For all the whys and wherefores, but for 60 seconds of sheer madness we’d be mulling over a win today.
City would be sitting in eleventh – one place below but on the same points as Villa – and would be four wins and a draw away from forty points.
All of which is totally irrelevant because the worst did happen – it wasn’t just a nightmare – and we did surrender three points to the team that started the day bottom of the league; the fact City played quite well for 94 of the 95 minutes of no consolation whatsoever.
It wasn’t perfect by any means – still the ball was given away too frequently – but it was shaping up to be a West Brom-type away-day where they nicked an early goal, soaked up the pressure and, crucially, looked a real threat on the break.
But no. A wayward pass from Gary Hooper here and some schoolboy defending there and it was all over. The good work undone in an instant… literally.
For once, Chris Hughton was decisive over his substitutions and the triple change with a quarter of an hour remaining did give City an impetus that had waned horribly in the aftermath of the Bellamy-Jones salvo.
But it still wasn’t enough. Predictably, an ex-City keeper by the name of Marshall looked unbeatable in the opposition goal and when we did manage to get the ball in the net it was from an offside position.
Whether Hughton will have seen enough from the permutation he stumbled across in the last fifteen minutes to persevere with something of that ilk remains to be seen but – while it was only for a short spell when chasing the game – there appeared an urgency hitherto unseen.
Perhaps I’m clutching at straws – probably am – but I can’t have been the only one thinking ‘if only’ as they bombarded the Cardiff goal Alamo-style.
And of course, I shouldn’t get too carried away. After all we were ‘bombarding’ the 20th best team in Premier League. But right now I’m prepared to cling on to even the most slight crumb of hope.
Up until now I’ve deliberately avoided talk of the ‘nightmare run-in’ because, as last season demonstrated, odd things happen in those last few games. I’ve been content to think however daunting those four games appear on paper, by the time they arrive the landscape may have shifted.
But now, for obvious reasons, they can’t be ignored. Not least because we have only managed to wrestle two points from those in the top eight. Doesn’t bode well does it.
I was recently chatting to a Liverpool writer, when typically the subject of the relegation free-for-all came up. His take on City’s plight was less than optimistic, mainly because ‘they don’t appear to have a David v Goliath type win in them’. Instinctively I did the growling thing (wouldn’t we all?) but as things stand his ‘concerns’ are justified.
Yet, armed with those bedraggled straws, I still believe we have at least one of those in us.
Illogical? Wishful thinking? Probably, but without them there’s is no denying we are staring down the barrel of you know what.
So, fourteen games to go. If we concede that the last four are ‘write-offs’ (still not totally convinced) that means ten games remaining from which we need to cobble together sixteen points.
A tall order, even for the glass half-full brigade. All of which makes yesterday’s defeat ever more galling.
I’m not in the habit of agreeing wholeheartedly with your average ‘canary-caller’ but the gent who said last week, on the subject of Cardiff (a), ‘if you’re not going to win there, when are you going to win away…’ had a point.
And we should have won. Yet we’re again talking about snatching a defeat from the jaws of victory.
I’ve avoided talk of the manager. If the board deemed change to be necessary they would have acted by now and so to dissect the formations and personnel seems a little futile right now. We’re in the realms of needing points, almost regardless of how they are achieved.
Which is just as well, because it’s pointless pretending that yesterday’s starting XI filled me with joy. A centre-mid combo of Alex Tettey – who in fairness was excellent – and Bradley Johnson is not going to be adept at keeping the ball, let alone unpicking a lock or two, and while they’re both bursting with energy I don’t see too much invention.
It was also an XI that lacked horribly in pace. But, for now, I’ll assume Team Hughton’s starting line-up was one intended to ‘do a job’ rather than be their vision of the future.
I look forward however to a day when Hughton fields a team that’s brimming full of good technicians and has a sprinkling of ‘flyers’, and relies less on muscle and effort.
A little simplistic perhaps, and easier said than done of course, but until that day we have to brace ourselves for more of the same. And hope that’s enough to see us limp over the line.
Alas, as far as yesterday is concerned we have no option but to dust ourselves down and go again; the prospect of even an Aguero-less Man City next weekend not particularly palatable. But wouldn’t it be great if – for once – we could buck the trend, win one ‘against the head’, turn the form book upside downside or embrace the role of ‘David’.
All too often this season City have done the expected. Almost every week in fact.
