We’ve turned into a stroppy old bunch…. me included.
And, in fairness, we’ve had good reason over the last eighteen months: poor quality football, lack of goals, lack of entertainment, poor decision making etc. The list is a fairly long one. Those who love a good moan have had plenty of ammunition.
Yet, for all the derision and scorn that’s bubbled on or around the surface over the last couple of seasons, the decision to offer Neil Adams a three-year contract had been the one that’s provoked the most anger. I say anger… apoplectic rage is probably more apt.
And it shows little sign of abating. Only this morning I ‘approved’ a comment on one of the recent MFW articles that described it an ‘awful appointment’.
My own journey of acceptance has led me to conclude that, while I was initially underwhelmed and a little bit angry (probably because of the other names that were being bandied around), the decision was made with the best interests of the club at heart.
While Delia and Michael have, in the past, been accused of the proverbial ‘little Norwich’ mentality, it is not a charge that can be laid at the door of Alan Bowkett and David McNally. Not a chance. Both are ruthlessly ambitious men who would balk at the prospect of decision-making based on sentimentality.
They have made mistakes in the past – they admitted as much – and will no doubt continue the human trait of getting things wrong, but not with the intention of winding up the supporters. As the saying goes, it is indeed ‘tough at the top’ and often decisions have to be made in the knowledge that the fans will be unhappy.
The Adams decision undoubtedly falls into that one. Mick Dennis confirmed that in his post-appointment article.
And questions still remain over the whole process. Why, for example, was Neil Lennon not in the frame? Also if, as we are led to believe, Malky was offered the gig, how did that fit with the ‘attacking and entertaining’ ethos? And if, as McNally told us, they had attracted ‘best in class’ candidates for the job, how does that square with appointing a manager with a zero per cent win record?
I suspect at some point – in the spirit of openness – the chief executive will provide answers in his usual persuasive and unequivocal way.
The outcry over Adams’ appointment was many-fold and borne of a planet alignment that would spell disaster for the board. We were fed names (admittedly by the media and bookmakers) that led us down some intriguing paths, we had an eleven day wait for news and – for good measure – a final twist of Lennon quitting Celtic to apparently head south.
One assumes the Lennon move was what prompted the board to make the announcement when they did, but it equally served to tantalise the Canary Nation.
But, Neil Adams it is, and with the moaning and groaning soon to be out of our systems it will be time to throw our full weight behind Canary Call’s finest in his attempt to take us back to the Promised (but not quite as much fun as it seems) Land.
Yesterday’s Championship Play-Off Final – while irksome for the fact that QPR’s billions somehow triumphed over Derby’s cultured and traditional approach – was ample to whet the appetite. A Play-Off Final at the Millenium Stadium was spine tingling enough, but just the thought of those massive swathes of yellow and green at Wembley was sufficient to make the pulse race.
The Champions League Final was obviously of a different ilk in terms of Norwich City, but was another reminder of what can be achieved when organisation and technique combine to make a team greater than the sum of its parts. Alas, as at Wembley, opulence triumphed over the common man – but only just.
So, the hard work starts now. Adams’ first task – which is already underway – is to filter the current crop for those suited to a Championship challenge and those who are not up for the fight. Those who are not will be on their way. Equally, Martin Olsson won’t be the first to be in the sights of the West Hams, West Broms and co. We have an interesting few months ahead.
With regard to players coming in, for many the biggest concern remains Adams’ apparent lack of clout in the transfer market and which is where a shrewd appointment to the role of technical director may well be key.
For all his coaching and tactical nous, our former Under-18s manager will struggle to compete with the likes of Steve McLaren and, dare I say it, Mick McCarthy when it comes to waving his CV at a prospective signing. But throw a technical director with gravitas into the equation and things may look a little different.
Similarly the appointment of Adams’ coaching team is critical. The mention of Steve Foley – him of Needham Market fame – was a concern but seems to have been successfully airbrushed away. If that were truly the new manager’s view of the future I would be a little concerned… but I’m sure something must have been lost in translation!
Instead, a coach or two who have proven experience, and who haven’t been previously sacked by Norwich City, will be a good start.
So, while we are all currently at different stages of acceptance, I’m sure that by 9th August the whole Yellow Army will be 100% united behind Neil Adams, his new coaching team and the new class of 2014/15.
It has to be that way and I’m sure it will.
Let’s just get this bloody World Cup out of the way and then bring on the Ipswich.
On the Ball City…
A very interesting article, I suspect that what set Adams apart was his recognition that we have the best crop of young talent for a very long time and he has an intention and plan to nurture them and bring them through.
The lesson of Southampton who have the best team they have had fir a long time based on some signings and bringing through the strong youth players they have.
