I’ve long been a believer in the phrase strike while the iron’s hot, so as I begin this article at 14:53 on Saturday knowing it won’t appear in front of you beloved MFW readers until Monday, I thought I’d write it now, get it out of the way and wallow in our collective misery all day tomorrow, which will actually become yesterday in my parallel universe by the time you read it.
Inevitable, wasn’t it? A defensive error, not a lot going on in the final third and yes we clipped the post at the death. But what $odding good would a single point have done us anyway?
Brighton weren’t special but they didn’t have to be.
Daniel Farke, Eddie Reimer and co have two months to sort this excuse for a defence out. They haven’t done it in nearly three seasons so let’s not hold our hopes up for a late summer close-season miracle of Nazarine proportions. It ain’t gonna happen.
Now we are down [forget the maths] how will we respond next season? With knife in teeth and grenade in boot – or with a farm shop lettuce and two pints of organic milk?
I think I know the answer to my own question and I have nothing against independent suppliers of salad and dairy products to be sure.
Project Restart has brought us nothing but misery and I am increasingly starting to believe that those who will be paid a lot of dinaro by others to go through the Carrow Road exit door for the last time at the end of this month don’t want to collect an injury en route.
We all know who they are but although I make the accusation if I were a gifted young baller I would do exactly the same. My personal equivalent of that would have been something like my jump from the Harlow Gazette to the Met Police Press Bureau but the process of back-checking takes three months so I was told: “you’re in but don’t do anything dumb in the meantime or it might not happen”.
I thought of the assumed prestige and indeed pay rise, so being a heavy drinker I virtually kept my car off the road for said three months. And a few of our youngsters have recently been doing the same as I did at a comparatively minor professional level all those years ago.
Am I truly angry with Stuart Webber, Daniel Farke and the largely admirable NCFC admin staff? Not at all. What bl00dy chance did they stand 11 months ago when this dreadful season got underway?
Bugger all, that’s what.
Sure our recruitment was utter $hite – c’mon, it was – but give me a few 10-spots and ask me to buy a Ferrari and I couldn’t do it either. Maybe a wing mirror from one at best. And that’s what we got. Or a spare full-size tyre judging by our post-resumption fitness levels.
I’m not Nostradamus but I will make three predictions for next season.
- We will have next to no steel in the side, giving the likes of Rotherham and their ilk every chance against us. Sorry Warney it’s not a personal dig, it’s just the way you set them up that I don’t like.
- We will begin the season without the bare minimum of four fit, reliable centre backs. One is knackered, another is injury prone to a ridiculous degree, one will be sold and Zimbo has never been the same since the West Ham thug Haller gave him close attention. It’s an issue that Norwich City always fails to address. Every bl00dy season.
- The Smith dynasty will still be in situ, heading off any approaches of outside investment at the pass. But that’s a matter for another day as there’s no point in talking when nobody’s listening. And there’s nobody as deaf as those who will not hear.
I wonder what our starting XI will be in [I guess] September?
Anyone who might be brave enough to predict it, please let me know your thoughts.
I’ll leave you good folks with one of the most under-rated singles of all time, although it made a healthy place in the top 20.
It could have been written for Norwich City supporters everywhere and for what it’s worth the title’s a quote from Vincent van Gogh.
It translates as “this sadness will go on”.
Manic Street Preachers – La Tristesse Durera (Live from Top Of The Pops 1993)
Good grief Martin – another home game and another lame defeat. I think you ‘hit the nail on the head’ with several of your comments – the key one for me, was the one about players not wanting to get injured before ‘heading for the exit door for the last time’
I’ve just read an article by PD where DF is saying that he WON’T be using these last 5 games to experiment (sadly!!) with players/formations, but he does envisage a much changed squad. Yikes!! 🙁
You rightly point out that our goals against is a VERY worrying stat and like you, don’t see that improving during the remainder of DF’s time at the helm. I’m in complete agreement that we should stick with DF/SW, but would welcome some external investment, though I don’t see it happening anytime soon, as it seems that Delia quite likes us being in the 2nd tier of English football
I’ll HAPPILY take a top 10 finish in the Championship next season if I was offered it right now, as every team we play will be playing ‘out of their skins’ to beat us.
The most frightening stat that I’ve seen in recent weeks is that we have totally failed to win a single point after first going behind. Where oh where has that belief/determination/passion gone from last season? Remember Millwall/Forest??
