If last weekend was the perfect way to sign off at home – and to say farewell to a club legend – then yesterday’s final away-day of the season was the complete antithesis.
I’m not sure there is an antonym for ‘if Carlsberg did…’ but if there is one, then in terms of last days yesterday was it. A total 5hitfest with bells and whistles if ever there was one.
If stinking the place out wasn’t bad enough, to then learn that our one genuine saleable asset – the one who was to be used to plug they ugly, black financial hole that is about to engulf us – has picked up a potentially long-term knee injury, was a double whammy.
News that our friends down south usurped us for the first time since 2008/09 made it a triple and delivered a sprinkling of sea salt in an already gaping, festering wound.
What a day.
Timm Klose said the players were ‘embarrassed’. I’d go with that. So they should be.
While it was ugly enough for those who watched from afar, for those hardcore fans who made the trip it must have been undiluted agony. I understand a cocktail of smoke bombs and scuffles among our own fans topped off an already grim afternoon.
They’re the ones Timm should have been fronting up to. And, to be fair, he probably would have.
On the scenario scale, this one completely slid off it at the bad end. The old clichés about getting a rotten defeat out of the system as soon as by putting things right on the training pitch or, better still, by playing again within a few days are totally null and void.
You’ve the best part of two months to cogitate over this one, lads.
I concluded last Sunday’s post-Wes piece with the line ‘it was one of those afternoon’s when it felt we were all, for a few fleeting moments, united. And it was nice.’
That’s not a line I’ll be repeating this week. Last night social media revealed the #NCFC crowd to be as fragmented and divided as at any time over the season. 5-1 thumpings tend to have that effect.
Of course, in the greater scheme of things, yesterday didn’t matter. What’s the difference in finishing 12th to finishing 14th apart from the small matter of bragging rights? And, for once, we could understand the players having one eye on the beach, right?
Except Wednesday had equally little to play for, yet still somehow found the wherewithal to deliver their fans a performance. And try telling those who sported yellow and green at Hillsborough yesterday that it didn’t matter. It really did.
So, we now enter the summer break in the worst possible fettle. The fans’ ire will calm once the Hillsborough dust has settled but those who question the current path have been offered yet more ammunition.
Personally, I’m not sure that one really horrible afternoon in Sheffield is sufficient evidence to rip the project up and start again – and that’s certainly not going to happen anyway – but what it did was act as a salutary reminder of the fragility of this new model.
Make no mistake, the Maddison injury – if it renders him unsaleable over the summer – has thrown one massive spanner in the works. He was the means by which the financial cogs were going to continue to turn:
- To plug the aforementioned £23 million(ish) financial shortfall.
- To release a little bit of cash with which to wheel and deal in Lidl and Aldi.
Yet, one nasty injury to one player has possibly tilted the Canary world on its axis. I’d argue that’s the epitome of fragile.
I’ll not re-open the ownership debate because folk are tired of my bleating – and we’ve concluded that money doesn’t buy promotion – but all I will say is it’s a thin line we are treading right now and will continue to be while certain players with certain lucrative contracts are still on the books.
If I could fast-forward to June 2019, I would.
All of which leaves season 2018/19 as one, massive, mysterious unknown. But we do know frugality and shoestring will be the buzzwords.
That we have a plan is, to me at least, some consolation, and, as I’ve said before, in Steve Stone and Stuart Webber we have two exec directors who have clearly embraced the limitations they’re working within – but after the events of yesterday, it’d take the happiest of clappers to not feel just a little deflated.
The blows came thick and fast yesterday. The next few weeks will be spent bobbing and weaving, trying to ensure none of them land on the point of the chin.
Quite why the fixture computer insists on sending us to Hillsborough on the final day I have no idea, but I wish it wouldn’t. City’s record there is dire and there was a ghastly inevitability about yesterday’s outcome, if not the way other events unfolded.
And then to top it all we had ex-coaches and ex-players chirping up last night, glorifying in our 14th place finish. Marvellous.
So, City’s lowest finish in the footballing pyramid since the Roeder-induced relegation of 2008/09, all nicely rounded off with our biggest defeat of the season. Still, to consider it in context is, of course, important and however much we detest the word, this is a club in transition. The turnover of staff has been massive and coupled with a change in culture it was always destined to be a tough one.
The big question is what are we transitioning to? And what happens if this time next season if we haven’t progressed beyond 14th?
To paraphrase the great Sir Alex – Norwich City, bloody hell!
“To release a little bit of cash with which to wheel and deal in Lidl and Aldi.”
