It was always going to be the toughest of gigs for Allan Russell and Steve Weaver. Two games and not many more training sessions to make a positive impact on a group of players who had underperformed for the first 24 games of the season.
And, to be fair, in both games, the players have given them everything; not something that was always obvious in the final throes of Dean Smith’s tenure.
It just so happens that neither Russell and Weaver nor this squad are good enough – at least they weren’t yesterday. Both came up short against a Watford squad so ravaged by injury that it was literally on its knees… not to mention its back, side, and stomach.
It would have been no surprise to see Slaven Bilic and Julian Dicks head down the tunnel only to re-emerge in full kit, awaiting their turn.
Yet Watford still beat us. Right now, everyone does.
The Festive Season had been a brutal one for the Hornets but then along… you know the phrase. We remain the gift that keeps on giving, especially at Carrow Road, which has now turned into the complete antithesis of a fortress.
Over the last two games, with the spectre of Smith and Shakespeare exorcised and the drum of City Elite now doing a fine job in whipping up a bona fide atmosphere inside the stadium, still they falter.
Three wins in their last 14 Championship games. And those who predicted that the turgid football would eventually lead us to mid-table have been proven right.
It’d be futile of course to dissect Russell’s tactics and set-up of yesterday given that he probably has a maximum of two more days in the job, but if he was a longer-term option I’d have been more than a little concerned over his decision to opt for a lightweight three-man midfield against a Watford team that have bullied us for most of the last decade.
Ditto the decision to play what amounted to a front three with no obvious plan around how to get the ball to them, other than getting our full-backs higher up the pitch. Any plans that had been worked on were poorly implemented.
The decision to only use one substitution in a game we were chasing and against opponents who were physically struggling was also a tad baffling, but I’ll leave it there.
If there is to be a successful reset – and there needs to be one to arrest this horrible slide – then assuming there are, as ever, zero funds available in January, the new head coach has one massive task ahead.
He (or she) will inherit a group of players bereft of belief or will; one that still has a losing mentality; one that hopes rather than believes it is going to win.
It’s not without talent, we know that, although I am starting to question whether it’s as good as we thought it was at the start of the season. And I do wonder if they’re as super-fit as they should be, unless the apparent lethargy and fatigue is a state of mind rather than limb.
Either way, if Stuart Webber deems David Wagner to be the answer, I see no way how this lot currently have the sharpness, will, and fitness to go full gegenpress. In fact, I can’t think of a style of play for which this current crop is less suited.
We’ll find out the direction in the next couple of days.
But if nothing else, the last two games have evidenced that what many people have been saying all along has substance – namely that while Dean Smith and his coaching was a problem, it wasn’t the only problem.
They run much deeper than a coach who struggled to coach effectively. They run as deep as you can go.
While the reset that’s badly needed at first XI level is well underway, the reset that the Club needs at its most senior level shows no sign of happening. Even with some wealthy, driven, well-intentioned Americans waiting in the wings, our first couple are not for budging.
Neither for that matter are our second couple.
What has been a complete mess for most of the season remains one, and a new face in the dugout won’t instantly change that. The problem is, the Club is not stagnating, it’s sliding.
A brief, reluctant glance at the Championship table reveals us to be just nine points shy of the drop zone compared to eleven short of the automatics. And a brief glimpse at the form table reveals the current direction of travel.
If those at the very top are not concerned, they should be.
But, in the short term, we have no option but to keep everything crossed and hope that Webber gets his next appointment right. However dire things feel right now, if the new head coach can use the ‘bounce’ to engineer a couple of early wins, then things can change.
I don’t believe we’ve yet reached the point of no return.
And I didn’t find myself as offended by Webber’s interview with Sky Sports as some – he came across as the sporting director of 2018 at times – although his inference that had it not been for the fan-generated toxicity he’d have given Dean Smith more time didn’t half spoil it.
It was, however, good to hear him admit he underestimated the value of having a head coach who engages with and genuinely appreciates the fans.
But he has one big call to make right now. The consequences of getting it wrong don’t bear thinking about.
