I’m going to make a leap here.
I’m taking as read that most of us like Stuart Webber and Daniel Farke, and want them to be motivated to stay and keep working for Norwich City.
No need to re-hash the detailed reasons why. Suffice to remind ourselves that they inherited a huge challenge: a team that had to be rebuilt virtually from scratch while saving eye-watering amounts of money.
While tackling that challenge, they had to accept frustrating legacy issues – not least that up to last summer, the club’s biggest earners continued to be Matt Jarvis and Steven Naismith.
Last season was a miracle. Though this season’s results have been disappointing, we understand the financial disadvantage we’ve been at, exacerbated by injuries. Only a stony-hearted fan would fail to enjoy much of the football and character we’ve seen on the pitch.
Listening to Stuart Webber, there can’t be many who aren’t glad he’s with our club.
When I wrote earlier about the past two-and-a-half years, there were recurring concerns in some of the responses. Webber and Farke must have been conned; the financial constraints were clearly worse than they knew; surely those constraints would leave Farke fed up and seeking to move; Webber’s contract expires in 2021 and he’s surely holding back his best discoveries for his next job.
The first two can be nailed: both Webber and Farke have been at pains to say they went into their jobs at NCFC with their eyes open. No-one misled them about the challenges or the constraints.
As to their current motivation, I think the past week has given us some good news and reassurance.
Stuart Webber’s EDP/Pink Un interview this week reveals a man entirely committed to his job. He talks about the last two transfer windows, including his regrets about two of the summer acquisitions and his greater satisfaction with the window just completed.
Above all, he’s still talking about balancing the short term with the medium-term and beyond. In his words: “It’s never just about today. We have to think about tomorrow, and the day after.”
He’s pleased with getting Lukas Rupp and Ondrej Duda for the short term – but sounds, if anything, more excited about signing two outstanding nineteen-year-olds, Melvin Sitti and Sam McCallum, for Norwich City’s future.
Meanwhile, Daniel Farke’s basic message is “I’m here as long as you want me”. This week, in response to rumoured interest from leading German clubs, he reiterated that he’s never walked out on a contract.
Better than that, his other comments reveal a commitment to Norwich that goes well beyond the duty of a contract. He points out that, even if we’re relegated this time, last season’s promotion has significantly changed the club’s position for the better: we’ve wiped out the legacy obligations that were a millstone round our necks and made what he sees as vital investment in infrastructure.
He and Stuart Webber will have a far stronger hand in transfer dealings than two years ago when “we were desperate for money”.
Farke loves his relationship with the fans and the unstinting support of the Board. For those of us who love him and his style, it’s heartening to hear his summary:
“I feel exactly in the right place”.
A friend said to me this morning how remarkable it was that, despite our league position, “we’re all in perky mood, with no-one calling for the manager’s removal”. Of course, it’s not all sweetness and light, but he’s right. It’s a distinctly different mood from the increasing toxicity around some other clubs in the relegation mix (of which there are at least six, by the way).
The positivity emanates not just from the management team, but also from the players. The Canaries Trust AGM on March 18 has taken on a new level of attraction with news that the main guest will be Tim Krul. Who knew, after his shaky start last season, that he’d become the folk hero that he has?
Well, perhaps Daniel Farke and Stuart Webber.
Tim exemplifies the approach and philosophy of Stuart and Daniel. He’s a quality player, but it required us to take a risk after the injuries that left him well off the radar (and made him affordable for us, of course). Not only has he regained the confidence and form that brought him to early prominence, he’s grateful to Norwich for giving him the chance.
Like Grant Hanley, he doesn’t feel the club owes him anything – it’s the other way round.
Tim is also a convert to the Webber/Farke way of doing things – and to City’s prospects under their regime. Whatever the outcome of this season, he’s clear:
“This club is going places”
Great article, Stuart. This reflects my thoughts to a T! Webber and Farke will not be with us for ever, but I believe that if we, the fan base, continue to respect, like and support them, and for as long as the club continues to progress, we stand a chance of retaining their services for as long as possible, and we’ll continue to not only see our club grow, but more importantly, we’ll continue to be treated to unbelievably entertaining football.
