And so it came to pass. An ‘along came Norwich’ moment if ever there was one.
I deliberately steered clear of Twitter last night; the little taster I had between the end of the game and 5 o’clock was sufficient to suggest that carnage was about to unfold.
That’s not to say some of the criticism wasn’t justified. After a day that had far too many echoes of last season it’s impossible to maintain a fixed smile on the premise that the new era needs time and it’s all going to be okay. And it didn’t take long at Villa Park for the smiles turned to grimaces.
The P word was of course prevalent in post-match discussions but rather than ‘patience’, it was how ‘predictable’ yesterday’s failure was that formed the core of the debate:
- Predictable that we’d offer Villa their first taste of victory this season
- Predictable that we’d end up with egg on our faces at Villa Park
- And predictable that rather than stick another nail in the career coffin of John Terry we’d offer him a perfectly timed filip
Good old Norwich.
All of which made for fertile ground for those for whom the summer months must have been frustrating in the extreme with its positive mood and feeling of a new, innovative era.
Talk of early changes to the Carrow Road set-up were as nonsensical as they were predictable but one has to consider that the time understandably being afforded to Team Farke as it attempts to gain its own foothold in English football, and all while getting a new message across, is time that’s precious.
This season is crucial for so many reasons, the most obvious being one that starts ‘parachute’ and ends ‘payments’, and every dropped point, whatever the mitigation, nudges us ever closer to the time when said payments dry up with nothing to follow.
And so while we have to be patient and have to understand that a new philosophy does indeed take time to embed, we also have to understand that the clock is ticking. If the financial landscape looked a little barren from May to August 2017, just wait until May to August 2018.
So, days like yesterday do come at a cost; not least for the effect they have on belief and momentum.
Daniel Farke spoke pre-QPR of the efforts of his team to lift the morale of the younger players, those who haven’t been there and done it. Well those same words are needed again this week. And the more they’re trotted out there’s a danger they get diluted. It’s an unhealthy cycle.
Naturally the defence have taken the brunt of the wrath – and there’s no escaping that had it not been for the brilliance of Angus Gunn it would have turned exceptionally ugly – but that City were outplayed and outfought in every department is a worry, and shouldn’t be simply attributed to teething troubles.
To be out-muscled is unforgivable on any level, whatever the circumstances, and it doesn’t rely on familiar faces and familiar surroundings to match your opponent in the physical confrontation. It’s a basic but one that wasn’t met yesterday.
But the most glaring problem that Farke has to address is in the centre of his defence. Without that solid base all the gone stuff starts to unravel quite quickly. That both Marcel Franke and Christoph Zimmermann had stinkers yesterday was the biggest, if not the only, problem and all after both covering themselves in glory on Wednesday night.
Yesterday was clearly the complete opposite.
And it’s a riddle that’s not easily solved. Russell Martin has proved himself another option in a three but is certainly not the answer in a two – and himself had a rotten one again yesterday. And Timm Klose, still on the road to full fitness, now finds himself in the frame as one of those whose reputation is being enhanced by him not playing.
Let’s not forget, in Germany he’s consistently played at a higher level than the two current incumbents and already has a season of Championship football under his belt. He also has a left foot and naturally slots in as a left-sided centre-back more naturally than the right-footed Franke.
His return, for me, can’t come soon enough. And at 17:00 yesterday, I also can’t pretend I thought sending Sean Raggett back to Lincoln until January was a great idea.
However, to focus solely on the deficiencies of our two German centre-backs ignores the support – or lack of – that was afforded by both full-backs; both of whom struggled against the power and energy of Hourihane, Green, Davis and co.
It was simply one of those days when to pore over all the wrongs would take far more than 1000 words. And those wrongs would include a team selection that appeared, on the face of it, to have been subject to one or two changes too many.
That James Maddison needed a rest was probably understandable – given he’s played almost every minute so far – and so too Wes given he played the full 90 on Wednesday night, but to take both out of the XI also rid the team of its inventive streak. To have started one and maybe replace him with the other would at least have ensured a magic spark was ever present.
Those though who lambasted the Head Coach for starting Cameron Jerome ahead of Nelson Oliveira would be well advised to listen to his post-match comments – the latter clearly struggling with a knock – and for all the ills of yesterday it wasn’t Jerome ahead of Oliveira that was the root cause of defeat.
But Team Farke must look at its own decision making in the same way they’ll demand the players examine theirs. To ship four goals and have your keeper play a blinder cannot be brushed off as ‘early days’, even if this Villa side is one that’s far better than their opening three games had suggested.
