Andy Head

Be friends to our players (and each other). Lift them up. They’ll take us with them February 18, 2020 - We’ve just experienced the Caroline Flack weekend. Whatever you thought of her or her situation I think it’s safe to say we all had a “Seriously?” moment when we heard the news. She was a figure that most of us recognised from TV over the past 10 or 15 years, ...
Headteacher’s Report: Andy H delivers his pupil-by-pupil half-term appraisal December 31, 2019 - After the excitement of the last school year and our incredible results, we have been given full academy status and are now competing with the best schools around the country. Our funding remains at a very modest level and so we are finding it difficult to meet the outstanding scores ...
This is not prudence over ambition. This is all about believing in this group of players July 28, 2019 - With preparations for a season in the top-flight well underway – the 5-1 win at Luton confirmed this – it’s time to consider where we set the bar for Daniel Farke’s squad of freshly-minted Champions. A traditional approach for any promoted side is to target 17th and hope we overachieve ...
Two years of hard work, reuniting disillusioned fans with the club, tossed aside June 12, 2019 - Wow. Two years of hard work, reuniting disillusioned fans with the club tossed aside, as our own club applies a Premier League tax designed to hit those most loyal to them. As blindly opportunistic money grabs go, this one takes some nerve. With Delia’s cries of “Best fans in the ...
In Webber we trust – lessons of promotions gone by have clearly been learned June 8, 2019 - As a fantastic season ends, fans minds are already moving from celebrations to preparations. With the arrival of Patrick Roberts on loan and the uptick in random online signing rumours that usually accompanies kids being off on half-term, most fans have been channelling their inner Stuart Webber to identify what ...
‘Promotion Street’ – A simple tale of Norwich City folk… May 20, 2019 - Amidst all of the recent celebrations there have been a barrage of interviews and vox pops with staff, players and fans giving their feelings about the club. One of the recurring themes was how eventful it is being a Norwich City fan, and the phrase that was used most often ...
Headteacher’s Report: Andy H delivers his pupil-by-pupil verdict on season 2018/19 May 10, 2019 - First of all, let me apologise if the tone of this year's report is overly sentimental. Maybe it’s the bottle of Mad Dog 20/20 I confiscated from young McLean talking, but I feel that this year, more than any other in my 30+ years of teaching, I’ve had the time ...
The evolution of Farkeball: long gone are the days of 4-4-2, and 4-1-4-1 is so last year February 21, 2019 - I considered starting this article with what has become colloquially known as a 'humblebrag'. This is the dictionary definition: An ostensibly modest or self-deprecating statement whose actual purpose is to draw attention to something of which one is proud. However, I’m not nearly modest enough, so I’ll just come out ...
The evolution of City’s defence – stemming from that very dark day at the New Den January 11, 2019 - For years Norwich City had an Achilles Heel at the heart of their squad. The reigns of both Chris Hughton and Alex Neil, promising though they both were at times, were fatally undermined by a soft underbelly that all too often presented itself to a grateful opposition to be lacerated. ...
Headteacher’s Report: Andy H delivers a pupil-by-pupil verdict for the autumn term December 24, 2018 - Half-Term - December 2018 I must confess, when I first took a look at the pupils at the beginning of term, I was anticipating a very different set of half-term grades. A more unassuming low-key group of boys I had yet to see. Yet through the efforts of Herr Farke ...
Where did it all go so right? Was our friend Colin the catalyst for this amazing run? December 14, 2018 - George Best, in his post-playing days as an after-dinner speaker, used to tell a story that always produced a chuckle from the assembled audience. The gist was that after a successful night at a casino, Best called for room service at the penthouse hotel suite he was in, and the ...
Andy’s Q1 report (Part Four) – Goodbye to the Tractor Boys? Or maybe to Alex’s boys? October 19, 2018 - In the final tranche of his quarterly report, Andy looks at the sides who currently reside in the Championship's nether regions. Who, if anyone, can escape? *** Rotherham United 3 wins, 2 draws, 7 defeats. Brentford 5 - 1 R’ham R’ham 1 - 0 Ipswich Leeds 2 - 0 R’ham ...
Andy’s Q1 report (Part Three) – Villa on the turn? Stoke ready for a charge? Brizzle upwardly mobile? October 18, 2018 - In part three of his quarterly review, Andy looks at those sides hopeful of a charge into the top half and beyond... *** Bristol City 4 wins, 4 draws, 4 defeats. Bristol C 1 - 1 NF Bolton 2 - 2 Bristol C Bristol C 0 - 2 M’boro QPR ...
