep. As I said yesterday I was so proud of everyone associated with Norwich City yesterday, and as I said previously I will happily wait another 30 years for a day like that because it is so worth waiting for. One of the moments that actually made me smile the most yesterday was to do with my dad. He's had to take a lot time off work this last year/this year because of stress and depression. He's been back at work a couple of months now and is definitely improving, but still isn't really back to his 'normal self'. But he turned to me with about 5 minutes of the game left to go yesterday, and said "I obviously want this to end because I really want us to win, but at the same time I don't want it to end because I'm enjoying it so much." Made me so happy when he said that yesterday and all day today he hasn't stopped talking about the game, and it makes me a little bit emotional just thinking about it now. That's just the effect football can have though I guess, and it's days like yesterday that I will remember all my life, and gives you a reminder of why you give up so much money and time following this football club, even through all the dark days, and it's so completely worth it.
The 3 months or so without football always seems to go pretty slowly, but it'll certainly be interesting to see the players that Alex Neil brings in this summer, as well as those who leave. Can't wait for next season now, just hope it comes around quickly.
