Well, the atmosphere was much improved. I’ll say that much. And there appeared more energy in the team’s performance.
But in terms of productivity, the removal of Dean Smith alone was never going to be enough to get a tune out of this group. Renewed effort and vigour can only get you so far.
Allan Russell and Steve Weaver did all that was asked of them and there was always going to be a limit to the impact they could make over the course of three or so training sessions, but there’s no escaping the fact it was another of those frustrating, slightly underwhelming Carrow Road evenings.
Had it been a Smith and not a Russell in the dugout, the boos would have echoed… again.
The revival, if there is to be one, has to start somewhere though, and there were some good moments when there appeared a greater sense of freedom in the players, but there was also much to be improved upon. Just as there has been since the start of the season.
Russell’s impressive outing at the pre-match presser continued through to his post-match duties, and it was clear that in between, certain key messages had been drummed into the players – notably the need to take one or two fewer touches to get the ball into the strikers.
He spoke pre-match of the need to get Reading’s defence turning back towards its own goal and stayed true to his word, with through balls from deep to try and get Teemu Pukki free in the channel very evident early on. So too the requirement for both full-backs to get crosses into the box.
That all of the above occurred against the backdrop of a bouncing Carrow Road made a for a far more pleasant experience for everybody.
Old habits die hard though and you can’t teach a killer instinct. Neither can you coach a winning mentality. And both were needed to see out a game that was there for the taking.
Alas, this is where we are right now, and is why we no longer reside in the playoff places. That we’re still seventh after losing nine of our 25 games is a little bit daft in itself.
We can, of course, forget the automatic places – they’re long gone – but such is the sheer stupidity of the Championship, we remain well and truly in the hunt for a playoff place. Yet we seem so far off.
This is not a team that looks playoff-ready, and nor is it a team that looks like it believes it’s playoff-ready. Much damage has been done, to both the method and the psyche, and for all the buoyancy of Carrow Road last night, it’s going to take quite the turnaround to get this group believing again.
While, in terms of overall quality, this group is probably not as supremely talented as we have been told (or would like to believe), it does have enough quality to make top six but, as we’ve discussed many times, it takes more than ‘tekkers’ to succeed in the Championship.
It takes a big old dose of what Luton displayed on Boxing Day when down to ten men, and the type of resilience Reading showed last night, to be woven in among the silky passing and flowing football.
We’ve shown in spells that we’re capable of the latter. But the former?
Only if Russell and Weaver, and whoever follows on a full-time basis, can somehow embed a ruthless, hard-to-beat, and resilient mindset into this group, will this season end the way we all want it to.
For now, the fragility is there for all to see, even if it did take some questionable refereeing to assist Reading on the night. A second and third goal for City would have rendered his blunders meaningless. A 1-0 lead in almost any circumstance is flimsy.
Quite where we do go from here is in the hands of Stuart Webber, and what he can’t afford – for both his own precious CV and for the sake of his employers – is another screw-up on a Dean Smith scale.
I, personally, don’t have any strong feelings over who it should be although I’m never a fan of any appointment that smacks of sentimentality, or which is made borne of familiarity.
I’d be very happy for it to be someone who’s never before set foot inside Carrow Road but who could bring with him (or her) a freshness and energy that swept through the place upon Webber’s first, rather more successful, appointment.
That’s what’s needed. A fresh start. New ideas. Innovation. And the players need to be fit or, should I say, fitter. I’d also prefer – and this is just me being picky now – for it to be a coach who returns us to the total football of 2018-19 and 2020-21.
But, whoever it is, there’ll be plenty of fans who will be unhappy with the appointment. That’s life. But we all need to give the new coach a chance, and not write them off before a ball has been kicked.
In the meantime, we have to just be patient, trust Webber to get this one right, and join in with the beat of that drum again against Watford on Monday.
___
Thanks for joining us at MFW in 2022. Let’s hope 2023 is a better one.
A very Happy New Year to you all.
I thought the improvement in style and effort was a real testament to the ability of the duo given the responsibility to overcome the damage done by Smith. Too many fans expect miracles. I disagree entirely with the comments about the ability or otherwise of the group.
The fans love to hate McLean and he was superb yesterday. Idah got criticised and after all he has suffered he too showed his potential. Reading were never going to be a pushover and with a little more luck (and confidence) the result would have been better.
I hope the club take some time over this appointment and let’s see what these two can do.
Sure we can improve but yesterday’s performance was the best for many months so show some patience Norwich fans and don’t underestimate the damage Smith has done to these player’s confidence. I am optimistic that things will turn out better than you think.
