She’s back! Prompted by something of a Villa Park disaster, MFW’s very own crowd pleaser, Anita Byrne-Phillips has put finger to iPad again and offered her thoughts on an afternoon that failed to deliver.
Take it away ABP…
25 years without a win. Sutch with the winner. A Gunn in goal!
Could, with another Gunn in goal, we pull off that inconceivable win at Villa Park?
That was the question I was asking myself before kick-off but sadly we now know the answer. And of course it was inevitable.
They hadn’t won a game and Bruce, an old Canary favourite, was whipping his fans up as they laid bottom of the pile.
We knew what was coming, it was written in the stars (one of which Ipswich have already claimed for winning the Championship already this season). Yes… along come Norwich.
Now I’ve into this new German coach, I hang on every word of every interview and I preach patience. But when you witness the 90 minutes of a team with no creativity and a calamitous defence the doubt starts to creep in.
Have we have we had too many changes from top to bottom too quickly?
Is this transitional period going to take far longer than I envisaged?
Two seasons are how long my rational thoughts said it would take. But my heart and my eyes want it to happen NOW!
That’s only human. It’s the passion that makes me yearn to see my team doing well. Three 3 points at home; at least one point away. And it’s the pride of looking forward to watching our lads on the pitch; the walk back to the car with a positive bounce in your step; the celebratory drink glancing at yellow shirts with that knowing smile.
‘Yes, we are Norwich, super Norwich.’
Without going back over the last two seasons we knew wholesale changes had to be made, and they have been made – in abundance. So we have called, the Board have delivered and in return we have to give them that P word we keep hearing (even if it is going to drive us mad from time to time throughout the season).
With a new regime and so many ‘new components’ time and patience are indeed key but it’s undeniably hard to smile, grit your teeth and accept it’s work in progress because as fans we want results and we want an excuse for some exuberance.
Patience wasn’t top of our list when we chose to be football fans but still, perhaps we expect too much? I mean we all become pundits and managers every game but to then be expected to be patient… maybe that’s a step too far?
But the least we can have is perspective – we are going to have to accept the lows and wait for the highs. And that’s one P word we can adopt.
As Bill Shankly said: “If you can’t support us when we lose or draw, don’t support us when we win.”
It’s early days and and we’ve had a tough one but let’s try to remain calm for another four games then and then let’s go full throttle. And if it doesn’t work out…
P was for panic wasn’t it?
? … And then I’m happy for the rest of the day, safe in the knowledge there will always be a bit of my heart devoted to it…
All the Germans… Farkelife ?
Thanks as ever to Anita. Something tells me we’ll be hearing more from her as the season progresses.
Welcome back, Anita! Great Shankly quote – and great article.
It’s my belief that Daniel Farke will emulate Shankly in giving his fans plenty to celebrate – if we can hold our nerve. I’ll explain more tomorrow…
Was at the game when we last beat Villa and what a game it was. If I remember correctly the win took us back to the top of the league. Those were the days, they might return but a load of patience is required.
Great article indeed – you really should write full time for the site, Anita.
As one writer drops out, it leaves room for another to come in and your perception and entertainment value seem spot on to me.
As Stewart alluded to, your Bill Shankly reference was excellent – the game of life or death (it’s more important than that) quote was my favourite memory of Shankly – I was old enough to remember roughly what he said at the time.
I always enjoy your articles and look forward to reading the next one.
My ‘P’ stands as a capital for a phrase you didn’t use:-)
Now I’m intrigued….
Thank you for your kind words Martin
Anita
Promotion?
Play offs perhaps?!
“Two seasons are how long my rational thoughts said it would take. But my heart and my eyes want it to happen NOW! ”
Nail firmly hit on head.
OK, I don’t mind the odd setback because I’m retired and in Cheshire and haven’t had to suffer either the two lame duck performances or the crowing of fans whose team has made a slightly better start than ours. I can be patient for a while longer.
But I do have tickets for the Birmingham and Burton games so things had better improve by then….
Interesting observations on how long it will take to get it right – two years is probably about right. The biggest problem is that next summer another two P’s, parachute payments, disappear over the horizon if promotion isn’t secured:
Right Gary and if the promotion slips by this year then will we still have Maddison and Murphy next year? That is my concern
We sell them to pay Naismith’s wages.
Fingers crossed that scenario doesn’t prove accurate!
Two Years?
Can anyone really tolerate it for that Long?
Playoffs was the minimum and is the minimum. If it was an English manager everyone would expect him to hit the ground running, why should it matter he’s German. We both know the squad is more than capable.
I think Anita means two years for peak Farkelife. And that I would agree with. Obviously though, both he and we will be hoping for a little more than standing still until then. You can bet your bottom £ that Farke’s own ambition is to get into the play offs at least this year, and he will be extremely disappointed not to do so. BUT, he is still nevertheless going to focus more on the system and style for the time being. He is 2-3 defenders light at the moment. Much has been made of Klose’s absence, but Jamal Lewis would have had game time too if fit, possibly Toffolo as well. And the fact Pinto has only had one start has not helped at all. Oh, and lets not kid ourselves that Pritchard is not a huge loss.
Still, despite all of this Farke will still be looking for improved defensive soundness and thus improved results. That’s what the patience is required for now.
Why have we become so obsessed with being I the premier league, we’ve not maintained top flight in our entire history, quit the moaning and enjoy life.