157 episodes

The Athletic's Michael Bailey is joined by a host of guests to bring you all the latest insight from Norwich City every single week. Hear interviews from big names, entertaining discussion and breaking news that you won't get anywhere else.

On The Ball - A show about Norwich City On The Ball

    • Sport
    • 4.7 • 58 Ratings

The Athletic's Michael Bailey is joined by a host of guests to bring you all the latest insight from Norwich City every single week. Hear interviews from big names, entertaining discussion and breaking news that you won't get anywhere else.

    #155 A double date with Daniel

    #155 A double date with Daniel

    Call off the trepidation - the top six spot is booked and the On The Ball Norwich City Podcast can start looking ahead to a date with the ex, as Daniel Farke arrives with Leeds on Sunday for a play-off semi-final.
    Steve Sanders (aka NCFC Numbers), Dave Powles and Connor Southwell try and work out what sort of position the Canaries will need to be in heading to Elland Road, attempt to care more about Norwich City's defeat at Birmingham more than David Wagner, and look back at the topsy-turvy campaign that's led us to here.
    Plus, referees kissing the badge, pitch invasions, selflessly giving up a ticket, and a healthy dollop of impromptu 2010s NCFC player nostalgia.
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    • 1 hr
    #154 Don't say 'we made it' yet...

    #154 Don't say 'we made it' yet...

    You will hear no presumptions made on this penultimate/not-penultimate On The Ball Norwich City Podcast for 2023/24. That's because the Canaries are nearly in the play-offs but not quite rubber stamped yet - with a 2-2 draw with Swansea at the weekend, along with Hull's draw with Ipswich, meaning that only an eight-goal swing in Hull's favour would see Norwich City drop out of the top six.
    Steve Sanders (aka NCFC Numbers), Dan Brigham and Ryan Livermore ensure not to break any mirrors or walk under any ladders, as the panel once again pay homage to the magnificence of Gabriel Sara, try and remember the five shots of Duffy, and at least allow Sydney van Hooijdonk more air time than he gets game time.
    Plus, Kenny wins player of the season and immediately slips into apology mode, finding ways to avoid next Saturday's game, and a lot of agonising noises over answers in Ryan Livermore's player-of-the-year quiz.
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    • 1 hr 13 min
    #153 Top Gunn and praying for sun

    #153 Top Gunn and praying for sun

    It's eight and out for the Canaries, as the On The Ball Norwich City Podcast assesses the game that ended the winning run at Carrow Road, the 1-1 draw with Bristol City.
    Steve Sanders (aka NCFC Numbers) bravely soldiers through cold with Dan Brigham and Dave Freezer, as the panel give overdue praise in the direction of Gunn Jr, question the timing of that Sainz run, get the abacuses out to work out what Norwich City need to nail down a top-six spot, and talk through the impact on fans of the new Sky Sports EFL deal.
    Plus, Allan Russell meets Russell Allan, dreaming of Westy on the pitch at Wembley, why warmth equals wins, and the best anecdote involving Mark Barham and a tortoise you'll hear all season... Get it while it's hot!
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    • 1 hr 3 min
    #152 Tears, cheers and 15 years

    #152 Tears, cheers and 15 years

    Well...what were we worried about? An On The Ball Norwich City Podcast to enjoy about a game worth remembering, as the Canaries got (another) one over their old rivals Ipswich Town with a 1-0 win on Saturday.
    A panel of Steve Sanders (aka NCFC Numbers), Dan Brigham, Zoe Morgan and Ryan Livermore relive the supercharged atmosphere on a memorable day at Carrow Road, sing the praises of free-kick hero Marcelino Nunez, laud Wagner's grown-up tactics, and mention the 15-year run quite a lot.
    Plus, the poor man's Paul Lambert and the Ben Pearson tribute act, crying and booing through an enjoyable game of football, and Ryan's quiz goes all Film 2009. Post-derby day joy from beginning to end!
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    • 1 hr 19 min
    #151 Cornering the set-piece market

    #151 Cornering the set-piece market

    For the first time in quite some time, the On The Ball Norwich City Podcast does not follow a win, after the Canaries' 3-1 Easter Monday defeat at Leicester.
    The panel of NCFC Numbers (aka Steve Sanders), Dan Brigham and Dave Powles review that, before moving on to the positivity of the comeback win over Plymouth, Gabriel Sara's free-kick nearly moment and Norwich City's new role as the Championship's new corner routine kings. And then there is, of course, the look ahead to quite an important derby game...
    Plus, a look back at those Stuart Webber comments, a new horse-based celebration idea for Ashley Barnes, being sick in tube carriages, and answer to the age-long question: 'What Are Norwich City Actually Good At?'.
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    • 1 hr 3 min
    #150 A statement win for a landmark pod

    #150 A statement win for a landmark pod

    The On The Ball Norwich City Podcast turns 150 episodes old! And celebrated by doing what it's done for the previous 149 episodes: talking about the football. Luckily the Canaries obliged with a thumping 3-0 win at Stoke for the anniversary pod, so it was celebrations all round.
    NCFCNumbers (aka Steve Sanders), Zoe Morgan, and Radio Norfolk Sport Editor & Norwich City commentator Phil Daley revisit the away win that put the Yellows firmly in the top six, rejoice in the wonder of Sara, ask if Stoke is still a difficult place to go, and debate who's getting Player of the Season.
    Plus...playing Snog, Marry, Avoid with the Norwich City defence, a review of Onel & Jonny on the mic from one of their peers, Iwan's mystery sit-down goal, and lots of people not called Chris being called Chris. It was a chaotic way to turn 150!
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    • 1 hr 6 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
58 Ratings

58 Ratings

Georgie Wonders ,

Excellent pod

Excellent pod for NCFC fans with good knowledge and insight.

Bennorio ,

Squad Refresh

An enjoyable podcast, with knowledgeable guests talking all things NCFC.
However - now that the pod is every 6 weeks or so (since Michael Bailey effectively moved onto other main responsibilities with the Athletic citadel), it’s a good opportunity to refresh the format, start again. Steve Sanders is as good as anyone to remain the host, but break from the old format & start anew.

R3Y23 ,

Superb

Awesome pod great guests and superb content

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