We’re a resilient bunch really.
Okay, so we moan a lot (I don’t think I’m alone) and we completely ignore the not-too-high, not-too-low ethos espoused by most managers, coaches and sporting directors.
Wins are met with ecstasy, defeats with desolation, and rarely do we trundle along in that hinterland described by Kipling. Balance, even from folk like me who are supposed to provide some, is a rare commodity.
But we bounce back quickly and any troubled waters are soon calmed by the slightest hint of positive news – a trait, I guess, common to all football supporters.
A win, an unexpectedly good performance, an inkling of some future investment, a new signing whose arrival is met with almost universal approval – all sufficient to raise the collective spirit a notch or two.
And, to be honest, after such a horrific season, even weekends without a game and a (terrible) performance to mull over are, in themselves, a minor fillip. Over the last 10 months, the bad news came at us so thick and fast it was hard to keep up with what to be angry about.
But, whether intentional or not – I tend to think not – the news from the Archant lads that there was a new potential investor in town was an almost immediate diversion away from the horrors that had unfolded on the turf.
Instead of talking about getting tonked 5-0 by Spurs, we were talking about the seven blokes who sat in the directors’ box and who watched us get tonked 5-0 by Spurs.
We were already looking forward.
Amidst all of it was also an act of self-preservation. Why the hell would any of us wish to look back over 2021-22 with a Norwich City hue – a season with no redeeming features.
So to have reason to look ahead with some hope before the nets had hardly been taken down was a good thing – inadvertent or otherwise.
We all needed it – even those for whom the club and the team can say and do no wrong.
And the out-of-the-blue news that the club has signed a robust, athletic, defensive midfielder whose name we recognised merely added to the uplift in the collective mood.
Isaac Hayden ticks almost all of the boxes that remained unticked last season and is the rarity of a new signing who arrives with almost unequivocal support from those he’s leaving behind and those he’s joining.
The only concern would be his ability to remain injury-free – 169 career appearances for a 27-year-old doesn’t sound like a lot – although a stringent medical at Colney will no doubt have allayed any fears of ongoing, long-term injuries and conditions.
And the fact he has two Championship promotions already on his CV makes him, on paper at least, an ideal fit.
There have been one or two suggestions that Hayden’s arrival signals the end of the passing football we’ve become accustomed to since the summer of 2017, but I’m pretty sure there’s room for robust sort in the heart of that midfield among some technicians.
I didn’t feel the Farkeball was any less Farkeball for the presence of Alex Tettey at the base of that midfield and, besides, while Dean Smith’s vision of the game may not be quite as wholesome as Daniel Farke’s, his Brentford and Villa teams were both known for playing attractive, passing football.
Those fearing a route-one approach to the new Championship campaign should rest easy, although there are a few in the River End who I suspect would embrace such a change in ethos wholeheartedly 🙂
With the summer transfer window now officially two days old, there will likely be more new faces arriving and departing as the summer churn begins, each in and out playing its own small part in distancing this squad from the ill-fated 2021-22 version.
Each one also takes us another step in the right direction on the negativity/positivity axis.
So, the healing process feels like it’s underway – kickstarted by some news that may never come to fruition (although we hope it does), and then, alongside that great healer that is time, there have been one or two positive noises emanating from Colney.
I’ve deliberately avoided the PR screw-ups that continue to blight the club as I wanted this piece to be light, but let’s not pretend everything is rosy. Rebuilding is required across the board and on many fronts.
For now though, let’s cling to the fact there’s nothing on the football side to be angry about.
That can wait until Saturday, 30 July.
OTBC.
Having endured that last season, and fallen somewhat out of love with the game, as a consequence, I’m actually enjoying the football free summer.
Remind me, when are the fixtures out again? 😉
Same here, Gaz, and especially after feeling completely physically sh!t for the final three weeks of the season.
(Thursday, June 23rd) sshhh.
All very true Gary.
They say time is a great healer but it is the whiff in the air of new investment that as you say has changed the mood amongst most of us.
Does this mean we can look forward to a great Championship campaign without the worry of that great “reward”, a place in the EPL ? I think so, but we must all keep our expectations in check.
With these new investors and their Moneyball philosophy a lot of what the present board have been doing will continue.
I can hear the moans and groans already 😂 but the good news it will hopefully be at a higher level so we will be competitive in wages, a big stumbling block last summer.
I think it is fair to say we got none of our top targets last summer, but already this season I have the feeling that Isaac Hayden was one of our top targets and that is before any new investment coming into the club. So I am optimistic if all this goes through that we will be a lot more prepared for another EPL season if we do win promotion.
The under 18’s and under 23’s will still have a massive job to do as well. These new guys are not a country so it is not a Manchester City or a Newcastle situation, and I think we all realise that.
But wouldn’t it be nice going to games knowing you have a chance and not hating it because you fear another 3 or 4-0 drubbing ?
I would like to hear if Teemu Pukki and Grant Hanley have been offered new contracts though, that silence is a bit worrying.
And finally Gary there are some in the River end who would applaud the football under John Beck at Cambridge many years ago or the crazy gang at Wimbledon😂
A good read Gary, and I heartily concur.
The buzz of excitement created amongst the support following the news of possible and long overdue investment is palpable. Ive spoken to so many fellow fans since the news broke and its fair to say there is universal support for this. If the process fails now the mood will once again go through the floor.
Your belief that haydens medical will ensure a 40 game season is tempered somewhat by the realisation that normann went through precisely the same medical examination prior to last season.
Fingers crossed on both counts. In the meantime England have a hefty deficit to overturn on day three of the second test.
I agree with you Gary.
Last Thursday watching The Killers was the most enjoyable night I’ve spent at Carrow Road in a long time.
I was there on Thursday too JohnF and wholeheartedly agree it was the best entertainment at Carrow Road for a while but I remain very optimistic that we will be in the top 6 next season – although for what purpose? – to endure another horrific 10 months in the ‘promised land’? 🤔
Hi Gary
Webber said that he expected some excitement in 2 to 3 weeks well a new signing and potential investors could cover that but could the time line which is about to close be a confirmation that the investment is a done deal.
Rumours abound that Krul will be playing in the Dutch league next season and at present McGovern will be second choice unless Barden proves he is fit but we are still being mentioned with the Pilgrims first choice keeper only time will tell but surely it’s time to say thank you to McGovern.
Worth noting that the club runs a financial year until the end of June. Investment announced July 1st?
Being to watch some football without being depressed is a pleasant feeling, that doesn,t include watching England,I avoid that totally.. Although Scotland weren,t that good at all, Wales had me cheering even Northern Ireland a few minutes ago was worth it.
Conor Hourihane is available on a free, that would rekindle a little fire , with history of being in Deano,s teams would be a great signing. Attacking,playmaker and plenty of experience, just what we need.
All quiet on the American front, still hoping for something, but I always fear that it will be turned down, if so there will be answers needed. But at this time just enjoying less stress and frustrations, but they could be just around the corner.
Good read.
As I understand it the Americans are looking to buy 18% of the shares in the club. That money goes to the owner of those shares. After that they may not put any money into the club. They may only put money in once they get a controlling interest. So I am not holding my breath fir lots to spend in thus window.
I do think Hayden was a first choice target as the deal was announced very early. I too think last Summer we didn’t get our first choices fir mant reasons.
I think Hayden is a good fit and hope he has a good injury free season.
Like others I too have fallen out of love with the game especially with the poor entertainment our side put on. I only went to two games last season and that was plenty.
However, come the start of the new season I hope we will be competitive. My worst nightmare is the first game being against a newly promoted side and it on TV.