This was supposed to have been one of my two away matches this season. I would have met my Brighton-dwelling friends, sat in with them at the game and enjoyed a good old natter about the football afterwards and a meal, scrounged a bed for the night and returned home early on the Sunday morning.
My over MFW-documented teeth extraction put the kybosh on that of course. I couldn’t have got to Brisley, let alone Brighton and I’ll be lucky to make Watford on Friday as I look like Tyson Fury’s hit me on one side of my face and Anthony Joshua on the other.
Maybe I can give my Hornets ticket to my Mundesley neighbour Matt. If he’ll take it, that is.
I didn’t get the opportunity to ask my Brighton friends what we were like. Tony “volunteered” with a mail on Saturday evening before I could even beg the question.
“Sure you set out to frustrate us but it didn’t work. We could have been three up before we scored and apart from a weak shot into the side netting you offered nothing all match.
“You don’t look like a contented, united squad to me. There were arguments between your players as they trudged off and your little right-sided midfielder went straight down the tunnel at the end.
“We were expecting much, much more from you but I don’t care as it’s the easiest three points we’ll get all season.
“All that said, how are you mate?”
Hellzapoppin’ and our heads are droppin’.
The confidence is ostensibly shot and it’s hard to see how [not when] it will return. If ever there’s been a Norwich City squad that thrives on confidence it’s this one.
Like the rest of us, I’ve seen various bits of social media and the natives are almost universally restless. When people are praying for Manchester City to score against Southampton [which in fairness they did] we all know something is wrong.
When folks are berating West Ham for not equalising against Newcastle it kind of paints a picture.
And when no-one can any longer think of three teams who are worse than us that kind of puts the tin lid on it.
Especially as this is only the very first week of November.
I try very hard not to be a hypocrite when writing so I must remind myself that I have said our promotion squad should have been given the chance in the Premier League it has indeed been afforded. But even making suitable allowances for centre back and other injuries I never realised things would be quite this bad. And bad they are.
I’m still not aligned with the slowly increasing throng intent on verbally battering Stuart Webber and Daniel Farke. To me, that remains a ridiculous perspective. But let’s be honest, the lack of investment has its fangs in our buttocks. I don’t want us to spend foolishly in January in what might then well be a lost cause anyway but having to look up to Sheffield United really irks me.
Have a good look in the mirror Delia. If you don’t want us established in the Premier League [or cannot facilitate this] please just say so out loud. Many of us would respect you so much more if you did. We all know you genuinely mean well on behalf of us all but… I’m sure you know where I’m coming from.
The final word goes to my mate Dave B, who braved the elements and journeyed from London to the Amex:
“I’d say we were lucky to lose 2-0. Tim Krul made the score look respectable. We played with little conviction against a team who had an off day. When they did get to the penalty area they gave it away. This is what happens when there is no investment. I don’t blame the players really, it’s not their fault if they aren’t good enough.
“Having said that, where was the spirit that we saw against Man City? Sometimes they got into good positions, Buendia guilty of not cutting back when he twice reached the by line. Pukki looks a shadow of his former self. This is a team bereft of confidence. Thank heavens for the brisket burger, sheer Brighton class and at least the sea walls didn’t collapse.”
All in all, there have been better days for supporters of Norwich City and English Rugby.
But there’s always a chink of light shining through a crack in the cloud. I have to say that the pictures of Kenny and Onel’s baby daughters are probably the cutest I’ve ever seen – including those of my own all those years ago!
Excellent piece Martin..
At long last one of the lead writers has spelt it out to Delia.
From the people I sit with I’m sure the majority of the fans would prefer a new of course.
They are very happy with Webber and Farke but have lost patience with Delia’s inability to provide appropriate funding.
Another glorious chance to find new owners and a new path for the club appears to have gone.
This is not only a tragedy for the supporters but the city as well as it has been proven that premiership membership has significant financial benefits to the local community.
If Delia is hell bent on staying then please be honest and inform the fans that in the future the best they can hope for is championship survival. I say this as there is now a lot of money being poured into the championship and despite parachute payments we will struggle to compete.
After all the anticipation this season is turning into our most embarrassing.
14
Hi John
One of the very best things about MFW is that ours are mainly opinion pieces and we can write and comment as we see fit – which is probably why I enjoy it so much.
As long as it’s all reasoned and civilised of course, which is just how it should be and the quality of the comments we get confirms we all share that philosophy and adhere to it.
The vibes I get are just the same as yourself.
Webber and Farke knew exactly what they were walking into and I have no time for the small but growing body of eejits who are starting to criticise them. They did not cut the cloth but are trying to make the best of the situation.
Self-funding is a marvellous concept and I wish it could work but it can’t I’m afraid. It reminds me of brave cavalry charging columns of heavily-armoured tanks tbh.
I love Delia’s Utopian ideas on one level [genuinely] but at the same time I know they have no longevity and we appear to be hidebound by her [albeit admirable] beliefs.
We have had several chances to establish ourselves in the PL but under her tenure we will not be able to do so.
Too many of our supporters are happy with this situation, although a majority of us are quite clearly not.