Both German budget supermarkets – how apt,
Clever eh? 😉
As someone who was there I can confirm it was horrible. Every goal was gifted and our dilemma was summed up by two incidents. First Murphy put a perfect cross on Oliveira’s head 6 yards out and he headed straight upwards ( this was at 2-0 And could have got us back into the game), then late on Hernandez was put in by Leintner and chose to pass when 4 yards from goal.
Lidl and Aldi are indeed budget stores. They also have some of the very best quality and value wines, if you know where to look….
I think gallons of wine may be necessary to dull the pain of next season
I’m sorry but you cannot ignore the ownership debate because the position we are in is a direct consequence of their inability to finance a championship team.
Matters have been further exacerbated by poor decision making when fortune shone on the club.
If the owners fail to appreciate the club needs new investment, which in turn means new owners I fear the current climate amongst fans will only worsen.
I’m agree that money doesn’t guarantee success but continuing without it as we are is more likely to end with another visit to division 1.
Don’t disagree John. Webber himself has said to run this model with proper funding behind it would be an infinitely better prospect. I only swerved the ownership debate for today because folk are tired of my bleating. 🙂
Appreciated Gary but in the interests of the club I think those who seek new ownership should be relentless as the owners seems to rely on the apathy of fans to remain in charge of this pantomime.
Ha! I’ve got a couple of bleats coming along tomorrow, which I guess you know:-)
Top dollar article that sums it all up perfectly.
I loved those ‘bleats’ mate 😉
As long as you’re not just going to state the bleating obvious….
I think that’s my job ?
German and brothers if that makes any difference. Sadly it looks nowt much has been learned every so often through the season there was a bit of a mauling. After all the games gone by we arrive at the final one and display that errors, bad judgement have not been eradicated from the squad. How disappointing and does not bode well.
Maddison has been the saviour of City many times this season, then was going to be the saviour of the whole club by being sold, Really shows what a dam right mess has been made. to lay all the eggs into one basket is nothing but desperate gambling with our football club.
So expect more young players now will have to be sold if they weren’t already earmarked to boost what ever coffers the money was targeted for.. bye bye Lewis and Murphy .
I cannot see Oliveira fetching much now after that season, he played at times like he was Norfolk’s other Nelson, with one eye.
Hi Lad
Your “eggs in one basket” comment is spot on.
Great minds… as you’ll discover tomorrow if you read my bit, written long before I read your comment:-)
I think Norfolk’s other Nelson would have shown rather more commitment and honesty even with only the one eye.
What a bunch of overpaid and underworked prima donnas we choose to follow……..
O T B C
The sensible among both sides of the border will know that our teams but just about equal now, fortunately for us we technically have the bragging rights after a long gap. We will make the most of it however I know we are both in new realms. You are a year into it, we are now in the unknown. Will we be as underwhelmed as you seem to be? Who knows I hope not. But truth be told perhaps it is fair to say we go into the summer with more to look forward to.
Will be interesting to see whether Project Farke moves on, whether our new man is any good, whether Maddison becomes the new Jarvis/Huws/Ademyi, whether you become better than us at Aldi shopping.
In the meantime, greetings for a good summer, have enjoyed the reading on here.
Maddison won’t be the new Jarvis – he’s a tough little so’n’so who got unlucky at the very worst time.
Marcus and Delia – oh boy our collective cup runneth over.
Thanks for a respectful comment – much appreciated.
Well said Graham; a sensible summing up from a sensible tractor boy – and I didn’t think they existed!!
O T B C
At some point this season I read that Maddison was the most fouled player in the league. Yesterday appeared to be an unnecessary risk.
Regardless of the injury, why are we not trying new faces? Why does Zimmerman have to stink for nearly a whole match before Raggett gets just 10 mins? I don’t understand Farke’s and Webber’s plans, tactically on the pitch or man management.
I’d also like to point out many of us have for years said Delia is taking us back to bottom half Championship football and have been laughed at. Having been told of Delia sells we risk becoming an Ipswich or Leeds, or overtaken by foreigners.. Right now I see us in the bottom half, below Leeds and Ipswich, with a lot of foreigners, and a non-investing owner.
What exactly would be the risk of getting a new owner?
Precisely.
I’ve tried to answer your final paragraph, David, with a few words just sent to Gary. Intended to start a debate – no simple answers from me. OTBC.
My issue with the bleating is that only ever comes after a defeat. As Gary said, all was good last weekend.
I’m a firm believer in the project but days like yesterday do shake that belief and there are still too many of them. I’m afraid Mr Klose may be embarrassed but he’s been part of most, if not all of them.
I look forward (!) to Martin’s rant tomorrow.
