I attended the evening of a family wedding last night.
It was in deep, darkest Suffolk (and I mean deep darkest – middle of nowhere, no phone signal, lost on the way etc) and offered that familiar chance to catch up with aunts, uncles and cousins, some of whom I only see at such events.
Lovely evening. Lovely people. Proud to be a part.
As ever, once the pleasantries had been exchanged and we were all content that everyone’s health, extended family and professional lives were in decent working order, the talk turned to football. It always does when the clan gathers.
And as you’ve probably guess by location of said celebration the loyalties are divided.
We’re polite about it though. There’s rarely, never in fact, any of the bravado that accompanies most Norwich/Ipswich conversations and out of respect, and because we’re [best EastEnders voice] ‘faaamily’, we keep it constructive, factual and civilised.
For good measure I also have a cousin who’s a regular at Lowestoft’s Crown Meadow – and we agreed that their recent downturn in fortunes has, for the time being at least, negated the ‘best side in Suffolk’ argument.
But it was when dissecting the fortunes of our friends the A140 that I was reminded of firstly, what a thin line we tread in the Championship and how to hang around there for too long simply drags you into a clutch of Premier League wannabees but are probably not-gonnabees and secondly, how easy it is to take for granted what we currently have.
In terms of playing style, it appears ol’ Mick and Terry Connor’s no-nonsense juxtaposition on the beautiful game has knocked the wind out of the faithful and even those who still attend Portman Road of a match-day do so in the knowledge that entertainment will only be derived from winning – and scoring.
All a far cry from the Bobby Robson years of Muhren and Thijssen which, in addition to being exceptionally painful for those of us of a yellow persuasion, were typified by open, attractive, passing football. Ball on the deck, into feet, progressive, with a gobby, frizzy haired, Scotsman up front (who’s now gobby for a living) scoring goals for fun.
The aforementioned pain is still tangible.
But now, for Muhren and Thijssen read Skuse and Douglas, with Teddy Bishop – one who is young and a ‘footballer’ – only on the fringes. Mick and Tel don’t want any of that fancy passing stuff through the midfield – they want it to go back to front as soon as, with a big ‘un (once Daryl Murphy, now Leon Best) up top putting himself about.
And that’s just about it.
When it works and they’re getting results and getting to the fringes of the play-offs they can just about get away with it – ‘it’s a results business’ blah de blah – but when results are poor and the goals dry up Team Mick have nowhere to go. Those discerning customers in blue are starting to smell a rat.
My cousin – his name’s Malcolm, really lovely chap – informs me that occasionally Muhren and Thijssen return to the scene of their triumphs to be introduced to the crowd etc before games. What must they think?
When the talk turned to City it was obvious that those on the outside – even those south of the border – see us as shoo-ins for the top two, with there even being a hint of recognition that we’re doing it the right way with, for the most part, an emphasis on passing the ball.
Perhaps we’re just too close too see it, but shoo-in is most definitely not my phraseology of choice given our ability to implode when the pressure really cranks up, and we often find ourselves bemoaning the fact that Ryan Bennett or Russell Martin or A N Other are quite capable of, on occasion, banging it long and aimless.
We too take for granted that we’re, at worst, a yo-yo, club. In the top, say, 26 clubs in the country. We expect it and woe betide the board if we offer even a hint of dropping out of the Championship’s top six.
Of course Bournemouth, Swansea (for the time being), Southampton and Stoke (for the time being) have shown us how it could and should be done but – as we’re often reminded – Leeds, Wolves, Forest and loads of others have equal right to have that exact same thought.
Obviously I’ll be accused of the ‘little Norwich’ mentality (I’m giving it 35 minutes from this piece being live) but it’s not that. It’s a realisation that in the greater scheme of things we’re doing okay – better than okay.
Naturally it’s right that we should aim for the stars – as football supporters it’s part of the job description – but perhaps we should just try and enjoy it a little bit more and appreciate what we have.
We spoke of how angry we all get while watching football and my Lowestoft supporting cousin – his name’s Paul by the way, another really lovely chap – told of a recent evening game at Crown Meadow that had the locals positively seething at the histrionics and gamesmanship of Town’s opposition.
“I thought what the hell am I doing – I’m in my 50s and I’m completely losing it at a bloke I’ve never seen before over a game of football, which is supposed to be fun”.
And we all do it in the name of passion for our team – but the balance between ecstasy and anger has shifted too far to the right.
Even when we win we find reason to moan – City have been booed off twice this season yet we’re averaging over two points a game. The fallout from St James’ Park was apocalyptic.
So, in addition to realising how lucky I am to be surrounded by such beautiful people, I was taught two salutary lessons last night:
Namely to not take for granted the fact that I support a good, decent, solid, well supported club with genuine Premier League ambitions, and to just try and enjoy football a little bit more.
And the buffet was sublime.
“On the Ball City…”
Good piece Gary. I too suffered the same fate a couple of weeks ago (wedding in North Suffolk which meant missing the Burton game). The consensus amongst the Town fans there was that we really should be grateful for what we have, and be careful for what we wish for. OK, we’ve not played to anywhere close to our potential so far, but how many City fans would have taken second in the league at this stage if offered it at the start of the season?
Add in that we’ve also already played at some of the toughest away grounds (Newcastle remain the team to beat; Wolves I think will improve; Birmingham will continue in/around the top six; and 1p5wich raise their game against us every time) and we should have plenty to be cheerful about.