In the build-up to yesterday’s game all the talk among City supporters was around how difficult an afternoon it was going to be. With their new signings chomping at the bit to impress Mr Tan everything pointed to a Cardiff renaissance. And sure enough…
If asked to predict headlines that would adorn the newspapers and web pages post-match I suspect we’d have offered something of the following ilk:
“Cardiff new boys enjoy dream debuts against Norwich”
“Jones hits winner on debut to boost Bluebirds survival chances”
“Debutants shine as Bluebirds fight back to sink Canaries”
“Solskjaer delighted with his debutants”
And sure enough.
This trend of being the team to play if you want to end a barren run has to end. So too being the hapless victims of the big boys.
We need grit. We need fight. But most of all we need goals. And while the closing stages of yesterday suggested there is still a little of the first two still in the tank, minus a magic wand the third is in worryingly short supply.
Gutierrez and Yobo were sensible additions, but I’m wondering if what we really needed was a Dynamo.
‘I’ve avoided talk of the manager’?
Well that could just be ducking the key issue, Gary, old chap!
‘I’ve avoided talk of the man responsible for deciding which players we have on the staff, how they train and which ones play on a matchday in what formation. I’ve avoided talk of the man that decides whether or not during a game we need to react to what’s happening on the pitch. And while I’m at it I won’t bother talking about the man whose responsibility it is to motivate the team so that they give a committed performance in all games.
I know you’ve got to try and write something new and you do your best to be positive but really, writing ‘I’ve avoided talk of the manager’ is just utterly ridiculous.
I cannot lay the blame totally at Hughton’s although a part of me wants to, he cannot include in training.. Narcoleptic moments as suffered yesterday, where all of the defence were to blame including Ruddy. Marshall did his job for cardiff I have lost count of the times Ruddy has done that.
What I do say is Hughton’s fault is too late on changes. Ole Gunner had the guts to make a tactical switch on 38 minutes or so, and it worked. As soon as that 2nd goal went in we needed change as was proved with Redmond.
I think Hughton needs to forget this protecting Redmond from Games, he has to be on that pitch more. he is 19 and should be able to play a string of games. Forget as an impact sub, because he doesn’t give them enough time.
And time to Becchio to get a start, he can do no worse ….
“For once, Chris Hughton was decisive over his substitutions”
I’d completely disagree with this. OGS was decisive and his changes had an immediate impact.
Hughton waited until his original tactics led us from a lead to being behind. Then waited a little longer and with only 15 mins left he made a change. Yes, the changes he made began to work, but that’s reactive, not proactive and was clearly too late.
Dave (3) – Quite frankly I’d be more surprised if you were to agree with anything I write! 🙂
Two losses of concentration and it changed everything. We had 6 shots on target during the game, at time of writing the 2nd highest in the Premier League this weekend. The 4th thing we need is luck.
I’ll re-read it, there may be something in there.
Decisive substitutions?! OGS made his in the 38th minute and changed the game. As usual CH did nothing for 20 minutes after going behind. Tactically inept and taking us back to the Championship.
Absolutely right about there not being a Paul v Goliath (sorry, DAVID v Goliath) performance in us. Despite proving in the last 15 mins that if you press high up the pitch and attack, the other team cannot hurt you, the lesson will have already be lost on Hughton. There really is something in ‘the best form of defence is attack’ so if you lack a credible defence, if you fail to close down, if you repeatedly back-off instead of tackle, then maybe it’s time to resurrect it! Sadly, this concept was the first to be thrown out with the arrival of Hughton.
On a different note, I am genuinely curious how a coach can inspire squad members to give 100% in training when you leave absolutely no doubt in their minds that they will never get more than a few futile minutes of play in a season? A pundit on talksport stated recently that you have to give your bench players game time. Common sense, I would have thought, else the commitment in training dimishes and they are into a Catch 22 situation of not showing enough in training to be picked etc. Add poor man-management to uninspiring manager.
If Dave B thinks Hughton’s tactics ‘led us from a lead to being behind’, he clearly hasn’t seen the game. Never a clearer case of individual errors rather than management. But Dave sees what he wants to see…
Hughton’s selection may not have inspired confidence, but we had 27 attempts on goal. In addition to 31 when Cardiff visited Carrow Rd. That’s good news (lots of attacking) and bad news (lack of conversion, meaning only one point to show). Stats aren’t everything, but surely they can help us identify the actual problem rather than the ones in our prejudice.
@9 I saw the whole game, thank you. You can check my tweets as the game progressed.