Andy’s Q1 report (Part Two) – How will the Bees, Rams, Rovers, Swans, Latics and Canaries fare in Q2? October 17, 2018 - In part two of his quarterly report, Andy H looks at those sides hovering just outside the top six... *** Brentford 4 wins, 6 draws, 2 defeats. Brentford 5 - 1 R'ham Stoke 1 - 1 Brentford Brentford 2 - 0 SW A Villa 2 - 2 Brentford B'burn 1 ...
Andy’s Q1 report (Part One) – Can the Real Madrid of the north finally see it through? October 16, 2018 - In the first of a four-parter, our Andy does his best Nostradamus and, based on the first quarter of the season, takes stab at how he thinks the Championship may pan out... *** With the Championship 12 games old, and proper football having ground to a crashing halt while international ...
Many parallels to last season. Farke’s challenge is to avoid the October hangover October 2, 2018 - A year ago, just before the first international break of the season, Norwich produced one of the worst displays in recent years when they got thoroughly spanked by Millwall at The Den. Sitting on the coach home that afternoon from deepest Bermondsey, I penned a scathing piece for MFW, lambasting ...
Would a fully-engaged Nelson Oliveira with an axe-to-grind help City’s current cause? September 4, 2018 - One word that was used more than any other after City’s 1-1 draw against ‘that lot’: character. The team had character to get back into the game. To field our youngest ever defence in the second half in the heat of an East Anglian derby. Louis Thompson had character to ...
We are not the protagonists you promised Daniel. Instead it’s a team scared of making errors… August 27, 2018 - As Simon Hooper’s whistle brought a merciful end to another 90 minutes of Canary torment, this time at the hands of a dominant, if slightly (for me anyway), second gear, Leeds United, the pitchforks began to come out in earnest for the first time in Daniel Farke’s Norwich career. There ...
Fours games in, what have we learnt so far? Andy H examines City’s tepid start August 20, 2018 - Three league games and a Carabao Cup match into the new season and Daniel Farke’s second season is off to a tepid start. The fact that none of the league games culminated in a win, and that our one point garnered so far would have been zero points but for ...
What’s in a formation? 4-1-4-1? … 4-2-3-1? … Or do we go full Mike Bassett? July 30, 2018 - Despite a glut of all things football throughout this World Cup summer, the arm hairs are already rising in anticipation of Saturday, August 4th. The day of fresh slates, new heroes and untarnished dreams yet to be rudely awoken from. The City squad appears to be set, although I imagine ...
So damn close… will there ever be a better chance of national glory? July 13, 2018 - Around 60 minutes into the World Cup semi-final I knew we were going to blow it. The missed chances of the first half were haunting us and Croatia had tweaked their formation. Alli, Lingard and Henderson no longer had the ball but spent their time filling space and trying to ...
City in detail 2017/18 – Part Three: Formation, formation, formation June 14, 2018 - In my final analysis piece based on the information generated from last season, I wanted to look at the formations and tactics employed by Daniel Farke and reflect on what worked and what didn't. Farke made a statement when he joined that he wanted to establish a way of playing ...
City in detail 2017/18 – Part Two: The Engine Room June 13, 2018 - In my last article I looked at the goals that Norwich scored and conceded last season which gave us a glimpse into who is helping create goals and who was responsible for letting them in. Now it’s the turn of the defensive midfield area: The Engine Room. Daniel Farke employed ...
City in detail 2017/18 – Part One: The Sharp End June 12, 2018 - In part one of three, Andy takes one final look back at the stats of last season... ****** As regular readers will know I love a bit of analysis. And as year one of the Farke era has drawn to a close, we aren't going to rip the plans up ...
June 21 is the day – when City fans discover their path for the season ahead. Keep an eye on our first opponents… May 30, 2018 - I always find the wait between the end of the playoffs and the release of the fixtures for the following season an interminable marathon. Whilst I’m happy enough to have the break from attending games for a while, the total limbo of not knowing what lies ahead is something that ...
Headteacher’s Report: Andy H delivers his pupil-by-pupil verdict on season 2017/18 May 9, 2018 - Period covered: 2017-2018: Last year's Ofsted rating of vastly underperforming created a situation where the school board had to act decisively, and they appointed a new head of department Mr Webber, and a new class teacher in Herr Farke. Their actions this year have begun to address the issues that ...