OTBC
Hi Stewart.
A very good article and yes you should take it as read that every sane NCFC supporter is right behind the Webber/Farke team.
There’s always the odd eejit who might think au contraire but that’s their prerogative.
As John says above Farke’s continued presence will ensure that attractive football continues to be the norm.
“Farke loves his relationship with the fans and the unstinting support of the Board.”
Yes indeed.
In terms of support from the Board it will be a very interesting summer of ins and outs as we see to just what extent they are prepared to back our very own dream team financially.
I’m hoping against hope to be pleasantly surprised and I bet deep down SW/DF are too.
We can only wait and see, of course.
“Unstinting support” Martin? ?? I’d hate to see obstruction.
I did put in a caveat after I had quoted Stewart, Chris.
A subtle one, but it’s there. Three lines of it:-)
Refreshingly honest assessment from Webber in his recent interview.
To be honest, I was actually surprised at the number of new contracts given out last summer. Much like the summer incomings, some will subsequently appear astute business, others not, as certain players have struggled to make the step up to the Premier League.
That’s almost a given and, as long as the majority are positive outcomes, progress will be in the right direction – something that’s not happened too often in the past.
If we go down this season, we are clearly going to be in a better position to build a firm basis than we have been with any of our recent relegations (or promotions!).
I’m sure both SW and DF will be with us next season whichever division we’re in. This gives cause for more optimism than I think fans of other relegation threatened clubs will have.
And, having seen the type of anti-football West Ham played against Citeh, I’m really glad that we get to watch Farkeball for a while yet.
When the time does come, replacing Farke will clearly not be easy. The history of clubs like ours is littered with examples of clubs achieving unexpected heights under one guy, then falling badly after they leave – Charlton/Curbishley, Bolton/Alardyce, Stoke/Pullis and Sheffield United/Warnock for example.
However the last of those have shown that there are up-and-coming guys out there if you look in the right place, and Webber seems to know where judging by his record with Huddersfield and us. Let’s hope he is still with us then.
What will be much harder is replacing Webber himself one day. Both he and McNally have shown how much difference can be made by the right CEO, or equivalent. Getting that appointment right won’t be down to him and the owners’ record is mixed when you consider they previously brought Moxey in, and although in his early days Neil Doncaster made some positive impact he was retained far too long after he stopped being effective.
Can we add Sheffield United/Wilder to your list, please?
Odious little man that he is!
Keith B, I’m not sure you’re right regarding Webber’s eventual departure, presuming of course, it’s his choice. Just a hunch, but he actually strikes me as someone who would absolutely want to be involved with his successor’s appointment and passing on his legacy.
I like Farke. Even though he is not the finished article as he is still learning his trade, Norwich City are better with him, than without him. However…
The cynic inside thinks that Farke was at least partially chosen as he is not a manager to make any waves. I don’t believe that Farke has been supported this season by the board. Most managers would not have tolerated that, but not Farke. Well, not yet.
Nobody wanted the club to get themselves financially strapped again, but given that the opportunity of being in the Premier League might not come again for a while, can the board really look themselves in the mirror and say that financially they have given Daniel all they reasonably could? Webber has said they let Farke down a bit. That is an understatement.
We have owners that do not invest or attract investment. We have some fans who want us to be relegated as they prefer The Championship. Each to their own, but Norwich City folk are a rum old bunch.
Webber will clearly want to move on to bigger and better things, but a relegation would not look good on the C.V and one wonders if he can make it to Europe or contain himself to being a low rent Red Adair?
The yo-yo game is a dangerous one and I am far from convinced we would regain Premier League status if we lose 5 or 6 of our players who clearly deserve to move forward.
However, with no investment from the celebrity sideshow, what other game is left to play?
