Tony Dunne was a fine Irish international and full back for Manchester United. Clive Dunn was the unforgettable Lance-Corporal Jones in Dad’s Army – as in “don’t panic Mr Mainwaring – they don’t like it up ’em” – and also had a horrendous venture into the Top Ten with the song Grandad.
But today I’m concentrating on a line from the metaphysical poet John Donne who wrote in 1623 or 1624 [nobody knows exactly when for sure]: Send not to know for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee.
Ernest Hemingway robbed that line and what’s good enough for one of my favourite 20th century authors is perfectly adequate for me.
Well the bell isn’t just tolling for us right now, it’s in serious danger of breaking free from it’s oak-beamed mountings and descending on the Carrow Road congregation with its happy clappers going 19 to the dozen.
We’re running out of escapology time.
Do I mind us losing at Bramall Lane on Saturday? Yeah but no but, really. In the great scheme of things it matters little. It was all too predictable and my chin, not being constructed from glass, has taken the blow fairly and squarely.
We simply don’t possess the craft, the quality or the ability to remain in the Premier League.
Sorry readers, we don’t.
Billy Sharp did what Billy Sharp does. And when our centre backs were nowhere near him he did it from what I will admit was an excellent cross. And that folks, as early as the 36th minute, was effectively that.
Knackered we probably were but toothless we certainly were. Nobody can say Daniel Farke didn’t try to shuffle his pack on this occasion because he surely did. But to no effect.
I’m not sour enough to object to losing to a better side. Sheffield United got the points, we didn’t, they bossed us. Fair dos.
They really are a very effective unit [key word unit], those Wilderbeests. And fair play to them.
Before I go all poetical again nobody thought at the start of this season that they would cope so much better than us with the disciplines and requirements of the Premier League.
It just goes to show what limited but judicial investment can do.
And we will see in the forthcoming summer transfer window that Sheffield United will keep every single core member of their squad, resolve their Dean Henderson issue one way or the other and consolidate at football’s top table. They might even get another season out of Billy Sharp. And they’ll add three or four incomers to help them even further in said consolidation.
Us? Well Aarons and Cantwell are nailed-on to go. Godfrey, Lewis and maybe even Pukki too I’d guess.
But that’s OK isn’t it? They’ve earned the right to move on – they’ve been excellent for us and collectively deserve to leave with our blessing if we’re being rational about it.
I wish each and every one of them all the best as we scrabble around the under-23s looking for replacements. Thanks guys you have achieved, over-achieved even, so much on our behalf and I’m sure we’re all grateful. I know I am.
We will spend zilch in the summer, of that I’m certain. Instant Premier League return? Oh my aching sides.
And if [when] Stuart Webber and Daniel Farke move on, we will truly be in the mire. Again.
John Donne wrote in the same poem: No man is an island. I really wonder if Delia and Michael have read the entire work – given Delia’s previous comments surrounding her faith and the background of Donne himself the joint majority shareholders quite possibly have.
Here it is in it’s short, poignant fullness:
No joint majority shareholder is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each follower is a piece of the football club,
A part of the main.
If a loyal supporter be washed away by the sea,
Norwich City is the less.
As well as if a prominent director were.
As well as if a Barclay friend of thine own
Or of thine friends who are regulars in the River End.
Each much-loved player’s departure diminishes me,
For I am involved in this football club.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the final whistle tolls,
It tolls for thee.
You don’t need to be Poet Laureate to relate the poem to Norwich City but I’ve ham-fistedly adapted it for you just in case.
The original John Donne work is really rather excellent and passes the test of time over some 400 years. Check it out.
Next week: my take on Monty Python’s philosophy football sketch. No, I can’t be that cruel: here it is right now.
Spot on, Martin! While this club of ours is ruled by the current stewardship, we are doomed to fail at the top table. I hope we don’t lose too many of the Wall of Yellow when the bell crashes upon them. With season tickets for next season’s offerings selling like hot cakes, I think Delia & Co have got away with it yet again. Thanks for brightening the aftermath of yet another bleak Away Weekend with that MP sketch: I actually laughed out loud.