OTBC
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Very good article, I agree almost entirely. Despite so many frustrations and relegation last year we are well set to challenge for a return to the top flight, the club is financially secure and able to maintain this level of investment within our own means, the future of the club looks secure. The problem clubs face when an investor takes over is that they are just that, an investor. Many of whom actually don’t spend that much of their own money, they borrow hugely against the club as collateral. When they walk out the club is in dire straits. It’s a very great gamble for everyone except the investor, ironically, who tends to take out more than they ever truly put in.
So for me I do get frustrated, I wish we were better but I would also agree we have so much to be pleased with.
I disagree entirely, however, that Lowestoft are worse than ipswich.
OTBC
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Moaning is part of enjoying it. It’s a catharsis. No mention of you having your head in little old Norwich, but I certainly don’t think comparisons with a little blue club help. Comparisons are about relativity, such as ‘are we doing as well as the others we are competing with?’. Not a boring team with a pretty blue future.
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‘Jeff’ (3) – Would hate for you to agree with anything that’s scribed on MFW. 🙂
Remember – that guest blog offer still stands. No pseudonyms allowed though 😉
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Plus ‘Jeff’, the thrust of the whole piece was that I’d been talking football with supporters of Ipswich (it’s okay to say it really), and so it’d have been a tad illogical if I’d compared us with anyone else!
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(3) Jeff – “comparisons are about relativity, such as ‘are we doing as well as the others we are competing with?’
There’s your guest blog right there – 800 words – go.
“Let’s be having you.”
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Haven’t “spoken” to an Ipswich supporter for twenty years or more, and then it wasn’t pleasantries I was exchanging. I have to admit though, that I have enjoyed this season so far, it has been vastly more enjoyable than last year. Agreed, we are diabolical at the back and mentally fragile, but appear to be able to score at will, out of the blue and frequently. the pleasure derived from the scoring of a goal transcends nearly every feeling I have experienced. Nearly.
This is tempered by the realisation that we cannot continue to be a bright, attack minded outfit burgeoning with so much talent that some seriously good players are watching from the stands or tearing up the Scottish leagues without dipping our toes in the top,flight and filling the coffers.
I’m a pessimist by trade, a cynic and a non conformist, I like to look for an ulterior motive. So far this season I have been overjoyed by our goals and wins, the shock cup triumph at Everton delighted me. Second place is fine. The under 23 side continue to progress in cup competitions, scoring heavily and can sometimes be accessed free of charge. My kids have grown up into staunch canaries and accompany me to every home game which makes me happy. Talk of city supporting grandchildren in the future brings a tear to my eye. I like the new kit and enjoyed the televised win at Wolves and hope for similar at Brentford on New Year’s Eve. Thoughts of a massive cup tie against a giant if we squeeze past Leeds (shame it wasn’t a home tie) excite. I look forward to the upcoming under 23 cup games against continental sides, lower league first teams and premier league academy sides with relish, desperate to see canos, Josh, killip, cantwell, Godfrey, odusina and the young Scottish lad, Middleton, from Northampton, perhaps God willing even Maddison will make a home appearance. Pritchard too and oliveira, who I have seen only seconds in action. Good grief, we have some good footballers here now,
To sum up, although I remain unhappy with aspects of the club I am far happier now with Norwich city than for a long time and it happened almost without me realising.
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Thought provoking article. What is it that I want from being a Norwich supporter ? Well of course I want them to win every game , but realistically what I mean is that there is an expectation that we can win the next game. That way I can look forward to Saturday ( or Friday night , Monday evening etc etc !!) , have a bounce in my step walking to the ground & look at the players warming up with anticipation . 90 mins (+) of exciting , entertaining football comes as a bonus.
After a loss , especially with such dire performances as we have witnessed in post Lambert years in the premiership life goes flat for a while ,
Rationalisation, , blaming the ref , manager , players or owners all helps to bring back that optimism for the next game. A win & every thing is good again , dreaming of promotion or a famous cup run.
This is been my life as a City supporter since my first game as a 10 year old against Spurs ( replay ) 1959. Ther have been the highs & lows. Beating MU at Old Trafford 1967 in the cup Watching a Paddon hatrick at Highbury on the way to our first Wembley Final The disappointment of that final & the Villa one. THE Steve Bruce header in THAT Semi Final , a famous night at Fratton Park with Lambert , the long journeys back from Man City , Derby , Brighton , to name just a few , after FA cup defeats. That is what being a supporter of a club like Norwich is all about.
The promise of the riches of the ‘ greed is God’ PL. Is a bit of a con for teams like us. How many of the original PL have been in it for its entire existence. Less than half I would guess. For the rest of us it’s back to the highs & lows of being a football supporter. Enjoy the highs , approach the lows with hope & optimism , we will have a moan but true supporters will never give up the dream. Even when Norwich were struggling at the foot of Lge 1 20,000 plus at The Carra every home proves my point. How many supporters went from Norwich went to Chelsea for the Youth Cup final compared to the numbers Chelsea brought to Carrow Road. We are proud of our Club , I suggest the likes of Chelsea are only interested in Glory , not proudly watching youngsters give their all for THEIR clubThat is what being a Norwich supporter is all about Proud of our club , treating following our football club as a way of life rather than following a team as a badge of ” success ”
Wouldn’t want it any other way. I have enjoyed this season , & the previous one in the Championship far more as a supporter than last seasons in the top table that is the PL. OTBC
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