There’s a growing unrest amongst the natives and who can blame them?? In DF’s defence, he has been plagued with injuries all season to some key players and I think I’m right in saying that at no time has he had all 4 CBs fit.
I’m just hoping we succeed in getting some of the desire/passion etc that we showed against Man Utd back before the end of the season and IF we could score a few goals along the way, that would lift some of the gloom that has descended on the fans since the PL restarted.
I read in an article yesterday that SW admits that they got recruitment wrong last summer and from what I’ve read, Duda seems like a DUD, but he and DF got it SOOO right previously, so I see no reason why they can’t do it again – let’s hope so anyway.
I’ve a feeling I’m not alone in wanting to see Idah in the starting 11, but I’m not sure that that will happen this season – shame!!
At least Villa withal their expenditure in excess of £100M have conceded more goals than us and haven’t scored that many more.
Morning Ed
I’ve read the Archant article too – it’ll be interesting to see how our team selection pans out in the final five, meaningless games. Would I start Adam Idah? Yes I would.
The decline since early January has been a steep one and painful for the fans to endure. I won’t make a cheap Zombie joke but I wouldn’t fancy MY chances of resurrecting this corpse of a squad in the next couple of months. They’re too used to losing now for that.
10th in the Champ? I wouldn’t bet against it but I’d like to see who we kick off with in the squad before I make a firm prediction.
Thanks as always.
Hi Martin – good read from above statement Villa have spent nearer £200 mill in past 18months and will be heading for transfer ban if relegated due to overspend. To be honest, they have looked worst than us most of this season, so money doesn’t always bring success. At least we haven’t got a massive debt to deal with. Two centre-halves and two strong midfielders are what’s needed to help progress next year – not the weak links we have there at the moment.
Hi Kev
For what it’s worth I’m honestly glad we didn’t do a Villa, I really am.
I cannot believe they doubled us cos as you say they are pretty much poo.
Take away Grealish and McGinn [?] and there really isn’t very much left.
Ironically Tetts will be with us for his well-earned swansong but our only other strong midfielder, aka Ben Godfrey converted to CB by Farke, will be sold. I still think Sean Raggett could do a job at Champ level but Farke does not fancy him so he’ll doubtless stay with Pompey.
Thanks mate.
I don’t mind losing Martin, but we seem to have lost heart, and that should not happen. All the players should be giving it everything they have, scrapping for every point.
The irony is that as terrible as we have been since the restart, if we’d managed to scrape a win somewhere, we would still be in with half a chance, as most of the other basement dwellers are doing almost as badly as us!
Hi Andy
I’m with you all the way on that. Even Roman gladiators were spared the despatch if the emperor thought they had fought bravely and well.
Since January though our lot would have got the thumbs down from me and I’m supposed to be on their side!
And of course the antics of Bournemouth, Villa, Watford and to a lesser extent West Ham prove that if we possessed any cojones we could have given it a right old go.
Thanks.
Finally the end is nigh for a season that was expected to be full of pride, passion and entertaining football… Man City who!
But alas, little of any of those prevailed by the players.
We were as tough as the skin on cold custard, for DF ‘Plan B’ is a singer, not an option but don’t worry, we’ll be fine next year as we don’t have to sell, so cheerio to Todd, Emi, Ben, Jamal and Max, welcome Tom, Dick and Harry.
To invert a well-known phrase, never in the history of Carrow Road, has so little been provided by so few to so many.
Sigh!!
Hi Martin
Although it’s only 1000 I’ll give you comment of the day award for that one already – with the usual MFW prize that somehow never seems to arrive 🙂
I particularly like your third par, with the reservation that the incoming are more likely to be Tomas, Ricardo and Harald. From Bundesliga II.
Nice one.
Martin, I send heartfelt thanks for the comment of the day award, it arrived just after lunch however similar to a pre match pint, my excitement soon faded away as I opened the invisible package and found nought, nought, double nought, sod all and blank inside, coincidentally similar to NCFC’s recent scorelines.
I just want to add, we need a Iwan Roberts, Dean Ashton, Chris Sutton esk striker who can receive and hold the ball, pass, turn, run and hit the sodding ball into the oversized string vest at the other end, As much as I like Pukki, we need a striker that can get his head on a cross higher than 2′ 6″ above ground.
Having said that, season ticket renewed after 1 day of receiving the letter, ever the optimist.
OTBC.