15
Hi Old Yeller.
Inside Right said on Gary G’s piece yesterday that we turned up to the top table in T-shirt and jeans and expected everything to be OK. Footie life ain’t like that!
Trouble is that the Smiths know we’ll keep on coming back week after week for more abd unfortunately take it as an endorsement of their ownership.
If only they knew what so many of us really think [they probably do but ignore it]!
Soton really is Yellowhair’s last stand and if we stuff that up I’ll replace Python with the all-Priests’ five a side football final from Father Ted. It’s not us subtle but equally funny it its way.
Thank you:-)
11
Love the comment re ‘turning up at the top table in T-shirt and jeans’
As you say, as long as D&M are in charge, we’ll only ever briefly be dining at the top table and I have to say that this time round, I feel short-changed. I’m certain that with a relatively small investment of say £30M to£40M, we could have recruited players of sufficient quality toat least give us a 2nd season entertaining the likes of Citeh, Liverpool etc, but it’s obviously not what Delia wants!! 🙁
4
I’d love to claim the T-shirt and jeans comment myself but Inside Right owned it on Gary’s piece yesterday.
For me it would be an original Ramones top, ripped Levis and an old pair of beach shoes.
Which is probably why I’m never invited.
To anything!
0
Good morning Mr P – SUPERB headline by Gary this morning!!!
Yet another league defeat by the narrowest of margins and whilst we contributed to our downfall to a large extent, once again we were foiled by the opposition’s GK putting in a MotM performance. That’s at least the 4th time this season that that has happened.
I read somewhere yesterday that SUFC borrowed money against future PL revenue to bolster their squad – what does NCFC do?? Insist that there are no funds available and sit on their hands ‘whilst Rome burns!!!’
A few selective buys and it could all have been SOOO different.
Yes, we can point to the injuries to key players and Pukki’s toe injury suffered at the King Power appears to have affected his ‘radar’ just enough for him to miss chances he would have buries last season.
The toils of Wednesday must have taken their toll on those who proved to be such heroes in front of the 9,000 travelling fans and I’m sure that their recovery was not helped by there being a delay on the journey home.
I think it was Robin Sainty’s article on Friday that mentioned that the ‘Football Gods’ were smiling on DF – that didn’t last long and just how close was that ball to crossing the line.
Oh well, Saints at home next Saturday and if we were to lose that match, then I’m pretty certain that there’s NO WAY we can survive in the PL!!
I’m hoping that ONLY 3 players will leave in the summer, but if all 5 of those you mentioned do opt to leave, then I feel we could see an old farm derby in a couple years’ time, once the ‘Dynamic Duo’ (aka SW/DF) depart for each of their new challenges.
Finally, I see we’re definitely selling Krul to Schalke04 in the summer, as it’s been reported by both the Sun and HITC, so must be true!!
SO NEAR and yet SO FAR to survival. 🙁
2
Hi Ed
First up I habitually call ’em Wilderbeests but Gary put that right in said headline.
Your next point is a very interesting one – I read that too. And a couple weeks back I read that financial institutions rarely lend money for players unless you’re Barcelona. This must be the way to do it I guess. Pity we wouldn’t/didn’t/couldn’t.
As for who goes in the summer of course I don’t know who’ll leave for sure if you take me literally, but can you see Delia turning down any reasonable offer for anybody? It all adds up in her “keep myself in power” fund, never to be “wasted” on the pitch.
As we’ve both mentioned, Webber and Farke are vital to any degree of hope we might have for the future.
Thanks as always.
1
The observation about Sheffield United borrowing monies against future TV monies was made by me.
And, for the benefit of those questioning why we didn’t do likewise, we did – between 2013 & 2016 to be precise. The evidence is there in black and white at Companies House.
Here’s the thing though, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with doing this, although, of course, it depends upon how that money is / was spent. You only get one chance to spend it and if you ‘do a Naismith’ you’re royally screwed, unless, of course, you don’t get relegated.
