How was your Super Saturday?
Even those who were able to resist the call of the pub may have been tempted to turn to drink after City’s latest post-lockdown offering.
But let’s forget the performance level for a minute and look at some numbers. *Look away now if you’re of a nervous disposition.
- One goal in nine league games
- Not a single corner won
- One shot
- Not a single shot from inside the box
- Six shots on target in the five games since the restart
- Five consecutive Premier League defeats without a goal
- Two goals scored in City’s last 31 first halves
- Not a single point earned from a losing position
- On course for our lowest points total ever (including when it was two points for a win)
Every stat as damning as the last. Sadly there are plenty more. In fact, almost every metric by which a football season can be measured produces an unpalatable answer.
Of course, there are mitigating circumstances and no-one could have predicted the injury crisis that befell the club in the early part of the season, and its impact on results and then, drip-by-drip, on the confidence levels.
Farkeball relies on those in possession of the ball having the confidence and swagger to execute, just as they did on that balmy September evening when Manchester City were the visitors.
It flowed, the passing was crisp, they were a cohesive unit, and, crucially, there were 26,000 voices roaring them on, telling them how brilliant they were, there to pick them up when a mistake was made.
Take away those 26,000 voices and I don’t think we beat Man City.
But it’s not just the crowd that’s been absent at Carrow Road since the restart. So has the swagger and the belief. So too the unity and camaraderie in the group; that same camaraderie that has dug them out of some pretty big holes over the last 20 months.
Yesterday’s was a shell of a performance. 15 bodies clad in yellow and green going through the motions, devoid it appeared of even the faintest notion of Premier League survival and unable to respond to that most regular of footballing occurrences – conceding a goal.
Of all the stats, the one that says they’ve not even earned a solitary point from a losing position this season is the one. It’s one of those slow-burners. Early on in the season, it’s not even a thing but after a few games and having it pointed out it becomes something that needs to be rectified.
It then becomes a problem that has to be addressed, and subsequently, with it not being addressed, it becomes a hurdle. It’s now gone beyond being a hurdle but instead represents a huge mental block to our players and a major target for the opposition.
He’ll not admit it, but Graham Potter knew that when Leandro Trossard scored that goal it was game over. That all-too-familiar sinking feeling would have washed over the squad, probably the bench too, and there felt no way back.
There was no way back.
Even against distinctly average opposition who, themselves, had a few lingering doubts around their Premier League status. But not any more.
Even in the most must-win of must-win games, City had neither the wherewithal or the belief to make even the slightest impression on Potter’s men. Matt Ryan, in the Brighton goal, had his easiest afternoon of the season.
For those of us watching or listening, it was actually heartbreaking.
Heroes who we saluted 14 months ago for performing heroics and giving us one of the best City-supporting seasons of our lives, reduced to peripheral, bewildered-looking figures on a stage that, at the moment, appears alien to them.
How have we found ourselves here?
Well, it’s clearly multi-faceted and complex, and not as obvious as some appear keen to make out.
We should all accept that little has gone right and much of it out of the control of Daniel Farke and Stuart Webber. Injuries, the VAR fiasco, and the footballing gods have all conspired to make this campaign hugely challenging; the one thing we could ill afford when the whole thing was funded by a wing and a prayer rather than a realistic budget.
And with no room for error, the errors still came thick and fast. The confidence gradually eroded away, things that were once second nature to the players became very difficult, and here we are.
Quite why we appeared so ill-prepared for the restart is another aspect that needs to be uncovered in the end-of-season review, and while the data may prove the players were as physically well-equipped as their opponents, the data won’t show how mentally prepared they were.
Maybe a few had switched off? Who knows, but it’s certainly important to identify why we have failed so miserably to match every opponent since the restart. The crowd factor is clearly a huge part of it, but can’t be the only reason?
More questions than answers I’m afraid. As ever. Including why, specifically, Messrs Drmic and Duda are getting so much game time?
But what I do know is this season can’t end soon enough.
More troubling is the fact that next season will be upon us before we know it, and almost certainly before the pain, angst and recriminations from this one have subsided.
