Night games. I rarely attend them these days due to escalating old age, logistics and in Tuesday’s case a certain apathy towards strolling along Prince of Wales Road around 10pm just ten days before Christmas.
In that spirit, I passed my ticket for Villa to MFW regular Don Harold, who kicks off this piece on my behalf.
“I met with friends in the Kings Arms. We were all optimistic following the performance against Man Utd. The mood dropped when the line-up came through at about an hour before kick-off.
“It was clear that Covid and injury had ravaged the squad and there was discussion as to how Man Utd and Spurs were able to postpone their games but we couldn’t, opaque EPL regulations and the same favouritism that gives big teams penalties that we’d never get were cited.
“The first half was as bad as it gets, right up there with the Watford game in its disjointed awfulness. At half time Martin’s friends on the row behind were congratulating him on choosing this game to miss. The second half was less terrible, but Martinez (one of the PL’s best keepers) could have brought his knitting with him such was the lack of threat Norwich provided. Other than the mistake that put Kenny McLean through, I can’t recall him being troubled at all.
“I have no idea what’s wrong with Todd Cantwell, but he shouldn’t be playing. I think a January move would be best for all concerned. Billy Gilmour doesn’t look anywhere near the player who was man of the match for Scotland against England and other nations and looked so good in his initial breakthrough games for Chelsea; he looks a long way from being a player who is going to play regularly for a top-six team.
“The saddest thing for me is the realisation that Adam Idah looks as though he’s not going to make it. He’s one of those players who has a bright future behind him.
“Villa won as comfortably as the score and stats suggest. God knows what we’ll be able to do against Wetsham and Arsenal.”
When Don dropped the ticket back yesterday morning his assessment hadn’t changed.
My friend and MFW regular Bernie Owen was even more pessimistic:
“Hi Marty. Well that’s it, we are down. I know it’s not mathematically proven but we are. New manager bounce gone. Would Farke’s Norwich have been as bad as tonight?
“Webber is all smoke and mirrors. We all appear to think he’s great – I don’t. His buys have been, at best, inadequate except Pukki and Buendia which means a success rate of 2/20.
“Ah it’s over. Norwich toothless as ever. Rant over.”
Circumstances conspired against us like they often seem to. Covid issues eliminated Christos Tzolis, Lukas Rupp, Pierre Lees-Melou and Josh Sargent while we were already missing Mathias Normann and Milot Rashica. Dimitris Giannoulis was on the bench but apparently unwell so in this case making up the numbers.
I suppose Ozan Kabak departing from cramp was the black icing on an unpalatable cake, mildly alleviated by the return of Sam Byram after an absence of nearly two years for a gig in central midfield as Jacob Sorensen dropped into the back four.
As I write Dean Smith is concerned about the lack of clarity from the Premier League to the point that he does not know when to pull the trigger on calling off a fixture because of Covid issues. I doubt any other manager outside the top six does either.
I’m afraid to say I can see another behind closed doors scenario emerging here. I know MFW readers’ views will differ on vaccinations but for the record I have had a brace of Astra Zenecas and a Moderna booster, so I have done all I possibly could to continue to be allowed to go to Carrow Road.
But will it be enough for the politicians? I don’t know, the situation changes so fast.
The only thing I am certain of is that I will not go to a game if I am expected to wear a mask in my seat in the Barclay. Is that a far-fetched fear? I’m not sure it is, to be honest.
Nobody takes relegation as a given before Christmas [well, maybe Bernie does] but as Gary said yesterday the omens are not good – we could yet end the calendar year rock bottom with 10 points. That’s the reality right now.
Does the January transfer window offer any hope? Probably not in this case even if we sell Max Aarons. Dean Smith will reach a point where he will have to plan for a large-scale rebuild targeted at next season in the Championship. There will be no Billy Gilmour, Normann, Kabak or Brandon Williams and I doubt the recalcitrant Cantwell will be here either. We won’t get much for him when we sell and those quotes of £30 million seem like a lifetime ago.
This is football as we Norfolkians know it, I’m afraid.
