Do you get the feeling you’ve been cheated? One of the most famous quotes from one Johnny Rotten who said it somewhere in the USA after the final Sex Pistols gig in 1978.
He then reverted to his given monicker of John Joseph Lydon, enjoyed a successful career with PiL and sold out any credibility he ever had by donning a stupid check suit and indulging in paid television advertising for Country Life margarine. That’s margarine, not magazine.
But [faux punk as he turned out to be] his point remains. Ever feel you’ve been cheated?
I do.
We gave a reasonable account of ourselves at Dean Court on Sunday. There’s no point in me covering that territory again but I feel cheated because: Emi Buendia and Todd Cantwell were both pronounced as fit for selection. Then it filtered through the undergrowth that apparently “it wasn’t their type of game”.
If it wasn’t their “type of game” why the heck was Onel Hernandez starting and, of all people, Josh Martin on the bench?
By implication that means it must have been the sort of game for Ben Gibson and Jordan Hugill. They got 10 minutes between them. Or rather Hugill was brought on around the 80 minute mark and Gibson continued to cultivate his close relationship with the bench.
A third physically awkward option, Marco Stiepermann, was allegedly also fit for selection but not included in the matchday squad. So, loosely, we had four potential number 10s unavailable as in Emi, Todd, Marco and the unfortunate Kieran Dowell. We didn’t have a single full back on the bench either.
My pre and post-match reactions are exactly the same and surely inevitable as in wtf is going on?
I have never questioned the honesty of Stuart Webber and Daniel Farke and I am so hoping I shouldn’t begin to do so now. But if Todd thinks he is off to Leeds and Emi has also had his head turned towards directions new then don’t beat about the bush: tell us.
Supporters [apart from the few usual eejits] would understand if Todd and Emi are on their way. I’m sure most NCFC fans would join with me in saying a sincere thank you to both of them and wishing them all the best for the future, wherever that might be.
If we choose not to play Todd in case he might get an injury and scupper a deal for himself, his agent, Norwich City and the potential buyer, fair enough. Certain people were sweating like prime porkers when James Maddison got injured prior to his successful [for all concerned] move to Leicester City.
We all know that and accept it – that’s the way self-financing works. I disapprove of the concept but at least have the common sense to reluctantly accept it while the Smiths are at the helm – e.g. for the foreseeable future.
Let’s hang on a minute. Forget the “Dereham Deco” tag. Young Mr Cantwell seems to have forgotten his roots and who helped him to where he is now. How does he repay us? With no ostensible effort, commitment or enthusiasm to the point whereby he has been dropped from the matchday squad.
Okay mate, you want a move but don’t put your parts on. There’s no need. If [when] that offer comes in don’t leave us with bad memories. Treat us with respect like Madders did – and still does.
But it’s too late now. We don’t like you any more Todd and the quicker you go the better. Let’s see how you get on at Leeds or wherever. With absolutely no malice aforethought it looks like you’ve already peaked. Bring on the sale even if Delia will only hoard the proceeds.
Then there’s the spectre of Emi modelling the new third kit. Anyone see a forked tongue emerging from the depths of the photographs?
Who got him out of La Liga II? Erm, well, it was Stuart Webber. Who encouraged him to become what and where he is now? Daniel Farke and his coaching staff, that’s who.
He’s se vende even if only through his very recent actions. Adios Emi, gracias but vete a la mierda. Pronto.
Daniel Farke spoke later than usual after the game and said:
“I always travel with players who deserve the right to be in the gameday squad during the week. One thing is for sure, I will never travel with players who are just there with big value or they have done brilliantly in the past or a big name or we have to be grateful that these players play for the club.
“I expect every one of my players that shows me during the week that they feel the desire and responsibility to wear the yellow shirt.
“If I have the feeling that a player is not fully focused or switched on or not full of desire to wear the yellow shirt, I will always travel without them.”I prefer to play with players who’ll leave their heart out on the pitch. I saw 14 players out there today who played like warriors. I really feel for them because they deserved much more out of the game.”
Now what does that tell you?
I know what it tells me.
Farke’s in a dreadful situation and it seems like I’m not the only one who’s ever felt cheated.
As a great antidote to John Lydon I’d like to join with possibly the finest singer of my lifetime and ponder:
Hi Martin
A heart felt read on a cold but bright day up north in Blackpool.