That’s us all over – MFW is a supporters’ site and thus is as tight as a shark’s ar$e as in pressurised for deep sea diving.
C’mon nobody would pay me for the crap I churn out these days – and I can assure you they don’t. It’s why MFW is basically a fansite, albeit with some professional control from editor Gary G 🙂
As a writer I just love it when a comment chimes with me. When you’re down in the dumps it does tend to bring an element of cheer.
Thanks again.
A heart-felt rant, Martin.
Interestingly (perhaps) my thoughts over the past 24 hours have also turned to next season and our prospects. Those thoughts will be winging their way to our Editor for publication when he’s ready.
He’s ready (or will be first thing tomorrow)
Thanks Stew.
Like most rants this appeared from a strong sense of my feeling let down plus an element of mystification if I’m honest.
I’ll look forward to reading your take on next season’s prospects. It’s always great to hear somebody else’s perspective.
Already I anticipate our Andy H’s end of term report. Bugger his luck – but plenty of scope for black humour in their I suppose!
Hope you’re good.
There’s a little gem on its way from Andy H at pm today btw – not the end-of-year report but a beautifully measured rant in an Andy-style.
Ha!
Some good stuff coming down the MFW tracks then 🙂
I agree with the comments made. Correct to say that I also think we have not – all season – started with our strongest back four due to well documented injuries. We do have a number of younger players who I feel will probably sold to off set the loss of revenue this year. Next season every team will be gunning for us, no shocks there. We may have to do with a couple of loan players, but our track record for these under DF is not good e.g.. Roberts.
If I had a crystal ball, then I would hope to see a Top 10 finish. As regards instant promotion, I think unlikely.
Hi Alan
I have to agree with you I’m afraid. This season’s loans 🙁
Yes ourselves, Bournemouth and a. n. other will be targets for the Prestons, Blackburns and even Rotherhams of the Champ.
Something tells me Bournemouth and a. n. other will be more physically resilient to that type of threat than we can ever hope to be.
Thanks.
How ironic that we’ve gone from being “the best team ever to be bottom of the Premier League” to one of the least successful in history.
How ironic too that our back four has been so error-prone all season yet whenever anyone speculates about who we might sell on for zillions it’s the three who have played the majority of games.
I don’t particularly blame the club for not predicting 2 of our 4 centre backs would be injured by opponents in the first month of the season. I did think, and say, they needed to strengthen in front of the defence, to have an alternative to Tettey. OK, some say that should be Ben Godfrey, but those in the game seem to think differently.
The point is that the kinds of player Webber and co uncover relatively cheaply on the continent – Leitner, Buendia, Vrancic, Trybull, Duda, Rupp – don’t seem to include the sort of battling, defensive midfielder any team in the PL needs.
It has to be said then when injuries struck early on we were done no favours by the PL decision to close the transfer window so early. The smaller clubs were always going to be at risk of either over-staffing “in case” of injuries , or sticking with a sensible number and trusting to luck.
I’m not making any predictions about next season yet. It remains to be seen how bad a financial shape the 18 Championship clubs who will still be there are in following the absence of crowds for the end of this season, and probably the beginning of next.
Hi Keith
When you say “It has to be said then when injuries struck early on we were done no favours by the PL decision to close the transfer window so early. The smaller clubs were always going to be at risk of either over-staffing “in case” of injuries, or sticking with a sensible number and trusting to luck.” you’re spot on.
What concerns me is that the NCFC medicos must have realised that both Klose and Hanley were big risks given their history of injury. Ask for an explanation? We’ll never get one and that’s for sure.
As I said to Ed above, no predictions for next season from me either until I see who is – or isn’t – in the squad.
Cheers.
Marty, and so it goes on and on, I’ve run out of words. So I’ll quote Shakespeare, “When sorrows come, they come not single spies. But in battalions.”
Hiya Cutty
The only Shakespeare I have ever read was Macbeth at school because I had to. Somehow I never bothered to pick up any of his others.
Dunno what play it’s from but a relevant quote nonetheless.
Cheers.
Not that we need to know for today’s purposes, but it’s Claudius in Hamlet.
I’m impressed with that, I must say.
Thanks Stew!
Some really interesting comments above.
Seems like we’re all in agreement that despite having the worst defensive record in the league, Aarons, Lewis and Godfrey are all likely to depart for ‘pastures (aka football stadia) new!!’ combined sales value – I’d be shocked and horrified if we don’t receive > than £60M (well £50M MINIMUM) for all 3.