I’ll leave you with this offering from Skeggy’s finest, Graham Bonnet of short-lived Rainbow fame. Those of a metal persuasion will recognise a couple of very famous faces in the *backing band* and clips in the video will illustrate why I am no longer prepared to walk along Prince of Wales Road at 10pm. The visuals really could have been created in NR1, although I know they weren’t.
Enjoy – and set the volume to eleven:
Morning, Martin. A depressing, but ultimately, I suppose, true read….
I was just mulling over the players who would leave were (when) we go down and then thinking of those players who we’d be left with on bloated contracts……and was starkly struck by parallels to being exactly where we were when Webber came in.
Admittedly the infrastructure is in a better place from whence he arrived, but the playing staff….I’m not so sure. Webber bangs on about leaving the club in a better shape than when he arrived. In parts it is, but again it’s looking like we’ve chased the dream with no real transfer strategy this time.
It’ll be some overhaul for Smith and Shakey next season.
I’m surprised there hasn’t been a ‘shaking stevens’ reference by anyone yet…… perhaps one for your next song choice….
Hope all is well.
Morning Martin
Yes what we will be left with next season will be, erm, kind of interesting.
I’m not even sure that Krul and Pukki will stick around and this does not look to me like we have the players to get us out of the Championship once more.
Too many Webber gambles that have failed this time around and although I genuinely haven’t accepted relegation just yet it’s certainly on the cards.
Dean Smith could be forgiven for a quick *Oh Lordy what have I done* moment when he signed up. I can’t imagine what he’s thinking right now.
I’d never make a musical reference to Shakin’ Stevens – maybe something by Shakespeare’s Sister might be more appropriate!
Cheers
Hi Martin,
It’s hard to believe that the team played so well against Man Utd, and so poor against Aston Villa!
It’s a shame about Todd Cantwell, this season in the Premiership would have been the best showcase he could’ve asked for to get himself a transfer to Football Heaven … as it is he just looks a big Jessie!
Trouble with NCFC is they treat the Premiership with too much respect … the people who run it are turds, don’t ask them what to do about Covid, just tell them we cannot field a squad … eleven clubs have games in hand over us, simpering Spurs have three, blubbering Burnley have two.
We need to stop treating the Premier League as though we are visitors just passing through, it’s really just another rung in the football ladder, but we need to have the mindset to stay for a while!
With that many people injured and feeling a bit peaky, we should insist on a cancellation against West Ham – if the Premiership doesn’t support us over that, they should be reported for furthering Covid’s advance on British society, and for putting lives at risk!
Your friend and MFW regular Bernie Owen’s question, “Would Farke’s Norwich have been as bad as tonight?”, should be answered one way – Yes, because these hot/cold Prem performances actually started on Farke’s watch. As I said once before, football ain’t the place for ‘woke’!
What happened to Kabak was probably predictable, he hasn’t played for several weeks, then he’s asked to play 180 minutes plus injury time in quick succession. Lucky Sorensen and Gibson came through for us.
Relegation for NCFC is not nailed-on right now, except probably at Premiership HQ. But it will be if we don’t grow some balls pretty soon.
I’d like us to stay up pretty please!, and I’d like us to keep Normann and Kabak, and Williams too if he’s got a mind to stay.
Crikey, is Prince of Wales Road really that bad Martin?
Cheers,
COYYs !!
Hi Kev
That’s a fine speech and there’s nothing in there that In would disagree with.
Particularly ypur line about us passively making up the numbers in the PL – it’s been going on far too long now and under this ownership it will never change.
I agree WHU should be called off but we are *far too nice* to suggest that. That is only for the big fish I’m afraid.
PoW IS very iffy after dark to be sure. No sympathy required but my back isn’t what it was and I’m no longer that capable when push comes to shove. Just before Christmas was never on my agenda – Don knew he’d be having my ticket for this one for several weeks.
I’ll be back on Boxing Day though.
Cheers
Hi Martin,
Nobody wants to see a backlog of games, but you cannot replay people’s lives!
Did not realise POW Rd was bad – years ago Anglia Square had that reputation!
Cheers,
KevH
Funnily enough I walk through Anglia Square quite a lot as while my house is on the coast Mrs P’s is less than a couple of miles away from it.