All we can do is stand squarely behind the squad. We owe it to ourselves and the team to do this but the situation is so frustrating.
And I fear we will never get the clarification I and others are politely asking for.
Thanks very much.
14
Totally agree Martin. I think Clement Freud once said gamblers ultimately want to lose and I can’t help thinking that a significant number of Norwich fans have the same mentality preferring to remain little Norwich.
I’m well into my sixties and after several false dawns I’m desperate to see Norwich established in the premier league. It’s unfortunate but I can’t see it happening on Delia’s watch.
13
Hi again John
Clement Freud was a highly intelligent guy. I used to love him on “Just a Minute” with Kenneth Williams and others on the radio listening with my Dad when I was a little kid – but I don’t remember that particular quote.
I’ll be 62 at the end of this month but I really feel that so many of [loosely] our generation are happy to be li’l ole Norwich.
And that irks me as much as it does you simply because several of our younger supporters tend to think us late middle-aged all think like that.
We don’t.
7
I have some sympathy with you view , although I don’t agree with it . I do take issue with your comment “………although a majority of us are quite clearly not.”………
Where’s your evidence for that ? Just because a lot of people write with that view , it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a majority view amongst the fans . I actually enjoy playing in the Championship, at least as an away fan I can get a ticket😂
2
Yes Martin, worrying times. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but did we expect too much of our younger players? We do not have the depth to rotate them and apart from the centre back situation, we have most of our best players on the pitch. Byram looked impressive against Man City. Can he play a part somewhere? The Roberts situation is a bit mysterious. You would think that he would offer a better option than Srebny on the bench, but clearly all is not well there. Farke probably needs to start thinking of making a couple of more radical changes, because we are losing too easily to sides we would hope to be on a par with.
2
Hi Andy
You make great points about Byram and Roberts.
Byram is definitely in the mix as much as Roberts appears to be out of it. I don’t get it to be honest with you, particularly when I understand that Byram can do a passable impression of a centre back and that Roberts was very highly regarded at Celtic.
I know Roberts was well thought of by a couple of my Bhoys friends and that he’s still on Man City’s books. Something appears to have gone radically wrong as he rarely makes even the bench. Reminiscent of the young lad we loaned from Spurs a while ago? Not while he was at Celtic to be sure.
I wish I knew the answers but I simply don’t.
Thank you.
Meek 0-2 surrenders at Burnley, West Ham, Palace and now Brighton do not bode well.
6
Marty, I remember the season City were relegated to Div 1, I was a season ticket holder in the Upper Barclay and I though why am I sitting here paying good money, freezing my whatists off watching this rubbish. Fortunately I kept renewing my ticket long enough to see the Lambert years. My lad and I finally packed it in during the Vicar’s reign. The moral of this tale? No big investment, no long term gain! Without the dosh Danny and Webbo’s revolution will not keep us in the top flight, they and the best players will move on and it’ll be back to square one.
12
I vividly remember the visit of Colchester Utd. for the first game of that L1 season. Lovely sunny August day. Some new players – a new dawn?
What happened next is well documented.
The Lambert years were so exciting. Somehow, his first (only) season in the PL was relatively successful with some surprise wins gained and a few hammerings taken. All with little money spent.
We got lucky?
Anyway, it didn’t last forever.
If being a yo-yo team is the Club’s ambition, at least it brings sporadic excitement and joy.
Danny and his boys may surprise us yet!
2
Hi John
None of us who were there that day will ever forget that game.
From the eejits who slung their season tickets at Gunny to the inspiring performance of one Michael Theoklitos. A class keeper like Gunny really shouldn’t have signed that antipodean buffoon.
But he did manage to acquire that piece of Cumbrian granite which was Holty and I’m sure we’re all eternally grateful to him for that.
As you say Daniel and the lads may surprise us yet. Friday night would be a good time to start.
Cheers.
0
Hi Cutty
I wish I could disagree with you but I can’t. At this rate square one is attracting NCFC like that proverbial magnet.
Believe it or not I thoroughly enjoyed that season in League One and it was largely down to David McNally. Olly Johnson [who?] with two in the last five minutes against Southend for instance. Anthony MacNamee’s scorcher against Stockport and that wonderful revenge win at Colchester.
Not quite Liverpool, Arsenal or Man Citeh but I think we all enjoyed it at the time.
Lambert kept us in the PL for what was probably one of my favourite seasons but “blew it” later by asking for reasonably-priced reinforcements the Club would not provide.
Cheapskates then and cheapskates now I’m afraid.
Cheers mate.
10
Good stuff as usual Mr P, thank gawd for you you ain’t giving it as a speech.
I struggled to post anything worthwhile (if my comments ever are) yesterday, I felt like the tam disjointed watch confidence float on the tide to Yarmouth. I said a little while ago another few games like this and we will confidence shot, it is a game or two earlier than I expected , but still it has got there. My lad found a stream of the game on an overseas network. I sat back with a a little expectation. It soon developed it was another dire showing. My only bright spots was Tim in goal and Tettey, not being a defender I thought he lead with some guts.