1
Thanks Gary.
Sorry I didn’t acknowledge your contribution but I simply couldn’t remember who said it at the time!
You must bear in mind of course that few of us really understand our own finances, let alone those of a football club.
My personal affairs are more complex than I’d like them to be which is why I have employed a long-standing City professional accountancy company for several years now. Am I happy with their fees? No. Am I happy with their service? Yes. a very big yes.
Some of us work with words and others with figures. It’s a rare person who can excel with both.
Thank you.
0
So we did it for four years. In one of those years we made a bad deal.
It seems to me that the issue is not with the method of paying, but with the purchase. Yet it seems we have thrown the baby out with the bath water.
1
David, I think that this has more to do with the subsequent negative impact upon cash flow, following relegation than anything else. Just my opinion of course.
0
No man is an island he’s an archipelago . Jefferson airplane.1967.
Its from their psycadelia period, sounds great, looks good but ultimately went round in circles before dissapearing down a white rabbit hole.
Thinking about nicholas parsons as how he would have presented the sale of the century, live from Norwich, in July 2020. Bye or buy Ben, Max, Emi, Todd, Timm,Jamal ,Teemu,and Christoph..jobs a good un. Target the top 26 in the leagues,
2
Hi Bernie.
Don’t really know much about Airplane – soft rock is not my genre. I do know that their progeny Starship released possibly the most cringeworthy offering I’ve ever heard as in We Built This City.
I’ve heard White Rabbit and our Daniel is going to have to pull quite a few of those from his hat cos his “little miracle” has become a $odding great big one.
No disrespect to the recently deceased Mr Parsons but I reckon it’ll be more a case of if The Price is Right.
When we Come on Down.
Cheers.
2
Another very good read Martin.
I’m afraid Delia holding on to her social club makes as much sense as me buying a Bentley.
It is plain to all but our two owners they cannot afford a premier league club but the big worry is that judging from last years accounts neither can they afford to own a championship side once the parachute payments run out. You only have to look at the millions Marcus Evans throws into Ipswich to see they would be hopelessly out of their depth if no promotion happens within the next three years.
They have thrown away a golden chance to dispose of the club last summer. With due diligence this could have been a very successful outcome for all concerned.
Instead we’ll be back where we started but without at least half of the promotion team and very likely our very talented manager.
Delia is currently in a fools paradise because mugs like me have already paid premiership prices to watch championship football next year.
What really annoys me is that a significant number of people still consider Delia a safe pair of hands where as I can only see her continued ownership as a threat to even our championship status.
15
Hi John.
As much as I’d [truly] love to disagree with you I cannot as every word you say I believe to be true.
I suppose my take on it is that those at the very top [eg those with what they feel is influence but actually isn’t] are Delia diehards and some folks at the other end of the scale are susceptible to being hogwashed or simply don’t genuinely care too much as they’re not ambitious for NCFC to be the best it can be.
Several of us fall between those stools and can clearly see the empress has no clothes and also feet of clay.
There might be something coming down the tracks on MFW on this subject this very week. But that’s up to Editor Gary and we’ll have to see.
Great comment – thanks.
12
Wednesday 😉
5
Marty, since we’re going for quotes today, here’s a biblical one, ‘All things must come to pass…..but the end is not yet.’ Plenty of war in the world and pestilence is now on our doorstep so the omens are not good. Keep thee well ole partner and maybe there’ll be something to smile about when you get those new knashers.
0
Hiya Cutty.
I’ll match you bible bit for bible bit with “meni meni tekel upharsin” – as in “the writing’s on the wall”. And has been since our pre-season spend was announced.
I’m amazed that so many haven’t cut it at this level if I’m honest. The Steiperdude, Vrancic, Leitner to name but three. Plus the worst proffering of loan signings I’ve seen since the days of Roedent.
I’ll be as toothless as we are until the close-season I’m afraid. End of May at best for the ole gnashers but that’s okay by me. It has to be, really.
