Gary Gowers

FROM THE ARCHIVES: That day in May 2015… May 25, 2020 - I don't tend to use 'From The Archives' for my own columns - they're wholly undeserving - but given that it's five years to the day that we all descended upon Wembley for that never-to-be-forgotten afternoon against Boro, I thought this may be worth another airing. Written early the following ...
The EPL ploughs on with their planned restart – and the boys are back at Colney May 24, 2020 - Despite being not much further forward in knowing exactly where, when, and even how, the players returned to Colney this week. While it was good to see them doing Colney stuff, albeit in a socially distanced and responsible way, the fact there remain so many unknowns makes it tricky to ...
Rewind to the late-80s/early-90s when life was simple and football free of Murdoch May 17, 2020 - As is the wont of someone in lockdown who writes, eats and breaths football, in the absence of any live action I've been gorging on the retro stuff the TV companies have been churning out in their attempt to sate our footballing appetite. Among the offerings have been ITV's Saturday ...
If the Premier League really wants to take its ball home to stop City playing – let it May 10, 2020 - Before I begin, if you're a Liverpool fan, look away now. I incensed so many of them last Sunday they're not going to find this one any more soothing. Just go. Leeds fans too. And to that West Brom bloke who has questioned my parentage on numerous occasions over the ...
Project Restart? Eh? The Premier League execs should rebrand it Project Rethink May 3, 2020 - It's hardly a surprise that Project Restart has divided opinion. Everything does that today. Literally everything. Fuelled by social media's raison d'etre of giving every Tom, Dick and Gary a voice on every conceivable talking point, the modern trend is to take a side, dig your trench deep and refuse ...
Black holes of up to £35 million don’t fill themselves. But City will be far from alone… April 26, 2020 - When football eventually returns, it looks like City can expect a right royal kicking, metaphorically speaking at least. Maybe not so much when it first begins, given that it's almost certain to be behind closed doors, but with the stadiums full of fans we look set to be the pariahs ...
The glorious spring of 2015 relived. But how do Alex Neil’s heroes compare to 2020’s? April 19, 2020 - It wasn't intended as a stark reminder of how our club has evolved over the last five years - but that's precisely what it ended up being. For those that didn't see it, or were unaware of its existence, yesterday afternoon the club ran on YouTube the full, glorious 95 ...
Small, invaluable gestures… football eating itself… and a weird welcome to Danel Sinani April 12, 2020 - Regular readers of this column probably know more about my dad than they do me. I'll spare you the details, but in a nutshell, he's a massive City fan, he's my hero and this was to have been his last season as a season ticket holder. He also lives alone ...
Hang in there. One day this will be all over and our 27000-seater living room awaits us April 5, 2020 - A daft question really, but how are we doing? Good enough I hope, in these most trying of times. I've been posting pieces of daily content from the MFW team in an attempt to offer even the tiniest of distractions, but in the real world, the most awful of disasters ...
Oh to be sitting in the Carra right now. Or at home awaiting the dulcet tones of Chris G March 25, 2020 - "When will I see you again?" So sang the Three Degrees. Little did Shelia Ferguson know it would become the theme (or at least my theme) of the spring of 2020. I'm missing friends and family. I'm also missing the River End like you wouldn't believe. In particular, those I ...
Mills was ‘one of our own’, but club nor player recalls that time with fondness. Why? March 25, 2020 - There are many who pass through the Fine City in the name of professional football and fall in the love with the place. Some stay for life. I'm thinking Darren Huckerby, Iwan Roberts and Darren Eadie, just off the top of my head, but there are others. Equally, there are ...
A Carrow Road love story – 74 years in the making and about to draw to a close March 22, 2020 - Dick Gowers' first-ever trip to Carrow Road was on August 31, 1946, when City played host to Cardiff on the opening day of the Division Three (South) 1946/47 season. They won 2-1. As well as being Dad's first sight and sound of the old place - then not-so-old - it ...
Null and void? … 22-team Premier League? … Paper, scissors, stone to see who survives? March 15, 2020 - The creaks are rising and football means nothing. Nada. But there will come a time again when it does. It may not feel like it right now... but it will. And when it eventually resumes, or well before then in fact, there are some massive decisions to be made by ...
City again come out the wrong side of those fine margins. Another three points slip away March 8, 2020 - Chris Wilder: "It was a gritty performance, we just felt we were a bit better than them in both boxes." As loathed as I am to admit it, he's nailed it yet again. In every sense. Sheffield United are better than us in both boxes, generally, and were better than ...