PART THREE – Crystal ball time. Andy H takes a look at how City’s squad of 2018-19 may (just may) shape up April 18, 2018 - In the final part of his trilogy, Andy looks at the striking department... ****** Strikers Denis Srbeny is improving all the time and is clearly part of the Farke plan for next season. Nelson Oliviera. Oh Nelson. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but given a chance to go back in ...
PART TWO – Crystal ball time. Andy H takes a look at how City’s squad of 2018-19 may (just may) shape up April 17, 2018 - Today, Andy looks at the midfield options... ****** Defensive Midfield I’ve never been an Alex Tettey fan. His muscular performances have always been undermined for me by a level of comfort in possession akin to a drug mule passing through customs in a Thai airport. However, this season, in a ...
PART ONE – Crystal ball time. Andy H takes a look at how City’s squad of 2018-19 may (just may) shape up April 16, 2018 - Over the next three days, Andy will be looking ahead to next season and the possible shape of the squad. Part one (of three) looks at the goalkeeping and defensive options. ****** As our season of discovery draws to a close it’s time to look forward and have a guess ...
The board made a risky call. Is that not better than sticking with same old and not even trying a different route? April 3, 2018 - There is an unwritten law when writing for public consumption: while it’s fine to have an opinion, and back said opinion up with relevant evidence or complementary opinion, you don’t alienate your core audience. It’s something I stuck by at Y’Army fanzine and something I’ve always followed while writing for ...
READING PREVIEW: Eight games without a win for The Royals, and then who comes along… March 16, 2018 - Ahead of our home clash with Reading on Saturday I had a chat with Simeon Pickup, editor of the Reading fansite “The Tilehurst End”. Hi Simeon. So, first off, have you recovered from the midweek defeat to Wolves yet? Simeon: Haha! Usually it would take me quite a while to ...
Over reliance on Madders is there for all to see. Is it also part of a wider problem? March 8, 2018 - I won't blame you if you tell me where to go with this one. I fully realise that I’m taking a walk on the wild side even contemplating what I’m about to say, let alone putting it out there for the canary world to see. I think James Maddison is ...
Remember when we bemoaned a ‘lack of leaders’ in the City dressing room? Not any more February 28, 2018 - When you look back over the successful Norwich teams of previous years, we have always featured several strong characters. Men who will stand up and lead the fight when the battle seems to be almost lost. Think of Lambert’s double-promotion winners and Holt, Nelson, Whitbread, Martin, Howson, Crofts, Ward and ...
Headmaster’s Report – Period covered: Autumn/Winter Term 2017 January 2, 2018 - Our school has been through an extensive rebuilding following the unfortunate demolition of the main wing named after former staff members Mr Hope and Miss Dreams, last season. We now have Mr Webber overseeing the work of Headmaster Herr Farke on behalf of the board of governors and the results ...
Too many square pegs in rounds holes but utility men coming out of our ears December 29, 2017 - As well as being the old lady that does the unfunny version of Charlie Brooker’s Newswipe on Christmas Day, Her Majesty the Queen is also famous for asking a simple question as she tours the country on her battle bus. ‘And what do you do?’ is not the sexiest of ...
This season is a dud. A damp squib. Any hope we have is in the future and not in the now December 20, 2017 - I’ve kept my MyFootballWriter powder relatively dry recently. While others have vented their feelings on a range of the recent hot-button topics such as safe-standing, investment, or the recent inability to convert semi-decent performances into wins (or even goals), I’ve watched from the sidelines with a sense of detachment. Not ...
LEEDS PREVIEW: Shysters, Essex girls, TC, Snods and the one and only Andy Hughes December 15, 2017 - Ahead of Saturday’s match in Yorkshire, I caught up with an old friend. Jenny Barrett is a Sports Journalism graduate who has been on the Leeds United fans panel, and contributed to BBC Leeds, Radio Yorkshire and the award-winning Square Ball fanzine. A regular at Elland Road since her first ...
Public Service Announcement: Andy H does the dirty work for those who follow City to the four corners November 20, 2017 - After Saturday it's most definitely time to look forward and not back! It's also a good time to remind ourselves of City's more than decent form on the road. I'll let Andy explain... **** There’s not a lot to do when you’re trapped in a Club Canary coach on the ...
Time to rethink use of Madders? We’ve been rumbled so time to ask some different questions? November 8, 2017 - That infamous sage, Homer J Simpson once beguiled the world with one of his legendary pearls of wisdom which goes along the lines of: “Alcohol: The cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems”. As well as being a cracking one-liner, I believe that it can be applied to ...