Cheers.
1
Here we go again another defeat and its all delias fault why would any club want to buy any of the five mentioned above if we are really as bad as we are being made out to be. Villa spent nearlly £150 mill in past year are we playing worse than them? four points more .most of us been renewing tickets as last season was one of the best ive ever seen been goin since 1965 and who was in charge then
9
I have also been watching City since the early sixties and thought last year the best yet.
If we are relegated where do you see the club going when the parachute payments stop under our current owners?
10
The current owners will expect, nay, demand that the academy products keep them in situationalist clover.
In perpetuity.
11
Hi Kevin
Of course we’re not that bad but for that reason alone the cherry pickers will be out in force over the summer as we’ll learn to our on-pitch cost.
It cannot end well as there is a blanket ban on signings over £1million. Or there was last summer anyway. Maybe it must be under £500k now?
As for who was our manager in 1965 I was seven and living in London at the time. I’ll Google it and let you know on Saturday.
Cheers.
2
Well said Kevin.
If’s buts and maybes we were 4cm’s from gaining a hard earned point on Saturday and have not had the rub of the green all season. I just don’t buy this ‘having a go at our owners’ and blaming them for our position. Last season we won the ******g Championship in style and this season been called ” the best team ever to be bottom of the PL”.
Second season blues may well set in for Shef Utd next term. They may be relegated and City promoted next season, wouldn’t be at all surprised.
Corona virus may well bring down the billionaires rather quickly. We’ve much less to lose. Our club is a well run business and far less at risk than many others.
As someone once said “It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation”. I’ll support the club 100% wherever we play.
1
Hi Colin.
That was a spirited comment if I’ve ever read one:-)
Kevin’s statement is the most supported of the article so I guess I’ll get it in the neck from him on Saturday – that’s what it’s all about of course and neither of us will truly give a fig.although I will have to concede he has a point. Which I will.
The trouble is I cannot agree with you about the owners. They are both nearly 80 and do not want anybody else but nephew Tom to be given an opportunity. Fair play if you’re loyal to your family of course and there’s nothing wrong with that.
But to me we’re up the Swanee.
Let’s see if Delia, Michael & Tom can paddle us out, hey?
Thanks – good comment.
2
I’m in several minds about the ownership question. It is clear that DS & MWJ don’t have the wealth to bankroll the club but you only have to look at little 1p5wichto see what can happen. Marcus Evans is owed a figure reported to be in the region of £100m as he has financed them with loans over the years. Evans charges them 5.4% interest on this loan. Since he bought them in 2007 they have never kicked a ball in the Prem and are presently enjoying an agreeable meander toward the lower half of the third tier.
There are plenty of other clubs being bought by extremely rich owners not having the kind of success they, and their fans, envisaged (none as funny as 1p5wich though).
But there are also examples of things working out well. Wolves were bought by Chinese conglomerate Fosun less than 4 years ago. In that time, they have employed and got rid off Paul Lambert (who?) and Walter Zenga as managers, employed the amiable Nuno, tied in with super agent Mendes and taken the club from being a struggling Championship team playing in front of about 17000 to what they are now. All of this is brilliant for Wolves fans but I am more than a little uncomfortable with Chinese money being involved in anything-human rights abuses providing money for millionaire footballers doesn’t sit well with my snowflake tendencies. The same applies to MCFC but both these clubs are doing great things in football and getting involved positively with the local community.
I definitely don’t have any answers to the ownership issue but I do wonder where the super rich potential owners who want to pour money into Norwich City without any malevolence being involved are to be found.
As for the football, we’re still an attractive team to watch but are so easily dominated by teams with big, strong players. Again at Sheffield, we can say we deserved at least a point but have left with nothing. There’s no doubting the effort of the team, but I don’t think there’s much hope of being in the Prem next season.
6
By the way, Socrates’ finish was similar to Billy Sharpe’s.
I am somewhat surprised to have written this. Perhaps Descartes was right.