Reading yesterday some reporter said that Todd’s agent has told Leeds he is interested and a deal can be done for less that the quoted £15m, since when has an agent had the right to discuss how much a player is worth unless the club has told him to get a deal done.
It looks like the sharks are finally come out to snack on the minoes so will we be left with a rice paper thin squad or has Webber got a few up his sleeve after loaning out 10 players only time will tell.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay safe and stay healthy
Hi Alex
I have honestly always thought Max would have been the first to go, Jamal the second and either Todd or Emi the third and final one.
Agents are a law to themselves as we all well know but if the report you’ve read comes from Phil Hay of the Athletic [which is the one I’ve seen] I’d be more inclined to believe it than not.
The last thing we need is a squad made up of make do & mend merchants.
Cheers mate.
Hi Martin yeah same article
The joys of NewsNow – and the Athletic of course 🙂
Well Martin, I have to agree with you in feeling that we’ve been ‘cheated’ and as you SOOO rightly say, it was DF and NCFC that developed both Todd and Emi to be the players they have become and gave them their chance. I don’t know where I read it, but I saw a comment re both about ‘toys and prams’ and in all honesty, it does seem to be quite close to the truth. I’ve a feeling that this scenario won’t end particularly well for either party – I’d love to be proved wrong though!!
I was following the game on the EDP website and my app on Sunday, it appears that once again we dominated play, but were undone by a combination of a defensive error and poor performance, especially in the final 3rd. Whilst I’m at it, it seems that once again we had 2 decent penalty shouts, but of course, nothing given. Yet we had a soft penalty awarded against us last week. It’s tough enough playing against 11, but against 12, it is just so much more difficult.
I’ve heard rumours that a growing number of fans are becoming increasingly disenchanted with DF, but my question to them would be – WHO do you have in mind as a replacement and I CERTAINLY don’t want a manager who’s failed at a previous club?
The ‘rumour mill’ is now in full flow, but DF stated after our defeat on Sunday, that no offers had been received for any players. IMO, I’m not sure that any PL club would take a chance on either Emi or Todd. Emi has a tendency to get a straight occasionally and hasn’t played this season and Todd isn’t the player he was last season. Thank goodness the ‘window’ closes at 5pm next Monday for PL clubs.
The domestic transfer window is open until the 16th Oct so don’t start getting too comfortable… I’d also be surprised to see Emi or Todd go, certainly both of them. As much as anything, I think Farke was giving them a reminder that they didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory last season and that they’ll need to work hard to get in a team that is trying to get back into the PL as a group. Possibly cut a bit deep with his remarks about Cantwell but seems like they both need a reality check.
Well they certainly got that reality check Tom.
To my mind Farke was quite right but if their attitude is so bad they have to be called out in public, do we really want to keep them?
I don’t, others might. I respect both points of view.
Thanks.
I think DF was always going to have to say something in public just by virtue of them not being involved. He probably didn’t need to go as far as he did regarding some of the comments but I liked that he left the door open to them and was understanding of their situation. I certainly wouldn’t hold any ill feeling towards them if they get their heads down and start working hard for the team again.
Shows what a class act Aarons is that he’s still performing to the level he has been over the first few games in spite of all the rumours. Unbelievable maturity for a 20 year old. That’s why it’s clubs like Barca and Bayern are being linked with him and not Leeds as is the case for Todd and Emi.
Best of fair play to you Tom. Can you imagine Barca or Bayern taking on anybody who might be “problematic”? I can’t.
Max deserves all he gets. And he will get a dream move whether in this window or the next.
And we’ll all surely be pleased for him and proud of him.
I think it is the agents hawking them around to any club that might have the slightest interest, it seems that once they got a taste of the premiership they now think they are the finished article any anyone would be grateful to have them in their side
Absolutely. Even Jimmy Greaves and Dave MacKay didn’t have an agent back in the day when a handshake was enough.
Check out “The Damned United”!
Another interesting read. Mr P. I do not know where I stand on this issue. I understand players wanting to play at highest level. But do not get the way some go about it, of course we must never forget the curse of agents.
Yes both these boys owe a vast amount to the club, perhaps more than some players do., They are contracted on a deal they were more than happy to sign, not so long ago. Now all of a sudden it is not good enough when the bright lights of the money league shine a lot brighter. People say they are providing for their families future. Hell they are still on figures that those who pay to see them can only dream about, but they manage to provide for their nearest and dearest out of hell of a lot less.