Time will tell and its all a gamble, but as you rightly say one made with the absolute best of intentions for the club and its long term future,
OTBC
Do you ever not give them you unequivocal support regardless of whatever plainly awful decision they have make? Yep, let’s get behind someone we have no belief in – let’s fake it! We’ve done it for 18 months so should be easy enough…Which is exactly what the first team will be doing. The problem being you can only fake it so long before things start crumbling, a la Hughton. Aside from Lambert, I can’t find too many decisions the board have got right over the years. Certainly their record of employing below par managers is first rate but otherwise I can’t see what really bring to the table. This could even be better than their Brysn Gunn masterpiece. Their final sign off with a bit of luck. Maybe go with one of those foreign owners old Delia is so utterly terrified of. I wonder where her vote went this election? Lolslide. Roflcopter.
I’m finding the vitriol and hate rising from some quarters of the Canary nation to this appointment beyond belief.
Yes, I was surprised and underwhelmed by the appointment, but none of the so called favourites “ticked all boxes”.
Whoever got the job has a big task ahead removing the Premier League prima donnas and determining those who are really “up for it” in the Championship.
Maybe, just maybe, the man with the insight into just how many of the squad was “up for it” during the last 5 games is ahead of the game in that respect, but to “write him off” as so many seem to be doing before he’s even got going, is both a foolish and damaging to the club. OTBC.
I was really keen on Neil Lennon coming in but who knows if that would have been a successful appointment? Same goes for Malky or whoever! What we do have is another unknown quantity at this stage, but one that has shown promise and nous for players, tactics and subs against top teams so let’s give the guy a chance and much needed support!
How long will it be before the ‘panic button’ gets pressed or the clappers get sharpened for launch? 10 games, 15, Christmas?
Sadly, in this 24 hour media/internet world, patience has left the stadium to be replaced by righteous opinion and calls for immediate/knee-jerk action.
Adams wasn’t my first choice but then I’m not on the board – those guys have to take the flack or the applause depending on how things pan out.
I think the call for youth is a little premature – Southampton have been great but they didn’t put the youth team coach in charge of the first team and they also spent big money courtesy of a foreign billionaire owner.
Let’s see what the fixture list throws up in the first couple of months. One thing we can rely on over the summer is for England to go out early, almost certainly on penalties leaving Hodgson to explain why Wayne Rooney (and others) looked so tired..winter break anyone? They do it everywhere else.
Why is it the bloody world cup??? I would expect a lot more skill and flair awaits than in the Championship!!
Neil Adams got the job because he is a cheap yes man who wont rock the boat .We have already thrown away any slight chance we had of bouncing back up to the top flight .
Instead of uniting the supporters should be turning on this poor excuse for a Board and let them know how they feel about this shambles , get off to a bad start and Delia and co will wish they appointed a proper manager .
I am sure everyone wishes Neil Adams the best – else it means Norwich will not perform well and it will be a disaster. I can’t help thinking the overkill at explaining this appointment in a positive light and the subdued body language at the press conference tell a different story. Where were the smiles and smug expressions of a club that was looking forward to the future with confidence?
Is he qualified to take on the job??
Do people forget the spineless performance at Old Trafford and the limp, disinterested effort against Arsenal??
Add that to the tatical ineptitude of starting 4 in midfield against liverpool’s 5 ( which meant it was game over after 11 minutes )
With Sturrridge confirmed out injured, everyone knew the scousers would play 5 across the middle- what thinking was behind starting with 4?? We got torn apart in those 10 minutes.
Fulham away – he starts with the wolf and has just one striker on the bench… Meaning he had to go ‘like for like’ due to the wolf again being poor. ( and to think people criticised Hughton for being too defensive with his substitutions!!)
Also consider in arguably the most ‘must Win’ game all season against Chelsea , with 20 minutes left to score and save our premiership status ,, Adams opts for a 5-5-0 approach with no recognised striker!!!
Now can you see why fans are hacked off ??
Look at the experience/achievements of some of the rivals managers in the championship: McClaren, Pearce, McCarthy, McDermott, Adkins , Rosler, Robbins, Howe, Holloway…
This appt could put the club back years I fear ..
I agree with phill(7).
Yes we fans will get behind Adams and the side come August. We always support our team.
However, I do think it’s too easy just to say ‘the time for vitriol is past’ etc. The Board have insulted the fans with this appointment and no amount of PR spin from the club and suggestions that we ‘scoured the European markets’ can hide the fact that it is a cheap option. In my opinion this Board is happy for us to be a steady little Championship club managed by a ‘nice guy’ that knows the steady little old Norwich way. Fine if that’s the sort of club we want.
