The appointment of Stuart Webber in April 2017 was greeted in a reasonably low key manner by us NCFC fans – maybe a few of us were aware of his Liverpool connections [he worked under both King Kenny and Rafa Benitez] and his subsequent success with Huddersfield Town. Personally I knew the name, but little else.
During a relatively brief period of transition immediately prior to this appointment, we saw the departure of the combination of Jez Moxey and Alex Neil, and weren’t particularly disheartened by either announcement. Certainly not in the case of Moxey, who will remain the strangest executive appointment ever made by Norwich City in my supporting lifetime, which has been a lengthy one.
Gary mentioned yesterday the Sporting Director/Head Coach set up as the brainchild of then Chairman Ed Balls, who very much remains a supporter although he stepped down officially a while back.
Ed attracted a certain amount of mistrust due to his socialist alignment with Delia and some ridicule courtesy of his appearances on Strictly from some quarters but you have not been Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer if you don’t know your marbles. Ed did. And, a useful player in his day, he knew more about football than many politicians.
He brought us the gifts of Webber and thus Farke, which almost four years on are becoming more apparent by the day. I’m just going to reprise a few personal thoughts on what we have all come to know and largely love about *Farkeball*.
At first I was a bit, erm, who’s this guy from Bundesliga II? Who are Eddie Reimer and Chris Domogalla? And particularly who are the new German contingent of Tom Trybull, Christoph Zimmermann, Felix Passlack and Marcel Franke?
I soon found out.
Farke’s first season was a right old mixed bag, although the signs were there of a developing philosophy. We played in the *Norwich Way* and every game was enjoyable to watch with the chronic performance against Millwall being the nadir. I didn’t have to worry about who Franke or Passlack were anymore after that, but became ever-increasingly aware of Teemu Pukki and Emi Buendia.
The second season developed into Farkeball 1.5. The acquisitions of Tim Krul, Jordan Rhodes and others helped us to win the Championship with relative ease, if not exactly at a canter. Beating Blackburn 2-1 at Carrow Road to seal promotion was my finest football experience since Wembley in May 2015.
Of course promotion was achieved under the *we’ll score more than you, come and have a go* banner. It worked – at that time – and the emergence of Max Aarons, Jamal Lewis, Ben Godfrey and Todd Cantwell was a joy to behold.
Our first attempt at the Premier League under Farke was under-funded, injury beset and frankly appalling after *Project Restart* so I won’t dwell on it apart from stating the obvious: that win over Citeh sent shivers down my spine.
So here we are now, with Farkeball 2.0 in full flow. A different capability in defence largely due to the inspired signings of Ben Gibson and Oliver Skipp allied to the natural ability of Aarons and the experienced head [not so literally these days] of Grant Hanley.
Gung ho has been replaced by a more measured approach and the ACN moments have largely evaporated.
Where are we now? Eleven points clear of third with eight to play, that’s where. There are Norwich squads who could have stuffed up from this point on but not this one. Even with Gibson’s season over and a sizeable unit of *homing Canaries* winging their way back from Christ knows where in the dark hours of Wednesday and Thursday, I’d be disappointed with anything less than a point at Preston.
When Ollie Skipp said he’d turn out at Deepdale even with no sleep, it says something about our current crop.
I’m sure the lads will take it and grab it – it’s theirs. And ours of course. Not to lose, to win.
Gary touched on the MFW crew and our wonderful readership yesterday, to which regular commentator Tim Ball responded: “You have helped so many of us to endure this awful time. So thank you one and all.”
That might be true Tim, but it works both ways. Without our readers we’d be nothing and in my four or five years with MFW I’ve made some great friends, both in the flesh and on the site. Mrs P has met half a dozen of you too.
I love replying to your comments – I’ve had several from Preston, Liverpool, Villa and even 1p5wich fans. Keep ’em coming.
I don’t look like George Clooney and don’t possess a dinner suit, but in his style, I must thank Forest’s Christian Brown, Liverpool’s Tony Evans and Nick Hart of Millwall for their MFW preview help, if not least because they do all the work for me. Subbing? What’s that?