Yet we must hold our collective nerve and keep the toys in the pram. When the fixtures were announced most considered it a difficult opening and so it’s proved. Now’s not the time for a meltdown.
This, whether we like the word or not, is a project. It’s still developing. And yesterday was a bad day.
Good thoughts but for me it was not defensive error’s the 21st goal was reed losing possession goal 3 was a wicked deflEcton and the 4th was a blind linesmen. Second half we matched them it was the 1st half that cost us. I’m prepared to wait 2 seasons to let this grow I’m happy the team is trying to play possession football this will take time and I prefer it to watching overpaid players not giving a shit when things turned against them like last season
Fair comment that Jason. Yep; first half was ultimately costly.
Norwich City and their fans should not beat themselves up. We VILLA fans were just as amazed at how we succeeded in destroying you on Saturday, and it was all down to a lucky break for Steve Bruce, when Gabby cried off and he had to play young Kieran Davis.
His display as an out and out old-fashioned centre forward fighting for every ball, and his hold up play, was reminiscent of Christian Benteke, and he was just as unplayable.
This was then coupled with Onomah being injured, and Conor Hourihane being pushed forward for the first time, and in his favourite position, which he relished.
This was a very special game for all who were there to witness. I am sure if it had been the normal Bruce team, then Norwich would have run off with game and had at least a 3-2 win.
I don’t think the centre backs are the issue, zero support from fullback or midfield left them dangerously exposed. We can’t keep picking forwards across most of the midfield and then blame the back line!
Could well be the case Craig … perhaps we’re expecting them to adapt to the Championship without offering them ample protection. Noted.
There were plenty of mistakes yesterday. Off the pitch with selection, on the pitch with the freedom given to Hourihane et al, and the mistakes of the officials.
But there is only one direction we can go now and that is forward, not back. And although we still do not know what forward will bring, we have to support this management and leadership. Farke has already brought much more than any coach/ manager since Lambert, and he has the intelligence and capacity to overcome these issues… eventually. I agree also with the comment about Raggett, it sounds like he could be useful right now, but I have a feeling that without agreeing to that condition we would not have got him in the first place.
I think we really do need patience, and patience is more than one game. Last season was a failure because the financial model adopted was banking on promotion being achieved again. I don’t think it’s the model being used this season. And it’s not what we should be focusing on now either to be honest. Yes, it’s the aim of a 46 game season, but it’s not our aim now. Our aim now is for all the changes in team composition and playing style to start to bed in, whilst at the same time everyone, coach and most players, are also going through a steep learning curve. We all need to go with it and continue to offer as much support as we can, because the only real failure would be to abort the process now. Then we really would be left with nothing.
Having spent yesterday in Sunday Blackpool watching England Cricket destroy the over rated windies, whilst keeping intouch with the game via the EDP I was a little surpised at the comments coming out from so called city supporters as follows:
1) Farke out
2) Bring back AN
4) Bennett and Bassong were better than what we have now
5) Will not renew my ST next season
6) No skill, No effort, No passion for the club
Patients is a virtue and looking at the comments yesterday a lot of city supporters don’t have any.
VP hasn’t ever been a good hunting ground for city and yes it is about time that changed we still have young defenders that are learning about the championship, and as I have mention we a few others we do need possibly an experienced championship coach in the backroom staff to pass on words of wisdom.
As for Raggett Ican understand letting him have 6 months more at Lincoln to help his development as a league player he is going to get valuable experience from this no nonsense league and come January should be ready to play his part for city.
RM shouldn’t be playing against teams like Villa he is to slow in mind and body let him coach the younger players with Gill and Huckerby.
Tettey is past his best even last season we need a younger version.
Overall we have an inexperienced squad that will only get better given a chance, City need another striker, midfielder and a very experienced CB that can command his area and direct the younger players during the game I was hoping RM could do this but I have been proved wrong.
Patients is need lets not throw the baby out with the water, with games coming thick and fast I think Farke has got to much time on the training field to help remedy the faults he is seeing and even Wagner didn’t have a great start.
Some of the trouble lays in the fact the two centre backs have been chucked in at the deep end, and there isn’t a fit fullback . that is fit to play and fit to take the position. Yesterday was a day for Tetty to be in there. He will do far more of the ugly stuff, protecting the centre two ..
Still maintain he need 1 more street wise defender if only for a season, and another striker, what happens if both get crocked ? Come on Mr Webber
It’s a long ol’ season, I shall reserve judgement till the end of September. I feel then the dust will have truly settled, the picture, the outlook will be clearer, our 2017/18 season destiny more accurately assessed.
Far too often, I have seen early season front-runners go on to have a dismal, if not disastrous season. The converse is equally true.
