Connor Southwell

On the final stretch on this extravaganza of analysis, we arrive at the final third of the pitch. The players, who score goals, who become heroes and who fundamentally have the ability to win matches seemingly single-handedly. With the departure of Jacob Murphy, Norwich will need to call upon other cannons in their arsenal to […]

In part three of his pre-season mini-series, Connor looks at the City midfield and how things are about to change… _________________________________________________________________________ With two high profile casualties of two of City’s engine room, a reconstruction under surgeon Farke is well under way. He has inherited a midfield that lacked movement and coherence and, despite the reinforcements […]

In part two of his pre-season mini-series, Connor examines defending 2017-style and how it will fit into Daniel Farke’s vision of a future Norwich City… __________________________________________________________________________ Defending. An art form once perfected on the Carrow Road turf by Duncan Forbes and David Stringer in their own inimitable, physical way has slowly evaporated. With the horror […]

In part one of a four-part ‘mini-series’, Connor examines the role of the modern day goalkeeper and how it fits into Daniel Farke’s brave new world. _________________________________________________________________________ It’s fair to say the days of the traditional goalkeeper are over. Gone are the days of the worst technical players on a school field being shoved in […]

There is something magical about the complete irrelevance of pre-season in terms of being a football fan. While it gives you a look at the new produce Norwich have acquired from across the continent, it also poses more questions than answers. As I watched on at Crown Meadow, I was indulged by the complete irrelevance […]

When Alex Neil was dismissed in March, few foresaw the major face-lift that would occur in the corridors of Carrow Road.  The brazen Scotsman will probably reflect on a robust tenure with hint of resentment at the nightmarish way it ended. However, it’s sometimes critical for football supporters to do something that doesn’t come naturally: […]

Sadly, there are too many Norwich City supporters who believe that, behind those closed doors, the football club is some sort of utopian fantasy. But, as with any operation led by human beings, the reality is riddled with mistakes and flaws. Football is like one huge game of poker. Except the risks are higher. And […]

Last summer, Alex Neil described the incoming recruitment of players in June as “impossible”. A year on, and Norwich, at time of writing, look poised to complete their fourth signing of the summer. If you dissect the signings individually, it seems to be part of a somewhat wider scheme. A directionless club sitting in a […]

The shift in how young footballers are developed means they are now required to engage in a ‘footballing education’ before being considered for senior football. Jacob and Josh Murphy are examples of how, in more recent years, Norwich’s academy and youth development system have produced. I would argue however that the development of young players […]

So, City have dipped their toes in unknown waters as the revolution continues. Character after character was linked to the leading protagonist role at Carrow Road but an unlikely front runner finally emerged from the pack of managerial candidates; Rosler, Keller and Wagner all being left behind in the wake of an unknown quantity from […]