Beunida should not be near the 11 at the moment, reminds me of watching kids play, losing it in red mists of frustration. It is clear we are not good enough. the exciting slick passing is a thing of the past. It is the old adage, too good for championship but not for the premier.
I was all out for giving them a good go, that was when I thought a few good additions would have been made to give that helping hand. But sadly that was not to be, and now we see the results.
Given the game time of one of the loans, he might as well pack his bags and go back to Manchester. Feel for the lad. I am frustrated by it so what the hell is he feeling. He isn’t the total answer, but he offers something different and by the gods of winterfell do we need that.
It is as I said a few posts ago, I was starting to think there is not much care about being relegated, it looks like part of the plan (surely I am wrong) get the parachute, cash in on our best. and see again.
As you say if that is the case then come clean, I feel a little cheated and I have no season ticket, but still have spent nigh on a couple of hundred on merchandise, At least I do have something to show for it.
The size of the task just get more massive by the game, it is hard to see where a goal is coming from let alone 3 points. If we can not beat the one team that is worse than us, then that may well be game set and match ..possibly with the lowest points score ever. currently Derby with 11. with a GD of -69 .
Hope the swelling soon goes down. and get ya falsies in the glass by the bedside. lolol
4
Hi Lad
Missed this earlier – it’s been a busy old MFW day!
Yeah I can talk, much to Mrs P’s disappointment. Three months minimum for the falsies – luckily I’m a very resourceful cook.
More appositely, the Patrick Roberts situation remains an enigma to me. Something’s obviously wrong when he cannot even make the bench. It kind of smacks of personality stuff to me cos two of my Celtic mates reckon he was fantastic for them.
When you say: “It is as I said a few posts ago, I was starting to think there is not much care about being relegated, it looks like part of the plan (surely I am wrong) get the parachute, cash in on our best. and start again” I would love to disagree with you. Surely that hasn’t been the plan all along?
Trouble is Lad, it looks increasingly like that to me as well.
Things have plenty of time to change of course. I’m just not sure how they can.
You’ll gather from a couple of [quite legitimate] comments on this very article that some supporters are happy for us to go down without a fight.
I wish I could feel like that. But I can’t.
Thanks – sorry for late reply.
5
We have a lot of interest for Aarons, Godfrey, and Lewis. Why , they are promising defenders, but in a defence that has more holes than my colander. They looked good going forward , but their defending is at best naive. Its true that injuries care not helping but their must be players that can defend. Byram put Stirling in his pocket and looked good. Hope he’s banging on the managers door, because he looks a better defender than Aarons. Where I am going with this is Aarons wide right and Buendia benched. 352 or 442 will make us more solid, and give Pukki some help up front. Hernandez to run at them and Srbeny for at least ,20 mins and go to planb in attack .
2
Hi Bernie
Our colander is older than the hills – it’s an old Le Creuset one I acquired in Lille about 30 years ago – I think it was autographed by M. Sebastien Bassong, so I take your point.
3-5-2 I can get to grips with but I never, ever see Farke going 4-4-2. It’s just not in his mindset and I think I can see why. If it ever happened I’d prefer Drmic or Idah to Srbeny, but as it will never happen that’s filed under r for rhetorical.
The likes of Aarons, Lewis and to a lesser extent Godfrey seem to have gone from a high boil to a low simmer and that is not surprising given the circumstances. They currently only have Krul to marshal them and that’s no easy task for Tim as he is often 20 metres behind them.
I really hope these gifted young players hang on in there until the much-lauded return of Zimbo, who we seem to desperately need. And even he is totally unproven at this level.
Thanks.
0
I know this is cruel, but Delia needs to embrace a high fibre diet.
Good luck with the ongoing recovery Martin
1
🚽😂
1
I needed a laugh so thanks to both Dave and Chris.
1
Great piece Martin.
I too wanted the present squad to be given its chance in the Premier League, and I still think that is correct. The injuries are not just affecting the centre back situation but also the midfield as so many of our holding midfielders are having to play centre back.
It is true that Liverpool would struggle to keep pace with Man City without, Lovren, Matip and Van Dyk, leaving just a young Gomez as their only recognised centre back.
But I think it is also true as stated by Greg Downs, we did need another centre half, as has been said our defence did concede too many goals last season. I know Stuart Webber tried hard on this, and maybe we do need to look at what funds were made available to him.
Under Daniel Farke we have beaten Premier League clubs in cup competitions like Everton and Cardiff and given Chelsea, Arsenal and Bournemouth more than a scare or to.
I know these teams were under strength as were we in most of those games but we competed, at the moment we are just not in these games. And if I am honest even with the injuries this does surprise me. There just seems something missing, and yes Sheffield United’s form does surprise me considering how far ahead of them and all the other Championship teams last season.
And lets be honest, in no way were we given the credit we deserved last season, it was always Leeds or Frank Lampard’s Derby etc.
So we haven’t become a bad side over night but a shocking injury list, a very tough start, draining confidence and some players not adapting to the higher level are the reasons I feel why we are playing so poorly.