What annoys me is the pretence that this Board really wants more. Bowkett targeting Europe? Only for his holidays!
For a club that finished 11th in the Premier League last year to be appointing a youth team manager with no wins in his first 5 senior games is, when you really think about it, embarrassing. The Board know this..hence the incessant ‘spin’ from Carrow Road this week.
We should have appointed a man whom the Board considered could seize the best opportunity to get promoted at the first attempt. Somebody with serious experience of managing at first team level. That we didn’t speaks volumes. The shambolic process involving a foolish promised deadline being missed, followed by what now seems a ridiculous group interview on local radio promising so much tells us everything.
I would have more easily accepted Adams appointment if he had been supported by a ” name ” Director of Football who may have been sufficient to entice prospective signings. However when reading McNally’s job description of the Technical Director ( not Director of Football )which includes players rest,relaxation,well-being,nutrition,hydration etc,etc I can’t see someone like MIke Phelan being persuaded to fill such a role ( even if he was qualified for it ).
Norwich will still be among the promotion favourites even after some of the underachievers have moved on .Cash generated from sales together with parachute payments and the Club’s financial stability should mean that they will be competitive in the transfer market while at the same time being an attractive proposition to players hoping to progress to the Premiership despite an inexperienced manager.
The fact that the Board have given Adams a three year contract ,rather than a one year rolling one means that they are expecting him to be around for some time,so it’s probably better if we all accept the appointment.
Canary fans do indeed now need to unite behind Neil, spot on. The decision has been made, Neil Adams is the manager. I for one am happy with that, I think he’s very astute as a coach and tactician. All this negative talk has no basis, give him a chance before casting any judgement he deserves that at least.
As supporters we only want players who want to be here. Right so doesn’t that apply to supporters to? You know the club you know the decision now whilst you can’t chose to manager you can chose if you want to support the club. If you don’t feel able to perhaps there’s other clubs you can?
At least those turning up will be united and be behind the club.
I think Neil is pretty lucky to have this job as his first proper management post – the likes of Lambert, O’Neil, Moyes etc all started off at a lower level for an apprenticeship.
He’s got much to learn and Jon H (9) points out a number of worrying errors he made in those 5 games that a more experienced pro (dare I say Mr. Hughton) is unlikely to have made. In all the ‘feel good stuff’ after Adams’ appointment, this all was conveniently swept under the radar (apologies for the mixed metaphor).
3 year contract sounds impressive but it counts for toffee if the first 15 games are a struggle – if the clappers start flying again, it will most likely be payoff time. At least we won’t have Colchester at home on day 1.
The board have acknowledged that they knew the appointment would not be welcomed in all quarters. Yet they still made it. Could it be because they genuinely believe Neil Adams was the best candidate. Why else invite the aggro?
Fans have to ask themselves in light of the Lennon announcement whether any of the previous candidates really had the desire to come to Carrow road. I think that comparisons with the Gunn appointment are easily made but inaccurate .Adams has some pedigree as a coach and won’t be disappearing down the golf course instead of getting down to Colney for a session. He has a passion for the club ,we have tried to emulate bigger clubs twice know with foreign signings and overrated coaches/managers.As a club we have always been more successful trying to do it the Norwich way with appointments from within with players and coaching staff.OTBC!
Boris (8), we you really expecting “smiles and smug expressions”? We’ve just been relegated!
Jon (9), you are right. The strength of opposition in those last games shouldn’t mask the fact that tactical mistakes were made, most noticably starting so open vs Liverpool when the whole world knows you need to keep it tight first 20. But don’t forget what he had to work with. A group of players with their confidence shot, and many who just weren’t up for the fight. Yes they looked beaten as soon as they took to the pitch at Old Trafford, but that type of away performance had become engrained in them for months. Give Adams a chance to build his own team.
Fans have every right to voice their opinion. I don’t think there was ever an obvious candidate for the job, so we were never all going to be happy. But what I object to is the questioning of the Board’s motives. Do people really doubt that they want to be in the top tier of English football, in one of the most exciting and profitable leagues in the world?
Are Delia and Michael, in the twilight of their years, really content to see their club taking on Bournemouth and Rotherham, rather than Liverpool and Chelsea? Of course not. Get a grip!
It’s been a shambolic couple of months for the club. This appointment reeks of a) the cheap option and b) an ex-city stalwart who will keep the fans onside. Maybe for a few weeks, but unless we get some decent results / performances (remember those anybody?) it won’t take long before things once again start to fester.
If that happens, I just hope that any vitriol is directed at the gutless board, rather than NA and the players. I’m sorry, but you do not scour “Europe, excluding France and the UK” only to find that the perfect candidate is someone who has been associated with the club already in some way since 1994!!
WTF?