It’s probably THE most diverse area of the City and has some issues but I never feel vulnerable in any way. Even after dark.
Morning, Sadly the trap door beckons, I have seen city teams and of course many others fighting for their lives, but the white flag, like in the restart is flying already.
We can go about weak recruitment etc, but when the owners put restrictions on investment while trying a self-funding method, we are what we are, and forevermore shall be so.. fricking depressing.
As for C-ntwell, (use your own view of which vowel to use, 2 available) his head is already at the Emirates filling a locker with his name on, so the whisper goes round his hometown, on that showing good bloody riddance A deal must be already promised as he is not exactly selling himself in the shop window.
The rest of the non show has been done more than enough, I turned the TV off between 70 and 80 minutes, if I had been there I would have been catching the 9-20 bus to Dereham instead the last one an hour later.
Smithy remains positive to the media, well in truth he has too, he has seen the best and by far the worst in only 4 days. While we have had one season of this and now a second one. Does he regret jumping in the job so quick ? He cites the talks with Webber/Adams, boy they must have been some talks. But as we know, talking the walk is different from actually walking that walk. This is the Stowmarket Duo’s club, where ideas and visions are the biggest things ever.
The ownership and lack of money has been done to death, but I cannot see any thing else that really hinders becoming an established Premiership Club. A sad fact of football Money buys the quality needed to see that come to fruition, the other option is becoming a Yo-Yo (we are that) or you disappear to the lower leagues ask = Sunderland, Charlton, Bolton, and of course those down the Road, (however it has been a long time since they graced the top league) I am not shouting for silly money to be thrown, but shouldn’t a club like City be able to spend £15-0r-£20 million on a player ? After all we have been up and down a few times to have had the money
Expect no better under this regime, please do not go on about how they saved the club, they have had those loans paid back in shares, further strengthening their grip
Besides I remember the blankets going around pitchside raising cash, fundraising events staged at the old supporters club Rosary Rd. I believe the fans some gone, some still present have played their parts in saving this club.
Finally, there has to be a helluva improvement in our consistency or we can kiss the Prem goodbye, busting the bubbles of dreams once again.
Hi Lad
Sound stuff from your goodself once again – I’ve heard the TC rumours as well but haven’t posted them because they remain just that – rumours.
My choice of vowel? *
I swear that while a few MFW types do occasionally mention Delia *saving the Club* I have never been amongst them and most certainly never will be – it’s all in the MFW archives if you ever get seriously bored!
We will be back to the old days soon although it won’t be chucking change in the blankets but more like online pleas.
This modus operandi is doomed as we can see on the pitch.
Cheers
Martin, I saw a small bit on the BBC Sport website yesterday that said the Premier League would only sanction games being called off if a team had less than 14 fit players from their nominated squad. This clearly shows their thinking with regard to the Hateful Six (adapted from the Spielberg western), Apparently, Manure had one player who had tested positive, along with an unspecified number of backroom staff, but were allowed to call off their game against Brentford. It’s shades of the current government, one rule for them, and another for the rest of us.
I did suffer through Tuesday evenings game, and even allowing for Covid problems, it was painful. Cantwell ran around a bit, with no real purpose, and gave no help to Williams (who didn’t have a great game), Kabak was clearly suffering from something, as I noticed Krul come up to the halfway line to check on him several minutes before he went off. Was it cramp? It looked more like breathing problems to me, and I wondered if it was a “long Covid” issue?
If I was the manager, I would have taken Cantwell off at halftime and put Giannoulis on in his place to give us some width, pace, and positivity on the left, and also to help Williams out, but I have read since that although he was on the bench, he was one of the one suffering from illness, so I guess that’s why he wasn’t used.
Like you, I can see a “closed doors” situation coming, and maybe even a suspension of the season.
Hi Jim
Trouble is these thoroughbred athletes suffer from anything virus related far more than us normal folks do. If it takes me 35 minutes to do a walk when it was previously 30 it could be increasing age or maybe something else.
All it means to me is that I get back a bit later with the dogs, although after every Covid jab I’ve had I’ve felt like cack for at least 36 hours afterwards.