A great assessment Gary. Spot on in all accounts. Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy and prosperous 2023.
Thank you, Glen, and the same to you, my friend.
I’m sorry Gary but all last night proved is that our problems go a lot deeper than replacing Dean Smith.
In truth the Delia reign is well past its sell by date and as I stated yesterday apart from Farke what other decisions has Webber called correctly.
For too long we’ve enjoyed being called a premiership club despite the fact that on our last two visits to that league we’ve proved conclusively that we are far from that status.
The ridiculous self funding model was only kept alive through the shrewd recruitment of Kieran Scott. Since Webber took over these duties all we’ve done is assemble a number of very expensive players who aren’t of championship quality and for anybody who doubts this compare are position to that of a vastly improving Middlesbrough.
Our current set up has now managed to not only produce an uncoordinated side heading towards the bottom of the table but also what for this club, is a huge financial hole of £50 million.
Time to put the for sale sign up and hope somebody is interested.
No need to apologise, John. I couldn’t agree more.
I just opted, on this occasion, not to take the wider view. Readers are probably sick of hearing me rant on said subject.
But fear not – I’ll be returning there very soon. 😀
I suspect they probably think the same of me but it’s obvious that we are now at a very low point requiring radical action.
I now find it impossible to see any positives under the current regime. I feel the current setup just thinks we’re a bunch of country bumpkins who will believe any nonsense they come up with.
All that’s been proven in recent times is what a brilliant coach and man manager Farke was and how unlikely we are to strike that lucky in the near future.
Anyway let’s hope it’s a happy New Year for everyone who supports the club!
Agreed … on every point, John.
Happy New year, mate.
Hi John
Just like Gary I made myself a vow not to touch on the *D* subject in my piece for tomorrow.
Weak-willed old fecker that I am, it’s not even half written and I could not keep my vow I’m afraid.
It just overshadows everything – and I mean everything.
One thing above all as testament to a new approach, was seeing Max going over the half way line. Clearly he was being held back under Smith from his main asset, which is an attacking wing back.
Every journey starts with the first step, To even have the line up as it was is a start, the old habits of 13 months are not going to leave in a few days. Had the referee been up to anywhere near up to the standard, they would not have drew level and the chance was taken away in the area.
The coaches have some credit and if that was anything to go by they know how to use it.
Watford got on the end of a good old drubbing, makes memore fearful for Monday and a along come Norwich. that would have been a surefire thing with the old set up.
We know Smudger failed badly. why? I feel he should have seen how his state of mind was after being sacked by his first love, like being dumped by a girl or boyfriend from a long term relationship and jumping into another without thought of the effects. Webber should have given this some thought as well. The damage this has done to both parties is and will be clear to see
Based on highlights and stats too, draw was the right outcome. Reading penalty seemed to be a mistake by the referee, still very difficult for him because there is no var. On the other hand, foul what Hanley made was a clear yellow card and possibly inside the penalty area + McLean made possibly a foul inside the penalty area . Reading had 2 free kicks close to the penalty area, in both cases the wall was way too close.
Your manager situation looks to be at least some level of mess. David Wagner seems too obvious a decision, history with Webber and has been part of Dortmund coaching staff. It would be like Farke 2 and then hoping it will work.
Thanks, as ever, for your comments 1×2 and for being a valued contributor to MFW over 2022.
‘Some level of mess’ just about sums up our club at the moment 😀
Happy New Year.
Happy new year to you too Gary and of course to Martin too. I will try to stay as neutral as possible in 2023. English language prepositions are like var for foreigners, after writing something you are hopeful it was correct but language var decisions easily rule out your hopes.
There is now Boro with Marcus Forss in the mix also. Of course it makes championship season even more interesting to me.
Hi Gary
Like many I was unsure what to expect last night and was a little surprised that after 20mins the team wasn’t looking for a second breath, much more energy and purpose going forward.
Hanley booked after 90seconds was a warning sign for the home team from the Ref and at half time the BBC stats said Norwich 10 Reading 3 in the fouls but city got no leeway while Reading got all 50/50 decisions and the penalty was the biggest joke of the lot.
The Ref must be a Dean Smith/Paul Ince friend, many years ago a manager and his assistant got into trouble for time wasting yet both Reading coaches stopped city taking throw in’s to hang on to their ill gotten point.