If you couldn’t see the difference in the game from the 38th min until mid way through the second half, then I don’t know what match you saw. OGS had the measure of us for a 30 period spell as we dropped ever further back down the pitch and made no change.
You can say Bellamy’s goal came from an individual error. That’s not true, it’s from a forced error from Cardiff closing down high up the pitch. The second goal Cardiff had 3 or 4 men unmarked in the box that could have scored. That’s sloppy all round defending, not an individual error.
Both goals came because OGS outsmarted us far too easily.
Dave B – it’s bad enough having to take an unlucky defeat without having to see your endless mithering. It’s called My Football Writer – not My Football Whinger.
If you plugged yourself into the national grid, your negative energy could power half of the county.
Just seen OGS post-match interview – he used the phrases – “we were lucky” and “Norwich battered us..”. I think you’re giving him far more credit than he is himself. You said the game changed in the 37th minute – we were winning then so CH didn’t need to make any tactical changes! 5 slack minutes after the break gifted them their goals.
CH could have made the subs 10-15 mins earlier but all the evidence was that between their keeper and the woodwork, the fates were against us in Wales.
56 shots in two games against Cardiff, 16 on target and only 1 goal. I still can’t work out how that has happened. Im not sure if this is just because it was against Cardiff or a sign we are staying to create more since Tettey was back. He had certainly made a difference.
We’re 2 points down this season on like for like matches from last season where we ended on 44 points but to match the remaining games points tally we need to beat Swansea away (possible as they look toothless) and arsenal at home. That’s a concern.
There are still the games available to get the points but we can’t afford more costly mistakes. Martin has had an awful week, I’m starting to wonder if bennett may find himself at right back soon.
“For once, Chris Hughton was decisive over his substitutions”
Absolute nonsense like the rest of this article. He wasn’t decisive at all he left it far too late to make the changes. We were losing to the bottom of the table team, not Man U. There was no point in leaving it until the 75th minute when it was clear it wasn’t going to work.
“Gutierrez and Yobo were sensible additions, but I’m wondering if what we really needed was a Dynamo.”
Congratulations, you’ve just worked out what nearly every Norwich City supporter was saying all of January. Shame you worked it out after the window closed.
“But right now I’m prepared to cling on to even the most slight crumb of hope.”
And this attitude of “it will get better” after we’ve just lost to the bottom of the table team is exactly the attitude that most of board have and it’s why next season you’ll be doing a blog on a Championship team. But don’t worry eh, it’ll get better soon.
Steve (13) – Thanks for taking the time to reply. I’m sorry you thought the whole article was ‘ nonsense’. Not my finest work I agree but not sure of the need for such venom.
In the meantime I’ll go and sit on the naughty step.
Dave – I know you watched the game. To clarify, I meant you watched it only through the lens of your cynicism.
Any debate about the manager is now redundant. The board have decided to keep CH – so our choice as fans is whether to try and help our club & team, or not. Your dripfeed of negativity is not a help. But it’s your choice. I know you’re a fan and wish you well; I won’t respond to any more of your carping. OTBC
An honest assessment as always Gary, your bang on the money with regard to making a managerial change now its too late for that, the 25 man squad has to roll up its sleeves and ask themselves which division they want to play in next season. There are 5 wins & a couple of draws out there if they want them, my only question for all NCFC land is for all the social media, TV & radio out there why are we not so vocal of our unhappiness at CR? (i don’t call booing unhappiness) If we really wanted a change then the board would have heard it at CR but not once have i heard it and i stand/sit in the Barclay lower.
spm2866
To say that ‘Any debate about the manager is now redundant’ is plainly wrong (Stewart Lewis, 15.) McNally has said that CH’s position is safe as long as he keeps us out of the bottom three. Well …that could mean that Man City becomes the latest ‘must-win’ home game. Unlikely, so the board may well be forced to act as soon as next week!
The board either had to back Hughton (in January) by giving him cash to spend on players or sack him. They did neither. Look at the difference Zaha has already made for Cardiff. I suspect the board are hoping CH will somehow keep us up then sack him in the summer (and probably appoint Malky). The problem is the keeping us up bit!
Defeatist perhaps but I think we’re down this year. Can’t see us getting anywhere near the required points from our remaining game. Worst thing being that it was completely avoidable.
Let’s get something straight: OGS is not a tactical genius and Zaha is not The Second Coming. Norwich conspired to lose this game all on their own. From around 20 mins in they gave the ball away more and more and started the second half with no discipline and half asleep. Once Cardiff had the crowd with them it was over. We do this time and time again. It’s rubbish.