I wonder if either of them have thought about playing time, do they expect to be starters every week? Will watching from the bench be enough, or sitting in the stands? Will the move be lasting, in that I think of the Murphy, s and Pritchard. Their moves has done them the world of good.
I do not know if I feel cheated or not. Had I been at The Vitality on sunday may have been different. I did not feel cheated when a petulant striker was treated with what he deserved.
If they have lost the fight for the shirt, then get them out of here, no player is bigger than a club, get the best you can and wave goodbye. I do not care who they are, if Mr Krul can settle here and pay back for the chance he was given, having done more in the game than these two will probably archeive, then they need a quiet word.
What is concerning me is that oneness of the squad could be broken, Farke /Webber have to do what is right. Whether a telling off in the media was right, it was out of the usual for Farke, so to me sounds as if more is going on under the surface. He knew he would be in a hard place explaining the situation way by bending the line of truth.
What you views are, wouldn, t it be better to get the deal done and dusted now rather than the day before windows shut. But that is if there are really any offers on the table. Conflicting reports on that one too.
Excellent thoughts Lad.
The rumour machine does little for me, it really doesn’t, and this situation takes me back to the day when Flecky said he’d walk to [ironically in this case] Leeds to get away from the Chase-inspired fiasco that he surely knew was about to unfold.
He got his move but to Chelsea where he didn’t get any sycamores out of the ground. And when Chase departed, he came back for a second spell.
My point about feeling cheated was that on Friday we were told Emi and Todd were available for selection but did not appear on the Sunday. A simple “their heads aren’t right” on the Saturday would have been something we could have all understood and would have been far more forthright.
I think this goes deeper than simply giving these two a public kick up the ar$e as it is so obviously not Farke’s usual style.
Thanks as always.
“My point about feeling cheated was that on Friday we were told Emi and Todd were available for selection but did not appear on the Sunday. ”
Yes, but Farke was hardly going to give Bournemouth 2 days notice that they wouldn’t be involved, was he?
Sometimes mate I can’t see the wood for the trees. Spot on.
Hi Ed
I too followed [in part] via the Pink Un and gained the same impressions as yourself. It’s not my favourite medium because of the inevitable time delay but in all fairness they do a very good job even if young Connor did get a bit of stick on Sunday 🙂
As for poor referees we’ve scored our hat-trick for 20-21 already with three in a row. Check out the foul on Max in the box on Sunday, for example.
Like you I’m utterly fed up with all the rumour but the daft thing is that it will all start up again in January – meaning that it will never really leave us.
Thanks as ever
Greetings from the Costa Del Colne, where the weather has turned , a downturn, which reflects the fortunes of Norwich on and off the pitch..
Huddersfield , who flirted with relegation last season , a ground out win, Preston, just outside the playoffs , old mistakes and always chasing the game. Then Bournemouth, who were one of a couple of teams not to beat us last year.
We set up defensive, so did Bournemouth. Bournemouth were better at defence than we were . Definitely a game for radio, but they were there for the taking and for various reasons we didn’t have the nous on the pitch to unlock them.
Are we looking to play Hernandez and Placheta wide to provide crosses into the box , if so we need Hugil in there to be an aerial threat, relying on McClean for height is odd. If we play Pukki its balls to run onto so a Stieperman type with a Vrancic to provide..
As to the off field squit well once its being washed in public its only a matter of time to the fat lady singing and she gargling with the mouthwash already.
Afternoon Bernie
If we play Onel and Placheta of course we need Hugill in the box even if only with his back to the goal to lay it off to any onrushing cavalry. I’m sure the Stieperdude can do that job as well – I’ve got the feeling he and Mario will be getting plenty of game time this season.
I always say I don’t like to denigrate individuals but in this case I’ll make an exception for Mayor McLean. Jack of all, master of none but surely a useful squad player at best?
Just to make you feel better it’s hissing down in the City as well.
Cheers
Morning Martin,
A thoughtful read.
I’m not going to pile in on Todd or Emi, nor our head coach for that matter.
This situation now seems to be common place, orchestrated by agents, the spivs and charlatans who seem to control our beautiful game.
Remember one J Howson downing tools to force a move and going back even further Dean Ashton!!?
As for DF, absolutely consistent in my view, remember the kerfuffle with Nelson on DF’s debut? He drew a deep line in the sand then as to what he expects from players. He feels let down.
However, James Madderson’s move to Leicester, is evidence that a player and the club’s involved can behave honerably!!