It’s not a rant, Derek. It really isn’t:-)
Unless you think otherwise of course – please let me know when you’ve read it; it’s the exchange of views between all of us that makes the NCFC world go round and MFW a pretty good place to be.
Not strictly true Derek. A win is a win and always welcome. It would be churlish indeed to hijack hoolahans moment and a decent afternoons entertainment by raking over the clear and obvious ever present problems which come from having Delia smith own the football club.
Win, lose or draw we still need to move from this archaic and more and more unique ownership model.
Yesterday’s defeat was completely unacceptable, totally unprofessional and indicative of serious problems within the club.
A most succinct and insightful piece I have to say.
In the back garden, catching up with paperwork and quite chilled, seems like the best time to put in print the thoughts about yesterday’s debacle.
I will admit, I fully expected a defeat yesterday. In much the same manner as we beat Leeds the week before, I felt home advantage and the need to please a home crowd would be the “dieter mining” factor in the contest.
Perhaps, as a realist, I shouldn’t have been surprised by the eventual shocking outcome and the complete and total humiliation that unfolded. After all, it’s a recurring theme under this coach, we do, on a regular basis, get dicked.
Ignore Ipswich, Leeds, dean Kiely and other total irrelevances, this is an in house conflict and will be played out in Norfolk over the next few months.
Many good comments attached to the article, as David says, why the hell didn’t fourth division toughened, man mountain, keen to impress Raggett replace Zimmermann at the earliest possible juncture? Instead, a lenient referee again allowed our players to be physically battered with no redress. From memory raggetts first action upon his introduction was to leave a Wednesday player in a heap, nursing a heavy whack. Just what the doctor ordered.
Surely now, any pretence that Farke is ” learning” has been wiped away, he appears to have learned precisely nothing, the random, hap hazard scattering of our results and form show no developing trends or indeed any improvement. A quick glance at the goals conceded shows the much vaunted goals against column improvement to be minimal to say the least, at the considerable cost of the halving of the goals scored. It’s crap.
Gary’s comment about the happy clappers and their propensity to look for silver linings in the excrement is telling. I’m sure this latest ignominy will be written off as part of Webbers master plan. Just a bump in the road. The over riding feeling I get is of a support, the bulk of which has no faith in farke or his methods, which in normal circumstances would have seen him relieved of his post by now. He is simply not up to the job, however pleasant, engaging, humble and intelligent he may be. It’s not personal, as some will try to paint it, it’s business, a tough business.
A year after seeing Webber in action up close and personal and being a little underwhelmed by his general demeanour and presence I see nothing to deflect me from my early concerns, which I voiced to a happy clapper outside carrow road when asked for an honest opinion. Of course this was poo pooed. A whole season of putrid, over priced “football”, grim results, regular thumping, desolate home form and the simple sale of many good players has sickened me of Webber and his invisible cloak. As someone once said of Robert chase, “fur coat and no knickers”.
Wher is the proof? Where is the tangible evidence that this is working?
The injury to the golden goose, signed during the days of McNally don’t forget, is the cherry on the turd. It would appear that, much like the sale of chases prime land, a fat windfall was going to keep the whole shooting match afloat when the cupboard was empty. As Gary states, if this was indeed the plan then the “model” is too fragile. Therefore it is not fit for purpose. One would hope that the board make good some of the shortfall, but much more likely is some ruse to screw more cash from supporters. Self-funding my backside.
Gary mentions the mood amongst the following. The likelihood of starting next season in the same manner would appear quite high and “toxic” doesn’t begin to describe the fallout in August if this comes to pass.
No more patience, no more works in progress, no more bloody transitions, it’s time to deliver.
If, as I fear, we are in a heap by October, then dean Kiely will get his wish. Revolution will be the byword, not webberlution.
Well said Chris. We’ve come from a Millwall hammering to a Sheffield Wednesday hammering. Progress nil.
The dispiriting thing is the fact there is every indication things will get worse next year when we lose Gunn and probably Maddison.
Before the end if season 2016/17 there was rumours that city were interested in a young player by the name of Marriott playing along side another player at Luton called Hylton both scoring for fun at that level and available at less than a million, no experience at a higher level so where not considered in the long run possibly due to their valuation instead city pay £8m for Naismith and over £5m for Oliveria, surely a gamble on one or other would have been worth it?????.
Gary I agree that possibly enought has been written on the ownership to start a sitcom that is so unbelievable that no one would think a football club could have been run so badly for so long, but doesn’t a few promotions, premiership money cover up a whole load of mismanagement.
There will be a few that say the board knows nothing about football and recruited knowledgeable people but since Mcnally left all I see is egos trying to prove themselves unsuccessfully.