And I have to confess to JohnF that he was right, more money should have been made available to Stuart Webber in the pre season even allowing for the injuries.
0
Hi Tim
I’ll pick up on a few of your points if I may.
Firstly as I said in the original piece I agree with you – this current crop deserved, and still deserve, every chance in the PL. However I thought they would have made a better fist of it, despite the horrendous injury situation.
Secondly I protesteth too much with any perceived dislike of Sheffield United. I don’t really dislike them, it’s just what a difference £30 million well spent can make. They looked awesome against Burnley and I thought we would have adapted much better to the PL than them.
But not so and full, deserved credit to the Wilderbeests.
Finally confidence is the key and very much so to a team like ours. I can see it draining away and I don’t like the shapes of things before my eyes.
Great post – thank you.
0
I agree Martin, especially expecting us to make a better fist of it.
It what I was trying to get at regarding our performances under Premier League opposition in the cups during Daniel Farke’s reign. Which have mostly been excellent.
Where is that bravery in possession, the fighting spirit, tactical awareness and no little skill in those games. The scares we gave Arsenal and Chelsea proved we can do it.
It was Eddie Howe of all people who said after Bournemouth’s 2-1 league cup win that we will take some stopping in the championship. I thought he had lost it !
Like you I actually applaud Sheffield United there great start, with the caveat that they didn’t have as tough a start as us and no were near the injuries. ( Nearly double the days lost to injury to the next Premier League club Manchester United )
I always thought Alex Neil’s decisions in that 6-2 defeat against Newcastle last time in the Premier League cost us dearly, he has since admitted as much and what a job he is doing at Preston, but the biggest legacy of that game was that the players confidence was hit massively and it looks like the Villa game has had the same affect on these lads.
0
Hi Tim
Eddie Howe is somebody I very much admire. I know he buggered off to Burnley but he was welcomed back to Bournemouth with open arms.
He is erudite, highly eloquent and the epitome of a fine young British manager and I take what he says at face value.
The other interesting point you make is about Alex Neil and Newcastle. Yes that game put a rapier through the squad but as you say he has learned from it to the advantage of PNE.
Neil is not a PL manager and that is for sure but he has seemingly come on in leaps and bounds. But that’s no longer our concern of course.
I’m not sure I’d put our headloss down to Villa alone but it sure didn’t help. It was a terrible game to witness, believe me.
I can only put Farke’s current task akin to that of a father having to send his children back to the school they’ve been bullied at. A horrible analogy I know but it seems a little like that to me.
Thanks again.
1
£20M of that was for a forward who scored fewer than Pukki last season and can’t get in the team now.
Spending money does not always guarantee success.
0
Sorry to hear your teeth are giving you such a hard time Martin, I hope you are recovered in time for Friday night.
I heartily concur with your article, (as usual). Also with the replies, in particular those of JohnF.
While initially intending to keep responses to articles on a purely football footing, it’s becoming more difficult to keep ones powder dryin light of the results. There really isn’t much to add with regard to our on the pitch activity.
Like many, I believed that the core of the squad which gained promotion should be given at least a chance to prove themselves and gain just reward for their efforts. However as someone once said “they boys need a hand” and by God, he was right.
The complete and utter lack of investment in the summer has opened us up to ridicule and scorn on an industrial scale, which is embarrassing and hurtful.
I’ve stated previously my hopes for a new centre half this summer, along with a defensive midfielder, Amadou fits that bill, the lack of one has robbed us of the other, it’s now November and none of us know what Amadou can do in his favoured position. Scandalous. The injuries to Klose and Zimmermann, neither man remember was for for the start of the season, were always likely to leave us exposed in a vital area, one that wasn’t functioning with particular aplomb in a much less competitive league. It wasn’t even a calculated risk. It was a dereliction of duty.
Throwing players under the bus at this stage isn’t going to help. Many are patently not good enough for this level or ever will be. They are however, almost without exception, more than good enough to excel in the level to which we clearly aspire as a club. It’s not unreasonable to assume they can shine again if (when) the axe falls.
Likewise, Webber and Farke should not be taking the flak at the moment. They have virtually turned up at a gunfight armed with nothing more than a penknife.
Quite what each man is thinking with regard to the lack of backing they received is anyone’s guess. They have a right to be unhappy,
Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of this season is that the achievement, the memories and the opportunity afforded by last season are being squandered once again and tarnished as they will always be linked with the return of the hated “little old norwich”.
9
Chris;
In no way am I defending Delia and Michael, but I’m pretty sure that both Webber and Farke would have known the spending plans (or lack of) prior to joining NCFC. Webber is just not the sort of guy to have the wool pulled, and don’t forget that he agreed to a contract extension this summer knowing how much we/he would have (or not have) to invest for the Premier League.
O T B C
1
Agreed John.
But maybe Webber could have pushed [just a little bit] further in the summer?
2
A good point John and well made. We will never know what was said in the corridors of power during the summer.
Just once, wouldn’t it be nice to go into a premier league season without an almighty millstone around our necks? Webber and Farke with half decent backing in the market- it’s a thought,
1
It’s a good thought Chris.