I fear this was the weekend we got relegated. 5 points thrown away agains Cardiff, ironically despite 40 odd shots at…not on….goal ! Just when our relegation rivals strengthened their squads and are starting to pick up wins, 2 things we blatantly failed to do, we leave until 75 mins to make any substitutions – too late again ! Its Clueless Chris who is to blame and I dont see us getting 16 points from a nightmare run in, plus Man City and Spurs in next 2 home games, and our ultimate bogey teams Villa and Fulham away still to come. 16 points from the other 6 games ? Does anyone think this can be done ? I think we’re Championship bound now and it may even be too late for another manager to turn round.
I am staggered that some people can still be so optimistic. We’ve just lost to the bottom club despite, apparently, playing quite well.
We’ve just lost an opportunity in the transfer window to freshen things up, instead we chose to loan in 2 thirtysomethings who will not care a jot whether we go down or not.
And our most creative player remains in the wilderness and has made his feelings quite clear. So, instead of getting something for a player who has quite possibly played his last game for us, we decide to keep him and continue to pay his wages. Brilliant strategy!
Personally, I wouldn’t have thought we could have had a worse weekend!
But don’t worry, CH is a nice chap and he always seems to win those “must win” games against the teams around us. Trouble is there are none of them left any more.
OGS substitution of Whittingham on 38 mins wasn’t a master stroke it was a disaster in man management, Whits was booed and jeered off by a small section of idiots in the Cardiff fans thinking it confirmed he’s been playing badly of late. Which isn’t true he’s playing out of position and Zaha didn’t have an immediate impact there was no need for OGS to make the change when he did halftime would have been the right time.
Norwich fans be grateful you don’t have Vincent tan as your owner he is a clown at best and in truth you would have won the game had there been anyone in goal other David Marshell and even he had to be helped by Bellamy hacking one off the line.
Can’t see much wrong with your team or manager keep the faith your not far off …
Derek – Gutierrez and Yobo may or may not care about Norwich, but they certainly care about their own performances in advance of the World Cup. Yobo is desperate to consolidate his position as Nigeria captain, while Gutierrez would love to get back into the Argentina squad. You may have missed that, but I very doubt Hughton did.
As for Hoolahan, do you think we should have sold him (for a low bid, as I understand it) to a relegation rival? But you’re right that his head was turned by Villa. Let’s see whether CH can get him back on track and contributing as he was in December.
PS No more games against teams around us? How about Stoke, Sunderland, WBA (home) and WHU, Villa, Swansea, Fulham (away)?
Stewart – good point regarding our loan signings. The moaners have pounced on us only getting ‘thirty-somethings’ in but both are experienced in the PL and at international level. Has to be a step up from last Jan when we had Kamara and Kane!
Golden-balls Lambert doesn’t seem to think that thirty-somethings are a bad thing all of a sudden.
Plenty of points to play for despite all the gloom and doom being touted around. Any team in the bottom 10 can beat any other on any given day – it’s that tight, so we’ve got a sporting chance (unlike on Saturday). There are no dummies in the league this season so why do we get the “we should beat that lot every time” mentality?
It’s all geared up for the trip to Villa let’s face it.
The last thing NCFC need is to take the ‘Helveg’ route, waste of time. As for PL experience any General will tell you when you go into battle its not veterans that you need but newbies,(no fear). Lambert is playing a different game, he knows that Holt is a born leader and motivator and sometimes that matters more than technical ability.
@18 – The board signed 2 players in the January 2012 under Lambert (Howson & Bennett) & 2 again January 2013 (Kamara & Becciho) under Hughton & it’s the same this window. Not sure exactly what you were expecting this time around? It’s up to the manager to choose who he wants, it’s hardly the boards fault it those targets are uninspiring?
I feel there’s a bigger chance of relegation than survival this seaso. Although, West Brom fans probably felt the same this time 7 years back.
But here’s a provocative question. What is the most likely outcome : Norwich avoiding relegation or Ipswich achieving promotion via the play-offs?
With 14 games left, in half of those corresponding City haven’t won in over 20 years. Two that we have won since 2000 are Manchester City and Arsenal. I can’t see that happening again which going with history, suggests Stoke, Southampton, Sunderland, Swansea and West Brom as City’s best bets. There will be those who will say it’s time for history to change…it’s going to be tight.