I don’t expect to see either player in a yellow shirt again, but…. here’s hoping!!
On a broader note why the hell is the transfer window overlapping the start of the new season when preseason and the season as a whole been shortened? If ever there was a time to shorten the transfer window and limit movement between clubs it’s now!! A bewildering decision by the football authorities.
Have a good day
Cheers
John
According to Sky all the league clubs some years ago agreed to a 12week domestic transfer window from the day it starts and the international window has a set time length also form the agreed start date that all leagues must adhere to but each league can nominate it’s own starting and finishing date as the Premiership did recently and put themselves at a disadvantage to the rest of Europe
Hi John
Spivs and charlatans – I love it!
Until I remember that Ben Godfrey’s agency company incorporates one Rio Ferdinand who is certainly not either. I doubt Rio needs his cut from any deals.
Of course I remember Ashton and the famous Worthy “I’ve seen the scans” quote although I cannot quite recall the details surrounding Mr Pigeon. I know he wanted out but cannot for the life of me remember the exact circumstances.
As for here’s hoping I think most of us, deep down, could forgive Emi because we all know what he’s like – it’s just in his temperament.
Todd Cantwell? No thanks. We should offload him before his head becomes even larger and his value decreases. When I said I reckon he’s peaked I meant it!
Great comment – thanks.
Sounds like Farke’s version of Don’t You Want Me by the Human League:
“Don’t forget it’s me who put you where you are now and I can put you back there too”
We don’t know exactly what happened, as we don’t know when other players left, so it’s unfair to jump to conclusions.
Previous managers may have had more discretion, it’s only natural for a player, especially with great natural ability, to want to play in the top league and earn more money.
Don’t forget the top clubs were scouting Todd since he was a kid, Emi was an U21 international.
“Even then I knew I knew I’d find a much better place, either with or without you”
Hi Giles
Yes of course I get your point – anybody who can score a better job with more money will always take up the opportunity. I know I did. More than once. But there are ways of going about it and what’s left unsaid [at least about Todd C] says more, if you get what I mean
Maybe Farke will get himself a Phil Oakey haircut and morph into the Mirror Man 🙂
Thanks
Marty, the indications from Leeds are that Cantwell is well down the list of possible signings so the lad needs to get his head down and concentrate on his football at Norwich. Don’t know about Emi, but with his temperament he’s probably more suited to foreign climes. Pity we’ve got two playing silly buggers at the same time.
Hiya Cutty
Emi’s always been a silly bugger in his way, so as I said to John df [above] most of us will find it in our hearts to forgive him.
But not Todd Cantwell. At least for me. Ever since that “look at me” pic taken of him SO isolated and desolated after last season’s Brighton defeat my hackles have gone up.
Paul Chesterton’s a brilliant photographer but I wish he’d omitted to take that one. I can’t imagine Hucks or either of the Holts pulling that stunt, can you?
Hope all is good in Bruindale.
Mentioning Hucks, I was at Hillsbrough the day Sir Dion called it a day, Hucks was still unaware of what was happening to him. He looked lost at times that day, many of us in the away end wanted to string a manager up that day. But my point He conducted himself with professionalism
That was truly dreadful from Roedent as surely every City fan would agree.
A bit like Mark Bowen being denied his 400th appearance – but that was a different story at an earlier time.
As things stand I think you are right that, if Cantwell goes, recent events mean that most fans will say good riddance. It doesn’t mean there isn’t a road back though, should no deal materialise. Nobody was very impressed when Wes (or his agent) tried to engineer a move some years ago, but by the time he retired it was long forgotten. He even won player-of-the-year as a sort of “lifetime award” in a season when everybody was pretty mediocre.
Jack Grealish was desperate to get out of Villa a couple of years back but he’s still there and they love him. Perhaps the difference is that he wears his heart on his sleeve in his passion for his city and his club. I’m not sure Cantwell does. As you say he’s forgotten his roots – except that I’m not so sure he’s ever really been that proud of them.
Even without Todd and Emi, and with Rupp perhaps surprisingly chosen ahead of Vrancic, by all accounts we were much more fluent than in the first two games. With 43 games to go that’s what we want to see. Interestingly those who actually watched the game seem to be saying that Rupp was very effective; those who didn’t are just carrying on slating him.
In the end we lost to the one moment of quality in the game. Perhaps the main concern is that right now we are not able to produce a moment like that ourselves, and if Buendia does go we’ll have even less chance.