I hope everyone now realises after a couple of disastrous transfer windows we don’t have a premier league squad but one that struggles to be competitive in the championship. Forget play offs we’re in a relegation battle.
Worse still having paid way over the odds for a mediocre collection of players, who frankly struggle to be loaned out, we are left with a huge financial black hole which means we will continue on a downward slope for sometime unless a buyer comes in and takes over from our apparently clueless owners.
It’s ok to be a bit arrogant if you’re good at your job but looking at the state City are currently in everybody involved with running the club should be eating large portions of humble pie.
I just hope the new coach isn’t another fall guy!
Yeah, and those that spoke up – were ignored – piped up again- ignored -shouted to the point of anger knowing what was coming – they only alienated themselves. And so the happy clappers have their inevitable day and the truly passionate and/or the next generations of fans, have to put up with the consequences. It’s like Brexit all over again 😂
A good article. I’ve watched Steven Schumacher at Plymouth and he’d be a candidate in my mind, and there is an elephant in the room with Wagner in that no other teams have gone near him, he appears to be an easy option for SW and that then begs the question, who really is banging on the door requesting an interview. Maybe other candidates do not think the hierarchy setup is something they want to deal with?
The other issue with any new coach is the assumptions they will Make when they read “household names” on a squad list like Krul, Hanley, Gibson, Aarons, Hayden, Cantwell and Pukki. They will make assumptions when they see 2 South American names, full Greek and USA internationals. We need someone that comes into this with eyes wide open because if they enter the building and play the obvious players, then we will alienate our younger players who might start wanting to leave for pennies to the pound.
The saving grace is a reversion to 4-2-3–1 in my mind, with Kenny and Gibbs sitting, and arguably TRYING to pacify Sarge by asking him to be a more physical foil like Stieperman once was, and therefore vital to a system, rather than wasting his future by being played as a winger.
This is a very tricky time for City.
lots to agree with, but I don’t want Plymouth to lose Schumacher. It looks like the only joy we will get from this season will be little 1p5wich messing up yet again. Schumacher is doing a great job, he should stay.
I think your summation is about right Gary. It’s a funny game when many people’s villain in midfield was so sorely missed with Kenny out injured. Other than for financial reasons promotion to the premier league this time around could be a disaster. For the long term I rear that we may take many more seasons to get back to being promoted.
Sad really.
Interesting is your comment around Kenny. It’s sometimes that some peoples value is only noticed when they are not there.
One point from two winnable home games is relegation football. Webber saying he would have given Smith more time shows a detachment from reality, is he and the Directors living in another dream world. If they don‘t understand what is needed how can they pick the right person for head coach? Something badly wrong at the heart of this Club.
Our squad is a disaster in the making, both from quality and positional standpoints. We don’t have the tools to do the job and only one person is responsible for that.
Our situation didn’t manifest overnight, it is the result of season after season of poor recruitment
Vintage canary
Once again the headless chickens cluk around. Three corners in the first 15mins and all trough balls to offside positions. Blinging school boy stuff then again Hanley and gibbo both go up for a corner leaving the back door open for the umpteenth time and hey presto stuffed again
I wouldnt play them for Brechin City let alone Norwich City the new coach has got bite the bullet . And have a massive clear out and start again with good younsters what on earth are we doing selling Earley and not bringing Mumba back in the window is their a deal going on to bring the guy from Plymouth as the next coach..
Great summary Gary.
Regarding Webber’s interview, I’m not surprised some fans took exception to a few of his remarks -especially following another disappointing result and the slightly disingenuous ’headlining’ of his comments in the media.
However, watching the interview again, I think he was actually fair, balanced and calculated.
My question to anyone criticising the comments would be ‘what else could he say?’
We’re currently trying to entice a new coach to the club. They need to be assured that they will be supported by the Board and Sporting Director, not at the mercy of the fans and likely to be sacked as soon as the crowd turns. But he did acknowledge that the fans’ concerns were listened to and played a role in the decision. So a bit of a tightrope to walk, which I think he managed well. He also flagged the need to form a connection with the fanbase so clearly set expectations for the new appointee.