And of course the admirable and quite ridiculously humorous Tim Sheppard for his help with our Bolton previews. Congratulations on your well-earned retirement Tim 
Finally thanks to *me preview posse* of Alex A, Alex B, Bernie and Cutty. I’ll be after ya about a week before Watford, dudes.
And for Stuart and Daniel, I can only choose this as a tribute [I can’t stand T Rex].
Good round up and start for a Monday Mr P . I remember being so under whelmed with the announcement of the appointments of the magical duo. Hell have n’t we come a long way since that smorgasbord that was served up. some good some bad and some very bad. But there was some seeds you could see just sprouting. All assigned to the history books, another chapter draws to a close.
We await with anticipation for the next chapter looking for the lessons that have been used.
You mention Tim Sheppard, what a lovely guy, I had the pleasure of decorating of then new home, it turned out his beautiful wife was a midwife at the birth of my daughter, funnily she remembered it too, some 11 years later. Not many contracts I took on were so enjoyable as that one. One of the nicest couples I ever met.
When my old knees gave up in 2001, the physio, contacted Tim to help with what to do next after trying everything she knew, to save me going under the knife. Of course when she explained who, he was only to pleased to help. No problem. if he sees this I wish him the very best for a long long retirement.
Hi Lad
Shep is everything you say he is – a City legend, a fantastic raconteur, a shamen-like physio and the easiest guy to interview I’ve met.
I’m pretty sure he also remains the only club physio anywhere to have received a testimonial, and what a brilliant night that was against Celtic 🙂
He used to work from home before he moved to the Europa Clinic, so I surely must have seen some of your handiwork myself!
Cheers
For me this is the day when we start to emerge from lockdown as I am going golfing this afternoon. Martin you have started the day of well. Like so many fans I did wonder about the appointment of Stuart Webber. My concern was why was he leaving Huddersfield when they were going to get promoted to the Premier League. Had he fallen out with the Board and was it a sign of his temperament?
I need not have worried he has been the perfect fit for NCFC. Like everyone he doesn’t get every appointment right but he certainly got the key one of Head Coach spot on. Given the post Brexit immigration rules we could not have appointed Herr Farke and could Stuart Webber have found a head coach that would have fitted the job description he had? Also we would not have been able to recruit many of the players we have grown to love and admire. However, despite the new rules Stuart Webber will have a cunning plan and he will be first out the blocks with next season’s recruitment.
My heart and head are aligned for once. The question now is whether we are first or second in the league.
The quote from Ollie Skipp gives me a bit of optimism that if he were to be loaned out again next season he would chose Norwich. I think he appreciates what he has given us but more importantly what NCFC have given him.
Keep up the great writing guys, much appreciated.
OTBC
Hi Colin
I think most of us were a little bit uncertain about Stuart Webber’s initial appointment but as you say we had absolutely no need to be.
The wheels for next season’s recruitment have probably been turning for a while now and it’s going to be fascinating to watch how it all turns out.
I’ve never played golf myself but I know so many people that do and how much they enjoy it – I would imagine several members of the Coltishall Kings Head GS will have decided to take today or tomorrow off work in order to get a round in asap.
Cheers
Quick update: I’ve just driven past Royal Cromer and there is literally not a free parking space to be found!
I thought you were going to go with Stiff Little Fingers’ Alternative Ulster for the song when you paraphrased their line ‘grab it, change it-it’s yours’. Still, there’s never a bad time for Revolution Rock by the only band that ever mattered.
The first season of Farkeball was somewhat underwhelming. We finished behind Leeds and little 1p5wich on goal difference which gave both clubs’ fans the chance for an open topped bus parade. But the second season-wow! I honestly don’t believe that the 2nd tier of English football has seen such brilliant, attacking football as we produced-even with the media’s dream of Senor Bielsa’s Leeds last season.
The post closedown performances of last season were horrible. With full stadia I don’t think we would have stayed up, but I’m certain the last nine games wouldn’t have been the debacle they were. It’s remarkable that, with much the same squad, the losing mindset has been transformed to seeing us where we are now.
International week may have been made worthwhile by Onel’s goal-amazing what can be achieved when you arrive in time for kick-off!