It’s all about percentages really. If I feel like poo for a couple of days it doesn’t matter but it must give a modern footballer a serious setback.
From what I can gather Giannoulis was in a pretty bad way so never really an option – but that’s only what I’ve been told of course.
Cheers
Hello Martin my 1st ever game was at night in 1980 I was 8yrs old I had a beer crate to stand on and Liverpool had filled no man’s land and Justin fashanu scored that goal of the season although we lost 5-3 always remember Kenny dagleish that game .
Memories hey ….Well I just got one thing to say Martin and that is will we really miss that list of players who couldn’t keep us up ? For me the answer is no it’s more the Tim kruls and teemus I would worry about and whether a certain Mr Webber is gonna be buying again , 😒
Hi Jim
I was at that Liverpool game too – one of the very few I got to in the 70s or 80s.
Webber seems to be a bit of a busted flush just now and this time around we have nobody like Tettey, Vrancic or even the Stieperdude to help us out of next season’s mire.
As much as this squad isn’t good enough for the PL I really don’t see them cutting it in the Championship this time around – and that is my greatest fear.
Cheers
Jim I’m two years older than you. I’m not sure if that Liverpool match was my first, but it’s certainly the first I remember. I was also on a crate and I remember being picked up by some bloke when the Barclay surged after JF scored. Norwich ’til I die from that moment
I left CR with mild optimism on Saturday and hopeful that we could maintain some of the same effort against the Villains. That optimism evaporated within the first 5 minutes on Tue and I sat there wondering what the final score might be.
It seems several games have been postponed due to Covid infections affecting players, yet it seems that despite SW’s best efforts, the EPL insisted that our game should go ahead.
TC received a fair amount of criticism and rightly so from what I witnessed and as Chris Sutton said yesterday, he REALLY needs to either start playing like we know he can or move on. The trouble is, who would want to pay serious money for a player who has lost his desire to play?
I’ve seen numerous comments about Gilmour and IMO, he could do us all a favour and move to Rangers in January.
At the start of the season, I had hoped that Idah:s development would continue, but I’m now of the opinion that a loan to a club in the top half of the championship would be an opportunity to see if he can possibly make the step up.
No, we can’t be relegated by Xmas, but my faint hopes of us ‘doing a Leicester’ are fading at an alarming rate.
Sadly for SW and the recruitment team, they have got it badly wrong this time round and I can envisage a lot of our players’ agents will be busy after we’ve all sung Auld Lang Syne (to the wrong words) and I feel our stay in the championship will not be as brief as one season!! 😕
Hi Ed
Just like the original article your comments are depressing but so very realistic – even if Don H did the hard yards for me this time around.
I actually know the correct words to Auld Lang Syne but this is December 16 not 31 so on that night I might well slur them. In my younger days anyway!
Cantwell isn’t a topic I want to get into too much depth with – all I’ll say is that the writing is very much on the wall. He ain’t as good as he thinks he is.
Cheers
If you are going to lose at least lose well. ( Man Utd) Tuesday night despite all the mitigation’s was an abject surrender. (Aston Villa).
Whatever is going on with Cantwell it is not acceptable for a player to hide for an entire half of football, leaving Brandon Willtiams with no out ball or cover. Placheta and Sargent maybe a long way short of Cantwell skill set but my god they work for the cause. There is no point in Pukki being on the pitch if nobody passes the ball to him. And as your mate said Idahs bright future is very distant indeed. I would love to have a seat at the table as Dean Smith has his much needed debrief with Stuart Webber and hands him his shopping list. The Farkeball project is finished, it produced some of the best moments I have seen during my my 50 plus years of attendance at Carrow Road. But it’s time to try something else, more robust and pragmatic yes but no hoof ball please.
Hi Andy
Yes you’re spot on there. Farkeball was wonderful while it lasted.
We haven’t done robust and pragmatic since the days of Ron Saunders imho although Deano has had a go at it with limited resources.
Like you I’d love to be a fly on the wall when Smith and Webber next meet but we will never get to hear what will be said between them.
Maybe it would make for fractious listening.