No we don’t know what goes on in the corridors of power and anyone who reckons they do speaks with forked tongue, frankly.
If Webber decides to jump ship early we’re in deep doo-doo.
That’s why we must get behind the team – as fans, otherwise we’re impotent.
1
Hi Chris
A fine speech indeed. Particularly:
The complete and utter lack of investment in the summer has opened us up to ridicule and scorn on an industrial scale, which is embarrassing and hurtful.
I am honest enough to admit I really thought we could “get by” with what we had. I was wrong, wrong, wrong.
I also thought we had enough functional centre backs but that precept was cruelly ripped apart by injuries. Alex B and I agreed ages ago we should have got Ashley Williams in on a short-term free to help us out but oh no. Others knew better.
Like Bristol City for whom he scored a cracking header on Saturday.
I just want the usual eejits to keep off the backs of Webber and Farke. Your point about them going into battle with a penknife has retrospectively proved ominously correct.
Personally I feel the tragedy is that some of us [and I mean US] are happy to be li’l ole Norwich. And that is an attitude I will never truly understand.
But it’s one that starts at the very top, believe me.
Great stuff and thank you.
9
Webber and Farke both knew what they were signing up to. And I’m not sure who’s content for us to be “lil ole Norwich” … not me anyway. I’ve openly criticised Delia and Michael in the past, but given, as Farke put it, “we were still paying for sins of the past”, where was this magic money tree supposed to have appeared from between May and August this summer?
0
I don’t buy this ‘sins of the past’ nonsense. We made a couple of bad deals. They were expensive, but not business crippling. Maddison’s sale alone covered all of the Naismith issue (purchase and wages). If we had stayed in the PL Naismith would have been an unfortunate blip, but we’d have been perfectly fine. Naismith wasn’t the issue, relegation was!
Let’s not forget, the reason we bought Naismith on a silly deal is because we didn’t purchase appropriately that summer. Ned Ryerson anyone? Bing!
The real problem, that is never accepted is simply this – our club is too big to be on Championship budgets. Time and time again we saw running costs (without player wages) amounting to the whole Championship revenue. Add wages on top and we’re screwed.
We have not seen our club in TC run at a sustainable level. Full stop.
Our club needs to be in the PL. and it needs to act like a PL club.
Obviously there’s nothing they can do right now, but god I hope we don’t freeze in January and do nothing because we might make a bad purchase. How’s this for optimism – I believe if Webber spent 30M he could use it wisely and purchase players that could impact our season.
I prefer that view to the pessimistic fear-mongering – don’t buy anyone in case we get another Naismith.
5
“Sins of the past” was lifted from Farke’s post-match interview on Saturday. Thought it was clear that the sales of Maddison and Josh Murphy were used to plug a fairly large financial black hole?
2
Good points David. It’s likely we will still be hearing about Naismith in five years time when someone has the temerity to mention signing a footballer for more than peanuts.
In addition to the premier money bonanza, we have the sell out crowds, the new shirt sponsorship deal reputedly doubling the biggest previous one, massive sales of replica shirts, 600k profit on away memberships, mostly worthless, the loss of Naismith, Jarvis, oliveira, Wildschut and pinto from the wage bill, oh, and take that cavorting g on our pitch.
All of this and we are still apparently paying off the bill for Mrs naismiths Jimmy choo and Louis Vuitton predeliction.
3
Gary, my point is people use Naismith as a boogeyman, a reason you should not buy expensive players. But the reality is Naismith wasn’t what caused our black hole. If he was then Maddison’s sale would have covered it. Or any number of players sold prior to him (Howson, Pritchard, Murphy, Jerome)
Our block hole existed because our club is too big and too expensive to be in TC. Yet no one says ‘relegation caused our black hole’, they always say ‘Naismith did’.
There is an incorrect conflation of ideas. TBH it suits the club to have this perception too. Because it’s more convenient to say ‘we don’t buy expensive players’ than ‘we should do what it takes to remain int he PL’ because we’re screwed if we don’t’.
FWIW McNally knew it – “relegation would be worse than death”.
7
Actually David I’ll put my head above the parapet and say that I’d rather have £10 million in the Championship than buy a Naismith in January.
That’s the stark choice when you have owners, influencers and far too many supporters who are happy to bob along in Championship mid-table for evermore.
Having said that Naismith was the perfect focus for a perceived financial black hole. Chuck in Wildschut and we’re getting there, yeah?
I do not expect a single dollarcent to be spent in January.
And in a funny kind of way that might be the right decision.
Thanks.
1
Oh Martin, you’ve fallen into the logical fallacy. That any player we buy in January is going to be a stinker and only focusing on the failures.
We of course purchased Maddison in January. Timm Klose and Ben Godfrey too.
3
Thanks mate, after six on security fore sale Windows whereupon we flogged off tens of millions of pounds worth of football bloodstock, its hard not to be disappointed. I’m sure some would have sought to justify a transfer profit this summer had it been forthcoming.
1
Hi Martin
An enjoyable read and hope all you soreness and dwellings are soon a thing of the past.
