If My Beloved Swans Must Lose, I’m Glad It’s to Norwich
The citizens of Norwich, fearing that their city was not catching up quickly enough to 18th-century commercial and industrial trends, turned their attention to its medieval walls and gates, which, according to the Norwich Directory of 1783, were “a nuisance, that smells rank in the nose of modern improvement.” Between 1790 and 1810 most of the city gates were removed, and the walls that did remain ceased to be formally maintained.
On Saturday, however, it was not Norwich’s defenses but Swansea’s that seemed torn down. With an 18-minute flurry in the second half, the Canaries were able to net three goals, putting them ahead of the Swans and launching them into 8th place in the Premier League table. Norwich thus joins United as the only two teams to travel to Liberty Stadium this season and come away with three points.
The BBC’s post-game report lauded the Yellows: “…the visitors, who collected a fourth win in six games to climb to eighth place, were deserving winners after dominating for large periods. They looked able to tear the Swansea defence apart at will in the second half as they recovered from Graham’s early opener to take complete control.” For their part, Swansea players were left complaining about a bit of “bad luck.”
The Swans have looked so promising this season, so this unexpected loss is surely disappointing. Swansea has been my favorite team to watch this year; they play great, team-oriented football without annoying superstars, racism scandals, or big market windfalls. For those of us tired of reading about botched hand-shakes, money laundering allegations, and FA position-jostling, Swansea City has offered a remedy: news about a football team that’s actually about the football.
However, if the Swans are to lose, I am happy to see it be to Norwich City, a team that has flown under the radar (get it?) for much of the season. They, too, try to concentrate on the football, while leaving the relentless soap-opera banter to higher-paid clubs and players. Now in 8th place, they are poised as an example of a small but historic team making a group effort and increasing their potential by avoiding relegation—all without spending sprees or public protest.
With their next league match against United on the horizon, could Norwich have Fergie’s players turning yellow? (Skip to 12:45 in the video.)
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