Cheers
Marty, remember the old bangers we all use to drive? We never had the money to buy anything shiny and new. But those old cars gave us some fun times when they were going, trouble was we gradual spent more time under the bonnet than behind the wheel. Finally tinkering wasn‘t enough. Poor old Deano hasn‘t had a decent drive in the banger he‘s been given, can he patch it up? Get a few more miles before the summer MOT? Well miracles can happen, clean the plugs and the carb’, putty in the holes and we can get a few more miles on the clock. What choice is there? Back to two wheels next year?
Hiya Cutty
Good car analogy – reminds me of my first MGB which was slightly different as in it drove beautifully while the sills gently but consistently rusted away.
Had a great year or so out of it but got rid of it for a Capri which looking back was not really any better plus the wiring loom was shot and the metallic finish lacquer peeled off.
Delia cannot afford a Cortina so the PL will always be dominated by the Bentley boys although Sean Dyche seems to keep Burnley’s 1967 air cooled Beetle chugging along.
Cheers
HI Martin a good one to miss worse ive seen us if ever of The writing not on The Wall after 2 wins in 36 it never Will be lack of right really worrying did ok against manure but it was only last 20mins against very poor showing have good xmas mate😊
Hi Kev
I struggle with night games now but I’m glad I didn’t miss much.
You and yours have a good Christmas too and I’ll see you Boxing Day.
Cheers mate
I’ve just received a club email saying “Time is running out to get the perfect gift”. Indeed it is. If they don’t find us someone to create and score goals very soon we’re doomed.
Hi Keith
I guess like many of us I got the same mail.
Don’t know whether to laugh or cry 🙂
Cheers
Excellent, Martin. I’m sorry to say I think it’s game over already. All the factors are in place – worst scorers, best conceders, low confidence, few promising prospects. The few chances we’ve had to win games (playing teams in poor form, or with multiple injuries, or against 10 men) have all been spurned. Fate has given us the opportunities… but we’ve just smirked at him/her and sent them on their way.
Hi Chris
I think it was Rowan Atkinson as Blackadder who said he f*rts in the face of fate – a good line, probably courtesy of Richard Curtis.
Me? I haven’t got the energy so I’ll just sink into my seat in the Barclay and keep silent, which please those who sit nearby.
Cheers
I think Baldrick needs more than a cunning plan to get us out of this Martin !!
Nursie is a bit busy right now too.
I think Stuart Webber should be Sacked at the end of the season !
Or now!!!He really has failed this time around,even most fans knew what type of players were needed,Buendia,Tettey,skipp replacements + striker and CB.5 decent players,then look what he brought in!
Hi Tony
I’ve always solidly backed SW before I got to see the summer intake on the grass.
The recruits have been really, really poor.
Cheers
No chance Jim – Webber will go only when it suits HIM.
Hi Martin
As an old friend once said after I told him my second team were Spurs he replied with both you teams are like a Sabertooth Tiger without his teeth, at the time I found it funny but really we have no bite.
After Saturday game I really thought we could have turned the corner but Tuesday was chalk and cheese, after the Lord mayor’s show no sure how to describe it.
I watched the game via a streaming service and whether it’s covid-19, Injuries or lack of commitment I just don’t know and TC storming down the tunnel after being subbed and later returning to the bench I am not sure he wants to stay and maybe there are a few others feeling the same way.
The after match interview was all about a scouse git complaining about a penalty that wasn’t given so the interview for the Loserpool job continues showing he knows how to feel hard done by.
Buendia God bless his fisherman’s socks still the drama queen moaning at every touch from an opposition player and sitting on the ground like a spoiled brat who has lost his dummy.
It was good in some 2ays to see Byram back on the pitch and long may his recovery last as this squad is down to it’s bare bones I hope that Kabak isn’t going to be out for long a fit young man I would have hoped could have run that cramp off if that was the problem.
From 5 to 1 fit CB in week that’s our luck Hanley may have stopped the first goal somewhere between the halfway line and the 18yard box why someone else didn’t I don’t know.
Dean Smith & Shakey must be wondering what has hit them covid-19 can’t be the only thing lots of small injuries maybe they are trying to get a mini pre season in as they think the players aren’t fit enough so let’s hope the call for a 10 day break to clear up this latest covid-19 strain will even things up.