NA & AN had the backing for players and over paid
Naismith a bit part player at Everton
Jarvis due diligence would have told the club not to buy
Oliveria surely his record at other clubs might have flagged up that he never settles long enought at any 8 other managers had tried to get the best out of him long term and failed.
Houghton also had large financial backing
RVW £8m not given long enought to prove himself
Redman good buy for £2.5m plus sell on
Leroy Fer good buy didn’t stay long wanted out on relegation
Tettey a great buy still going not so strong but fit for purpose
PL still not sure why he left money or ambition or both
Too many to list most if not all out lived there usefulness at city and haven’t really improved since leaving but there are a couple not many sold at profit
Forster great a Celtic and has survived at Southampton and a few England Caps
Ruddy great at city still going strong at Wolves
Martin long success at city but stayed too long.
A few others have been a success like Pinto, Klose, Maddison too few in my opinion.
At the end of the day city took on an extemely tough task last season with letting so many experienced players leave to cut out the over spending and costs.
Are we well placed for next season after Saturday I have no idea, loan players returning with enhanced reputation after a season in lower leagues, others returning to fitness and new players signed already other players going back to parent clubs and after Saturday will they want to possibly return for another stint next season the sitcom continues and we as supporters can’t effect it in anyway possible.
We will not see investment unless top players are sold the smiths have already confirmed that with her interview, so unless SW can unearth some real gems and Maddison injury doesn’t stop a very large offer Aldi abd Lidils will be replaced by farmfoods, Spar and equivalent
Lets hope for a miracle to happen
One last comment Delia once vowed that she would leave if she couldn’t help the club forward she has taken it in reverse, so please keep to your vow asap.
As one of your friends from South of the border I should point out that whilst we may have pipped you by the narrowest of margins this season, 2010 was the last time we finished higher than you lo, not 2008/09, beings as you were cruising round the gloomy waters of the third tier.
Picky I know, but we have to take what we can.
Us being relegated and being hammered by Col U was the best thing that ever happened to this Club, trust me. Every cloud has a silver lining ?
Things did work out rather well for you in the end. Poaching Lambert after that thumping was inspired.
I met lawrie Sivell when he had a shop in Hopton and a relation Eddie Spearitt once played for you they must be crying in their old age
You are related to Eddie Spearitt? Apparently one of your other relations, young Hannah has enjoyed a little success in her field too.
Yes don’t remind me had to go to theur first concert at the Sheffield arena didn’t like tge music and not very fond of her
I agree with so many of the comments on here. DF keeps making the same mistakes but take him away and we potentially lose the better Germans in the team who I guess are here because of him rather than what Webber has brought in. The all the eggs in one basket comment is true of the management structure too. If this does not work we cannot afford to pay off DF without selling whatever assets we have left. I might not like them but over the border they have tried a lot of young players since MM went. That is the only way to find out whether they will succeed. Raggett may or may not be a success but at least give him a try. Why did we play Nelson yesterday apart from putting him in the shop window? A waste of a shirt. I have supported the team since the early 1970s and I really fear for the club. Delia must look for investment or better still, go or anything less than a blinding start next season and the bubbling dissent will boil over.
If only this forum had more original ideas and some radical constructive critique. Instead we get the stale agenda of those who seem stuck in Shakespeare’s 1st Age of Man – mewling and Puking.
Corbs, the editor always has a guest slot available if you’re up for it…
Seems some notice boards are running with the story from Blid that Team Farke is wanted back in Germany so some just might get there wish come true but that could mean Zimmermann, Trybull, Hernandez could all leave and no chance on Leitner coming back.
There has been a lot of comments this season about Farke not having a plan B on the pitch.
Midweek and the result of the knee scan on the prized asset that is James Maddison will reveal if the board has one off it.
I would imagine a large amount of blood has drained from the faces of those who stroll the corridors of power at Carrow road, knowing that if the news is bad, then the whole self funding utopia may be hanging in tatters.
Players get injuries that’s a reality in football and I’m gutted for Maddison However the consternation this particular setback is causing shows the paper thin margins and the lack of financial room to manoeuvre this regime has at the moment.
To some I probably sound like an old record but I’m finding it all very disconcerting, more than at anytime I’ve been supporting NCFC and I include the Chase years in that. Money is king in football and always has been, but it wasn’t always as defining as it is now.
Further investment is needed beyond the pockets of the Smiths. Like it or not that’s fact. Recent events have shown that its imperative they release their grip on things or they’ll be always seen as the owners who fiddled whilst Rome burnt.
It isn’t quite happening yet but in my humble opinion, the bow is being resined and the matches are being struck….
well said Chris.