Cantwell, Buendia and Hernandez may also be heading for the exit and what’s left – a misfiring Pukki, Tettey on his last legs, Vrancic, Stieperman and a handful of transfer failures. I’m in full agreement Martin in that I’d like to see Raggett given a chance, but it seems increasingly unlikely.
I’ll end with 2 positives – I expect Krul to stay and look forward to seeing Idah playing a major role next season and who knows, he could well be the 20 goal striker that we’ll desperately need, as we’ll probably continue to ship soft goals.
Yep Krul and Idah already appear to be part of next season’s spine. But who will complete it? Donald Duck knows.
When the less than handsome guy in charge of the Bank of England is threatening negative interest rates I think your values of our youngsters are over-optimistic, but as always that’s just my opinion.
And where will the money go anyway? We all know the answer to that one 🙁
I’m afraid you’ve been depressingly accurate with your analysis Martin.
Two things standout with our recruitment plan from this season.
The first one is the good players are usually cheap because they have injury issues. Due to our owners underfunding we seem unable to resist the temptation of hope over probability. I sincerely hope we cease going down this route.
The second thing and one that surprised me because of Webber’s experience was, Godfrey apart, we lacked the athleticism to compete in the premiership. This is one of the main differences between us and Sheffield United.
It is inevitable that we will lose our best young players as they are too good for another season getting kicked all over the place in the championship. This should result in the coffers being increased by between £50 to £100 million depending on how many go. I hope we invest in youthful athleticism with an experienced centre back and central midfield player. It may not be as pretty but it’ll be more effective in the long run.
Hi John
Yes I can come across sounding like Morrissey when he’s had a row with his partner and blown a few grand at the races but I try to be realistic.
The key phrase you use is “youthful athleticism”. Max, Jamal and Ben have it in shedloads but when we hear rumours that Jose is cooling on said Aarons cos of his lack of height that sends a message to me.
We have plenty of good technical players, but wingbacks my height [5’9′] will always struggle to defend corners and other set pieces. And there’s no height in midfield either.
Regrettably your Sheffield United comparison is spot on.
Thanks as ever.
Excellent as always Martin.
After the final whistle on Saturday, so many of the players appeared genuinely shocked at what had happened…..if only they had shown even a smidgen of that “care” in the previous 4 league matches then we probably would not be in this position. No passion; no care; no fight in this competition is only going to have one outcome.
Yes; we have an overall lack of experience at this level, but in the past 2 games it’s been the old hands (Krul and Klose) who have been responsible for the errors.
Amazing to think that we’re going down with one of the worst records the PL has ever seen, due to our overall lack of any sort of credibility, but also that supposedly half of our team are so coveted elsewhere that we’ll have to undertake another substantial re-build.
O T B C
Hi John
In terms of the players [and manager’s] reactions after the Brighton game all I can say it’s kind of like sitting on a railway track, seeing the lights of the Flying Scotsman getting ever closer but not being able to get off the track until the lights were firmly in their faces, leaving the Club taking a right old smash from the cowcatcher.
Yes I know the LNER trains didn’t have cowcatchers but you know what I mean.
It’s never been a better time to say that we only have ourselves to blame.
When Mrs P eventually goes out I’m going to play me some Father Ted to cheer myself up. I won’t be replaying the “highlights” of Norwich 0 Brighton 1 and that’s for sure.
Cheers [inappropriate word of the day probably] 🙂
A long term plan requires patience.
Top young players are joining our team because of the opportunities they receive.
Idah is a product of this policy, I think Famewo will do well.
We still have players who are good in the Championship.
Hi Gster
This long term plan is all very well but I hear echoes of David McNally, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in many ways, of course.
Akin Famewo is a great prospect and I think I had a game of football tennis with MFW commenter Nick last week about the rest of the under 23s with a good chance to step up. I think we got into double figures between us.
Trouble is I’ve seen so few of them in the flesh so it’s difficult to know how they might progress; for me anyway.
My tip for next season’s breakthrough? Sam McCallum [the LB from Coventry].
Thanks.
Spot on Martin and I was quite hopeful for next season, but after taking in all you say I am worried.
I have said promotion after promotion we needed to sort out a defence fit for the Premier League. The truth is Hanley, Klose and Byram are injury prone and the club didn’t react.
History showed Martin & Bassong weren’t good enough under Chris Houghton’s relegation, whatever made Alex Neal believe they were 2 years later.