The only good news Barrow dumped on Ipshite things go from bad to worse can we see a Jock riding to the rescue in Alex Neil now that would make me laugh even after the Sky reporter said that John Cook had left after a terrible run of results.
Hi Alex
I won’t laugh at the Binners too much because at this rate we might well join them for 23/;24. It’s by no means impossible.
Any decent midfielder like Ramsey knows before the game that if he runs at us he will be allowed to shoot as we simply do not close down or clatter.
As for Kabak and the cramp issue I’m not sure. Lack of game time? Maybe. Or it might just have been a lack of core fitness. You’ve had cramp, I’ve had it and so has half the sporting world.
It’s agonising in the short term and although you can jog it off over a short period you sure can’t get rid of it if you have to sprint – a case of back to #1!
Cheers
The only hope is that when S&S signed up they were promised something in the window. Surely they wouldn’t have agreed to come otherwise, its not like they were desperate for the money/job here? They well knew what they were taking on.
Hi Dan
I’m amazed S&S entertained us in the first place if I’m being really truthful.
They won’t get 10% of bugger all next month. Prediction for now, fact on February 1.
Probably why Funtime Frankie turned his snout up.
Cheers
Regarding what we’ll be left with if/when we get relegated again, past experience surely shows that the prospect is generally worse than the reality.
Many commentators on here assured us in summer 2020 that we wouldn’t be seeing the likes of Aarons, Cantwell and Buendia again. Kenny McLean was definitely going to go back to Scotland, Pukki to the continent to play in the UEFA Cup or whatever and Tim Krul would want top division football somewhere in order to keep his place in the Dutch squad. And so on.
In the end Buendia reluctantly gave us one more year, and the rest are still with us, although in Cantwell’s case only as an entry on the payroll it seems. Of all the forecast departures that we didn’t want only Godfrey and Lewis came to pass.
As for Webber, the majority of his work seems pretty sound to me. Can’t see anything much wrong with the signings of Rashica, Williams and Normann. Tszolis is a 19-yo living abroad – like Buendia, who took a little while to really get going (much easier in the Championship), he needs time. Pierrs-Malou hasn’t really made an impact, probably the biggest disappointment. Jury is out on Kabak.
The fees Webber achieved for Lewis and Buendia also suggest to me he knows what he’s doing. I always thought the Lewis price was way over the top. It’s beginning to look as though Emi’s was too, which considering he was supposedly holding a gun to our heads and there wasn’t exactly a bidding war going on is no mean feat.
As for Gilmour expectations were unrealistic; in that England v Scotland game for the first 20-30 minutes the summariser (Lee Dixon I think) was talking of him being way off the pace. It was only really later on that he grew into the game. He is a talent, sure, but the media bigging up of him makes him sound as though he’s in the same league as contemporaries such as Bellingham, Mount and Saka. In truth, were he English he wouldn’t get a look in at international level.
Hi Keith
Interesting viewpoint and I can certainly see things from your angle.
However playing devil’s advocate I can assimilate it with a black cloud floating around my head and look at it like this – which I stress is a worst case scenario but by no means unlikely in a half hearted bid to exit the Championship – which certain people who wish to remain there aren’t too happy to do in the first place..
Pukki and Krul want a last hurrah somewhere else as international football means everything to both of them. Normann and Kabak end their loans without being purchased. Gilmour and Williams return to Chelsea and Man U respectively. Max is sold for a decent fee and Cantwell goes elsewhere for very little money.
So what are we left with? Not much at all. And if Dean Smith can extract us from the Championship with what remains I will be amazed.
The rump will have no appetite, no heart and no fight. We’ve been found out in every sense of the phrase I’m afraid. Players, their agents and hangers-on will know who to avoid.
Jeez I hope I’m wrong but I doubt it.
Cheers
Afternoon Martin.
I didn’t see Tuesday’s game so I am only going on what your pals have said, the local media and my friends Trev, Marty and Nick.