People have said that city are naive and gave no plan B, but how many premiership clubs had plans for the 3 promoted clubs prior to the season starting they would all have had detail reports knowing the strength and weakness if them all.
Plans would have been well advanced on how to combat these clubs and what would be expected from any new signings they made and an estimated amount each club would possibly have to spend.
Villa would have caught out a few on the vast amount they spent and city would have surprised the same clubs by their lack of spending even with Webber announcing it had the smallest budget of any club promoted.
The Delia Brigade harp on that she isn’t against investment and is looking for it my question is what is she offering to would be invested, what restrictions has she placed on said investors,
City will possibly not get the multi billionaires that other clubs get but when you look at clubs with deep financial problems that still get offers there has to be a road block somewhere.
City either have the wrong people looking to attrack investment or leaving it to pot luck.
City as I have said previously have been slow in recruiting from the free market to add to squad, we needed a CB once the injuries stacked up but they didn’t want to go that route I still can’t understand that, and as they say you reap what you sow.
Each game city have now until January will be vital to gain more points starting v Watford on Friday.
Onwards and Upwards
OTBC
5
Hi Alex
I hope my “dwellings” are not a thing of the past! Seriously thanks, just ever-reducing pain now – no need for any more fear.
As we’ve both agreed a few times now the acquisition of Ashley Williams would have been ideal for us. That ship docked in a harbour in Bristol unfortunately.
I’m not going any further into the question of Delia and potential investment because I think we all have our own opinions while none of us know the truth.
One sentence in the original article was enough for me on that topic!
That notwithstanding of course there’s a roadblock and I think I know where it is situated. I’m sure you and many others do to.
Finally it was good to see the highlights of that cracking Blackpool match at the weekend – I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Cheers mate.
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Have been no great fan over the years of Delia and Michael’s reticence to explore other financial avenues (and have written about it) but few – if any of us – were complaining in the summer when Stuart Webber came out early doors and stated it would be a cut-price summer in terms of incoming transfers. In fact, most applauded and deemed it a refreshing and alternative approach to Premier League survival.
Webber or Daniel Farke hadn’t banked on playing the majority of the season with only one fit centre-back (who’s had a hernia op) and being unable to play their marquee signing in the position for which he was signed.
Find it astonishing how quickly this has all translated into “Delia trying and failing to do it on the cheap” again, when that very approach was met with virtually no qualms back in May.
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Qualms aplenty Gary. I simply do not agree that “most” thought that spending a pittance in preparation for the most difficult league in the world was refreshing. Although I will admit “alternative” it certainly was,
Having just secured a miraculous and splendid promotion it seemed neither the time or the place to issue clarion calls and criticism given the atmosphere and general feeling among the clubs support did it?
Everyone – and I mean Everyone that i spoke to expressed surprise and dissapointment at our lack of activity. Suffice to say a wait and see approach was adopted by most, after all Farke has already produced one miracle.
Webbers insistence that we would have the “lowest ever premier league budget” or words to that effect was taken initially with a pin sh of salt. The premier league has been in existence for many years and the money has grown out of all proportion. Surely he will pull a couple of modest rabbits out of the hat?
The other day I caught some brief coverage of the first ever premier league game, a visit to Highbury, a game I attended. As the goals poured into the Arsenal net, I was reminded that the substitute bagging a superb brace that day had a price tag which exceeded the money we spent this summer on permanent arrivals! Progress?
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So, a load of disquiet but no-one said anything? History revisited perhaps?
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Like many others Gary I was surprised just how much city didn’t spend and again as with many others wanted us to succeed with the players we that had gained promotion, the biggest surprise was when the problems in defence started really to hit home the club announced they would look into the free market to bolster that area, maybe the agents were asking too much for the players or maybe the finances wouldn’t stretch that far after expensive loans were added to the squad
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I agree totally Gary – I was one of said people who applauded the approach at the time and to a certain extent I still am behind it.
But the fact that it isn’t working out too well for us just now makes people wonder if they thought correctly in the first place, I guess.
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Finally, some sense on here.
I believe that this team, when fully fit and available, is perfectly capable of getting enough points to stay up. Indeed, we all pretty much thought so in The Summer. Then we had 4 CB’s, bought another player who could play there if necessary. Imagine the uproar if we’d spent £15M on another CB! Far too many are being wise after the event. Nobody could have seen this injury list coming.
It is no surprise confidence is low, this group have never experienced losing regularly but I believe they will figure it out. And when they do, ownership will not be talked of. It’s all too predictable, and disappointing that it is now.
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Hi Derek
You know as well as I do that Sod’s law dictates that when things are going particularly badly on the pitch [as they are now] there will be some malcontent directed towards the ownership. It’s the way of the footy world.
Myself and many others on MFW agree with you that last season’s squad should be given every chance and I stick by that view – it’s in this particular article [yet again, I seem always to be saying it] and I also didn’t push for another CB during the summer.
However I am not as confident as you that we will rise above the nadir we are now in. I really hope you’re right and I’m wrong and of course nobody gives up in November!
Thank you
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Thanks.
It seems that some have!