In terms of the club’s image, and his own, It was important to resist the urge to stick it to Dean and make him the scapegoat, The right and professional thing to do. Easy to deflect all the blame onto the people who have been removed, but again, not an image you’d want to put out there with prospective candidates watching on.
He didn’t pander to the fans, which perhaps some of us would have liked, and would deem appropriate, bearing in mind the litany of mistakes and our current position. But it did seem (to me, at least), an attempt to rebuild some bridges.
As welcome as the removal of smith and Shakespeare was, it amounts to rearranging deckchairs while the titanic sinks. The rate of free fall is accelerating at an alarming speed yet still the main culprits continue to hold office.
Another 6 months of wretched self funding will kill the club once and for all and it will become a basket case. For Gods sake wake up and smell the coffee. As for the “takeover”, it must be the slowest in the history of football. If attanasio doesn’t make some sort of move soon there will be nothing left to take over. It was reported that he wasn’t the only party showing firm interest in rescuing the club but was Delia smiths preferred option. As the saying goes, he should piss or get off the pot.
It really is crunch time at this club or very soon will be, I made a comment last week that it wasn’t Webber but fan power that sacked Smith & co and what happens? one point against Reading and swathes of supporters were calling for Russell to be at least appointed till the end of season!!!!!! wasn’t he brought in by Smith as a set piece coach? and did we see an improvement? pathetic!! it’s time for a Chase like demonstration against this rotten to the core club and only the fan power will achieve that, what is the hold that the Webbers have over Delia? or is it just the slow onset of Dementia, whatever, the fans need to wake up and get off their arses and demonstrate ” FAN POWER ” it works
I also meant to say that months ago I mentioned that I couldn’t understand comments made that” we should be doing much better with the squad we’ve got” that I found laughable, WE ARE WHERE WE ARE BECAUSE OF WHAT WE ARE a very average Championship squad
I was also somewhat heartened to hear Webber admit that he had made a mistake in not valuing the link between head coach and the fans. It was also a good sign to see him lifting his head above the parapet and actually speaking about the situation. I warm to him much more when he explains his viewpoint than when he remains silent. I hope that the fact Dean Smith did not want to stay either meant that we were able to negotiate a much reduced settlement! We need a new head coach who is able to instil some belief in the players and the fans and also to communicate a clear style of attractive play. Presumably if Ramsey goes back to Villa we might have space (and wages) for a loan arrival or two. A new coach may be able to bring out the best in Cantwell, who undoubtedly had some creative talent before suffering with issues and injuries. We have an outstanding young goalkeeper in Gunn and I believe young Gibbs to be great prospect. Once Rowe is fit again, and we have Omabomadele back in the side we will have the ability to beat the poorer sides at least. I still think Sara and Nunez will develop if given time. Sorensen to return as left back competition would be good. It is not all doom and gloom. Fitness appears to have been an issue under Smith if the rumours of the players themselves asking for extra sessions and being denied them are at all true, but that can be rectified over a relatively short period of time. Recruitment for the Premier League season was poor and we are still left with questions about why people are leaving the club’s employ e.g. Keiran Scott, so no doubt the questions still remain, but I feel much happier when we actually hear something from the club rather than a wall of silence. If Wagner is appointed I hope he is given some time by the fans, I fear his honeymoon period may be quite short given that he will be seen very much as Webber’s man and Webber’s stock is not as high as it was (that may be an understatement). I think Knutsen might be given longer as most people seem to be willing to take a punt on him, but I doubt he would be willing to come. Hassenhutl would be my choice – but I might have to learn how to spell that!
I am interested to note how many contributors to MFW appear to acknowledge the possibility of a female head coach. I would be fascinated to see how that would play out and how tolerant, or otherwise, the majority of fans would be if things didn’t instantly improve (which they most probably won’t). Again, it is probably unlikely that the sorts of female coaches we would consider would be willing to give up their current roles e.g. managing England. They may also have fewer contacts in the men’s game and may be therefore less likely to know of available young talents and may not have the same access to the “old boys” network that male counterparts may benefit from. One day it will happen I guess.