I must admit I thought we had enough at C/B, how wrong was I !!!
I feel there isn’t enough pace in the squad, Hernandez and Idah excepted so Daniel needs to fix that for a start.
As I said on here the other day Self funding is extremely risky, if you go up like we did last year you show your hand as it were and face losing your best players.
You then have to hope the next batch are as good, sooner or later they won’t be.
On the other hand spending millions like Villa have doesn’t guarantee success either.
I was amazed to see Bournemouth spent £19 million on forward Dominic Solanke. No goals in 35 games.
Martin, I just wish I knew the answer.
Hi Tim
I’ve apologised a couple of times above for depressing our much-valued MFW audience but as Ali G might say I’ve always tried to keep it real, as it were.
I didn’t include Byram in my defensive “crock” analysis but unfortunately it is looking that way and it’s a shame as he is a very good player – either RB or LB.
You make a great point about our lack of out and out pace. We have a young under 23 winger called Simon Power who I’ve only seen once but he is very quick.
Our family [doubtless like yours] is self funding but I don’t really see how that approach can apply in the viper pit that is professional football!
A good comment and thanks.
As long as we have Krul next season we’ll be fine. Given the teams just above as can’t win there’s still a chance. The fat lady hasn’t sung…………….yet.
Hi Andrew
‘fraid I had the fat lady down as singing after Arsenal and I can hear her louder and louder by the minute.
Yeah lets hope Krul stays with us.
Thanks.
Hi Martin
As usual a great read and a controlled rant.
Watching Sky some ex LIVARPOOL player just stated that city haven’t got anything to play for so there is no pressure on the players.
I disagree with that statement surely they have both their own and the clubs pride to play for.
Maybe I am old fashioned but I think the that the mind set was in place prior to the start of the season.
1 No experienced Premiership players brought into the club to help the youngsters
2 Statement 1 from the club that they were a season ahead of plans
3 Statement 2 We are the odds on favourites to be relegated
4 Statement 3 We have plans in place to come back up.
Not one Statement showed the intent that they would fight to stay in this league, Whether that was instructions from the owners os must have planted in the players mind that the clubs owners had no ambition or trusted the players to keep them in the premiership.
Webber maybe have fallen into this trap by saying we have plans set for which ever league we are in next season and possibly had more thoughts on building a championship side than one that might stay up.
On the possibly exists the players really aren’t doing themselves any favors yes they are showing good skills but also how flaky they are under pressure so I hope that the fees will have big add ons and sell on clause as city will not get top dollar as things stand and the statement we have the upper hand means nothing to the player, agents or buying club.
Unhappy players next season could make it an unhappy season again.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Keep safe and well
Hi Alex.
Some good points there to be sure.
You’ll know from the RAF as much as I do with the Police that when you are accepted as a recruit you are a sprog until you have proved yourself to your peer group and once you have done that you can stretch the elastic as far as your colleagues who very quickly become your mates.
Your #1-4 illustrates “set up to fail” perfectly. No doubt about it – you’re quite right.
And “flaky” is the word. I didn’t really think about that last season too much as we were a joy to watch and nearly always overcame the bullies.
This time around said flakiness came truly into focus.
I guess Stalin was the true master of the five year plan.
Cheers mate – keep good.
I would drop Duda, Hernandez and Drmic tomorrow and start with Pukki, Cantwell and Stiepermann. I would hold Hernandez and Idah in reserve for the second half. I know it is a long shot but the bottom four are so terrible literally anything could happen. I think we have been picking largely the wrong team since January when Farke lost faith in his own system and players. It has done us no favours in terms of points or performances. Certain players have been blamed for forces beyond their control – eg injuries, VAR decisions, etc. So Farke should just go back to first principles, rely on the players who got us up and say this is your mess, you now sort it out. But if we start with Drmic, Rupp or Duda then we may as well give up. We may have to rely on sending offs, dodgy VAR decisions, own goals, anything, and generally just be a lost more nasty, but anything could happen with the 4 at the bottom.
Hi Tony
I’d love to believe, even now I really would, but I simply just can’t.
“This is your mess – sort it out” – is a great rallying cry and you’re quite right to suggest it but this squad don’t seem to have it in them to respond to such a call to the flag.
I’d exclude Lukas Rupp from too much criticism but you are sure spot on about Drmic and Duda. So if we can see it, why can’t Farke?
Thanks.