And let’s not fall into the trap of believing that because this squad was good enough to win the Championship last season, if the bulk of it remains it will be able to do the same again.
The damage done by this brutal campaign will be untold, and this summer, regardless of who departs, needs to bring a significant refresh to this squad.
To make this squad fit for purpose in the Championship isn’t going to be as easy as some seem to think.
But, hey, the pubs are open 😠
Summed it up brilliantly as per.
Now let’s move on to the wheeling and dealing. DF’s little teaser post match about a different group turning up for preseason needs consideration.
Add that to the Archant comment about deals in the pipeline and we are there in silly season!
Rumours: Mumba, Soto, plus last night Matthew Dennis from Arsenal (getting a flow from there now with Martin and Gilmour already in the group), also possible young striker from Southend, Charlie Kelman, though Southampton and Spurs also interested. Will we go back for Dennis Politic from Bolton? Etc. Etc.
Will keep us interested until the first friendlies kick in.
Outgoings, already done to death. Who cares since SW will get top dollar and nobody is irreplaceable.
Unfortunately, a complete refresh means at least a couple of seasons before We are ready to push at the top again.
OTBC
Can we afford another couple of seasons before we push at the top again? The club is entirely self funded. Football income is massively weighted to the top division with only the clubs in receipt of parachute money breaking even in the Championship. Look at the loss we made last season which was the first since the days of Lambert without some form of PL income. Even allowing for the promotion related clauses and wages of players playing out their contracts elsewhere we would have made a significant loss (possibly over £10m). This was funded by Maddison, a player we would not have been able to buy without PL money. There is no easy answer but we must not sit back and think everything will be ok
Have already started pre-season training. EFL on Quest.
After proving yet again that she is incapable of ever establishing this club in the premiership I think it’s time that Delia explained to the 27,000 who turn up every week where her plan sees the club ending up.
I suspect she hasn’t a clue but what worries me is the money Evans is pumping into Ipswich to keep them in division 1.
Delia couldn’t afford to do the same for City and from what I’ve seen lately I think we’re as likely to be relegated as we are promoted next season.
Our owners must be more delusional than I give them credit for if they cannot see that now is the time for a change of ownership before the money from Aarons, Godfrey, Lewis and Cantwell is once again wasted on subsidising their ownership.
Before anybody mentions Wigan think more like Leicester!
Hi John
You hit the nail straight on the head when you say incoming monies will be used to ensure the continuation of the Smith ownership. Not to their personal benefit I am sure but definitely to shore up and retain the status quo.
As I hint at tomorrow I’ve been reluctant to write on this topic because of the Covid-19 situation and not to detract from our underfunded squad who we expected to be BATTLING against relegation and did not need any knives in their backs from me.
However now we are all but mathematically down, maybe that debate might resume?
Martin I wouldn’t for a minute suggest Delia would profit from the anticipated sales but merely it would be wasted making up for her inability to fully fund the club.
I’m certain she has the clubs best interests at heart which is the crux of the tragedy of her continued ownership.
I’m afraid that like it or not nowadays if you wish to play in the higher leagues you need a very generous backer with a large wallet.
I feel the ownership issue will rear its head again in late July- early September on many supporter-centric sites including MFW for sure.
Your key note is IF you wish to play in the higher leagues… and to my mind it’s a $odding big IF.
The Smiths cannot and do not want to cope with the PL imo.
And judging by the five-year plan we have managed to stay in the EPL this season longer than was expected.
Play a new game , take yesterdays match day squad and commit to how many will be in the first match day squad of next season . maybe 10 of the 20.
Hi Gary
From a cool blustery day with the threat of rain a good sunday morning to one and all.
Everyone seems to keep writing city off and whether I have my optimistic or pessimistic that on I just can’t decide which way this will go.
None of the other relegation candidates seem to want to make a breakaway from us both Watford and Bournemouth lost and will Liverpool turn up against Villa later today that is the question surely Klipp Klopp will not want another loss this season it would then put a great big question mark against his title winners credentials.