I agree with some parts of that … but have been forbidden (not quite true) from saying so. 🙂
My yellow and green bobble hat is firmly in the ring on this one. Okay I don’t have said bobble hat – never have, I try to look cool for a geezer of my ever-increasing age – but I’ll go further than Gary G and say a couple of things cos I’m not the MFW editor or moderator so I can. No responsibility, me:-)
Possibly Inside Right has made the most poignant MFW post I have ever read – and I read all of them in tandem with writing a little bit now and again.
We all love Daniel and if we don’t there is something deeply wrong with us.
As I’ve mentioned above this summer will show the Board up for what they and their ambitions for our great Club truly are. We have to wait and see as now is not the time to judge for a variety of reasons.
However we can surely say that so-called fans, faction-orientated adherents and others who want us to be in the Championship are beyond the Pale. Luckily this is MFW and we can say what we like subject to Gary G’s discretion.
To me yo-yo is not only dangerous it is clearly avoidable. Unless your agenda is not so all-embracing as you want folks to believe it to be. Nuff said.
As for the celebrity stuff that’s another big perleese from me. Maybe 20 years ago there was some novelty value in it but there ain’t no more.
Enjoy Webber and Farke while we can, eh?
Terrific comment IR and it certainly touched a nerve or two with me.
Excellent comment Martin. It’s high time some people stood up and declared their support for Norwich City Football Club over the twee minor celebrity circus and virtue signalling that some elements appear to glory in.
enough of this enforced austerity. Having spent less than most championship clubs in the summer, with the prospect of mega million player sales a harsh reality, the old poverty line simp,y will not wash this summer.
Hi mate.
Trouble is that the pleading of poverty WILL wash in certain quarters, many of which are influential behind the scenes.
We must however give the Board a chance. You know what the stance will be, I know too and so do so many, many other supporters. But we cannot call the Board out on next summer’s austerity just now.
While we do know we don’t know, if you see what I mean and the powder must be kept dry for now.
Talking of powder, a combination of dynamite, gelignite and canister would not get rid of our current joint majority shareholders.
If I were rapidly approaching my eighth decade on this planet I would realise that it’s time for the youngsters to have a crack.
In this case that means Tom Smith. We cannot judge him yet so let’s not – we as Norwich City supporters are better than that.
The whole issue is so frustrating. And will remain so for some considerable time to come I am afraid.
Yes a clubs that’s going places..ie down lol. We are a small yoyo club with 0 ambition under #Deliaout
Let’s hope against hope that we stay up and the two mill stones around the clubs neck finally see the light and sell up so Webber and Farke finally receive the financial backing their efforts deserve!
Hi John
I’m just going into the back garden to feed the unicorn some carrots and tell the griffin off for flying around the neighbours’ chimney stack too many times. He’s a $od is that griffin.
Not too sure what to do about the wyvern. As we’ve got a Vauxhall I might just ask him to sit still so I can take his pic.
And if that mermaid thinks she can spend yet another night in our bathroom she’s in for a massive disappointment.
We have to keep our sense of realism, don’t we?
The tragedy regarding this season is the fact that we are a smidgeon away from being a survival team. The two recent recruits clearly show what could have been.
Our current plight demonstrates all to forcibly the need for fresh owners and finance if this club is to establish itself in the premier league.
Without the brilliance of Webber and Farke I really would despair!
Absolutely.
We’ve no game today so I’ve time to dig out another analogy.
Off-road parking is tight for us in the City so I needed a small car. Off I went to Desira to get a convertible Fiat 500 Abarth Scorpion jobby.
Trouble was that it was £5k over my budget so I settled for a very sporty 900cc model and quickly had it chipped to almost [but not quite, obviously] Scorpion levels. A sensible investment that got me exactly what I needed. It’s fit for purpose, fast and stylish without being “ooh, look at me”.
Just like NCFC very nearly became this season.
Of course I could have driven off in a second-hand Panda. They’re small too of course, and if I had a wicked auntie she would have made me buy said Panda instead. For sure.
Apologies to all you Fiat Panda drivers everywhere.
Once had a Fiat 128 blow up on me! Timing chain snapped.