Hi Don
Yeah I’ll put my hands up to the SLF reference. Inflammable Material was one of my favourite albums of the era and what a take on Johnny Was!
I’ve only seen Onel’s goal on clips wherein I didn’t understand a word of the Spanish commentary [I think it was Spanish – Cuba seems to have a different dialect to anything I’m used to] but it was an absolute belter.
Our mindset seems. erm. set and there’s not long to go now.
We won’t blow it from here.
Cheers mate
Hi Martin
A great read as usual after a strange Sunday with the England Cricket 🏏 team narrowly missed out on beating India 🇮🇳, England 🇬🇧 Football having mixed fortunes with the senior side beating Albania 🇦🇱 and U23 losing to Portugal 🇵🇹.
City had Aaron’s and Skipp in the U23 and hopefully no injuries will be reported but a team with so much talent under preforming in both games I can only say there is something wrong with their set up and Mr Boothroyd needs to look at what he has got to play with and change his set up to win games.
We will all as city supporters hold our bated breath for the team news late on Thursday once everyone is back on English Soil of course we know Gibson, McGovern and one other are already going to be missing for the remainder of the season so the best of luck to them with a full recovery 🙏.
DF will be cautious in his selection I think to the PNE game hoping for a bright start and a couple of early goals so he can make changes to rest players or naybe having an extra strong bench to bring people on if the game isn’t going to plan only time will tell.
Sky just said Boothroyd has won 3 out of his last 18 U23 games due to Southgate using so many in the full England 🇬🇧 Squad now that begfars belief or is it just that Southgate can’t handle the more experienced players.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay Safe and Stay Healthy 🙏
Hi Alex
I didn’t get to know that much about Aidy Boothroyd when he was here and obviously he thought he was better than us at that time – so off he went. Lamented? I doubt it.
As for your AN Other absentee that must be Sam Byram. He’s been out for so long, running since February but still our for the season. When it gets to that stage you have to question whether a player will ever come back. Such a shame as he looked really good in the PL for a while.
I’ve no real opinion on Southgate because my interest in international football has dwindled to nothing since Mexico 1970 – so that’s 50 years of disengagement!
Cheers mate
Excellent stuff as always, Martin. Always look out for your Monday piece. Best wishes.
Hi Chris
The Monday pieces are my most enjoyable to write – I always find them more balanced if I do them on a Sunday morning instead of an unhinged rant on a post-match Saturday evening immediately after the final whistle on a Saturday 🙂
Cheers
Great start to the day Martin.
Thank you for your kind words Martin, but it is you guys and all the responders on here that make this such a great site.
Football is so much about opinion and it is great to see other opinions even if you disagree strongly with them.
I agree that Daniel Farke was an inspired appointment. And as you say so much credit must go to Ed Balls and Stuart Webber.
I was impressed with Daniel Farke at his first forum with the fans at Carrow road. He diplomatically answered my question on whether he saw Russ as a right back or as a centre back, saying he thought Russ was vital going forward as a fantastic club man ( Which he was ).
Well it didn’t take him long to see what we all could, Russ was a legendary right back for us but he was not a centre half, certainly not at the level we were playing at.
And it wasn’t just club legends who were dealt with ruthlessly as Passalack and Franke found out, his own signings were quickly assessed as not fit for purpose.
So here we are with Farkeball 2.0 which seems the opposite of the original in as much as it is no longer you score 2 we will get 3 or you score 3 we will get 4. It is so much more pragmatic, but still pleasing on the eye. As you say Martin Ben Gibson and Olly Skipp have been inspired signings.
As regular readers on here know I would love to see the end of International breaks and revert to the old ways, but it was wonderful to see Onel score that fantastic goal, his first for Cuba. He has been greatly missed his 9 goals in our Championship season was a excellent return when you consider his lack of experience at Championship level. I just hope he can keep fit, I believe he can contribute to whatever level we are at next season.
Like you I think the players will be well up for the Preston game and hopefully we can come away with a win which would be a big middle finger to the EFL. I wonder if a Leeds United, Newcastle United or any other “big club” requested a change of fixture the EFL response would have been different. It is just a thought.