BLADES PREVIEW: Rocking Bramall Lane… big defensive walls… & being cock-a-hoop March 6, 2020 - When Blades and Canaries collide my go-to guy is Pete Turner. In his own words, “the Brixton arm of the Brighton, Brixton and Belgravia Blades” – aka the BBB Blades. So, ahead of the latest in a very long line of must-wins for City, I returned to the calm of chez Turner ...
Timmy, Timmy Krul… the hero, as the Canaries gloriously make it to the last eight March 5, 2020 - As the saying goes, heroes come in all shapes and forms. They don't have to wear capes. We know that for a fact. We now know they come in the form of nerveless, teenage Irishmen who love the FA Cup and in lanky Germans who have not had much of ...
SPURS FA CUP PREVIEW: Smiley Jose… no Kane or Son… Danny Murphy… & penalties? March 3, 2020 - Ahead of this week's last 16 FA Cup tie at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, I've been chatting again with talkSPORT's Paul Hawksbee - the Spurs-supporting half of Hawksbee & Jacobs - who described us, after the league game in north London, as the best bottom-of-the-league team he'd ever seen. So, ...
VAR to the Canaries rescue for once as Jamal, right on cue, unleashes a pearler February 29, 2020 - Wow, who saw that coming? We all expected a response to the no-show at Molineux but such was the lack of City belief in deepest darkest Black Country, it felt a bit of a stretch to see that response yielding three points. But one swoosh of Jamal Lewis' left boot ...
LEICESTER PREVIEW: Vardy due a goal… Madders still strutting… & keeping the faith February 27, 2020 - Ahead of tomorrow night's game with Leicester, I've been chatting with Phil Holloway from Leicester Fan TV who gave us chapter and verse on all the goings-on at the King Power, including Vardy's drought, a 'confident' Madders and honouring the wishes of their late chairman... First up, before we get stuck ...
A Molineux lesson for City who now need a little miracle and some for PL survival February 24, 2020 - The 'little miracle' of which Daniel Farke speaks has looked unlikely since the day he coined the phrase but fair play to the head coach for outwardly expressing his belief in his players to deliver one. To be fair, he had some of us believing too, but after yesterday's listless, ...
WOLVES PREVIEW: Champions League… Traore in demand… and small PL budgets February 21, 2020 - Ahead of our visit to the Black Country, I’ve been chatting again to Lynsey Hooper – broadcaster, Wolves fan, co-founder of the magnificent Offside Rule podcast and MFW interviewee prior to Wolves' 2-1 win at Carrow Road in December. Before we look at Sunday’s game, was sad to hear of the near demise ...
NORWICH CITY WOMEN: Progress aplenty off the pitch. Now bring on the Ipswich… February 18, 2020 - Tomorrow night, it's the second Old Farm derby of season, with the City ladies still bruised from the 4-1 defeat they suffered in Suffolk back in September. Time to put that one right. So, ahead of the game, I've been chatting with the club's chair, Louise Riseborough, who's updated us ...
No points but oodles of pride, as City take the Liverpool ‘invincibles’ all the way February 16, 2020 - It always happens when Liverpool are in town. The great and the good and the not-so-good descend on the old place. Hell, they even bring with them their very own punditry team: Jamies Carragher and Redknapp and Danny Murphy to name but three. It has a different feel to almost ...
ONE FROM THE ARCHIVES: The last time the mighty Liverpool rocked up at the Carra February 13, 2020 - I'd hate for anyone to think 'One from the Archives' is a new feature, designed specifically to fill the MFW pages on a day that would otherwise be void of fresh content (as if...), but I can see that those of a cynical disposition may interpret it that way. I'd ...
Is the self-funding way the only way? Does it have to be Delia’s way or the highway? February 9, 2020 - It's a subject that comes up continually - at least in some quarters - and usually when the brown stuff is hovering near the fan. But not always. Even in the good times, it's one that simmers away. It's normally though when darkness has descended upon the Canary Nation that ...
Another north London date awaits – 9000 foot soldiers to turn Tottenham yellow February 6, 2020 - So, Spurs it is. In midweek. Presumably to accommodate the Premier League's winter break. Weird though. But it gives the Canary Nation the chance to mobilise and, for a few hours at least, make a little patch of north London our own. (Apologies to our friends in blue for paraphrasing ...
