The ACN Match Review: MK Dons (h) | OneFootball

How did we play? 

As though it were still April or May, with the obvious caveat that this wasn’t Championship opposition. While this wasn’t a friendly, but also not quite a fully competitive fixture, what can be gleaned is that the sharpness and quality of Norwich’s passing and transitions should translate well to the level they’ll be playing at. 

The World Cup contingent looked like they’d been to a World Cup – absolutely brimming with confidence. Andre Brooks looked as good as advertised. This is the most ready a Norwich team has looked for a new season in many years. 

What was the best bit of the game? 

Two of the four goals coming from high pressing – in 26-27 degree heat – will delight Big Phil. Overall, the attitude and application was spot on and clearly Clement – rightly so – was treating this as a de facto season opener.

What was the worst bit of the game? 

Nearly didn’t make kick-off, and therefore could’ve easily missed the first one or two goals, what with queues snaking through the car park at the back of the South Stand. While no longer my usual place in the ground, this seems to be a recurring issue at the start of most seasons. 

We also somehow managed to pick up four yellow cards and have another penalty given against us for kicking thin air. Or for Callum Paterson jumping into Pelle Mattsson. It may not have been the first few minutes of an East Anglian derby this time, but referees are continuing to buy these antics and it will continue to cost us (and other teams) points in the Championship.

What was the atmosphere like? 

Pretty good for a cup game. Just over 20,000 in attendance, which probably (at a guess) beats all other Championship clubs playing yesterday bar West Ham. And why not? When you know this Norwich manager will treat the cups seriously and demand the same standards from his team as a league game.

If I may have an “old man yells at cloud” moment – while hydration breaks became something of a pantomime at the World Cup (and understandably so), clearly no TV channel will be cutting away to advertise Dodge pickup trucks or the latest artery-clogger from Burger King during a round one Carabao Cup tie. So there’s no need to boo. We’ve all found this summer’s heat oppressive. These are athletes but they are very finely tuned – like Formula 1 cars. Let them have a drink.

Hero of the match 

At a time where we really need him to be red hot, Mo Toure looks red hot. Could’ve easily had a hat trick. We’ve got at least two top strikers for the Championship, hopefully at some point this season Big Phil will actually have to choose one over the other.

A baby seagull also staked a claim to solve our full back issues with a very disciplined shift. Not quite as complete a performance as the Hull squirrel, mind.

Summary in five words 

Touch wood, we’re looking good.