And the words ” Great” or ” Resilient” or even ” Promising” haven’t been used just “Dire”, “Dreadful”, “Embarrassing” and worse “💩”
As you say it seems Manchester United and Spurs can cancel games at a whim whereas the likes of us and Brighton can’t. Funny that.
I remain convinced covid played a part in that performance.
I looked back on Daniel Farke’s reign last night to see how we got here.
The one thing I have noticed is the lack of character and strength around the team, Hanley has it Gibson & McClean as well but can you imagine Todd Cantwell getting away with this attitude in a dressing room with Roy Keane ?
I maybe being unfair but so many of the players we have signed over the last four years are technically gifted but not hard enough for the EPL.
Its an irony that years ago the second division was a place of ale yard football whereas the first division was much more skillful.
To me the big mistakes we have made is not buying enough fast, strong and robust players for the EPL.
Players like Stepi, Leitner, Trybull, Vrancic and Onel thrived in the Championship but it soon became apparent that at Premier League level they struggled.
But I would have kept Onel and Mario, especially Mario because he was always dangerous from free kicks. The only danger from free kicks now is for the stewards in the top tiers!
And are Milot or Josh better options than Onel ? Rashica may turn out to be a good player but we need to see a lot more of him to be sure.
There is no doubt the clubs surprising Championship win hurried the departure of many of these early signings.
And its easy to criticize Stuart Webber as I have done for this summer’s signings but it must always be remembered at just how low the scale of players pool he is shopping in being a self-funding club.
This is name dropping of the highest order But over the years I have spoken to Robert Fleck, John Deehan, Cameron Jerome and Chris Sutton, now I do not know these guys really at all but what I took from meeting them all is a sense of strong characters in mind and deed. And very nice people.
Another former player was extremely rude to staff in a shop I was regularly in and It kind of shocked me. The said gent has gone on to have something of a mercurial career, nothing like the lads I mention above.
Take Moritz Leitner, I was at an away supporters Sausages and Mash tea, a thank you from the club it got to whatever time and despite there being a huge line of kiddies waiting for his autograph, up he got and went and I think he persuaded Tom Trybull to go with him. Daniel Farke was still there signing autographs and generally chatting two hours later cheerful and as happy as ever.
That goes to a persons character, it is not all about shouting and screaming on the pitch but leading by example.
All this leads me to Todd, we have to be careful because if people are suffering with mental health issues as negative comment can be hurtful. But when I looked back on Todd’s contribution to the team especially in our last time in the Premier League he was very influential with important goals and in general play.
He scored more goals than Emi. But now he looks a pale shadow of that player. It cannot be just a falling out with Daniel Farke as Dean Smith has supported him unbelievably considering his form which is somewhat lacking to say the least.
Like Nelson Oliviera and I have to say Emi before him a parting of the ways would be best for both parties. But many players have found out that leaving Norwich the grass is not always greener elsewhere.
Mr Pritchard For instance.
Hi Tim
So many good points in there.
We don’t have anybody who can take a 25-yard free kick any more. Mario and Xavi Quintilla could, but they are gone.
Yes, we have far too many players who are not physically strong enough for the PL and I would question a few of those in the Championship as well.
I have met a few of our players over the years and Flecky is certainly a nice guy as you say. Gossy, Youssef Safri, Russell Martin and Elliott Bennett too – and Foxy. Gunny goes without saying of course but like you I have met these players [and more] but would never claim to know any of them cos I don’t.
Perhaps I’m lucky but I’ve never met anyone I didn’t like so I’m disappointed to hear about the attitude of the ar$ewipe you mention. Dunno who you mean but I could take a guess which I’ll keep to myself.
Thanks – excellent comment.
Expertly summed from the sofa Martin.
I heard that the PL refused to call the game off because their contract with BT specifies a minimum of 2 games per mid-week night, otherwise they have to fork out a rather large sum…….last night was the same when a “small” club (Brighton) were also forced to play. Also, both NCFC and Brighton had more players unavailable than Manure,,,but somehow Manure were successful in getting their’s postponed !
Cynical; moi?? Surely not!!!
As for the game, our performance was bl**dy awful, although a few times in the first half Cantwell did a lovely sort of sideways skip (Strictly Come Dancing would have loved it), rather than chasing back to help Williams (who I thought was also rather poor).
