CM9798 Norwich The Finale

Well now here we are. We started this journey in the expected fashion but you join us here today troubling the playoff places. 13 games to go and we could yet surpass all expectations and take Norwich back to the Premier League. I for one can’t wait for the cake Delia Smith will bake. Loves an occasion, does Del.

Anyway to business. You might recall a few episodes ago we won at Elland Road and it gave us the platform to be the team we’ve become today. In the return fixture it therefore seems only natural that we would plunder 25 shots on their goal to be successful just once, compared to their measly 5 attempts which result in three goals. Honestly, the name on the box might be different but it’ll always be Champ at heart.

Basically the same performance a week later yields a 3-1 win against Swansea, who are only just outside the playoffs. It’s a big win, don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.

That puts us in good spirits as we head all the way to Plymouth for the FA Cup 5th round. A rotated team dominates the first half and Nunez gives us a deserved lead. The second half unravels a bit and Plymouth equalise immediately. It looks like extra time beckons before we get a late, late penalty which Adam Idah converts. He’s having a great season.

All I want in the last 8 is a home tie and ideally one of the other two Championship teams. We get one, but not the other. Arsenal will be a severe test.

Back to league action and a hard fought win at Middlesbrough. Loan signing Daryl Dike is off the mark and we are looking good for that playoff spot.

The great results keep on coming. Southampton look well placed to go up but we give them a good Leeds-ing and score three without really trying.

FA Cup time and once again our hearts are broken. It looks so good when we turn around a 1-0 deficit to lead 2-1 and Carrow Road is a cacophony of noise as we enter injury time. A corner comes in, we head it clear. That’s good. The ball somehow bobbles about to the edge of the box where Saliba picks it up. He’s a centre half, he won’t shoot from there…oh he has and he’s scored. Mint. Extra time starts badly and Nketiah puts the Gunners ahead and that’s how it ends. Nearly.

So we won’t be winning the FA Cup but the promotion chase resumes with a nice win at Bristol City, despite Idah missing a first half penalty. He scores another though and Nunez wraps it up.

FM haven’t cottoned on that Wayne Rooney isn’t all that in the dugout and his Birmingham side are in the top 6. For some reason they are untouchable for large periods of the game and we manage to claw ourselves level twice, before a third time proves to be one too many.

We’re running out of chances to mess up so let’s hope we keep ourselves together. Our best defensive display of the season sees us keep a clean sheet and win at Millwall.

With 6 games to go we’re outside the top 6 but have a game in hand owing to our FA Cup exploits.

I’ve seen this one before. We hammer West Brom from all angles but somehow lose 2-1 to a Josh Onomah double. 25 shots, one goal. Oh and Jack Stacey is injured. A bad day.

We take out all our anger on Rotherham. A big 6-2 win.

Back into the top 6! 4 games to avoid doing anything stupid.

We win at Sheffield Wednesday which includes the underused Liam Gibbs rattling one in from 30 yards. A truly stupendous strike and one that hopefully cements our playoff hopes.

 

Why do we do this to ourselves? Hull are lowly. And yes, they play well to go 2-1 up before captain Hanley gets sent off and Jonny Rowe suffers what looks like a season ending injury. The 10 men do at least snatch an equaliser thanks to Fassnacht but it’s a poor result.

We drag ourselves back into the top 6 with a big win at Cardiff in the penultimate game.

Our goal difference is so much better than Birmingham’s we know a point will do against Preston.

We take all three to finish 6th.

Look at that top 3…nearly 100+ all round. Madness. Anyway, 99 is not enough to get Southampton promoted so we’ll take them on over two legs.

Fassnacht is in trouble. Rowe should be back for the second leg so Delia sticks a needle in him to get him through.

Leg one could barely have gone better. Armstrong’s late consolation keeps the tie alive but we’re happy with 3-1.

The good thing is Southampton have to chase the game at home and they simply get picked off on the counter. Even Ashley Barnes scores. We’re going to Wembley!

Where we will face…local rivals Ipswich. Ed Sheeran will be there.

 

Fair to say there’s a lot riding on this. Local bragging rights is one thing but the £100m™ match can shape the future of either club.

Fair to say, the future of our club is looking decidedly brighter!

Oh yes the board can’t wait to praise me now.

Delia retires, which I assume is the result of some sort of bet that “that stupid knacker” won’t get us promoted. So long, Delia.

Jack Stacey gets his reward for being awesome. 19 assists from right back.

And that’s that. I’ve really enjoyed FM24, I will probably continue this but not in blog form. I didn’t expect to get anywhere near promotion but I guess that tactic has a lot to answer for. Thanks for reading and see you again sometime

Here’s some final highlights…