We were better off without Rupp, Duda and Drmic and the return with the 3 of them in the team has been poor. We were simply better off before. Go back to Stiepermann, Pukki and Hernandez. We need to really run at the opposition -like Brighton did to us – and unless you have players willing to do that you will end up passing around them the entire game – as we have done in the last four matches. If we don’t score we are not going to stay up anyway so what is there to lose?
I’m sad to say that I have to agree with you Tony.
Many folks say Stiepermann is too ponderous for the PL, Duda has proved to be, bluntly, useless, and what Drmic offers remains a mystery.
Pukki currently has issues and that’s plain for all of us to see.
Hernandez is the only squad member we currently possess with the genuine pace that can frighten the wotsits off of oppo defenders.
Although in a very different role young Idah is no slouch.
If the majority shareholders don’t want to be in the Premiership, then why should the players, staff or anyone else connected with the club?
Norwich City are a pointless exercise in false promise.
Why such a grumpy comment?
The majority shareholders don’t like the Premiership and what it stands for, they’ve been consistent in that opinion, not sure they don’t want to be in it though?
We’ve managed 4 promotions in their time so not bad for an unfashionable football team miles from anywhere.
Last season was one of the best ever witnessed by supporters, lets not get too down given all that has occurred that is more important than football. We might win promotion next season with Leeds and Sheffield Utd passing the other way, who knows?
Just keep supporting our club in whatever way is possible.
Hi Colin
The mulberry bush has whispered many times that the ownership really can’t be bothered with the PL – if we were in National League One it wouldn’t disturb their social life which appears to come before everything else.
Am I jealous of them?
A bl00dy great YES.
My personal wealth – if you can call it that – is about 3-5% of that of the Smiths so in comparison I couldn’t really sponsor the corner and half-way flags without selling a house!
But I’d do anything I could to sustain us in the PL.
A miserable comment from myself on a miserable article by myself.
At least the sun’s out!
Thanks as always.
Very occasionally the pecking order in the Reply boxes confuses me so this one is directed to Inside Right rather than Colin!
Absolutely. They don’t even try very carefully to hide the lack of ambition and as you kind of suggest certain types of players will quickly pick up on that vibe and go along with it.
Sometimes you will get a manager and his totally loyal and dedicated squad who will say: stuff them, we’ll do it for ourselves. It’s happened, eh PL and AN.
I think Farke’s motivation for promotion was just as sound but in a different way.
Good comment.
I’m not sure there will be many takers for our players given the current financial climate and the poor season they’ve individually and collectively had. We’ve loads of young guys, bad injuries to key players and no previous P L experience, so none of it is surprising.
We were sort of okay for a while but it all became too much. For me that wonderful Teemu Pukki 2nd goal v Spurs that was eventually ruled out by VAR by the finest of margins was a huge turning point both for the team and for him personally.
The Championship will be a huge challenge for sure but let’s not forget we have had NO luck this season whatsoever so no wonder our energy and belief has now waned. Others have spent plenty and may well join us lest we forget.
I have been searching for a precise turning point and I think Colin’s found it for me.
That VAR decision still doesn’t stand up for me.
And the challenge on Zimmermann. Red for Haller (not even a word given by the ref) and our season and West Ham’s season would have been completely different. Instead Haller scores for them whilst Zimmermann is still hobbling and then the die is cast for the rest of the season. We were on top until that incident.
Yeah I found that incomprehensible as well. I can’t remember the referee’s name because subconsciously I don’t want to.
I’d love to d*ck them at the weekend but I’m afraid it won’t happen.
It is really VAR that is the joke in that situation not the ref.
Top work Martin, as usual you hit all the nails on their required heads.
Norwich City’s slide towards becoming a national laughing stock is in full swing and as ever, the apologists are busy trying to excuse the mess.
Aston Villa, that hoary old chestnut is being roasted again. Let’s get it right. Villa scraped up last year through the play offs, largely due to the efforts of many loanees. These either had to be purchased. Or replaced in the summer, which accounts for the supposed 100 million, just to stand still. This they duly did, safe in the knowledge that with the likes of grealish, McGinnis and mings in their ranks, they had assets to trade for big money should it all go belly up. That’s precisely what will happen in roughly three weeks time, when they are relagated.
The insurance of a large number of assets gave them the confidence to trade for the coming season. That of course, together with the guarantee of a vast sky fortune coming their way, a bulky support and the backing of owners who will not shy away from contributing to the running of the business they purport to own.