I recall, only last season NUFC, had a poor start ???? No . . . I am not hinting we will emulate them!
Forgive me bringing up the subject of conflict on these ‘pages’, but for much of WW2 the inbred German psyche, had an uncanny knack of reversing setbacks, and decisively so! They don’t flounder for long!
Is Farke a latter-day Rommel, with his undoubted organisational skills, his tactical analytical mind, his resilience That remains to be seen?
BTW: Spare me any comments on history – I am only too aware.
I watched the game and was concerned from the moment I heard the team news. Whatever Naismith is he is not a creative midfielder and for some reason we left out most of the creativity, hence no control and we allowed Villa to play. Perhaps I was too hasty to suggest the solid spine was developing? Only Zimmerman of the back four has impressed me and he was off yesterday perhaps because he had to carry the other three? I know, I know, patience is the key word but the defense needs more than time to improve it needs different personnel. However we must persevere and try to be patient but this defeat for me started with a worrying team selection. If DF thinks we dominated the second half he was watching a different game to me improved yes dominant definately not. Plenty of time yet but little sign of progress so far.
You have not mentioned if you were there or not Gary. Watching from the stand, the match hung in the balance at 2-1 before the deflected 3rd but I do agree we need either Maddison or Wes in the starting line-up. Having said that Josh played really well and stepped into the creative void to the level he had to take Hutton off who was rinsed well and truly. Steipermann was a bit of a worry as he left Russ very exposed by going walkabout looking for the ball.
Defensive (fixable) concerns aside, I would hope all those at the game would agree that the overall performance was not in the same category as last seasons performances at Burton, Brighton, Rotherham , Sheff Weds et all.
You would like to think that true city fans will give it 10 to 12 leagues games before passing judgment, but alas in modern times of no patience and no tolerance that’s already not happening.
Every dog has its day and right now that dog is down the A140 and across the border.
At the very least, let’s hope we rein that dog in …….
Yesterday made me wonder if Farke is too methodical for this League and we are getting sold down the river.
If it does take Farke a long time to get to grips with this League, then promotion is a no-no. Then the next season, it’s no parachute payments which will be loudly communicated from the club. Championship mediocrity beckons which will suit the majority shareholders fine as long as the club are seen to be making the right noises. Yes we tried, but for what exactly?
What you see and what happens are two different things at Norwich City.
Personally, for me, the benchmark for assessing Team Farke is the end of October – by then we will have played 15 games and be one third into the season. Anything before this timescale would be knee jerk territory.
I agree totally. Some knees are already reacting like angry Cossacks, unfortunately.
Good article and Gary and some good points made by other posters. Ultimately we are 4 league games into the season following a massive turn-over of players. It’s not surprising to me that things are taking a while to click. The first half performance yesterday was dreadful and fair play to Villa for capitalising. The second half was better and remove the two goals from Villa – 1 deflection that could have gone anywhere and 1 very bad moment from the ref and linesman, we would have ‘won’ the second half.
That said whilst I think it’s admirable for team Farke to try to win by possession, there are certainly games when you just need some steel in the midfield area. This season, we’ve seen Reed, Maddison, Vrancic, Naismith and Wes occupying the midfield triangle. Certainly their work rate is ok and they ‘harass’ the opposition but yesterday was the time for Tettey or even Godfrey to add some muscle and some true ball-winning ability. Neither have had any league minutes yet.
OTBC
We must have Wes or Maddison on the pitch otherwise no creativity. If our defence doesn’t improve we are going to have score lots of goals!
For me not much has changed from when we appointed Farke and recruited players who have not generally played at this level. A slow start is to be expected as the manager and new players bed in. Some players will likely fail to make the step up, maybe the manager too. But it is too early to judge them all. OK so after the defense was once again poor it makes me nervous for the new regime, but there have been good things too. As others are saying, the time for judging the new regime and what it can achieve is not now, Lets give them at least 15 games. We’ve been as a club guilty of hanging on too long when management teams have lost the plot, but lets not punich this lot before they’ve had the chance to implement their strategy.
Do I agree with some of his selections? No. Do I think we might have more points at this stage had we appointed a more championship experienced manager like Colin? Yes. But where does that leave us in the long run? For me better to build, but build the right way. Farke potentially offers that, maybe he’ll be up to it, maybe not, but I trust Webber to be no nonsense enough to keep him or bin him as necessary.
Lose to Millwall and it will be a big blow, Too early in the season to call any game must win, but we could really use a confidence boost especially in an away game. Our soft underbelly away from CR brings back painful flashbacks from last season. A resolute 1-0 would be just what the doctor ordered
Bah!