In case you missed the news, it’s Shakespeare Week. An idea that would have amused the Bard no end, I suspect.
In a way, it’s surprising the authorities are so keen for us to study Shakespeare. His most famous plays involve witchcraft and bumping off the royal family (Macbeth), gang warfare and underage sex (Romeo & Juliet), and various gullible, unsuitable or downright nasty monarchs (King Lear, Richard III et al).
Then there’s Hamlet: a play so bloody that barely a significant character survives to the end. Midsomer Murders, eat your heart out (as it were).
The mayhem results from Hamlet’s pivotal decision. He has reason to believe his father has been murdered and usurped by his uncle. Should he let it go, or fight back? His choice to fight is admirable (nobler in the mind, for sure) but sets off a terrible sequence of events.
On the most minor of scales – I know it’s a stretch, but bear with me – I have my Hamlet moment here.
It’s the nature of football fans to be argumentative. I’m told that in Liverpool’s heyday when they dominated Europe, the local paper was filled with letters castigating the manager’s team selection, signings and tactics. With exceptions you could count on one hand, fans of every club in the land are currently arguing about their team’s direction.
As Ed Couzens-Lake so eloquently described it here a few days ago, the football world is full of discontent and division.
It’s natural, of course, for there to be special disquiet around Norwich. Two years ago we were in the Premier League. Better decisions might have kept us there; be that as it may, we went down and – worse – failed to get back with a strong and highly paid squad. As a result, we’ve gone from being financially healthy to requiring creative skills.
There are many shades of opinion about where we now stand, but essentially two camps. I’m in the one that says you have to play the ball where it lies, Stuart Webber and Daniel Farke represent our best chance to rebuild, and they should be supported with time and money (including ours). In other words, the patience and transition camp.
Others take a different view.
So: should I come out with all guns blazing (in the words of the famous mixed metaphor, take arms against a sea of troubles), not giving an inch to the other side, or let it go?
Or perhaps something in the middle.
Two reasons not to come out with all guns blazing. First – though some of my Twitter correspondents might disagree – I don’t seek confrontation. I’d much rather find common ground and build from there.
Second, of course, this isn’t like Hamlet. In that case, there was clear-cut right and wrong. Our case is more typical: though it’s comforting to imagine all the arguments are on one side, it’s patently not true.
Those who’ve argued against me on this site not only have some justified points, they also garner a lot of likes. Though I’ve been accused of it, it’s neither my place nor inclination to tell fellow fans their opinions are wrong.
One thing I will do, as I’d expect others to do to me. Factual error and misrepresentation should be called out; no compromise.
Beyond that, we have different but valid views. When the Impatients – if I may call them that – say that City have failed all season to create chances, they’re right. We’re on course to concede 20 fewer goals than last season, a clear step forward despite a lower wage bill – but we’re also on course to be among the lowest scorers in the Championship. That’s got to change, and Farke hasn’t yet shown us he knows how.
While we’ve been pretty good – sometimes outstanding – away from Carrow Road, our home record remains cause for alarm. Again, we wait for evidence of change (I’d suggest that Hernandez might be part of the solution, but it’s early days).
While acknowledging those points, it seems to me we have to take into account the scale of change we instituted a year ago. And the positives, including the ability of Webber and Farke to unearth bargains such Zimmermann and Trybull. All in all, it inclines me to argue for giving Webber and his chosen Head Coach more time.
In the big scheme of things, I can’t feel our record of eight seasons in the Premier League (including four of the past eight years) is too terrible. What grates is that we failed to sustain the foothold we achieved in 2011-13. Serious mistakes were made – most by people no longer at the club, but some involving people still there.
Stuart Webber and Daniel Farke were of course not part of the mistakes. It’s only opinion, of course, but I believe our Premier League money would have been better overseen by Stuart. If we think that may be true, we should surely want him to be backed as far as possible now.
Is that a strong opinion of mine? Yes. Do I think I have a monopoly on rightful thinking and judgement? Absolutely not.
Opinion among the writers of this site is much more diverse than a year ago. It might make for a lively end-of-season meal, but I’m happy about it.