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Spot on as always Martin and nice to read someone telling it as it is rather than through green and yellow tinted specs as most of the other writers do on here. This season is going the same as every other premier league campaign, little old plucky Norwich giving it a go but haven’t got the resources to compete blah,blah etc,etc. I agree completely that we should not overspend but too spend almost nothing is crazy,yes give the squad a chance and at the same time add some steel and experience, spend 10 maybe 20 million more than we have.
We obviously haven’t and are left with only Pukki and Krul who look at home, the midfield is full of players who are too small,lightweight to compete and in Bundiea we might have a talent but he acts like a spoiled child….drop him until his attitude improves. Finally I’m not a great fan of making 2 moves when you could make 1….put Amadou in his proper midfield postion and try Byram or the youngster Famewo? there,what have we got to lose it’s not working at the moment ,after all 4 out of the back 5 are 1st choice so they should be able to cope and then the midfield will have its proper shape
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I told you you’re welcome to borrow my yellow and green tinted specs, Martin. You’re very welcome 🙂
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Hi Martin
I’m one of our more cynical writers but that’s probably because of my age [61] and the fact that I really have seen it all before and know I will see it all again.
You’re spot on regarding our [lack of] physicality. We got away with it gloriously last season and played some superb stuff despite looking like Krul, Zimbo, Godfrey and eight clones of Paul McVeigh. It doesn’t work like that in the PL unless you’re Man Citeh.
You’re welcome to borrow my yellow and green specs too – trouble is mine have black clipovers that are sometimes impossible to remove.
Cheers!
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Can’t argue with any of that Mr P.
However, a year ago there were few (if any) calls for the Stowmarket duo to depart.
Yes; we are the paupers of the Prem, but this was set out by Mr Webber during the close season.
As most of us know, getting to this promised land doesn’t mean that we are suddenly awash with the Sky and BT money. It filters through during the season, so maybe we’ll be spending during January. Somehow with Mr Webber in charge I don’t think so, since a fair proportion of what we gained last season had to be used to pay off fees and bonuses for the likes of Naismith (remember him??), plus there was, I understand, a sizeable sum due to Getafe following Buendia’s transfer and our subsequent promotion.
Also, had we “splashed the cash” and bought a number of new players, what would that have done for the confidence of those who got us to the Prem?? Plus of course, there is no guarantee of success from that – just ask Fulham!!
Yes, we are currently coming up (well) short of what’s needed, but Farke and co have had a pretty cr@p hand dealt to them with the well known injuries, and loss or lack of form from some who we thought would take to the Prem like the proverbial ducks to water (yes; I’m looking at you Buendia and Leitner). Also, VAR has not been particularly kind to us (see Haller’s challenge on Zimbo at Wet Spam, the James pen for Manure, and Maupay on Aarons on Saturday….we don;t seem to get any referrals when it might go in our favour!!!).
The lack of action for Roberts is immensly puzzling, but we’re at the stage now surely when something different has to be tried? Maybe he and Onel playing wide with Byram drafted into the back 4 and Aarons giving some extra bite to midfield??
Thank goodness that problem is Farke’s and not mine.
Hope the recovery for you goes well.
O T B C
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Hi John
Yeah I remember Naismith – unfortunately.
I don’t want money chucked away in January I really don’t. Maybe one sensible CB signing who would be prepared to drop into the Championship with us if the expected happens?
You’re right about Buendia and Getafe. I don’t know the figures any more than you do but I would strongly imagine the add-on would equal the original fee – eg double the outlay.
I would have thought that Emi of all people would have cut it in the PL but not thus far.
The only gambling card game I really understand is pontoon so I reckon Farke has been dealt a three and a four. When he twists he’ll probably get a five followed by a picture – and we all know what that means.
Thanks for the good wishes.
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A friend of mine asked who he should look out for this season.
I said, without hesitation, Emi Buendia. Still time for him to come good but he has been a disappointment to date.
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I’ll be travelling more in hope than expectation to Carrow Road on Friday. My brother is flying over from Panama to see the game. It’s a good job we don’t let the football get in the way of a good night at the football!
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Hi Don
Will your brother be wearing a white hat, smoking a large cigar and discussing the most famous canal in the world?
No, thought not!
Have a good evening – I hope I’ll be there too but I’m a bit of a Matt Jarvis just now – I’m really beginning to understand how the poor $od must have felt.
Thanks.
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I think at times we may discuss a far canal!
Get well soon
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Far canal!
That’s what I said after Villa’s fifth went in:-)
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Good read Martin as always.
Hope you have a speedy recovery.
I think everything I have to say about Saturday’s game has been well put in Tim Ball’s comments.
I was at the game and felt somewhat deflated and very damp as I trudged away from the amex in the rain.
However, it just amazes me the reaction after what happened last season –
The Webberlution
Farkeball
The amazing atmosphere (home & away)
Last year’s squad earning the right for a crack at the Premier League
The clubs lack of fiance due to previous recruitment errors
Not wanting to spend and fail like Fulham
All topics that were reported and commented on at length on here.
We were briefed repeatedly by SW and DF about the lack of fiance this season and they were going to give a chance to last years squad and what a huge task it was going to be to stay in the league.
