Paddy Davitt delivers his Cardiff verdict after a controlled 2-0 Championship win.
1. Cruise control
A first half salvo sourced in Brazil and then a non event of a second half that merely served to underline the strides this Norwich City collective have already made under David Wagner.
The Canaries’ game management, bar an inevitable scare or two as struggling Cardiff sought a way back in after the interval, was impressive. So too the way they shook off a lethargic opening 30 minutes against an opponent who Wagner poetically pointed out - after his own side’s midweek win - had their feet ‘on the sofa’ and a week to prepare.
But after Marquinhos had doubled the hosts’ lead, to follow up Gabby Sara’s thumping hit from just outside the area, the result never felt in doubt. It has felt a long time since any Norwich fan could turn up at Carrow Road and relax in the knowledge the points were safe.
This was in its own way as routine as Burnley’s recent win on Norfolk soil. A third consecutive home victory matched a run last achieved back in September.
It might surprise a few to recall Dean Smith managed the same feat, before the season headed south for him and his players. But it looks different, it feels different now.
On a day when the club’s public address system failed to function the volume that greeted the now customary final whistle tour of the pitch led by Wagner felt louder than the previous two home victories.
Something fresh is building. Where it takes Norwich for the rest of the season is part of the excitement.
2. Oh, Gabriel
An ever-present in Wagner’s Championship starting line up since the German’s arrival. Given the warmth of the pre-match eulogy towards the multi-dimensional Brazilian midfielder that is unlikely to change.
Wagner spoke about Sara’s key role in a key area of his side, and how that deeper-lying partnership with Kenny McLean could unlock the type of influence many City fans hoped, and possibly expected, when he arrived to such fanfare from south America.
Easy to forget now he still needed a period of rehab on an ankle injury that curtailed his Sao Paulo career. Quite apart from adapting to the language, a new culture, a new country and trying to carve out his niche in a Smith side that was failing to perform on a consistent basis.
The manner he roamed free in the first half against the Bluebirds underlined his growing confidence. Capped by a thumping left footed finish that skidded past Ryan Allsop and nestled inside his near post to open the scoring.
Sara is now playing with the air of a man who feels at home on and off the park. The spot for Onel Hernandez to sidefoot a shot against the foot of a post in the second half prompted McLean to race over and applaud his sidekick.
The intriguing aspect to this growing relationship is the sense there is so much more to come.
3. Game of patience
You can be sure when a Norwich City loan spell was sold to Marquinhos it was not a chance to swap Arsenal’s bench for a Championship one.
A muscular problem that ruled him out of training for nine days or so stalled his bid for a leading role in green and yellow. But in this recent congested swing of fixtures he has seen others preferred by Wagner.
That will have been a test of the German’s man-management. Albeit talked abut the teenager's maturity after his debut. But with Kieran Dowell now sidelined until the ‘second part of April’ in Wagner’s words there is a real opportunity on the right hand side of the Canaries’ midfield.
A first start brought a first assist and then a first goal. There was the inevitable smoothness of an understanding with his ex-Sao Paulo team mate, Sara, but he was also on the same wavelength as Hernandez when he anticipated the left winger’s cut back from the byline to dip inside the Cardiff defender and drill a low, left footed strike past Allsop.
It was razor sharp play from a 19-year-old prospect making his first start since Arsenal’s League Cup defeat to Brighton on November 9.
Truth be told Norwich have had some forgettable experiences with highly rated loaned wingers in the past. Think Patrick Roberts and Marcus Edwards. But this debut suggested Marquinhos will have a bigger impact during his City posting.
4. Lions’ Den
What a tasty game now in store for Norwich at Millwall next weekend. The Lions sit one point and two places above the Canaries. Sandwiched in between lie Luton, who host Millwall this coming midweek.
So many potential plot twists within the bigger promotion picture. But the fact it now feels like Wagner has got the Canaries back in the conversation should ensure they relish a pending trip to a direct promotion rival.
City will be backed by a massive travelling contingent who must be starting to believe again, and on previous promotion tours at this level Millwall has proved a happy hunting ground.
It is a challenge to attack, because the rewards in terms of inflicting a direct blow on a rival, and the shot of confidence, are huge. Norwich’s record against those harbouring the same ambitions this season is wretched. But so too was the Carrow Road form line, and Wagner has set about that with gusto.
Quite rightly, after that Clarets’ humbling and then a poor effort in defeat at Bristol City, there was a feeling this season had got away from City.
But seven points from Wigan onwards has signalled the belief inside the camp is they can have a real say at the business end.
Wagner confirmed as much post-match when he acknowledge that Latics’ grind does not look a bad point in the kitty now. But to keep this rolling they will need to withstand what lies in store next weekend.
5. One more year
That was the chant that rose up when Teemu Pukki emerged for a second half warm up. By the end of some gentle stretching and shuttle running it had taken on a Darren Huckerby or Eric Cantona festive feel, with additional verses adding an extra year on and on.
A smiling Pukki appeared to take it in the spirit it was intended. The sub-text is clear. A player so indelibly linked with the rise and two Premier League falls since his free transfer arrival would leave a gaping hole if he departs this summer at the end of his current Carrow Road contract.
The noises from Finland last summer were clear. Pukki wanted to stay in the English top flight and trade with the very best. City exercised their contractual option for a player who remained a key part of this fightback.
Former boss Smith revealed towards the end of his reign a fresh contract offer from the Canaries had been left on the table.
Few would blame Pukki for waiting to assess his options. Fewer still will begrudge him one last big move of his career, and perhaps added financial security for his family and life after football.
With City’s upturn in results one can still hope the planets align and Pukki has another shot at the Premier League in green and yellow.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here