We’re privileged that Gary allows us these soliloquys. And I’m happy to acknowledge that a good number of the other writers’ are better than mine.
Great article Stewart. I disagree with you on many (most?) of your opinions but enjoy reading “the other side” as it were. What I do agree with is backing Webber, who wasn’t responsible for “pissing the money up the wall”, however the Head Honcho is still there overseeing every penny spent at NCFC. Just as she did through all the Prem years
Fair enough! Though she’s often deferred to others’ judgement, Delia has overseen all these decisions. Some very good, some very bad, a lot in between. I’m glad she was persuaded to take the plunge a year ago with the new structure and bringing in Stuart Webber – though of course time will tell.
Wow, I enjoyed reading that, Stewart.
I haven’t touched anything even vaguely Shakespearian since my A-levels in 1974-ish. Henry IV part II as I remember, complete with Falstaff and all his dodgy mates such as Pistol. It’s not for me, that Shakespeare stuff. Too many in-jokes from that Sixteenth Century time in the body text that our exasperated sixth-form teacher struggled to explain to us Led Zeppelin obsessed teenagers.
Give me Chaucer any day – just a personal preference.
One phrase Geoffrey would have been familiar with would have been “pi$$ing it up the wall”.
And oh boy how we’re paying for it now.
A truly fantastic read.
Very good article Stewart.
There is a lot of common sense in it but I am of the view that enough is enough. After Delia and hubby’s article stating that the club is not for sale and they are not looking for investment, and lastly their nephew is going to take over with a trust fund controlling the 51% ownership, then the club will continue to fail.
No matter where it comes from, investment is the lifeblood of any business and City are a business. Bad decisions have resulted in managers being sacked and, as you say, she defers to others judgement on the club. I would hazard a guess that they don’t in their other businesses.
I would guess that most decisions would fall into the realm of, can we guess what she really would like?
As I and a few others have said on this and other sites, everything has an end date and the Smiths have long ago reached theirs. It is time to sell up, put the money into a trust for the nephew and sit back in rural Suffolk. Not one supporter wants to see her legacy at the club being soured like the South/Chase and Jones eras or the worsening of feelings towards the family.
Living in Blackpool for the last 40 years, I have watched the happening at the club hereand how nasty it has gotten towards the Oystons. They had the self-financing model and stopped investing, supporters stopped buying STs and merchandise, boycotted games, caused games to be abandoned. Then look at WHU violence towards the board at games.
City supporters I hope never get to that stage or as it did before Chase left – lets find a happy ending to the Smiths reign. It has had its good, its bad, but we don’t want the ugly.
Understand all that. By “deferring to others’ judgement” I meant that when our Board hires people in key positions, it lets them get on with the job. Hence why David McNally could get a grip on the club’s operations and replace Gunn with Lambert. It’s also why our managers have been able to decide their signings (good and bad).
Clearly, the appointment of Moxey was a mistake, and giving him power made it worse. It’s also why the job appealed to Stuart Webber – let’s hope that in this case, the freedom to operate brings dividends.
My understanding is that Delia & Michael aren’t as closed to investment as the Times interview suggested. But of course they should speak for themselves.
Thanks for the comment.
I have to smile because again I disagree with you. My understanding from someone close to D&M, and other people who speak to them regularly is that they have no intention of accepting any investment. Even if it means they stay in charge…….
Enjoyable read Stew… a literary olive branch!
Your comment that Delia and Michael aren’t closed to investment is an interesting one. My perception of our owners (and it’s only that) is that they are simply not prepared to relinquish control.
Would they like a fresh injection of cash? Yes.
Would they accept it, if it meant taking on a lesser role or having a diminished say in what happens? No.
The bond issue may – or may not – support that view.
I don’t subscribe to the idea that people who invest in football clubs do so to make a return on their money. There are far better and less risky ways to do that. So in reality, the chances of finding a ‘sleeping partner’; one who stumps up large sums of cash and then takes a back seat, are next to zero.
It leaves us looking for another Foulger or the Turners. People who have enough money to buy a seat at the table without changing the ‘power base’.