Hi Keith
Top dollar point about Wes. We all know what he said [which I won’t repeat here] but he went through some fecking awful times with us until the good stuff happened. C’mon, we’ll always love him cos, well, we have to!
As for Todd Cantwell’s roots I have no idea if he is proud of them or not. Dereham’s not my favourite place in Norfolk but I can think of worse places to be born and bred – mine was Forest Gate London E7 so I’m basically pretty envious of the Cantwell clan on that level.
Lukas Rupp seems to alternate with Kenny McLean as some kind of whipping boy with some folks but I’ve honestly not seen enough of him in the live match situation to formulate an objective opinion. Interestingly Archant published a pretty positive article about Rupp this very morning. I’m sure you’ve read it but if not it’s on Pink Un home page.
The one thing Mario cannot do is play wide, hence the inclusion of Rupp I would imagine.
Cheers – wise words.
These players are all the same ,eg Ryan Fraser,little turd.
Hi Alan
That gave me a good laugh.
Now I wonder who you support in an equally beautiful part of the country?
No need for answers on a postcard.
Ta.
DF time is up at Norwich, you can’t turn on your own players like that , Derby now is a massive game lose that and I think that might be it for DF , must clubs would love Todd and Emi in there side so much talent to leave out !! Makes me wonder if the dressing room is lost ? And as for buying new players and not even playing them ? It’s all just a mess
Hi Steve – interesting.
To me the conundrum is: did DF turn on two of his players, or did the players turn on him? I’ve never been to Argentina but spent a lot of time in a non-tourist area of Spain and I know that the so-called Latin temperament isn’t a myth – it’s reality and blowing hot and cold is part of life, for sure.
That gives Emi a get-out clause in my book which I cannot extend to Todd.
Is the dressing room lost? You’d have to be part of it to know.
Thanks.
Couldn’t agree more with every word of that Martin.
Using James Maddison as an example to Emi and Todd is 100% spot on. He turned out for us in a nothing last game of the season such was his loyalty to the club. And he went with all our blessings.
I feel so bad for Daniel Farke at the moment, how the hell does he operate with all this going on.
Yesterday I used Ben Godfrey and Max Aarons as examples of how to behave in these situation, both to me have earnt a Premier League move more than Todd anyway. He has lots to learn as he still disappears in matches.
Paddy Davitt said on the Pinkun Forum yesterday that he was sure all of this is affecting performance so it doesn’t help when well known city supporters like the Reeve boys start blaming Farke for all of this, is it because the boys are too close too Todd I wonder ?
They quite rightly condemn the abuse ( The criticism has to be with restraint) Todd is getting and then slaughter Lucas Rupp. At least the guy is out on the pitch putting a shift in, and lets give him a chance in his proper position.
Now on to another thing you mention Martin, no full back on the bench, why was Sam MCcallum allowed to go back to Coventry on loan ? I can see that the club want him to have game time but we seem to be very short in this department. Surely it would have been better for him to work with Daniel and the coaching team and learn as Quintilla won’t be here next season if we don’t go up that’s for sure.
From having a bloated squad after all the admittedly good work by Stuart Webber earlier in the summer, but as so many of the new recruits have gone out on loan we will look a lot weaker when Todd and Emi go. Max Aarons will possibly join them and Kieran Dowell, Grant Hanley and Sam Byram are all still injured.
Finally I agree again on Ben Gibson, unless he is struggling with match fitness he has to play.
Please Derby County do not sack your manager, the last thing we want is them turning up on Saturday under the moniker ” Wayne Rooney’s Derby County” OTBC
Hi Tim
Last things first: I reckon Saturday will be $hit or bust for Cocu, but if it comes down to Wayne Rooney’s Derby County, so be it. I don’t see a manager in that man tbh 🙂
Madders is a guy who is grateful for his success and has never let anybody down. City, Leicester, England and even during his loan spell at Aberdeen. From what I’ve learned he does quite a bit in his local community as well now as he did with us then, especially when he was injured. As we agree, others might care to learn from him in that respect – but will they?
Max and Ben have shown how to handle speculation surrounding them – as did Jamal as well although he was probably inwardly seething when his Liverpool move collapsed.
As for Xavi Quintilla and Sam McCallum I couldn’t agree more. It’s weird.
Thanks – a fine comment.