Missed chance aplenty as two more points slip away from the Canaries at St James’ February 2, 2020 - It's the fact City are *that* close to being a good Premier League side that makes this all so frustrating. As ever, we were left with a litany of what-ifs as we again dominated a team that has Premier League football all but assured for next season. Again we were ...
NEWCASTLE PREVIEW: Happy Brucey… thick-skinned Ashley… mid-table comfort January 31, 2020 - For the latest in our very long line of must-wins, we head north to Newcastle and so it's to Paul Mannion I turn - my old mucker from the Metro Sport days - who'll give us chapter and verse on what's happening in the Land of Ashley and Bruce... So... ...
Turf Moor joy for the Canaries with Mario, Josip and Grant leading the City charge January 26, 2020 - The week after City had lost to Burnley in the league earlier this season, the Clarets' strike-pairing at the time, Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes, were guests on Sky Sports Sunday morning show, Goals on Sunday. It was the morning after we had lost 2-0 in regulation fashion away at ...
FA CUP PREVIEW: Can City overcome buoyant Clarets and make it to the last 16? January 24, 2020 - Ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth round trek to Turf Moor I’ve been chatting again with Joe Redmond from the excellent Burnley podcast TurfCast. Off the back of their 2-0 win at Old Trafford, he was understandably cock-a-hoop. Have you come down to Earth yet? Or you still drifting over Old Trafford on cloud ...
SPURS PREVIEW: A litany of problems… ‘decent’ folk as managers… and odd City January 21, 2020 - Those of us of a certain age know Danny Kelly as editor of NME in its heyday and also Q Magazine but more recently, of course, he's headed off into the world of sports broadcasting and, even more recently, podcasting. But it's with his Spurs hat on that I chatted ...
A win… a clean sheet… and a glimmer of hope for City. The Great Escape is on January 19, 2020 - Maybe we're not done after all. There looked no way out of this mess in the direct aftermath of Old Trafford, but in true footballing tradition, in true Norwich City tradition in fact, one win later and the world seems a more positive place. It may not have been seismic ...
BOURNEMOUTH PREVIEW: Must-wins … mis-firing strikers … and ‘Corbyn’ tap-ins January 17, 2020 - When crunch time arrives while City are still in the FA Cup, you know the brown stuff and the fan are in close proximity. Despite spending far too long telling folk to refrain from using 'must-win', it's difficult to see this as anything but. Joe Hinchliffe wrote a fine piece ...
Old Trafford pain for the Canaries who find themselves set adrift at bottom of the PL January 12, 2020 - That felt horrible. Not the losing. We can take the losing. But it was the manner of defeat that hurt. Away losses at Old Trafford are two a penny - and not just when you're Norwich City - but the unedifying way City kowtowed to a United team that's a ...
A fine Idah hattrick… the Stiepi of old… an FA Cup win! … and all minus the spectre of VAR January 5, 2020 - Well, that was all rather pleasant and unexpected. In a season where grind has outscored glory by around three to one, not a straw goes by without being clutched, so forgive me if I make the most of this one. A hattrick from an 18-year-old A place in the fourth ...
A New Year hangover for City as another blown lead sets them adrift at the bottom January 2, 2020 - This is going to sound familiar. I apologise for that in advance. It felt like a play we'd all watched many times before. The problem with watching something multiple times is that you know the ending... especially when Connor Wickham comes on for your opponents as a second-half substitute. It ...
PALACE PREVIEW: Flying Eagles… a happy Wilf… and dear ol’ Roy in his element December 31, 2019 - Here we go then... the start of the back straight but with a mountain thrown in for good measure. We couldn't, could we? Well, if we are to, we need to start winning and quick. starting with Palace. Ahead of the latest in a very long line of must-wins, I’ve ...
More VAR heartache for City as Mourinho’s Tottenham depart the Carra with a point December 29, 2019 - I deliberately avoid using this column to rant about officialdom. Social media does that far better than I ever could. But am teetering on the brink after last night. That shouldn't, however, detract from the fact that the overriding emotion after last night's draw with Spurs was one of immense ...
TOTTENHAM PREVIEW… with one half of talkSPORT’s legendary Hawksbee & Jacobs December 27, 2019 - One of the perks of writing for a living is that occasionally you get the opportunity to meet your heroes. With that in mind, I was properly chuffed when, having interviewed Andy Jacobs for a couple of Chelsea previews, Paul Hawksbee - him of talkSPORT, Harry Hill's TV Burp and ...