Thanks to all MFW writers and to the people who contribute comments. It is my favourite source of NCFC opinions and always worth reading. Happy, healthy new year to all.
Thanks for the kind words, Sue. And the same to you and yours.
You make a good point about a female coach. Chelsea’s Emma Hayes, for example, would be a great shout.
Just as well we picked up 22 points from 24 during that unbeaten run in september /october.
14 points from the other 18 games is more in keeping with the performance level we currently enjoy.
it was as many said a win despite the performance during that spell.
I really felt like vomiting watching Webber’s interview yesterday his sheer pig headedness and arrogance and he still believes there’s enough quality in this squad 🙈 but he then says it’s we we believe we this we that surely other people can see through this surely. And if this is such a prestigious job one of the best in England why is David Wagner favourite ?
The club is becoming laughable In my eyes how many others ?
Watford had way better scoring chances, that was the main difference. Kind of absurd that the winning goal was scored by Bayo who was abysmal. Watford players kept getting injured during the game all the time, they also missed several players already.
Norwich problem looks to be overall quality problem. Its strange that players and fans seem to believe that there is plenty of quality to get promoted, it has not looked like that at all. It does not mean that if someone has played 1 season premier league football, his quality has suddenly risen clearly. In the premier league Norwich squad were nowhere near enough good to avoid relegation. Your player recruitment looks very narrow and they keep on failing. Its difficult tactically get results you would wish, you just dont have enough quality.
The commitment was there but the ability wasnt our defence shot themselves in the foot again with another giveaway how many times has that happened over last 18months .Andy o aside I don’t think this defence at best would get more than 6/10 on any occasion so error prone .must be complete rebuild in that area to take club forward .the question now is not about playoff’s but can we avoid relegation as the club is in complete free fall .we properly a little higher in League then our performance’s merit only plus point from the dross we seeing at moment.
Ironic that some of our correspondents are bemoaning lack of fitness and suggesting the players themselves would like more intense sessions, whilst Chris Goreham spent much of yesterday’s commentary wondering whether Bilic has been working his squad so hard they become susceptible to injury….
I see Ramsey’s had to go back to Villa. That’s a great shame – he was just beginning to offer that creative spark we’ve missed so much these last few weeks.
It surely begs the question about the way players of his age are handled – especially in the EFL with so many games – not just with us, but all around the leagues.
Omo, Idah, Ramsay, Rowe, Springett, Mumba, McCallum (on loan last year) have had long periods out this year or previously. It’s as if as soon as young talents appears they are forced to overdo things, even though their physical development is far from complete.
I don’t think it’s just a City thing, suspect it’s the same at many clubs. Yet in this age of sports scientists and the like shouldn’t it be the opposite?
I am not as pessimistic as many – I do not believe our season is done and nor do I think we will be fighting relegation at the end of the season. As bad as the result was yesterday – the Watford Forward play was excellent – they held balls up, held players off, played together and should have scored more than once but behind that, they were as shaky as we were. Their defence was poor and for so many players to fall down so regularly with injuries seems to point to a poor training regime behind the scenes (or maybe Bilic believes they are not fit enough and is putting them through it and it may be something we will need to go through soon :-))
There is a lot of talent in our club – it just needs someone who is able to dig it out. Liam Gibbs shows class at times but is inexperienced – a decent coach would nurture and develop this. Kenny McClean may not be the best in one position but can fill holes as a versatility player when needed – against Reading, he was as solid in the CDM position as I have seen this season. We have a front 3 who can score goals – but do all three have to play at the same time and Idah / Sargent out wide is not their best position. A decent coach will hopefully develop a partnership between two of them rather than them all playing as individuals. We had Springett and Rowe joining the squad last season in the Premier League – injuries aside, these are two exciting additions to come through. Tomkinson is another development who should be pushing into the squad whilst we are in the Championship.