And just what is it with NCFC centre backs and playing in the Premier League??
As for Webber’s recruitment, I wonder if we enquired about Gallagher from Chelski?? If so, Palace definitely got the better deal!
Hopeful after Saturday; doomed and despondent now.
O T B C
Hi John,
West Ham v Norwich has been postponed, good move, a chance to try to clear the bug out of the club(s).
Brentford’s Thomas Frank is spot on, call off all the games this weekend, try to cleanse Covid out of the system, we might get a full list of games completed over the Xmas period.
COYYs !!
Hi John
Yes I feel like a bit of a pseud writing about a game I haven’t been to but luckily Don was happy to oblige so no harm done there.
As Kev says [above] we have been *awarded* a call-off and so have Watford and Brentford, so maybe the PL are starting to play it straight.
I can see football going underground again very soon but I desperately hope I am wrong, as I’m sure do all of us.
Cheers
Thanks for the quote, I’ve been mulling over my rant, and covid notwithstanding I stand by it.
Cantwells now been given 2 starts by Smith if he gets another I’ll eat my socks . He wants out, let him go.
Webber ,oh dear, isn’t he on the record as saying this summer’s incoming crew were pretty good.
Hi Bernie
What flavour are your socks?
ps thanks as always for the input 🙂
A well constructed and accurate piece Martin. And I have to say some very good responses too.
Such a depressing night which was always on the cards when the news of further absentees leaked out. I feared the worst the night before when the under 23 squad was shorn of some regulars. Even then young Rowe found himself on the bench having bagged a brace at derby.
From the off, we were yards short of the visitors, and barely laid a glove on them during the first half. The passing was woeful, the effort was lacking, the tempo was pedestrian. Perhaps partly as a result of further illness, be it covid or non covid related. Quite how the game went ahead is a mystery, given other high profile call offs benefitted favoured teams. A chance for three points and an intriguing nights football was lost and in its place a pile of shite that had no place masquerad8 g as competitive sport was hastily organised.
Thank God common sense has spared us a drubbing on Saturday and we can at least enjoy that day. West Ham will no doubt be aggrieved that their fat Christmas turkey and three points have been deferred. Perhaps they can gain some common comfort in the fact that undeniably some poor soul or souls who would have been amongst the 50,000 crowd will not spend the festive season on a ventilator. Although I doubt it.
Regarding cantwell, who apparently is not match fit after sitting out a month or so courtesy of herr farke, Doesn’t it seem odd that byram can miss two whole years and still run about and affect the game, at least a little? I’ve had chapter and verse about cantwells commitment to his boyhood club and I’m now of the opinion that we should sell at any price and write him off. We can’t use him and if he doesn’t play he depreciates faster than an old Rover.
His lightweight pal, who all the knowledgeable pundits repeatedly tell us is our best player should be returned to sender by Hogmanay. I can’t recall a single player who arrived with such a hoop la and huge reputation looking so poor, so,often. He’s actually dreadful.
The tiniest crumbs of comfort can be gleaned if one cares to look at Placheta, who I’ve routinely written off in the past as a dud, who bizarrely looks much better against far superior opposition to that which he previously encountered. Credit to the lad.
One thing is clear, the appetite for regular humiliation and misery at the hands of the other nineteen premier clubs is waning. Specially as this seasons offering has been served with an added side of national derision and abuse.
Trouble is, we need this 9 month descent into hell in order to make the numbers stack up or aunties empire crumbles. The way this season is unfolding the club may be in for a nasty shock as more and more people are beginning to question of there’s any point to it all. Imagine if we’re by some miracle in the top two next season? Knowing full well just what lies in wait the other side of the summer.
Hi Chris
Rarely does a comment bring the wrong sort of tears to my eyes but you’ve managed it.
Absolutely spot on.
Thank you.
Chris;
See my comment above re; loan players….
How did we end up with the highly rated Scot, while Palace picked up the “journeyman” Gallagher?? Ours, for most of the time, looks like he couldn’t pass water and may become an average football league player, whilst theirs looks a future Premier League or Euro star.
O T B C