They are few and far between and won’t bring about the change that many of the fans are increasingly desperate for.
One final point.
I work for a large company, in a senior management position. I am accountable for the performance of those who report through to me and the results of my business unit.
In the case of City, as with every other business, the buck stops at those in charge, whether they choose to be directive and hands on or whether they give a free rein to those who they employ.
I agree that Webber, Stone and Farke are blameless for the mistakes of the past. The same cannot be said for those on the Board.
A lot of fair comments there, Steve.
Good stuff Alex. I don’t want the Smiths to get what Robert Chase got either. They truly do not deserve that kind of treatment although I feel it is coming their way if they continue to remain intransigent.
I’m probably heavily personally responsible for Stewart’s most justified comment relating to “diversity” in the writing herein during the past 12 months of this site.
But what a wonderful platform MFW is when we are all allowed to express our feelings, views and considerations without fear of recrimination.
Readers and writers alike.
Long may that continue.
Hear, hear!
Well said Martin; by far the best and most constructive/debating site regarding our beloved club.
O T B C
Good read. enjoyed mulling over what was said. Without adding how Delia saved the club, true she may well have but goodness sake that was years ago , the world society and football is a totally different ball game. Back when we entered the Premiership in its first walking steps, we coped and could have had it stayed that way. But allowing the mega bucks of the media first and then massive investment from overseas, has in many eyes ruined the English game and not just at the top level but all the way down to L2.
I have no personal axe to grind with Delia and Michael or Mr Foulger for that matter, they like anyone else are human and open to make errors and mistakes. But when the same type or similar mistakes are being made again and again. The patience and feeling of love disappears, and what are you left with ? Anger and Frustration leads to apathy, even the banging of the drum to highlight views, becomes a seemingly pointless exercise, What is left surrender a season ticket, I took this route as the passion waned and the feelings of as a supporter you matter very little, as TV money generates more than my gate money.
They are the only people who can make the decision of how the clubs future goes , only them who makes the decision to not sell or seek investment, and then hand this over to a family member , who again has no more knowledge of football than I do, and I first walked into Carrow Road a a wide eyed excited child of 10.
That does not fill me with any hope what so ever that nephew Thomas will be any different, with Aunty and Uncle still in the background as some form of Honorary position is drawn up ( I know guessing but does seem plausible)
Daniel Farke only said in an interview with german media that “Delia does not not pump absurd sums of money into it, as Arab or Chinese investor would” but is what is needed ..
Without wanting to appear degrading to the majority shareholders, but in today’s modern world of football they are small fry. They are incapable of investing the sums of money required to take this club any further forward. They can’t or won’t chuck in what is a small amount in today’s football world of £3.5 million to upgrade an Academy that their shareholding owns.
The money that was only seen in the premiership has dropped down to the Championship, along with the realisation that it is needed to move forward to the even bigger carrot of the premiership.
It seems a fruitless and very much a head in the sand view that we can be a self funding club. for that to be a success, ask vast amounts of it’s supporters to put up perhaps a lower standard and with any talent sold season after season. That to me is taking the club back to the time she entered the board as majority shareholder .
In my view she has taken the club full circle , with some bloody good times included as well as the bad. but still we have gone round with the very same mistakes and mismanagement
Chase sold all the player’s and purchased the land around the club which has now been sold off to others to profit on so what goes around so they say comes around.
The club was deep in trouble when Chase and Jones sold out hopefully we are not in that amount of trouble or near it again.
If as Stewart alludes to above that the Smiths might gave a change of mind and welcome some investment surely it is time to speakout.
The so called rumored clauses might put the majority of investers off and I think that if they could have been met they would have been some news of it in the EDP or Daily Mail.
1) must be a city supporter
2) live in Norfolk/East Anglia
To me if they could be met it would be the icing on Delias cake
No other club put clauses I would presume to put investers off So lets find a football oving Chinese Take Away owner from Shangai or some Russian Oligarch that wants to get his money out of russia before Putin takes it back thats if May doesn’t block investment from them.