1
I’m surprised the Python team didn’t work St Augustin of Hippo in there somewhere. Maybe he could have been the Greeks’ physio?
1
Hi Don.
I’m on board with your most crucial points in that we don’t want tainted money [hence my point about elongated due diligence] and that this current squad are all too easily bullied off the ball.
NCFC has always got itself involved locally from the days of “Football in the Community” to the Nest and it’s something we should be extremely proud of.
There’s just this yoke of “lightweight and not to be taken seriously” that has constantly surrounded us and will never seemingly go away.
Since the Walker days only Lambert truly shook that image off.
For a very short while.
Cheers.
2
Hi Martin.
A great read and I like the quotes and my offering would be for Delia and the championship is Milton’s Paradise Lost but can she follow it up with his Paradise regained????.
As for saturday an ex city player as in Mark Robin’s got one over the Blue Noses over the border to push them further away from the league 1 playoffs, and the Mirror has upped the anti on P L being replaced by Warnock due to the new contract on offer not being signed.
City only came out to play in the second half once city got 2 up front according to the on game report on BBC and the pinkun but also Henderson had the football gids on his side where as cities gods were still celebrating the Spurs win.
Robin Sainty recons Farke will be targeted by some big clubs could Delia cash in if a large compo was offered as she will with a few players all will be revealed soon enough.
Krul to Shalka 04 if it happens can we really hold him back but who could we get into replace him maybe John Ruddy who has indicated he still lives in the city and would like to come back in some compasity as a player/coach or even try to get Gunn Jr from Southampton again all will be revealed soon.
Wilder has praised city in both pre and after match interviews and says how well he gets along with Farke, is he just gloating about being safe and doing the first double over city since 1998 possibly a bit of both.
Now on to Southampton and let’s hope those around city can falter and this time city can take the advantage unlike this weekend.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
0
Hi Alex.
I think Paradise Lost was “taught” to an awful lot of our generation at school. Many of whom did not even realise there was a “Paradise Regained” that followed. I certainly didn’t until very much later anyway.
Milton was a bit like William Blake in that his staunch religious beliefs drove him on in pursuit of his art to the point of insanity. Or so the rumours said at the time.
Good or bad? Don’t ask me.
Farke and Krul might indeed be close-season targets. Funnily enough if both went we’d lose our peculiar soul. I’m kind of doubting the departure of either but it could happen.
There isn’t the will at the very top to keep this squad together which to me is a fundamental **ck up. But it happens at NCFC as we all know.
I just feel sorry for those folks who reckon Delia is a benevolent individual who cares for us all.
Maybe they should take a good look at the role of Marie Antionette c. 1789.
Thanks mate.
1
Wasn’t she the clever one that when told there was no flour to bake bread for the masses said let them eat cake.
Delia and her cohorts live in a different world to us mere mortals with her comnents i am a poor millionaire, surely someone must have whispered in her shell like that she has past her sell by date just like her TV and Books
2
It doesn’t really matter how much money you have got.
Delia and Michael earned theirs fair and square through TV, subsequently outdated cookery books and publishing and I doubt they hurt anybody along the way.
Fair play to them in that respect as hopefully we would all agree. But when your time is up it really is. Up.. But some people just don’t get it.
There is no fool like an old fool, as all of our kids would cheerfully tell us.
Particularly and predictably my daughter, of course.
Cheers.
0
Fair comment Martin doubt that she has done any harm to anyone.
I just wish that she would realise that she has done her best for city and leave with dignity, nobody wants a repeat of the Chase fiasco and this time there us no Watling to ride to the rescue.
1
Martin
My father had no teeth and his gums were as hard as anything he would crunch apples, american hard gums and Yarmouth Rock he would never have is false ones in said they were uncomfortable lol
0
Oh blimey that’s really cheered me up:-)
0
Sorry about that comment 😈😈😈
0
What are the emojis then, the devil’s wine gums!
Seriously I’m just a bit cacked off as it should have been sorted by now – but it’s not the best time to hassle the NHS.