The two sides of the debate differ fundamentally with regard to the amount of money that should be spent on the playing squad prior to a season in the highest echelons of world football. Some believe it is fine to spend nothing and accept an almost certain fate, opening up the manager to criticism and the playing squad to humiliation while the support are forced to digest record breaking awfulness unfold on the field of play. Some believe this is wrong.
Judging by several conversations and comments I’ve had with fellow fans, and from what I’ve seen printed and heard elsewhere, there is a storm brewing with a gathering force. A good deal of disenchantment and anger at the way the City have been so publically humiliated.
Astonishingly, we would already be back in pre season training at this point, so the prospect of next season looms large. Anything other than a massive resurrection of Lazarus proportions, which will need proper funding and some degree of ambition will make for an interesting end to the year. Bring it on.
Hi Chris
Most people have been laughing at us for decades so I wouldn’t worry about any current upsurge as we’ve seen and heard it all before. And will for the rest of the century.
“Some believe it is fine to spend nothing and accept an almost certain fate, opening up the manager to criticism and the playing squad to humiliation while the support are forced to digest record breaking awfulness unfold on the field of play. Some believe this is wrong”.
Beyond rapprochement is that para I’ve quoted above mate.
A storm brewing with a considerable force? Where? Trunch? Brisley? Erpingham? No there isn’t and that’s what the Smiths trade on. There might be a few disgruntled City folks [I’m one] but people “out in the county” are generally so easily satisfied.
I love your sign-off where you mention “proper funding and some degree of ambition”.
Have the Smiths finally sold up without my knowledge?
Thanks mate – I know you’ll take the tongue in cheek stuff the right way 🙂
Hi Martin,
Good read as always.
I though there was a some improvement form the Arsenal game, but all Brighton had to do is sit and wait for an error from us and….voila.
We seem to be a team completely bereft of any confidence in what we are doing.
I’m going to own up to the fact that at the start of the season I felt that this group of players had earned a shot at the premier league, Hindsight is a wonderful thing!!
I don’t believe there is any point in somehow using the remaining games as some sort of preparation for next season because there are just too many moving parts to gain anything from it. An exercise in damage limitation is all that’s required!!
Cheers
OTBC
Hi John
“I’m going to own up to the fact that at the start of the season I felt that this group of players had earned a shot at the premier league, Hindsight is a wonderful thing!”
I said exactly the same as yourself and it’s all on the MFW archives so I cannot deny it. I really did think the promotion squad deserved a full and fair crack at it too.
But Mo, Mario, Tom and the Stieperdude kind of got sidelined along the way. I realise Marco is too slow for the PL but the other three? Don’t ask me cos I dunno. I really thought they would have been capable in the PL. I was wrong.
Thanks as ever.
Thanks Martin. You have to laugh or else you’d cry.
Someone in the above comments mentions Dave’s “grumpy” post. As if any supporter subjected to no less than five abject defeats in a fortnight isn’t entitled to be a bit spiky!
Regarding the upcoming transfer window, your guess is as good as mine mate. Given the squirreling that took place last year and the impending sell, sell, sell with which we’ve all become well accustomed, the support will be aware that a few quid is in the coffers. No doubt the pandemic, the relegation, Steven Naismith and the abdication of Edward VII will all be trotted out as valid reasons why we must remain prudent and ambitious, however, there will be a demand in most quarters for some reinforcement of the first team.
Regular starters who will expect to play from the off. These will cost money but if Lady Gaga thinks a repeat of 2019 will go without repercussions she is barking up the wrong tree.
Webber spent last summer splashing thruppence ha’penny on a bunch of kids. Many of whom were exiled before the ink was dry, none of whom have been seen. This summer Norwich City require MEN.
I will never surrender my title as MFW’s Mr Grumpy… okay I will. It’s Dave’s. For now.
Never heard the Lady Gaga bit before – love it!
We need MEN? I fear the good lady might need a couple of hunky firepersons and an extendable platform ladder to bark at any given tree except a dwarf acer though.
Sure we have to laugh. Most of us can but it must be tough for the youth who haven’t really been aware of what NCFC represents until now.
I genuinely didn’t know what a Board member was until I was about 14.
The joys of innocence, hey!
Thank goodness another decent read from this site and expect nowt else Mr P. We shipped goals from fun last season and without a single change to the personel result = we have again. whose surprised I certainly am not.