I was surprised that Farke came out and said that he had turned down big offers with bigger clubs with larger transfer budgets to me it smells of him saying I have been loyal but now I am offski to new things only time will tell.
I mentioned the other day that city should try a BOGOF with Sunderland as we are close to Mumba why not try for Whatmore he has bags of talent but injuries have hit him for 2 seasons again time will tell.
I read that if Villa goes down they could be hit with a transfer ban due to over spending to get promotion anyone have any info.
Evening Standard says Spur have a deal in principle for Aaron’s and one other from city a couple of days ago talks took place during the friendly maybe a couple of deals maybe set up already and the players have lost a little heart for the club but then it is silly season and agents stirring the witches pot to get a big fat fee.
All have a good day
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Keep safe and well
Hindsight, maybe, but yesterday’s starting XI had just five Premier League goals between them, while there were 18 more sitting on the bench. This seemed odd when the team was announced, as did Daniel’s subsequent ‘digging out’ of Todd’s recent performance stats. Clearly, he’s a man under pressure, but so too are the players, who’re being to look desperate for the season to end. Can’t blame them really, it’s been pretty disastrous all round.
Wake up to the realities guys Farkeball is the problem!! I love the flowing bits of it but but the brainlessness of two fullbacks racing up the field and leaving huge gaps behind them would be exploited in schoolboy football. Team selections, use of substitutes one size fits all in tactical approach no matter who the opponent. Then add in Webber’s contribution – bringing in Duda, Drimic et al. Trybull and Leitner – serial failures at other clubs. Then Lewis, a good athlete, but constantly turning round pass backwards. Hernandez who has the pace and trickery to get into good positions but then the red mist descends and he tries to score the remarkable goal rather than looking to play in his teammates. What we need is a MANAGER who can harness the talent in the team and MOTIVATE them rather than “we are favourites for position 20”. The thought that we could have had Graham Potter a couple of seasons ago emphasizes the plight we are in. I would love to know who the clubs were who were supposed to be after Daniel.
Sorry but I needed to get that off my chest after this disaster of a season.
Another great read Gary !
I’ve decided to pen my thoughts here rather with the individuals who post on the Archant site, I’m going to try and put things into perspective here and go over some ground but end this on a sobering thought.
Turning back the clock, when Farke was appointed Norwich head coach the club set a three year MINIMUM plan to get into the PL. This was achieved within two, so as this current season has shown us, the club wasn’t in a position financially to compete on the field through player acquisitions (hence our £750k outlay last summer), having had to pay for previous failed dealings both in transfer fees & wages paid for players who clearly were panic buys (Naismith, Wildschut, Jarvis to name but three).
Now with relegation a virtual certainty, the talk of player departures from the current first team squad will be inevitable. Cantwell, Aarons, Buendia, Godfrey, Lewis, Pukki…even McClean to Rangers has been muted. But have these players performed consistently throughout this season for another team to want to pay a subsequent transfer fee for them ? Some of those names have….most haven’t. Who agrees with me and says that Sam Byram has been one of our most consistent players this season ?
If most of the current squad stay together, and with the current new signings and a couple more, who’s to say we can’t compete in the Championship next year and have an immediate return to the PL ?
Now the sobering thought I mentioned at the start of this post. Look at the teams who were relegated from the PL within the last five years. Hull, Stoke. Middlesbrough. Huddersfield. All currently fighting relegation to League One. I omitted two teams from that list. Sunderland & Wigan. The fact that we are signing one of Sunderland’s future prize assets for shirt buttons tells you one thing….and they will remain in League One for another season tells you another. And let’s not ignore the current predicament of Wigan and the mess that they are now in.
Their stadiums in the Championship are half full. Ours won’t be. They have players still on high salaries who they can’t offload. We won’t have that issue at Carrow Road.
Despite the disappointment of relegation this year, I’m glad that I support our team and not any of those.
Spot on. How many times do we have to repeat the memo from SW and DF? The long term plan included not wasting this promotion by risking the farm. Look at the rumoured and completed signings. More root development.