It was said many times that the only player that seems to have improved over the year is Sargent … I would add Gunn to that list … With a decent coach – there are 9 others on the pitch that can improve.
I did read last season worryingly that DS was not a fitness fanatic and players were not hard pressed on the fitness side – I think this has been shown in the lack of fitness in some and is another easy improvement for a new coach to make.
Improvements won’t be instant but we should see the improvements build each week over the next month .. and fortunately we have a cup game at the weekend, so the new coach can save some players and work on them without having to worry about game/recovery time.
The magic bullet will be a system – we have seen a lot of teams over the years who do not have exceptional individuals but play to a system which suits their football and the result is far better than the sum of the parts – this is the area where we should see the biggest improvement as we seem to have lost our way of playing.
I don’t think we will be automatically promoted – but I think we will hit the play offs. Like everyone else, I have no doubts this squad will get smashed if they go back into the Premier League but that is no reason why we cannot hope and have dreams 🙂
What about Hayden: ‘if I’m honest I really don’t want to talk about Isaac. His head isn’t it”. I can’t make out the exact words with the accent! But I think we were committed to a big fee with promotion too? He’s got to go, so lazy.
I heard those comments last night. Coupled with Hayden’s social media appreciation of dean smith it would appear he’s on his way back to Newcastle shortly.
We were initially told he would miss 4 or 5 games at the start of the season but would be worth the wait. The final,piece of the jigsaw, the defensive shield we have needed since the departure of skipp. In reality, he missed 3 times that number of games and when he finally played apart from a couple of early tackles, underwhelmed spectacularly.
Send him home.
Well there you go, training twice a week and fluid draining every 3 days and under the knife again, and by admission not fit enough to play. Who did the research on that injury?
FLW has an interesting take on who the new man might be stating that Wagner and his Valkeries will get the Job taking comments from Sam Seaman who is quoted as saying the Bookies rarely get things wrong and Webber and the Championship are well know to him.
Custer had his last stand at the little Big Horn will Webber have his after another poor appointment or can he resuscitate a dying career as a Sporting Director.
The sound of silence is deafening from over the pond and our owners have hunkered down on Stowmarket till Sunday brunch curtesy of the Norwich City coffers
We seem to come to this point at least once a season. Many times more over change of manager. Which in the past has not really achieved anything long term as it has never been built on. To me the best chance of all was Lambert. He instilled belief, even the modest of talent. He kept us and asked for the backing for the next often harder 2 nd season. Told he was impatient, all he needed was backing. Farke was let down on both seasons, the fans shorted changed, taken for granted believing the now witnessed lack of quality in those shoe horned in.
I am sorry to say, I cannot see the playoffs being realistic, points wise yes.
The club has been allowed to start to rot by mishandling not taking responsibility and much ignorance at the top. Not getting into this Delia saved the club. From what exactly, ? Aren’t we in much the same position. ? Her and her hubby mean well, but meaning well is far from good enough, as the last 25 years testify. This club will never be any better until a more wealthy owner and professionals of football management are brought in.
I think the club are potentially are in a very bad position. It is not inconceivable that if the new manager doesn’t get a decent tune out of the squad, we would get relegated and then into administration.
The club got cocky and thought that they could get decent money before the start of the season for Aarons and Cantwell, but much to their bemusement, could not get shot of them.
Norwich have always relied on getting decent money for players, but looking at the squad now the board must be very concerned that there is much that amounts to nothing more than a hill of Webber’s magic beans.
I see our Sporting Director was generous enough to give Sky an interview, unlike our local media. He secretly much be very concerned as he always wanted to leave the club in a better place than when he joined. Trouble is here Stuart is that it is looking increasingly unlikely and a relegation would clearly shoot his fox and ruin his C.V.
Our form is relegation material and even if a new manager can turn things around, a promotion is totally out of the question. We are just not good enough and that doesn’t just mean on the pitch either.
The club is dysfunctional at the top, so why shouldn’t that spread down to the rest of it?:
May be Daniel Farke over achieved in the Championship. It’s as poor a division as there’s been for a while so for me the right coach for NCFC is of paramount importance. Not interested in promotion this season, lets consolidate and chart a new course, out with the old and in with the new.