We all see it differently. I am surprised to see blame apportioned to the players.. Relegation was confirmed in early July. It is not unusual that some players would look to leave especially if we trigger relegation clauses in contracts. With that in mind why are we in this position where this catches the club out 11 weeks after relegation? Do we have daily contact with players? The dig by Farke at Cantwell about being able to play Hanley instead of Cantwell given the latter’s stats begs the question why didn’t he drop Cantwell and play Hanley in the number 10 role in February. It is out of character for Farke and is drifting into the Roeder style of management. This gives me an impression of something far deeper going on behind the scenes. In 2005 and 2016 we saw how difficult it is for a manager and a squad of players to repeat success from 2 years earlier and the same issues face us now and the club needs to swiftly resolve them. The performance and result are not a major concern, the background noise is.
Hi John
When we’re all speculating about speculation it’s hard to form a consensus!
I agree that Farke’s comment that he’d “rather play the kitman” was OTT in extremis but from that you can pick up on how the guy’s frustration is starting to get to him.
Talking of in extremis I see no comparison between Farke and Roedent whatsoever, especially considering that during the Roeder era nobody wanted to buy any of our players. Most of them were here on loan anyway.
Where you are certainly correct [in my view anyway] is that there’s something bubbling under in the Colney cauldron.
The days of a reporter going out with notebook, pencil, 10 woodbines and a 5-pint expense account are well and truly over.
So I’m as much in the dark as you. We can pick up the vibes but very little else.
Thanks a lot.
I get the impression Farke has invested a lot emotionally into Cantwell. Think his response is just reflective of him clearly being hurt by his recent behaviour.
Genuinely don’t think any other City manager in my lifetime would have given him the opportunity when they did given his clear physical limitations. He then took him out of the firing line at the right times when it wasn’t quite happening in the promotion campaign and his game has flourished because of it. Not saying there hasn’t been a lot of work from Cantwell too. Maybe just came a bit too easy at the start of the PL season and now he thinks he’s the finished article. But he’s got a lot more to improve on if the first couple of games of this season are anything to go by..
Good point. I can only think of Mike Walker in that bracket when he gave Darren Eadie his debut against Vitesse.
Okay we were cruising in that match at that time but the young Eadie never looked back. And nor did Chris Sutton, also brought through by Walker as a CB before his “conversion” to striker.
Lambert? Hughton? No they didn’t risk it. Mind you Hughton never took a risk in his entire management career 🙂
Not much to disagree with there Martin. Like you I realised that players work at football and supporters love football. I feel sorry for Daniel Farke, the guy really cares and is currently between a rock and a hard place. Aaron’s and Godfrey are still putting in a shift and fair play to them, if they go I suspect it will be with good wishes.
I don’t think we can expect great performances until the window shuts and the team settles.
Hi Andy
Totally reciprocated on all points.
Especially the one about performance levels until the window closes.
Trouble is that goddam window opens again in January!
Cheers
HI mart as i said yesterday if they were happy at Norwich they wouidnt be talking to other clubs so on their bikes im affraid asp as farke Said He might asswell have has hanley up front as tc hasnt done anything for 40games thats a whole season of crap from hum but like mclean He still plays then no wonder we sent Down with gutless performances keep well
Farke manipulated those stats like a politician and this is the problem for me.
Especially when his own statistics for that period are dire even without manipulation.
To degrade a player’s contribution over that time is unprofessional and reeks of buck-passing.
I hadn’t thought of it that way until now Giles but you sure do have a point.
Hi Kev
Yeah everything feels a bit sour just now. We’ll just have to see how it settles.
Maybe see you in 2022 [at this rate anyway] 🙁
I’ve just checked my facts again and the PL transfer window closes at 5pm on Monday 5th.
With I think 14 days extension for domestic [UK] moves thereafter?
My thoughts entirely Mr P.
How short are the memories of some of these supposed stars? All were only too pleased to sign up for longer and more lucrative terms when things were going well. Amazing how things can quickly change when things are not so good, although I do wonder how much is down to their agents rattling various cages.
I too thought that the exodus would be led by Max, then Ben, and finally any one of the other 3. Please Ben, do not under any circumsatnces go to Fulham!
With Dowell injured, to lose both Todd and Emi is almost unthinkable…but if they don’t want to be here get rid (see Oliviera’s story!!!). Yes, we DID lack creativity on Sunday but at least it seems Rupp was half decent. If only The Mayor could also find a bit of form…….
Having said all that, we are only 3 games into 46 (if it gets that far), and I’d rather be in our position than that of Derby and a few others.
