Eight games into the league campaign and three Carling Cup games prior to last night's clash with Scunthorpe at Carrow Road, and by and large the same things had been said from within the Canaries' camp this season.
Both manager and players had openly admitted that the team's performances simply hadn't been good enough, with the reasons proffered ranging from an inability to master the basics through to a downright lack of courage.
Supporters would probably add alternative explanations for their team's failings, including inappropriate team selection and formations in certain games, as well as some of the players simply not being good enough?
But one thing was unequivocal to all, and that was that the current predicament that Norwich had placed themselves in simply wasn't acceptable.
And therefore regardless of reason, excuse or apology, and especially so in view of the dreadful state of affairs at Wolves added to the unpleasant circumstances that materialized at the end of the game against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, somehow, by whatever means necessary, a victory had to be procured last night.
Of course the fact that it wasn't should have come as no great surprise given the Canaries' dreadful start to this 2007-08 season, but at least we could eliminate a sizeable number of the inadequacies from the list after witnessing the team perform again as though their current predicament did at least mean something to them.
We had energy, desire, commitment and yes, even the odd moment of quality in City's performance last night.
We even saw the team pushing Scunthorpe back into their own half and achieving sustained periods of pressure that at times did threaten to break them down.
Problem was, we didn't get any goals again.
Chances being created??Yes?a few. Gilt-edged chances though??Erm?not really.
Huckerby, Dublin and Martin all came close, but as the minutes ticked by – and no matter how much the supporters would have been willing something to fall City's way in order for this ever-lengthening goal drought to be brought to a conclusion – deep down inside something was probably telling them that it wouldn't.
Scunthorpe 'keeper Joe Murphy had virtually stood and watched the first-half unfold along with the rest of us, and while he was called into action after the interval, it wasn't as though he was being overworked all the same.
Beggars can't be choosers as they say, and considering the fact that on more than one occasion already this season we've made our way from grounds having not seen the Canaries manage so much as a sniff at the opposition goal-mouth, perhaps we at least we should be grateful for City having got back to something approaching a potent attacking outfit once more.
And if you're looking for other positives to take from the performance, then the return to something approaching his truer form of Darren Huckerby, the nicely developing partnership of Jon Otsemobor and Lee Croft and the willingness of the both of them to drive forward down Norwich's right, as well as the manner with which young Rossi Jarvis has slotted into the heart of the team provided a modicum of optimism for future encounters.
And not forgetting a clean sheet for once.
But by the same token let's not be getting get too carried away here either, after what when all is said and done still remained an unfruitful, if hearty, effort on our own patch at home to newly-promoted Scunthorpe, and one that ultimately saw the Canaries slip into the relegation zone.
A decent enough effort, I suppose, but still million miles away from where the Canaries really ought to be.
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