It can all turn around rather quickly, just look at Messrs Moyes, Rodgers & Klopp compared to Howe, ten Hag & Arteta.
Steep learning curve for Mr Webber but he relishes a challenge.
Exciting times ahead??
Hi Colin
Exciting times ahead? Maybe. That or excruciating. I hope it’s the former!
I’d like to hope it’s not “excreting” but, with what’s currently happening on the pitch …
Over new year between Carry on films, Zulu and Uncle Buck I watched back a recording of the 2018/19 promotion season highlights. We were different class, every player oozed confidence, Pukki, Buendia, Stiepermann, Godfrey, Aaron’s and especially super Mario Vrancic we’re all brilliant, we looked unbeatable.
It doesn’t help us now but cheered me up knowing how we were just a short time ago.
I guess weve been spoilt .
Great piece as usual Gary. I find myself at a low ebb. In no particular order because of the owner’s begging Mr 90% to stay! Said sporting directors poor recruitment and media relations although his recent interview with Sky was reasonably fair. The previous managers lack of identity in his team and no affinity with the fans. Finally our set piece coach attacked his audition to become the new milk tray man with more gusto than our ability to score from a free kick or god forbid a corner!!
Whoever gets the gig has a massive task, can I suggest he starts by sending Hayden back to Newcastle and replacing him with someone who can get round the pitch, is physically fit and help the other midfielders and defenders to at least try and beat the oppositions press? Oh and a winger on loan would be helpful unless C Tzolis returns?
Most importantly maybe the powers that be will notice the attendance (real attendance) at Sundays cup tie or really take notice come renewal time if the new man cannot get desire, identity and results out of our players!
Feel better now I’ve got that off my chest!!!
Whilst I have to admit that Mr Webber has been a brilliant advocate for a much improved facility at Colney, (which remember was funded by investors/supporters, exactly what else has he achieved?
I may be wrong, but other than Buendia (who was I think recruited by one Kieran Scott), just who has he scouted and brought in who has improved our squad?
I’m pretty sure that “all the Germans” were down to Farke and his back-room team, but since Scott left (or was sacked?),and Webber has been left to his own devices, we seem to be trying to spend our way to bankruptcy on more and more players who are just not fit for purpose. Before last season everyone except Webber seemed to realise that we needed a decent physical spine to the team…..so he goes out and provides Farke with numerous wingers…..who provide our GOAT with none of the service on which he thrives. This season also he’s done nothing of note……or are the performances of players like Sara and Nunez down to poor coaching?
We now hear that one of our brightest young stars has been sold to Plymouth – without having pulled on a shirt for our first team – unless thare’s a caveat in there somewhere that their manager will be travelling in the opposite direction.
I my opinion he, Schumacher, would be a decent appointment. Wagner’s recent record has absolutely nothing to recommend it but apparently 2 of Webber’s final 3 don’t even appear on the bookies lists.
Farke was a really left-field appointment, so Hayes or Wiegman anone??
O T B C
If players were asking for additional fitness sessions, that were declined by DS/CS, then it demonstrates they are aware of shortcomings, the need to fix them, and being part of the solution rather than the problem. It would start explaining the number of late goals being conceded in terms of physical and mental fatigue. In my mind, McCallum’s play/mistakes yesterday were attributed to the issue particularly in the last 20 minutes.
Farke brought a huge amount of man-management/emotional intelligence to the role which, at least in my experience, becomes a significant ‘difference-maker’ as it allowed Norwich, Everton under Moyes, Arteta to a certain extent at Arsenal, to make the sum greater than the proverbial parts. Someone young, progressive, able to create an even better mentality will be critical and maybe SW needs to steer away from the tried and true/known quantity that DS brought (along with a Steve Bruce or some of the other names being mentioned) as that approach isn’t as effective or progressive as we need given the crossroads we find ourselves in (or at). The squad is there, make a few hard decisions on players and formations (instead of a different one each match) and get the supporters behind you.