The usual suspects or poor reporting about possible replacements for Smudger will continue even as the EDP says the club are in talks with Bruce as a cheap option and it will be the cheap option after paying compo once they will not want to give a large sum to another championship club, so maybe a German, French or South American out of work will be recruited let’s hope they at least speak the Kings English.
Happy New Year to one and all
And the same to you, Alex. Thanks for being a valued contributor to MFW all across 2022.
Happy New Year, mate.
Familiarity can work out very well, our two best ever positions were achieved by managers promoted from within – Stringer and Walker. Look at Liverpool in their glory days managers stepped up from coaching positions and even players were made to start in the reserves. I like how positive Russell is which reminds me of what Culverhouse said when he rejoined as assistant to Lambert- players are better than they think they are. It will take time but the headlines would be much different without an awful ref. Perhaps Russell can lift the club – just like he did with Christina Aguilera!
Agreed, Gil. It can as per the examples you provide. Was just a preference on my part.
Happy New Year.
Its going to need more than a new head coach to brighten things up at carrow road.New owners,new sporting director and new players are needed as the club is no further forward than it was pre Webber,apart from colney of course.Webber for me is the main culprit,poor recruitment every transfer window,falling out with fans and his arrogance,time for him to leave,appoint Adams as his replacement and bring in a chief scout to replace kieran Scott.Say goodbye to Krul,Pukki,Hernandez,Mclean,Hanley,Dowell and Byram and bring in fresh young blood,start afresh with a complete new set up,if not not much imo will change.
Tend to agree, Tony.
Thanks to all contributors at mfw it has been a tough year but although we have different opinions we all have Norwich City at heart.
It was a definite improvement last night, both on and off the pitch. The players looked as though they might even be enjoying playing, and the crowd responded. Passing, though not always up to the levels we’ve come to expect over recent years, was better, and there was decent movement off the ball. I was surprised to see some of the negative comments on the Pink’un forum, from people obviously watching on a stream.
Aside from a poor referee and Reading’s time wasting tactics, I noticed a number of instances where their players took out our players with cynical off the ball fouls, preventing them from joining in a developing attack, but totally unnoticed by the officials.
I don’t suppose Russell and Weaver will get the job, but there is definitely something there to build on for a progressive coach willing to let the players off the leash.
From my vantage point, high in the executive lounge for a change and fuelled by a rather pleasant meal, I actually enjoyed the game.
This in spite of the abomination of a referee, who called every single decision in readings favour and the sickening late equaliser.
It would be asking for miracles to expect a turnaround of such epic proportions as to undo all the damage inflicted by the incompetent smith and Shakespeare, however there were definite signs of improvement.
The sight of Russell on the touch line frantically waving max Aarons forward as he hesitated slightly as if in trepidation at the thought of incurring the wrath of smith was welcome and much appreciated.
The players appeared eager to please and as a result, every positive action, be it a thumping tackle form mccallum, the winning of a corner by Pukki persitence when second favourite for the ball, Sara nutmegging an opponent etc. drew warm appreciation and the players appeared to grow as a result.
I’m desperate now for a birthday treat and a victory against a somewhat weakened Watford to set us up for the new year,
Nice work Mr G Gowers Esq,
I wouldn.t rush over the next managerial appointment, Weaver and Russell may well have a few tricks and abilities up their sleeves, and the Reading game showed some healing or green shoots if we can use that term.
Undone by a poor penalty decision. NCFC didn’t sound like a failing team on Radio Berkshire.
Loved the idea of a three striker front line, on another day it would have produced more goals, and three points. Loved the opportunities for full backs to raid forwards a bit.
This is where it is for us right now, and where it is will probably stay all season. Limited money, squad in recovery, several games to come. Consolidate. The club took a backward turn and it will take much of this season to exorcise it. If we make the play-offs, fair go.
Let’s stuff Watford!
Happy New Year,
COYYs !!
Gary,
Thanks for all of the 2022 articles,
Shame so many were about our pitfalls, as our dear club didn’t give you much opportunity to sing positives, let’s hope it changes next year.
The ref of last night seems to be taking plenty of stick, I think we are forgetting Hanley’s early foul was as much in the box as outside and Dowell albeit accidentally, did catch their winger, well in my opinion anyway.
I did see Ince in the second half spend most of his time on the touch line and not in the technical area, weak officials scared of him ? Lino couldn’t see probably !
Good article Gary but your final paragraph says we have to “trust Webber to get this one right” and, in my opinion anyway, that’s to big an ask.
Fair comment, mate. I should have said, “we have no option but to trust Webber to get this one right”. Would have been better.