O T B C
Hi John
I very much doubt that Rio would encourage his young, shared, charge to go to Fulham. Everton isn’t a bad option for Ben if there’s anything in that particular rumour.
We’re only 3 into 46 – if it gets that far – echoes my thoughts exactly. Right now I can’t see this season panning out to the bitter end as I’ve mentioned en passant before. I truly hope it does for reasons we all share but I’m very doubtful.
It will only take a couple of outbreaks of Covid in the PL and the whole stack of cards will come tumbling down. Let’s hope that somehow that doesn’t happen, obviously.
Who’s this guy Oliviera 🙂
Cheers
Never Mind The Bo11ocks that the ill informed Johnny Rotten has been spouting recently, he seems Pretty Vacant to me. No Future for him in my mind.
‘This bloody transfer window’ as named by DF has, in effect, been open since March so the tensions between buying and selling clubs, players and agents has been growing for 6 months or more. I’m not going to jump on anyone’s back about this situation-it’s difficult to be somewhere you don’t want to be. Twice in the last 4 years the company I have worked for has been sold . I said I would work to my usual standard but, in truth, I didn’t and couldn’t wait to leave. I definitely think it’s best to get these things sorted out sooner rather than later.
I concur with your comments about Marvin Gaye’s singing. But, Mercy Mercy Me, if we could re-write history I would advise him not to buy his dad that gun for his birthday. As far as the rest of the season is concerned, I hope by mid October we can put all this falling out, behind us. Let’s Get It On.
Hi Don
“It’s difficult to [have to] be somewhere you don’t want to be”. I can’t imagine any of us have never been in that position cos we all doubtlessly have.
You or I could be sarky and say footballers are only ever trapped in a gilded cage but that’s not always the point. It’s not like that between the lugs for many of them anyway.
Strangely for a metal/hard rock/punk freak I’ve always loved listening to Marvin, David Ruffin and particularly Sam Cooke. In the case of the latter, don’t give your girlfriend access to your lead-bearing weaponry. Or, indeed, stay overnight in motels.
Cheers mate
Hi Martin, great read and plenty of good considered replies.
As usual it’s hard to disagree with your points, and many of the subsequent replies as well.
I suspect farke would not llightly omit cantwell and Buendia from his squad, so whatever has taken place it’s reasonably safe to assume the players are largely at fault. Personally I would have dropped cantwell anyway, based purely on his performances this far.
We habitually look down on clubs such as Burnley and their ilk, for the aesthetic quality of their football. However the sheer boredom engendered by watching farkeball, where twenty passes where one will do is the rule and the incessant pi55ing around at the back has run its course. Goals are the currency that ,Ames football worst watching, the single most exciting aspect of the game. We simply don’t do them.
Deep in injury time, we wasted a free kick opportunity by tippy tapping it around short instead of going long to Hugill. Then Krul and Zimmermann play patty cakes with the referee pursing his lips around his whistle. I’m done!
Saturday, I want to,see hug ill and Gibson supplying some necessary bollox to the team and providing quintile with a target for his lovely, yet ignored deliveries. It’s time for pragmatism. Score, win repeat. Anything else is not an option.
Hi Chris
Yeah the comments have been great today – including the lad Alan from Bournemouth!
Tiki taka across the back four does nothing for me either as it only invites the opposition’s early press even more. Sure it’s a constituent part of Farkeball but we have been well and truly worked out and there’s no denying that. DF would probably admit that himself if anyone had the cojones to ask him.
Personally I don’t see a change in style anytime soon with Farke at the helm but I still feel we must give him the chance to see how things settle down and take it from there.
Hugill won’t be on the bench all season I promise you.
And as for Cantwell I agree with you – although I would have benched him rather than dropped him altogether if I’m honest. I feel it’s time he ventured out of the safety blanket of Norfolk for the good of both himself and the Club. He appears to be becoming toxic but I bet he’ll miss us when he’s gone.
Cheers mate
I can’t see this as anything other than the players disrespecting DF and the club. I seem to recall TC humming and haring over signing his new contract the other year. That did not really sit well with me at the time. I was thinking this is a guy who does not really want to be at NCFC. I guess it will be a telling sign of how things might play out if one or both are included in the match day squad for the Derby game. If left out then likely outcome is we will probably not to see them in a yellow shirt again. If the name is on the sheet then a way back for all parties.
If they do go then depending what team and manager they end up at/with will dictate whether their careers go the Madders the sky is the limit way or the Murphy down the tube way.