The Webberlution goes deep. But still there’s room for just a tiny bit of ‘little ol’ Norwich’ October 24, 2017 - Following an offer from the club to my son to celebrate his eighth birthday with a stadium tour of Carrow Road before the U23’s match against Southampton, Team Head made its way down to Carrow Road. I won’t spoil it for anyone intending to go in the future but if ...
HULL CITY PREVIEW: Andy H looks ahead to the latest tale of two Cities as Canaries look to carry on from where they left off October 13, 2017 - Ahead of Saturday’s clash with Hull, I caught up with Rick Skelton, a Hull fan since the '80s, and a member of City Till We Die, a supporters group who campaigned against the proposed name change of the club, and the Hull City Supporters Trust: Hi Rick, how are you ...
Naughty and nice: Harmony off the pitch and on it we’re getting under the Championship’s collective skin October 3, 2017 - Reputation can be a big motivator in football. “The bigger they come, the harder they fall” has galvanised many a David to a heroic cup upset against one of the games Goliath’s. Most teams establish a reputation in one or more ways. Millwall are known for their intimidating atmosphere and ...
It may feel like we’re in a tricky bunker but Webber has delivered Farke a decent selection of clubs September 6, 2017 - Golf is one of those rabbit holes that I know if I got too close to I could easily fall into. So most of the time I steer clear. As a man who shares a tiny house with a wife and four kids, the benefits of a quiet, gentle stroll ...
It is always darkest before the dawn. Yesterday was a total eclipse August 27, 2017 - It’s 5:02 pm on Saturday August 26, and I'm sitting on Club Canary behind Millwall’s North Stand with a half hour wait to get away from the latest scene of away capitulation. This is not going to be my best article, because I'm equal parts disappointed, livid and frustrated, so ...
Farkelife – the next chapter August 25, 2017 - Never let it be said that we at MFW don't love a good footie song. So much so, a sleep-deprived Andy head in a 'McCartney waking up at four in the morning with "Yesterday" fully formed in his head' style, has fleshed out the Farkelife lament in time for him ...
Millwall Preview: ‘No clappers. No pyro. No card displays. Traditional English football, you’ll hate it and love it’ August 25, 2017 - Ahead of our visit to The Den, I spoke to Nick Hart, (@CBL_magazine on Twitter) and creator of the “Achtung! Millwall” podcast, which he advises contains a Parental Warning and “Strong Language” from the start! Nick’s first match was against Portsmouth in 1972 in a second division season that saw ...
Headteacher Andy’s expectations for the new term… August 10, 2017 - Last school year was a collective disappointment as our boys huffed and puffed but ultimately failed in the end of term examination to make the grades we knew they were capable of. The school have made a lot of changes to ensure that this disappointment is not repeated and the ...
Championship Preview Part Three: From Alex’s Preston to the big sending Wolves via the mighty fine city July 28, 2017 - Here we go… the third and final part of Andy’s team-by-team Championship preview: Preston North End The fortunes of Alex Neil’s Preston will provide an interesting sideshow for Norwich fans this season. Last year they clearly overachieved under Simon Grayson, which earned him a move to Sunderland. Whilst they ...
Championship Preview Part Two: From Rowett’s Rams to Warbs’ Forest via Big Mick’s finest July 27, 2017 - On Tuesday Andy looked to the prospective fortunes of Aston Villa to Cardiff. Today in the second part of his three-part preview of the Championship it’s Derby to Forest… Derby County Although they’ve lost Tom Ince to Huddersfield, Derby still have all the ingredients in place to mount a serious ...
Championship preview Part One: From Brucie’s Villa to Colin’s Cardiff via Harry’s ‘triffic’ Blues July 25, 2017 - With the new season approaching at a rate of knots, it’s time to sort the Championship contenders from the also-rans. How will the new-look Norwich fare against the relegated teams? How will our three-starred neighbours cope with the unknown vista of a Championship season? What about Norwich Reserves, or Wolves ...
It looks like it’s going to be a 4-1-4-1 or a variation thereof. MFW’s Andy Head looks at its finer points July 11, 2017 - Norwich have tried various formations and systems over the years, to varying success, but with the arrival of Daniel Farke, given the brief to establish a “Norwich-style” of play, it appears we are to be set-up in a way we never have been before. 4-1-4-1 is the style favoured by ...