With another young (22) unheard of, from Denmark said to be in pipline, Jacob Lungi Sorensen from Jacob Lungi Sorensen of Esbjerg. (Tetty’s furture replacement,) added to those other 2 or 3 already in house not forgetting Luxembourg international Daniel Sinani.
Do you think Krull will be here next season ? He is red hot tip for Player of the season. check back and look at what happened to previous POTS. all gone.
We are going to have a lot younger squad, making the exit doors near opening, not just for big money exits, but a few others may be looking at the managers door more closely. Mario, Marco, and Mauritz . Is Rocky Bushiri’ to step up, meaning Zimmo, Hanley & Klose might have need to cast more than a glance over their shoulders, some of that depends on what happens with Godfrey. Plus Is there another replacement in house for Lewis ?
A season or two together for these lads may well hold us in good stead for another charge upwards, with lots of lovely dosh from the sales in the sherry cupboard.
But the ending may well be the same unless Mr Farke becomes more flexiable, his style gets mudered in the Premier, so a change is in order, in my eyes is a must. We have been here too many times, and it still hurts to heck. I thought I would be immune to this by now. But the bad dreams keep coming back .
I would list my line up for next season but some the new names added, I cannot remember. Heck this is a bit disjointed sorry.. but I carry on in the same vein as my team
Hi Lad
All our reads are decent 🙂
I really wish I had some insider knowledge that enabled me to discuss our under 23 recruits in detail but I haven’t. Nor do Archant so I don’t feel small about it.
There are a few things I can safely say about them though. Simon Power who spent some time with Kings Lynn is extremely quick – he’s one of the few I’ve seen in the flesh. Rocky Bushiri has already been loaned out to a Dutch or Belgian club for the whole of next season.
The injury-plagued Louis Thompson is back with us and if he stays fit [and I double stress stays fit] could fit into a type of Tettey role.
There are literally a dozen of them from Archie Mair to Charlie Gilmour but I’ve had a busy day on the comments so can’t attempt to name them all just now!
As I said earlier my money to back a breakthrough player for next season would be Sam McCallum who we paid about £3.5m to Coventry for a few months back.
He looks the business so watch out Jamal – if you’re still here!
Thanks.
You mention three PPP.
In my workplace I learnt the the three Ps represented Pxxx poor performance. That sums our season up.
Who do I feel sorry for most, apart from myself is DF. Totally let down by a miserly transfer budget. Hell did they really expect him to perform yet another miracle?
After last seasons awful defence, what did they do……..nothing.
At least we will be getting a refund on our tickets, and have not had to leave home to watch this awful football.
We now posses a record of five relegations from the PL. so one has to ask, what is the point of getting promotion if no real commitment is made to stay there.
The only forecast I can make for next season is that DF will be with a club who supports him.
Who could blame him?
Hi Ken
I get your PPP workplace reference straight away. Working for a German-owned multinational I quickly got their FI or FO reference/intimidation from day one on joining.
It was worth it because the rewards were substantial over 20 years.
But Daniel has fitted in really well and I would hate to see him FO. But??? He might. And as you so rightly say, who could blame him? Certainly not me.
And although my refund is anticipated for the end of July they have already taken this month’s DD payment from me – funny old world.
Thanks a lot for a very original comment.
The comment regarding needing men is exactly right. That is why, surprisingly, Krul and Tettey have done so well. Nobody would have been pinpointing them as our key players at the end of the season. Definitely needed stronger defenders, huge defensive midfielder, a target man, and just some pace somewhere up front. We can all see now that this is what the squad needed to help them – it is obvious. What we got was Roberts, Drmic and Byram. What I don’t like is the talk now of a 5% chance of staying up at the start of the season, favourites to be 20th, repeated claims of the need for a miracle. We didn’t need a miracle, we just needed points from Everton, Soton and/or Brighton, That is not a miracle. Any points, even a couple of points, would have us right in the thick of it still with a sliding Watford to come followed by West Ham. So I think the language has been all wrong. And using Farke’s estimation then we had virtually no chance from the outset and we have performed to his expectation coming last and not let anyone down. What happens if we ever get promoted again? Five per cent chance of staying up again? Maybe we can get a kit with white flags sewn into it.
I entirely agree.
Ultimately the failures against Everton, Soton and Brighton are what sent us down as you so rightly say.
Oh and Covid-19 is POTS given that it is first time in living memory that we have not lost for 3 months!