In my view anyway!
0
Yeah the NHS is under pressure at present.
Hope you get it all sorted soon.
0
I find it very strange that people keep going on about how great our “young” players are, yet almost every week they get owned by some bigger, more athletic, less young players. Might it be a good thing in the short term if we do profit from a Cantwell who was way too lightweight for the Championship, or an Aarons whose stats simply do not show him in the top few right backs in the PL? These two, along with Godfrey, Lewis, Buendia, and a couple of others have flickered briefly into light throughout the season, only to revert to ordinariness way too quickly.
Our standout, most consistent performers have been Krul (POS by a mile unless Pukki scores another 10 in the remaining games), Tettey, Pukki, Byram and (say it quietly) Hanley. Not a “young” player in sight.
The injuries to Klose and Hernandez in particular have hit us very hard – and I don’t hold with the opinion that spending £30-40m in the summer would have made a massive difference. Firstly, how many times do the club need to spell out that we don’t and never have had that kind of money available, and secondly, who exactly would all you experts have bought for that money who would have made this world of difference, and who would they have replaced in the team? The point made above about Villa is relevant – they lost a goalkeeper and a striker to injury, spent millions replacing them, and have barely won a point since.
4
Hi Stephen.
You make some valid points.
As for our youngsters, sure they’re lightweight and particularly Todd Cantwell and to a lesser extent Jamal can be caught out and bullied by more seasoned pros. But James Maddison seems to deal with that kind of treatment, so maybe Cantwell will too without falling over at every opportunity sometime soon. When he moves on, as he will. Shortly.
Max looks after himself and does so very well and if you want to mess with Ben Godfrey [whoever you are] it might not work out so well for you.
I have never, ever claimed to be any kind of recruitment expert and nor do any of our MFW readers or writers but if there is no ostensible effort to sign anybody what do you think that tells the support?
A big silence there, I would imagine.
Anyway thanks for a really good comment.
0
I would love to add some biblical quote about worshipping idols but can’t think of one. Farke being the idol in question. I think he has done a great job UP TO A POINT but let’s be honest his crazy idea that a defensive strategy that conceded fifty goals in the championship would work in the premiership is at least fifty percent of our problem. His zealous pursuit of his football philosophy never mind the results is also culpable. Sorry but someone has to stand up to tell it as it is even if most readers will now want to burn me at the stake for heresy!
3
I think it was a reasonable expectation that our younger players would continue to improve, especially in a league without the level of physicality of the Championship. The fact that they haven’t improved enough (as evidenced by Farke’s almost constant complaint that they are not brave or aggressive enough) is a touch harsh on the coach who stood by them – as much through necessity as choice.
I also think every supporter wanted those players to be given a chance.
As to the defensive strategy, the zonal system has constantly been blamed for things which are solely the result of players not doing what they are supposed to do – most recently against Sheff Utd. It relies on crosses being closed down and runners being tracked or passed on between zones. Our fullbacks and wingbacks simply have not done that well in those situations which has left our centre backs very exposed – they then allow themselves to be pulled out of position.
So – given that we couldn’t change the players because we had no money – do you change the strategy to match the limitations of the players even if you know they are not good enough to perform a different strategy, or do you keep trying to improve the players you have?
I think Webber has let Farke down in some respects – Amadou and Roberts were clearly expected to be better than they were, and we spent most of our available money on a reserve keeper which motivated Krul way beyond reasonable expectation; he is simply a completely different goalkeeper than he was last year.
0
Hi Cyprus
Sorry about this Biblical stuff – I’m by no means the Messiah, just a very naughty middle-aged man who has recently settled into his early Sixties.
You don’t speak with forked tongue. Not at all.
But Daniel Farke is a little akin to both John Bond and Mike Walker in that he has the requisite charm that we can [and often do] easily fall for as a collective.
MFW won’t be sending Matthew Hopkin after you. Or indeed the Witchsmeller Persuivant from Blackadder – sorry, can’t recall the actor’s name right now.