Patience please.
Ignore the noise NCFC and keep on troshing.
Look at the loss we made last season. How would missing out on promotion last season put us in a stronger position this year? Even before we consider the unexpected Covid situation. The gap in income between PL and EFL is much too large and is the reason why so many clubs are in financial trouble. Even with full houses and even without players on PL wages we would make a loss without parachute money. We do not have the luxury of muddling along in the EFL, we do not have the luxury of time. Ideally we would be working to make football more equal but I can’t see that succeeding
It really was a sad day yesterday Gary, 2 pretty punchless teams in an empty stadium made it an awful watch.
Compare that with last season’s wonderful Carrow Road atmosphere with fantastic football.
How have we got here ? The worst injury crisis since Bruce Rioch’s time, 2 dreadful transfer windows, players not stepping up to the quality of the Premier League and the lack of fans at the home games has been more costly than we could have ever imagined.
That last seasons Championship win was the most impressive in terms of skill, age of the team and lets be honest, cheapness since Ron Saunders team of 71/72.
Both seasons have been under the same board/owners which really is just Delia & Michael.
I have said on here many times that I applaud what they have both done for the club, but this comes with many caveats.
I see again that the calls for them to go are getting louder & louder again, Richard Balls their arch nemesis popped up on Canary Call last week to repeat this. Do we ever hear from him when we are doing well ? lets be honest it was Delia who employed Stuart Webber who in turned recruited Daniel Farke.
Football is a game of many emotions and many opinions all valid, and as I said last week to continue with this Self funding model was fraught with risk as is Delia selling up.
For every Mr Balls there are many supporters who like the fact that we are locally owned and do not wish to be taken over by an unknown force.
To me either options do not guarantee success. JohnF is right their are many excellent owners in the Premier League and if I was Delia I would repeat the effort she made 8-10 years ago to see if their is any interest in investing in the club.
Her comments in the Henry Winter interview did her a lot of damage in the eyes of many supporters, to say we would refuse investment was totally ill-judged. What properly run business refuses honourable investment.
But the truth is Delia & Michael at present are going nowhere so instead of banging our heads against a brick wall, we should turn our efforts into getting behind Stuart and Daniel as the next season will be here before we now it.
This season has been a massive disappointment there is no getting away from that, and we all need someone to blame. I think we all now Stuart Webber is one of the most honest men in football and he will want to sort this out more than any of us.
OTBC
Nah. Delia can’t afford to run the club in The Championship and she can’t afford to establish us in the Premiership.
At some point we need to face reality. Our owners belong to a bygone age. Resulting in Boom and Bust financials and a complete lack of stability.
You are probably right Dave, but you cannot “sack” them like a manager so how do you propose to get rid of them ?
They certainly do not merit the necessary measures we had to do to oust Mr Chase. The worse chairman in the clubs history despite how great the teams were.
You’re right, Chase almost bankrupt us multiple times, achieved lower PL results than his predecessor, saw us in the third tier, and sold all our good players!
On a positive note, although we are likely to lose the likes of Godfrey, Aarons, Cantwell and Buendia, there will still be the nucleus of a good championship squad. The quality of passing is still good enough amongst the rest to dominate games in the championship but the cutting edge that we e have lacked was hinted at by the delivery of Lewis from the left. We have been reluctant to cross all season (no Rhodes?) and that means trying to walk the ball into the net. I think a striking alternative to Pukki (if he stays) is priority number one as we know Pukki et al can’t cut it at the top level so we need to plan for the long term. Pace and height are needed to supplement Pukki and Idah. On another day we score two or three goals from those crosses if we have the right target man and who knows how many games earlier this season would have been turned by having another option. Meite of Reading?
Hi Tony,
I think the fact we failed to get Jordan Rhodes was one of the big mistakes we made in last years close season..
We had four terrific crosses into the box yesterday which he thrives on.
Drmic or Rhodes ? I know who would have gone for.
Hopefully Sinani will step up to help Teemu if he stays.
A painful read Gary.
