As midfield powerhouse Dickson Etuhu makes his way up the A1 to complete his ?1.5m move to Sunderland, it seems that Darren Huckerby is the one person at the club who has delivered an opinion that is surely shared by everyone.
Never one to hold back with his feelings or unduly concerned with the consequences for that matter, Huckerby fired a verbal volley across the bows of the club yesterday after seeing another of City's key players leave for pastures new on the eve of the new season.
And City's Player of the Season hit the nail absolutely spot on.
Irrespective of the fact that club's these days can be powerless to prevent their players from walking away if certain clauses in their contracts are triggered ? we'll come to that in a minute ? it doesn't alter the fact that it happening twice now in the last few weeks here at Carrow Road is soul destroying for the remaining players and supporters alike.
With the Canaries almost certain to be playing in front of near full houses again at Carrow Road this season and possessing support that is the envy of the vast majority of teams in this division ? as well as some Premiership sides ? it goes without saying that witnessing players that are fundamental to the club's aim of returning to the top flight simply packing their bags and leaving doesn't exactly send out a message that will leave the rest of the teams in this division shaking in their boots.
Peter Grant of all people must be tearing his hair out in frustration.
After all, if he is unable to assemble a squad that is to be in with a realistic shout of competing for promotion – and let's face it, with Earnshaw and Etuhu out of the equation, and it looking increasingly likely that they will be joined by Youssef Safri if speculation is to be believed, Norwich's chances of doing so are severely impeded ? then City are never going to be able escape their current predicament of being just an average Championship side.
I didn't see Derby, Birmingham or Sunderland being powerless to prevent too many of their players from leaving last season as I recall. And, to be honest, I doubt if those teams that will consider themselves as being serious challengers for the Championship title this term will be either.
Of course the club will point to the fact that they might not have been able to bring the likes of Earnshaw and Etuhu here in the first place if they hadn't agreed to certain buy-out clauses being inserted into their contracts, as this is undoubtedly an unfortunate state of affairs now in the modern game.
But it still doesn't diminish the sickening feeling that increases each time it happens – of Norwich basically being little more than a stepping-stone to bigger and better things at present.
When, and only when, players feel that it is in their best interests to stay here at City, will the club be in a position to move forward.
Huckerby's damning verdict comes from him having looked around the dressing room and seen a steady influx of new faces and the potential for a title-challenging side being formed, but which is slowly and heartbreakingly now being disassembled in front of his very eyes.
And one final thought.
Many supporters gave Dickson Etuhu a particularly hard time last season and were constantly on his back for what they considered to be him underperforming in matches.
Well, I wonder how many can be honest enough to admit that they are actually glad to see the back of him, now that he moves up to the top flight under a manager who clearly feels that he has all the attributes required to make a big impression at that level?
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