I referenced the Python sketch for a reason. Philosophy is Daniel’s favourite word alongside greedy and topics. And the Germans lost. On Monty Python anyway.
Thanks [don’t watch the Wicker Man].
Thanks.
0
Hello Martin, a vastly entertaining read and a great set of responses too.
I agree with Cyprus, to a degree. Farke does stick to his mantra. To be fair, it’s in his job description to do so. Has he frustrated me at times this season? Yes, undoubtedly, with his use or lack of, of substitutes, his seeming favouritism toward certain players above others, his rigid approach etc.
For all that, he is a brilliant improver of players, has produced some seriously great moments for us and clearly has a great affinity to our club.
All he has achieved, has been done whilst carrying the enormous millstone around his neck that is our ownership. Neither use nor ornament, basically wrecking the season before a all was kicked. Yet again, looking the gift horse in the mouth, leading down the knackers and taking the payment, leaving without a backwards glance.
Our defeats, all of them, will obviously draw attention to the state of the ownership of the club.
The gambit during the second half almost payed off, Drmic again adding something to our attacking intent. Perhaps pukki would thrive with a partner to share the load?
Worth a try.
I’m starting to get a bit concerned with regard to the summer now, as I fear smith will yet again flog off the family silver and chuck a few peanuts the managers way, buoyed no doubt by the miracle of last season whilst totally unrealistically expecting the same again. Promotion has to be earned quickly or the club will again be in dire straits in spite of the money grab which replaced a proper budget this season.
If farke or Webber vote with their feet and head for a club with some vestige of ambition who will defend smith then?
1
Hi Chris
As the inevitable draws ever closer it will be Cavaliers v Roundheads over the summer.
Early skirmishes are already breaking out as you can see from a couple of the responses to this, in my opinion, quite mild article,
Webber and Farke have always been honest with us and I could not ask for more from either of them. When either gets a good offer I say to them take it, with the blessing of more or less all of us.
Delia Smith has acolytes and sycophants, call them what you will, in influential places.
They will defend her.
Thanks mate.
0
Martin
We are getting to that stage of the season when as we all know clubs will not only be sniffing around but making low offers for players hoping to get deals done before the season ends and the melee starts in ernest.
Many clubs all ready are showing interest in Godfrey, Lewis, Buendia, Aarons, Pukki and their respective agents will be doing their utmost to move them on, the clubs ie Webber says the power is with the club as the players are on long deals but then states he doesn’t want unhappy players, then you have the players saying they owe city their careers but money to all parties not only talk but shout loud to the owners.
We have many players out on loan getting good reviews but the question is will any be given the opportunity to prove themselves at city next season, Raggett has asked for city to take up tge 1 year option and let him prove himself, the lad a Swindon wants the same this surely will be an interesting window for the team but mostly for the owners will they stick by asking players to give it till January of twist hoping to get large fee’s to hoard away for a not so sunny day???
0
Hi Alex – missed this in yesterday’s maelstrom.
It’s the age old story. We don’t have to sell you. Okay I’m happy to stay. OR I wanna go they’ve offered me £5k a week more. Go then you greedy git but we’ll hold out for every last penny we can get for you.
Sean Raggett doesn’t seem to have the floor skills that Farke demands but as I’ve only ever seen him play once I’ll have to hang fire.
Pompey seem to love him anyway!
0
Usual MP self indulgent whinge. Lots of literary showing off but little football analysis of any perception or value.
Stephen Godbold offers the best all round comment and analysis there’s been on here for ages.
When it comes to talk of clothes for emperor or empress, then the much vaunted “youngsters” fit the bill. The defence record collectively and individually gives the lie to it. Aaron’s and Lewis are a liability and Godfrey might make a reasonable replacement for Tettey but a centre back he is not (yet?)
If any club offers 20 million or even more for Aarons then bite their hand off.
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Hi Adrian.