Another ‘oh so near’ for City as they entertain at Villa Park but again to no avail December 27, 2019 - Daniel Farke was right. He was right in saying that City were the better side and they dominated most of the stats, just as he was right in saying we were desperately unlucky not to have won the game. But they didn't win it. For the sixth time in six ...
VILLA PREVIEW: Smith on the cusp… big spending… & Marvelous not so marvellous December 24, 2019 - Our last trip to Villa Park was full of awe and wonder. The 2-1 win back in May wrapped up the Championship title just nicely and the scenes of the trophy being held aloft against a background of claret and blue seats will remain forever. But the old saying, '235 ...
A grim day for the City faithful as they lose a legend and Wolves snaffle the three points December 22, 2019 - A soul-crushing defeat from a game we should have won felt bad enough The walk back to the car felt longer and gloomier than normal. But then to turn on the car radio and learn of the passing of a club legend... It was difficult to process at the time... ...
The Norwich City decade that was … PART TWO December 20, 2019 - In the spirit of copying everyone else, I thought it timely to have a look back over the last decade through the prism of Norwich City. Yes (before anyone else reminds me), technically the new decade doesn't begin until January 1, 2021, but the new year is a twenty-something, so ...
WOLVES PREVIEW: The Offside Rule… Keys & Gray… Steve Bull… and a tilt at top six? December 20, 2019 - For the visit of Wolves I've been chatting to Lynsey Hooper - broadcaster, Wolves fan and co-founder of the magnificent Offside Rule podcast. If you haven't, you really should... So, first up, can you tell us a bit about how the Offside Rule pod came about? Sure - I’m afraid ...
The Norwich City decade that was … PART ONE December 19, 2019 - It's that time of year when misty-eyed reminiscing becomes almost acceptable - especially after an office party and too much mulled wine - so if you'll permit me, I'll attempt a whistle-stop tour of the decade that's about to draw to a close through the prism of Norwich City. For ...
A point apiece at the King Power but plenty of poise and desire from Farke’s men December 15, 2019 - 'It's not the despair, Laura. I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand' ~ Brian Stimpson, Clockwise (1986). It's a John Cleese line that's been paraphrased to death but never has it felt more appropriate. I'm guessing Laura now sits in the Snake Pit. Just as we start to fear ...
LEICESTER PREVIEW: Can the Canaries avoid the clutches of some rampant Foxes? December 13, 2019 - As we head to the East Midlands with a certain sense of trepidation, I've been chatting with Chris Forryan from LeicesterTillIDie... So, before we start, how did the website, and your involvement in it, come about? It all started some ten years ago when I wrote for a blog called Silver ...
A bruising one at the Carra as Wilder’s Blades teach Farke’s men a painful lesson December 9, 2019 - Ouch. That one hurt. Big time. It wasn't just the defeat that took the wind from the sails - eleven defeats in 16 games says we're more than adept at tasting defeat - but it was the manner of that second-half capitulation that cut deep. 'December 8' had been swirling ...
BLADES PREVIEW: Wilder’s on the bus… VAR nightmares… and a rock solid defence December 8, 2019 - Ahead of Canary/Blade clashes, my go-to guy is Pete Turner. In his own words, he is “the Brixton arm of the Brighton, Brixton and Belgravia Blades” – aka the BBB Blades. In the recent past, we've talked footie, obviously, but also John Denver, The Boss, Kell Brook and Test Match cricket, and ...
Set piece nightmare for a lethargic City as Saints pull clear of the bottom three December 5, 2019 - Well, that was horrible. At least that first-half performance was. Minus any sugar-coating, we were left with 45 minutes of struggle and toil that was exceptionally hard on the eye. I wasn't at the New Den to witness the infamous 4-0 mauling in the early months of the Farke era, ...
SAINTS PREVIEW: Still on the ICU, but life signs are still there from Ralph’s men… December 4, 2019 - Ahead of tonight's relegation battle at St Mary's, I've been chatting to my old Metro mucker from the south coast, Chris Rann. A top lad he is too... First up, a bit about you and your Saints supporting journey? Is GeogeWeirsCousin still going strong? I’ve been a Saints fan since ...
All square at the Carra but City give Freddie’s Arsenal a scare in a thrilling 2-2 December 2, 2019 - Prior to the arrival of Solkjaer's Manchester United at Carrow Road, we were a little giddy; thinking that their stuttering form meant they were, quote, there for the taking. We paid the price and were reminded of the gulf in quality between the have and have-nots. The Man City win ...
