Football: Rick Waghorn believes Norwich City have been thrown a lifeline this week
In every likelihood, events south of the border are likely to somewhat over-shadow events north of the River Waveney.
No mean feat given that the Canaries are coming into another crucial weekend on the back of a derby defeat that left them staring over the abyss like never before.
After 93 minutes of Tuesday night's events at the Ricoh Stadium, it would have taken a very brave Canary fan to stand up and say: 'You know what, I think we'll just sneak this...'
For at that point, Barnsley were bang on course for three huge points from their away trip to Coventry City; three points that would have left Bryan Gunn and Co hugely in the lurch going into Monday night's home clash with Reading.
That contest has long been a must win; had that result at the Ricoh stayed the same, then Norwich would have faced the very real prospect of disappearing into the third tier of English football for the first time in 50 years on Monday night. Of course, they still do.
But suddenly, as if by magic, they have a new straw to cling to courtesy of one, assistant referee called Martin Dexter and his belief that Rob Kozluk was guilty of putting hand towards ball as opposed to the ball simply hitting his hand deep into stoppage time at the Ricoh.
Elliot Ward took full advantage from the penalty spot and ripped two, massive points out of Barnsley's hands.
Barnsley know that, mentally, advantage has now returned to Norwich as they look to pick themselves up from such a devastating turn of events in time for the visit of Wolves tomorrow.
Slip or stumble against Mick McCarthy's men – take merely a point for their troubles against the league leaders – and should Norwich win on Monday, so City's superior goal difference will dump Barnsley back into the bottom three.
Shoulds, ifs, coulds and maybes.
That's all anyone is left to and the odd certainty.
One of which concerns events on that final Sunday. Because one thing is certain – Plymouth and Barnsley can't both take three points from that game at Home Park.
And should the Pilgrims slip up away at QPR this weekend, then they too could yet be caught in the cross-fire of a late Canary revival.
Another certainty is that in JonJo Shelvey, Charlton Athletic possess a 17-year-old talent who has the capacity to break many a Canary heart that day.
But if only on the basis of that one, late call by one, distant linesman, it ain't over till its over.
Of that we can at least be sure.
www.norwichcity.myfootballwriter.com
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Weather for Diss
Thursday 02 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