Hi Tim
I think that’s pretty much my take on Stuart Webber too.
I don’t think I’ve met any of our current squad but I did bump into Russ Martin in a supermarket of all places when he was living in Wicklewood and it’s true – a nicer guy would be difficult to find and I’m not remotely surprised he’s gone into management with MK Dons, where he is currently doing quite nicely. Maybe one for our future? Let’s wait and see.
Onel must be flying in terms of both body and soul right now – and he’s already on his way home so might even get a rare start on Friday.
As for rearrangement of the Preston game a few of their supporters recently contributed to MFW purely to inform us why the game couldn’t be put back a day [and fair play to them, they were right] but a postponement until later in April would have been perfectly possible and indeed still is, in theory anyway.
Whoever plays on Friday will be up for it – I suspect a strong bench 🙂
Cheers
I always look out for MK Dons results Martin and it is pleasing to see Russ doing well this season after a shaky start. Who knows he could be a coach to look out for.
My situation with Russ isn’t personal in anyway, he was a great right back and he often fronted up and talked to the media when others had had poorer games than himself. I just couldn’t understand why a whole bunch of City managers kept playing him at centre half.
Get relegated with Bassong/Martin centre half pairing and then try it again 2 years later after promotion to the Premier League was sheer madness.
The Preston Fixture is a really difficult one as regards the PNE supporters who rightly say you cannot move it to Saturday as it would be most unfair on them who play on the Monday while we have another 24 hours before our game with Huddersfield.
But like you Martin a new date in April I thought would be the sensible option.
My mate Marty got me big time by texting at last the EFL have shown some common sense and moved the Preston game, I texted back when too ? Thursday April 1st !!! was his reply.
The funnier thing was though I knew it was a wind up I still checked The Pinkun website because with the EFL you never know😂
Ha!
I could have fallen for that one too – I try to keep offline on April 1 because most of my mates are more cunning than I am.
The best I had was when I lived in Coltishall when Slim messaged three of us to say “Keira Knightley’s in the Red Lion”.
We all turned up. Eejits that we were 🙂
That is an absolute classic Martin.
I would have been there in a flash as well 🤣
I used to get my parents and others but in recent years my Wife and Mother-in-Law until her passing used get me every bloody year !
I go back to the days when trainee reporters were asked to telephone Hugh Jarss of Jarss Bros about the Bunn Cup. That one didn’t work on me as I recognised the Dark Room phone number.
Many an apprentice was sent to the ironmongers for a *long weight*, six *green grimbalites* or four feet of *spondooli guttering*.
Your comments regarding MFW and what it means are most welcome. It’s a unique site and perfect for me.
I may have mentioned this before but I missed the whole wonderful finale to our last Championship campaign after being taken seriously ill shortly after the Home game v Reading, 10th April, (must have been their late equaliser). A lengthy stay in hospital followed and MFW articles and everyone’s comments meant so much to me.
So everyone, never underestimate what is written either by one of the amazing MFW team or in comments from readers. In recent times with no one going to games it really is a welcome friend.
Hi Colin
Yes I guess MFW is unique but whether by design or accident even I dunno!
Inability to go to games for whatever reason is a real downer for all of us and I can honestly say that without iFollow and reliable Broadband [thanks BT, nobody else can crack that in Mundesley] I would have been totally hamstrung.
I couldn’t get to the Leicester match because of back problems so my last game was Liverpool last year, but I’ve told said back it must allow me at least one further season of watching us in the PL. No reply from the back yet so here’s hoping 🙂
Cheers
For all the cheer you bring followers of MFW, I’ll ask Delia to get you a comfy chair with one of those massage thingy’s, (battery not Thai)!
Wont it be great to watch us live again, can’t wait tbh.
Ha! It’s K99 in UB D-Block for me or nothing!
I’m hoping I can get at least one more season of us in the PL out of my back. I talk to said back every day but don’t always get the right answer!
Here here
Thanks Cannock
Another excellent article Martin and as others have said – the MFW articles which in some weeks have exceeded the number of days in a week, have helped many fans through the last 374 days or thereabouts and I’m sure will continue to do so until something approaching a more normal life resumes.