An extended deal for the skip but let’s hope Daniel doesn’t hitch his wagon, hook, line & sinker on Russ July 4, 2017 - I’ve never understood booing. A kind of ape-like whoop to signal distaste that, other than in football grounds and the more theatrical sessions of PMQs, was last seen in a non-ironic sense in the days of Vaudeville. Yet it bizarrely continues at grounds around the country every week. Whilst ...
No fire breathing dragons at Colney but there is a softly spoken Welshman with a hand on the tiller June 29, 2017 - To borrow a phrase from Game of Thrones, it was clear from January onwards that for many of the City squad, Winter was Coming. The long summer that had persisted for more seasons than usual was coming to an end and those who had dined at the high tables had ...
The Ins depend on the Outs, and it’s the pricey Outs that may just be the chink in the new masterplan June 5, 2017 - It’s June, the sun is shining, and despite a deeply-disappointing previous campaign everything in the Norwich City garden is looking rosy right now. The principal reason for this is Stuart Webber. Our new Sporting Director has yet to put a foot wrong since arriving at Carrow Road, releasing expensive older ...
“He’s great going forward but he can’t defend”. MFW’s Andy Head examines the Pinto files May 30, 2017 - Recently I wrote a Headmaster’s Report for the season which was generally well received and generated the usual raft of “you were a bit generous there” or “that was harsh on Player X” responses. It was great. We all have different views on players and football in general and an article such as ...
With a nod to the Y’Army fanzine, Andy Head gives us the school report on the Class of 2017 May 13, 2017 - Hoolahan: A very popular pupil entering his final year before graduating, he was awarded our highest honour at the end of year awards. Whilst he displays less stamina than in previous years he still produces work of a quality that others can only dream of recreating, and maintains an exemplary ...
Remember the one about Joaquin Larrivey? A salutary tale of how not to deal in a transfer window May 4, 2017 - This was a club failing to prepare and preparing to fail. It was a sign that Alex Neil was out of his depth with top level transfers. A sign that the club had no coherent recruitment strategy. And a sign that David McNally had begun to lose his previously vice-like ...
What next for the skip? A great guy and City ‘through and through’ without doubt, but is that enough? April 17, 2017 - Martin has an unshakable belief in his own ability. You can hear it in every interview he gives. Whilst he commendably doesn’t shy away from admitting to a mistake, he will always believe that he can put it right and that he should be in the team to help right ...
‘A time for new heroes’ take 2? Roeder made it personal but he did conjure up an Irish magician April 12, 2017 - It can’t be denied that the demands of a 46 game Championship season, playing Saturdays and Tuesdays, (while still playing for the Republic of Ireland in every international break) are catching up with the wee man. As much as we may want him to, he can’t go on forever.
Time for the latest return of Big John? The stats and evidence against McGovern are damning April 6, 2017 - We have McGovern with two years left of his contract who inspires zero confidence from the City fan base and seemingly little confidence from what currently passes for our defence, as they have no clue where he is or whether he’s coming to collect the ball at any given time.
A point earned with ten men but the ship’s far from happy and we keenly await the Board’s next move March 12, 2017 - Parts of the crowd turning on the back four seemed akin to a teacher calling the kids in the bottom maths group stupid when giving them an arithmetic problem he/she knew they could never solve. You might feel better for releasing frustration but you’re not really helping. These are never ...
When we’re good we’re good, but when we’re bad… It’s been either black or white with precious little grey February 22, 2017 - If we can keep Jerome, Howson and Wes healthy, add in a fit again Naismith, and Pinto we can still light up the darkest of days going forward. But with all the positive attacking potential we know the negative defensive potential that undermines it and cancels it out.
City in centre back ‘purgatory’ and this position, most of all, awaits a major summer overhaul February 7, 2017 - This summer represents a watershed moment for the entire defence. Whittaker, Turner, Bassong and Bennett are all out of contract whilst Dijk is highlighting on social media at every turn a “four months” caveat, which serves to remind that left-back is far from settled.
The players have got us into this. It’s up to them to get us out. But still the Yellow Army has a key role to play January 24, 2017 - Lambert was very aware of the mood of the crowd. His post-match comments repeatedly highlighted how conscious he was of the ability to turn Norwich’s own fans against them, and how close his team came to doing just that after their equaliser, and capitalising on the tinderbox housed within the ...
Derby was a start but still loads of hard work ahead. This club is in desperate need of a cunning plan January 5, 2017 - The famous scene that defined the movie was where Al Pacino’s embattled head coach had seen his team reach the Super Bowl and in the inspirational speech-to-end-all-speeches he explained that, like life, football is a game of inches.

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