Canaries make hay at feisty Goodison as Farke’s recharged troops win on the road! November 24, 2019 - So, who saw that one coming? Even the happiest of clappers must have had a slight wobble after the Watford defeat. Even with the well-discussed mitigation taken into account, the aftermath of that one had an air of 'where do we turn?' about it. But one international break and one gigantic ...
Hard times for City but such is the struggle to get to the Prem, forget the yo-yo theory November 17, 2019 - Only when things go badly, or worse than you'd hoped, do you fully appreciate the good times. You know what I'm talking about. The trudge away from Carrow Road after the Watford game was a grim experience. Doubly so when you consider the equivalent fixture one year ago was the ...
Another day, another 2-0 defeat and toothless City slump to bottom of the Prem November 9, 2019 - I'm frequently accused (by one MFW commenter in particular) of donning the yellow and green-tinted spectacles. Well, even when wearing them, what unfolded in front of us last night was not good. That walk back to the car was a grim experience. Usually, there are one or two positives to ...
WATFORD PREVIEW: Graham Taylor… Gracia’s Achilles heel… & the Pozzos’ deep pockets November 7, 2019 - Ahead of tomorrow's "relegation six-pointer" against Watford, I've been chatting with Mike Parkin from the excellent From The Rookery End podcast. We ended up being living proof that Canaries and Hornets can converse civilly and without name-calling... As ever, before we get stuck into the nitty-gritty of Friday night, it's always good ...
More misery at the Amex as stuttering City draw another troubling away day blank November 3, 2019 - Mark Lawrenson wound me up on Friday. Not for the first time. Stuart Webber tells us to 'ignore the noise' but when it's Lawrenson it's not easy But it wasn't the fact that he Lawro predicted a City defeat - he does that every week. Instead, it was his description ...
BRIGHTON PREVIEW: Potter’s revolution… Hazard’s heir apparent… & Bloom’s wedge November 1, 2019 - Ahead of tomorrow's trip to the south coast, I've been chatting with Ady Packham from the Albion Roar radio show... So, before we get stuck into the nitty-gritty, it's always good to hear a bit my interviewees and their footballing journeys. Why Brighton? And how did the Albion Roar come ...
Krul the hero with a blinder but a little too comfortable for Man Utd at the Carra October 28, 2019 - There's no sugar-coating it. That was a tough watch. So too the fact that right now City look a little sad, bedraggled and disjointed. Bournemouth, clean sheet et al, was it seems just a brief spell of respite from a period of Premier League grind. Those who argue there is ...
The centre-back crisis deepens but a gritty City dig out a vital point at the Vitality October 20, 2019 - That one should have settled us all down a little. Should have. But then there was that sight of Ben Godfrey signalling to the City bench that has race was run, followed by him gingerly walking around the Dean Court pitch towards his latest treatment table. When will this end? ...
BOURNEMOUTH PREVIEW: The -17 season… FFP deals… Eddie H… and sideways Surs October 18, 2019 - Ahead of our trip to the Vitality Stadium, I've been chatting with Peter Bell, owner and writer of the Bournemouth Cherry Chimes blog... Before we get stuck into Saturday, a bit about you and how the blog came about, and your Bournemouth journey? Peter: The Cherry Chimes came about in ...
Along Come Norwich with zine number 2, with Chippy and Ed B for your delectation October 15, 2019 - Remember the heady days of 2018/19 when everything was wonderful and we won loads of games and we all got along? Well at the heart of that were the good folk of Along Come Norwich and Barclay End Norwich, who with the help of more than a few flags transformed ...
Webber: “We’ve got to stay level, that’s the supporters as well”. And so say all of us October 13, 2019 - The Premier League is a strange, complicated, unforgiving beast. When you're Norwich City, it's even stranger, even more complicated and even more unforgiving. We promised ourselves, at the end of last season, that it would be different this time around; that we knew it would be really tough at times ...
A right royal Carrow Road shellacking for City as the injury crisis starts to bite October 6, 2019 - Ouch... that one hurt. Big time. We knew there would be days like that. We just expected them to be against Man City and Liverpool. Not against those teams we deem rivals. Not against teams who were promoted alongside us. Not against Aston bloody Villa. But, such was their dominance ...
Selhurst offers up its traditional dose of agony and heartache for an under-par City September 29, 2019 - We told ourselves to prepare for a tough season, one that would in no way mirror the one we'd just had. 2018/19 was the season of a lifetime; 2019/20 would be different. We knew that. Well, most of us did. What no-one had planned for was an injury list so ...
