Considering the way I felt at half-time at today's Norwich v Burnley clash, this match turned out to the be the best at Carrow Road so far this season.City were pretty awful in the first half as Burnley ran the show with the impressive Chris Eagles and Martin Paterson tearing our back four apart. Not much complaint about the two goals, they just exposed our weakness at the back at times.
Going forward it was just as frustrating. As I sat and watched Steven Smith hit poor cross after poor cross it occured to me that when City attack at home it's always the same.
Balls are pinged arcross midfield until Wes Hoolahan or Andrew Crofts spies either Russell Martin or Smith trying to burst down the flank and then they're expected to whip in a cross for Grant Holt or Simeon Jackson to try and get something on to.
Last season we attacked down the middle far more and I don't think it took a genius to work out that going for Burnley this way would reap reward.
Step forward Chris Martin and Anthony McNamee who changed the game - the former Watford man was easily the best thing on show and gave Danny Fox a torrid last half an hour on the right.
McNamee's direct dribbling and crosses were just what the game needed and the rousing second half performance was a credit to him.
Had City lost 2-1 I'd still have said this game was great to watch and I don't think even the biggest Clarets fan would dispute that City didn't deserve a point.
A great start to a great football month for me: two home games against Leeds and Ipswich to come later this month and a trip to watch Juventus and Sampdoria at home next weekend to look forward to.
Paul Lambert has brought many things to Carrow Road, but his ability to make meaningful tactical changes, and instil a 'never say die' attitude into his players, is quite remarkable. That was a good point yesterday. Burnley are still on my list of potential automatic promotion sides.
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