However, six games post Man City (probably our finest hour and a half of football ever) and as SW might put it…the noise has already begun!!
And before I get a mauling, yeah happy clapper etc etc I’m not blind to what’s happened on the pitch. I don’t have the answers but I feel we should not judge until we have our best 11 on the pitch playing in their natural positions and if we still have problem then surely we have to afford SW & DF the time to recruit in January and see if that can turn things around?
Finally If the players confidence is fragile at the moment then they will need each and every one of us again on Friday night standing full square….yes it’s an important game now and our team NEEDS OUR SUPPORT!!
OTBC
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Hi John
All of that is very fair but obviously some of us are seeing old faults returning [30-y-0 faults in some cases really].
I too thought Tim Ball’s comments were right on the button.
It’s going to be a little bit divisive for a while. From a personal perspective I’m still steadfastly behind Webber, Farke and the squad.
Old doubts about those at the top are starting to resurface but that’s only instinctive and natural in my case anyway.
Of course you won’t get a mauling for speaking common sense – MFW doesn’t do that.
The great thing is that 99% of us are still behind Farke and the squad and I’m sure almost all of us still will be at the end of the season.
If I make it on Friday night [and I’m slowly getting better] I’ll be as behind the team as I always am and so will the rest of us.
Thanks a lot – and we don’t use the phrase “happy clapper” on MFW btw. Maybe over-enthusiastic fan, but never happy clapper.
Thanks for a great, positive comment that really cheered me up.
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Thanks for your reply Martin and I’m sure we have exchanged our views on the ownership of our club before and I fully respect where you and others are coming from. I guess it’s easy to quote examples of where big investment/new ownership has been successful and where it has failed. I’m just a naturally cautious Norfolk boy whose happy at the moment to see whether we can break the mould in how to go about establishing us in the Premier League.
I’m with you in having full support of DF & SW.
And finally I should have qualified my little rant at how some supporters have reacted or badly after Saturdays defeat. It was really aimed at the reaction of some on twitter/social media!!
I certainly would never question your support of the team 👍
Anyway hope your recovery continues at a pace.
Best Regards
John
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Cheers John
There are so many eejits on social media that I flatly refuse to use it – any of it tbh.
I pick up on some of it via NewsNow and friends send me snippets they think might amuse me – and they often do.
I’m glad I early retired abut five years ago – it’s now impossible to work as a journalist without a presence on Tw*tter.
But I started in 1979 with typewriters, copy paper, casting off and physical headline character counts from a well-thumbed book of font sizes.
Plus the battle for the single phone line in the press box when I moonlighted covering important matches for any nationals who would pay me..
No way am I a Luddite – I’m quite up to speed with electronic design a la Quark and beyond – but I’d love to know how some of the young hotshots around now would have coped back in the day!
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HI Johnny C
Sorry I couldn’t reply directly under your comment.
I can only speak as I find and regurgitate [sorry for that choice of word] not only my personal view but that of those closest to me within the Carra Rud family.
There are indeed many folks who would prefer us to be in the Championship and while I kind of understand their reasoning I simply cannot agree with it.
However, I totally empathise with your desire to get an away ticket which SHOULD be so much easier in the Championship, of course.
I’ve had a home ST for over 30 consecutive years but stand no chance of getting an away ticket from the Club – or at least I’m not prepared to pay £50 to enter a lottery just in case I might.
I’m lucky in that I have Arsenal, Brighton, Sheff Weds and Fulham fans as friends who will always get me a ticket alongside them in their home stands. At my time of life that is no problem but I can no longer reciprocate because I have no chance of picking up a home spare for them unless I duck and dive, which I can do but hate doing if you see what I mean.
Thank you.
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Rather than wait until January , it’s time to speculate to accumulate.
You can get 12 to 1 for the current bottom 3 to be the 3 that go down
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Not at Joe Corals you can’t…
… oh no, found out as a Quisling!
I occasionally do some fixed odds footy but I’m pretty sure I’ve never included us and I simply couldn’t bring myself to bet against us!
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The nub of it is that Villa and Sheff Utd knew that they were not good enough to be in the Premiership and therefore felt compelled to spend money. Winning the Championship has turned into a curse as it led us to think the exact opposite. We definitely needed a centre back as Zimbo, Klose and Hanley were not fit during the summer and reinforcements were required – even with Hanley fit he did not look good enough. anyway.
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Hi Tony
To my mind it’s definitely Zimbo we are missing – how many times did he play alongside Godfrey in the second half of last season?
Your point about Villa and Sheff Utd is bang on the money.
Thank you.
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I think we are holding out for our best 11 to be fit but what Premiership team relies on their best 11 being available? If that is the policy then it is a failed one.
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Fair point
We have reasonable cover for many positions but a few verge on the irreplaceable, as in Krul, Pukki and an on-form Buendia.
We really have had to make do and mend too much for my liking so far this season.
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Also, what are the chances that Zimbo gets injured within 30 minutes of his return?
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Please don’t talk that one up. Please, just don’t!
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