To get the positivity back for the season as a whole, for me, needs a win v Derby.
Hi Tim
Yeah I’ve put in a couple of caveats surrounding Emi since the original article but with the current state of the Leeds rumours it would be reasonable to assume Cantwell might not be going anywhere after all, which to me is the worst case scenario.
I can [hopefully] see Emi applying himself in training this week but Todd? I think not. I’ve obviously never met the guy but from what I can gather there’s one BIG ego there that smacks of somebody who believes their own [rather outdated now] press.
Yeah – let’s beat Derby. Convincingly 🙂
Cheers
A good write up yet again MP and I fully agree with your sentiments.
IF NCFC were a school, Todd Cantwell would be up for detention, if it was proper job hey would be both on a last warning, if they were self employed then breach of contract comes to mind (oh hang on a minute!!)
Mr Cantwell you need to grow a pair, you are paid a vast amount of money to provide to NCFC the ability you now have which was nurtured by NCFC, paid for by NCFC and given the chance to present on the biggest stage there is by NCFC, you might notice a slight one sided argument there.
I suggest you grow up, sorry meant go up, go up north to Leeds and (as a Yorkshireman myself) I can assure you, you play these silly childish games up there and they will tear you a new orifice in your rear quarter.
If I am ever lucky enough to sit in my seat again for which I have paid good money, to see those of a true yellow and green persuasion walk onto the pitch and Mr Cantwell is amongst them I will demand a 1/11th refund of my ticket price. Disgraceful.
Reply’s below Martin – I was suffering from comment fatigue & pressed the wrong key!
It is so unprofessional when players put in no effort. Yet they keep pocketing their salary. To me that says a lot about their character. It probably says a lot to any prospective employer, yet they still often get deals.
I think Cantwell will look back on this episode in his career when he finishes football and regret what he has done. I cannot see him as a regular in any Premier League side. He hasn’t shown much form in the Championship. If we get a decent offer for him I think we need to sell before his value declines.
OTBC
Hi Colin
I think managers will sometimes take on stroppy or sulky players thinking they will either tame them or spark them into life – Fergie and Cantona the prime example of course.
It’s rare for me to actually want to see a Canary depart but Cantwell is the first in that category since Nelson Oliviera. Todd was one of our own but imo he’s not any more.
Bright lights, big City? Go get ’em Todd.
Thanks as always
I could not agree more with your comment about Cantwell.
I’ve got this theory that Norwich fans, ‘Norfolk’ people, are more critical of homegrown local players than other players. This thread hasn’t challenged that view. The question is why? Again I have my own theories, none of them particularly complimentary of the psychological make up of our fans or a large section of our fans. I’m not particularly referring to Todd here but one of the reasons I love sport is because it’s a chance to be a show off, to express yourself and to be beautifully arrogant; and not give a ****
Hi Mike
That’s an interesting thought!
I’d like to think that as a supporter base we’re as proud of our homegrowns as absolutely anybody else in the land. I don’t really see the criticism of TC on this thread levelled at him for being one of our own, except it’s surely always a little bit more disappointing when you perceive that a local lad isn’t putting his heart and soul into it any more.
Thanks
Hi Martin
Yeah I’m with you throughout. I really don’t see TC appearing in the yellow & green again – and like you I want to sit in MY seat again too! I just can’t fathom when at the moment.
Funny how you get addicted to a two-foot square lump of [in my case] green plastic isn’t it?
Back to Cantwell, your key word is *nurtured*. Because that’s exactly what he has been, by Norwich City Football Club. Nurtured. Shame he already seems to have forgotten that.
Thanks for a good comment.
No one really knows what has happened in training or nothing of note at all . We haven’t heard from the players who have been putted by Mr Farke who for the last season and this hasn’t exactly covered himself in glory as a Norwich supporter get the fans on board with this so called bad behaviour and then no backlash when they are sold and the money is not reinvented still being a Norwich supporter is never easy and it looks like the self destruction button is about to be pushed they just never ever learn
Hi KPJ
*Being a Norwich supporter is never easy*.
I don’t think any of our readers or writers would disagree with you there 🙂
Thanks
No idea who is right / wrong, but this shouldn’t be happening. These people signed new contracts and there should have been clear discussions then about expectations. This shouldn’t be coming up 3 games into a season.
Hi David
Greed, agents and egos are a powerfully destructive combination.
But I guess you knew that already!
Cheers