I have often proffered match analysis on MFW but only when I’ve physically been to a game. If I haven’t I don’t want to be a pseud and pretend I have. I wasn’t at Bramall Lane. Were you?
Aarons and Lewis are liabilities. Oh yeah, sure.
Thanks for a comment all the way from Escotia.
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I’m afraid it’s all too easy to blame the owners isn’t it? Why can’t they just spend a little £30m and we’ll be fine. Let’s ignore the fact that the club was in debt at the start of the season (because of a little judicious spending the last time we were in the Premier League) and therefore would only be able to borrow the money to spend. Let’s ignore the recent history of the club being hamstrung by overspending during previous spells in the Premier League. Let’s also ignore the investment made by the Board last summer in the existing squad. And the investment being made in young players. I’m afraid I don’t subscribe to the doom. We’re playing good football, we have an excellent set up, a fantastic young coach who has helped to develop around £100m worth of players and, due to sensible stewardship, we might actually be debt free for once. Something that might actually be built on.
Let’s also not pretend that people would be happy if only those terrible owners were different. It won’t be. People forget that our most successful period ever was overseen by the universally loved Bob Chase.
Does this positive outlook make me (horribly offensive term BTW) a ‘happy clapper’?
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We are playing good football UP TO A POINT but good football to me means winning!! It’s a tough business to be in but at the end of the day you can’t win football games with style points so we all have to decide if we would sacrifice a bit of style ( aka philosophy) for points on the board. I know where I stand on that.
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We’ve committed to a style of play and have purchased players for that style of play. With the best will in the world and change in the style of play against Sheffield Utd, for example, would have resulted in a 3-0 loss rather than a 1-0. We wouldn’t have got anywhere near them
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Hi SBY.
I’m pleased that you’re feeling positive. No sarcasm in that, I promise.
I’m the kind of guy who cannot be upbeat when he’s staring down the barrel of a relegation gun and many folks I know feel the same.
One thing at least you and I agree on is that we continue to play good football.
We do, it’s a joy to watch [if often frustrating] and I sincerely hope Webber and Farke remain with us for as long as possible
Thank you.
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As a Norwich fan of many years, I’m surprised you’re not more hardened to the realities of supporting our club. It took us 65 years to get to the top flight and since then have been in it for 26 years of the following 48. We’ve been relegated a few times in that period. And we’ve had 4 promotions in the last 10 seasons. How many clubs have had that?
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I’m as hardened to the realities as the rest of us – I’m 62!
You’re quite right, of course you are. It’s just that sometimes I’d like to get off the rollercoaster at a reasonably high point and settle for boring old PL mid-table mediocrity. In my dreams of course.
Thanks for a couple of great comments.
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These whinging posts by mfw writers are getting tiresome. I’m getting bored by the repetitive nature. Just hope the players are staff ignore them. So looking forward to next season.
Well said Sheffield based canary all all those who GET the bigger picture
OTBC!
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Hi Andrew
I don’t quite get how anyone, reader or writer, expressing their opinion on MFW can truly be perceived as whinging.
We are an opinion-based site, after all.
I have never criticised Webber or Farke. Far from it. And unless a glaring individual error has been committed I don’t criticise any of the players either. Maybe the odd small moan but never anything heavy.
And yes I see the BIG picture with complete clarity.
And sometime soon it might just fall off the wall.
Thanks – fair comment.
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We all get the bigger picture and that is one not in the Premier League.
That will please some fans, others less so…
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Fair point, and that’s definitely where we differ. I really would find finishing 12th every year deeply dull. Just picking a club at random – say Everton – how much investment and how little (relatively) to cheer about? A fine, grand and classy club overshadowed in recent years by Leicester, Chelsea and Co. At least Villa fans have had a promotion surge to cheer. I’d rather the roller-coaster!
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Yeah – I get that.
For me I’d rather be going toe-to-toe with Everton than d*cking Rotherham but equally other folks think differently which I can certainly appreciate.
Cheers.
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Yeah the NHS is under pressure at present.
Hope you get it all sorted soon.
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