I replied to Gary’s article yesterday, so I’ll try not to repeat myself today!!
It was indeed an absolute master stroke by Ed/Tom and whoever to adopt the Sporting Director/Head Coach approach and what a journey it has been for everyone in the ‘Canary Nation’ and shows no sign of slowing up any time soon.
As you rightly point out, the 18-19 season was mostly a case of we don’t care if you score, as we’ll score more than you,, whereas we have had several 1-0 victories already this season.
The players’ fitness seems to have been cranked up another notch thanks to the efforts of the team behind the scenes, for whom DF would love to win MotM (he’s not interested in winning it for his own gratification, but for the entire backroom staff).
Now that the Suez Canal has reopened, the only hazard that I can see to slow the progress of HMS PTL, is the fixture on Good Friday (extremely well covered by both yourself and Connor Southwell) and all we can hope is that the majority of our players return fit and well.
I guess when you wrote the article, you hadn’t witnessed Onel’s goal, which was hit high into the roof of the net – something which both Pukki and TC are now doing.
I accept your argument that a shot hit along the ground is more difficult for a GK to reach, but conversely, they can easily be saved by the GK sticking out a boot, as has happened on several occasions when Pukki has had a shot on goal. Let’s hope he is rested for his team’s friendly on Wednesday and if Boothroyd opted not to select Aarons for the game yesterday, that he does the same for the game on Wednesday.
Who can ever forget the game against Blackburn 2 seasons ago and what a travesty that we (and all the other teams who achieve promotion across the EFL) will be denied the opportunity to celebrate that momentous occasion!!
We can only hope that with the aid of the vaccines and the majority of people heeding the advice of wearing masks etc that all 22,000 NCFC fans can be allowed into CR at some point next season.
The future’s bright, the future’s Yellow and Green (or orange if you mix them!!)
Hi Martin
With the government allowing spectators into both FA Cup Semi’s and possibly 20k from each ManC and Spurs for the Carabao final then maybe we can see support being allowed back for next season possibly stadiums 50% full but gradually building up to capacity, if so might try my luck at AFC Fylde, Blackpool or a Barton free Fleetwood
You’re lucky to have those clubs so close to you. For most of us Norfolk types it’s City or nothing. Lynn’s a long way from either the City or Mundesley and I’ve only been to the Walks once in my life and that was yonks ago.
Saw Blofield United quite a few times though 🙂
Hi Ed
There was no collusion between Connor and myself – just a case of us both expressing the same opinion at almost the same time!
No I hadn’t seen Onel’s goal before I wrote this [I’m early to bed, early to rise] but it was a thing of beauty and anything similar from the man on these shores would be more than welcome.
As for the GK bit my *limited* experience tells me how difficult it is to get any strength on your paw when the shot stays at ground level. Tim Krul and Michael McGovern might tell us differently but to me if your glove’s on the deck the slightest spin or bobble can flip said shot over it.
I didn’t have a clue that yellow and green made orange. Mrs P’s the in-house artist so I’ll have to refer to her on that one!
Cheers.
Clearly the SW and DF appointments have been masterstrokes. Equally, deciding to set the Club up to have a plan and to ensure that each and every employee buys into that is a major factor in our recent success. And it is a success despite relegation last season.
The interesting thing for me is why many other Clubs have not followed our model. It’s not rocket science, yes we’ve done it very well but it shouldn’t be hard to follow.
I shake my head when I look at the way other clubs of a similar size go about things. And I’m encouraged that when these guys move on, as they surely will, then a succession plan is almost certainly in place.
Good times for NCFC, long may they continue.
Hi dp3
I must admit that when Webber and Farke arrived I was struggling in the depths of cynicism concerning what had gone before.
That attitude quickly lifted and although I still occasionally moan about the Smiths I am finding myself doing that less and less as the football is so attractive. Credit where it’s due, hence the acknowledgement of the vital contribution of Ed Balls.
You make a very relevant point about the succession plan[s] being in place – myself and quite a few others believe that to be the case as well.
Cheers