I noticed as the team waited in the tunnel before kick off yesterday that they were stood adjacent to a sign with an arrow pointing directly at them bearing the single word”shower”. Many a true word.
Brighton simply didn’t have to raise a sweat to win. In fact, I think we are probably almost impossible not to beat, as usual, a stupid error, a careless turnover proved to be our undoing. At one nil we were done.
The continued involvement of Drmic and Duda in spite of their total lack of effectiveness or output is truly baffling. Particularly with Vrancic watching on and idah available and raring to go. Farke is starting to use up what’s left of his bank of goodwill with these inane decisions.
As the sorry spectacle drew to a close McLean popped up repeatedly on the left hand side to send a string of nice crosses into the box. No takers, until Idah fights off the attentions of a huge centre half and makes a lovely contact with the ball. Typically, it thumped off the post. The shock of seeing norwich city put a cross into the box and compete successfully for it was greater than that of us nearly scoring a goal.
I note that we have now broken a 97 year old record for consecutive league defeats without scoring. Embarrassing,
I’ve no idea why Drmic continues to play. If Cantwell is likely to stay I’d play him up front with Idah. Todd knows where the goal is and isn’t afraid to shoot from outside the box. I’m a great fan of Vrancic and play him too in the remaining games. If he’s not played I fear he’ll go, he’ll be a great asset next season if he remains. Not really bothered if Godfrey, Lewis, Aarons and Knlose all went. A great shame we never had our best defenders available this season.
Anyway, time to move and look forward to the excitement of the Championship.
Someone above Said already training for efl thought we has been doing last three weeks feels like it limp again yesterday 40yrds forward 80yrs back even when we were in injury time total garbage by comentater Said Emi had created 73 chances this season can anyone name one in last dozen matches .hope quarantine finnished in germany and slovakia so duda trybull and leintner can go home .need to invest in midfield big time too weak there and aproper experienced center half keep well .
I wonder if the loan agreements for Drmic and Duda stipulated that they must play a certain number of games or else Norwich had to pay an additional 20% of the fee. That’s the only reason I can think of why either would be getting so much game time.
To my (limited) knowledge, Drmic is a fully paid-up Canary, and not a loan.
Duda most definitely is a loan, and unfortunately yet another failure from Stuart Webber this season. Summer 2019 most definitely was NOT his finest hour, but is probably more than mitigated by his previous dealings.
Such a shame that the passion shown by the players after the final whistle was not obvious during the previous couple of hours!
O T B C
Blimey, I didn’t appreciate they’d bought Drmic outright John. Oh dear …
I know it sounds crazy but looking at how the previous games have gone and the fixtures coming up, there is still, somehow, the most outside possibility that Norwich could stay up. It would require the most extraordinary turnaround in form and collapse in form by our rivals but I would not be surprised if 30 Pts was enough for safety. You would imagine that the likes of Villa and Watford would be able to take points of Everton , Soton or us, but you never know. The question is – would we want to stay up? Beat Watford on Tuesday (how?) and who knows? The players know that they owe us after the last 4 league games.
Perfect summary, Gary. Last season was my favourite promotion to the top flight, mainly because it was so unexpected and for the style with which it was achieved. For me, this relegation is the worst. Mainly because I feel it’s one of the poorest Premier Leagues I can remember and it shouldn’t have been beyond our capabilities to survive, even allowing for our bad luck with injuries and limited investment. I watched Sheff Utd against Spurs and it was galling to see the pace and energy with which they joined attacks, compared to our seemingly half-hearted efforts since the lockdown. They had six players in the box when Berge got their opener; we had hardly anyone when McLean delivered two brilliant crosses against Brighton – a must win game. The selection of Drmic and Duda is a mystery. I hope I’m totally wide of the mark on this, but is it Farke looking to engineer a move away from Norwich? He appears an honourable man who wouldn’t renege on a contract, but a rift with fans might just offer him a way out. Without any significant investment, he may feel he’s taken Norwich as far as he can. I hope not because despite his mistakes, I still believe he’s the right man for the job. OTBC!