PALACE PREVIEW: Holmesdale fervour… dear old Roy… and Wilf on the move? September 27, 2019 - Ahead of meek, aesthetically-pleasing Canaries flying into the airspace of mighty Eagles, I've been chatting with Palace blogger Jack Pierce. So, first up, a brief overview of you and your Palace supporting journey and who you write for? Jack: Been a Palace fan since the days of Martyn, Southgate, Salako ...
Dyche’s Burnley offer City a short, sharp and brutal lesson in Premier League reality September 22, 2019 - 'You're only as good as your last game' they tell us, in which case City are really not that good, especially defensively. But we know that's not true. No one beats Manchester City by not being a good side. Equally, Turf Moor offered a very different challenge, one that we ...
BURNLEY PREVIEW: Clarets hoping to emerge as best of the rest this season September 20, 2019 - Ahead of tomorrow's trip to Turf Moor I've been chatting with Joe Redmond from the excellent Burnley podcast TurfCast ... First up, before we get stuck into the nitty-gritty, tell us a bit about you, your Burnley story and who you pod for? Burnley born and bred, so are both my parents, ...
The time for wallowing is over… time for an altogether different challenge at Turf Moor September 18, 2019 - As tempting as it is to wallow in the searing afterglow of Saturday's win, it's time to look forward. To lap up the acclaim and kind words that have headed in our direction since Saturday teatime is one thing; to milk them for all they're worth is human, but to ...
Thirteen heroes in yellow… backed by 25,000 more in a rocking Carrow Road September 15, 2019 - How the heck do you sum that up in 1000 words? As is traditional after a game that my dad hasn't attended - he decided his macular degenerated eyes could see the action better through the prism of Sky Sports - we spoke on the phone. "Boy, have been watching ...
Plenty of noise from the Tractor Boys… but, let’s face it, we’d be (have been) the same September 8, 2019 - That I know not what the hell I'm talking about is clear to anyone who reads my MFW musings. Football predictions are not my thing and to have only just beaten random-score-generating Siri in last season's score prediction table tells the story far better than I can. There's also my ...
West Ham too good for the stuttering Canaries on a bad day in Stratford September 1, 2019 - We knew there would be bad days. We told ourselves we must keep our heads when they happen. And that Daniel Farke and his players had done more than enough last season to earn our trust this. That keeping your head lark, when all about you are losing theirs is no ...
WEST HAM PREVIEW: Battle for seventh… Gallic arrogance… angry old men… and bitter rivals August 30, 2019 - Ahead of City's first-ever trip to Stratford, I've been chatting with Sam Delaney - author, broadcaster, host of podcast Top Flight Time Machine and West Ham diehard ... So, an okay start to the season, Sam? Seems fair to ignore the Man City tonking as that's something that will happen ...
Carabao disappointment for the Canaries but absolute heartbreak for Bury FC August 28, 2019 - Waking up to the news of Bury's expulsion from the Football League puts City's disheartening defeat at Crawley into some sort of perspective. Okay, so we're all a little sore, pi55ed and maybe a little bit embarrassed at such an early Carabao Cup exit to a side who play in ...
“No, you won’t fool the children of the Webber-lution” August 27, 2019 - The heartbreaking travails of Bury and Bolton Wanderers should act as a shot across the bows of English football. They should. But they won't. It's not as though we've never been here before. Near misses and eleventh-hour reprieves are far too common. As long as there are clubs that attract ...
No points but City emerge from Chelsea defeat with belief and pride still intact August 25, 2019 - That we came away from Carrow Road feeling disappointed at not picking up a point speaks volumes. So too that Frank Lampard’s Chelsea celebrated at the end as if the league title had just been clinched. As deserved as their three points were, they’d been in a game and they ...
PREVIEW: One half of talkSPORT’s finest gives MFW an insight into Frank’s Chelsea August 23, 2019 - Ahead of tomorrow's second encounter of the season with 'top six' opponents, I had the pleasure of chatting with one of my broadcasting heroes, Andy Jacobs - one half of the legendary Hawksbee & Jacobs. And, God bless him, he was ever so nice to the stuttering, sycophant on the ...
It’s Farkeball at its absolute finest as City put an under par Toon to the sword August 18, 2019 - That feeling of your heart almost beating out of your chest and such immense pride it's hard to get your words in the right order. Yeah, that. And don't tell me I was alone (although I do struggle more than most with the words bit). Okay, so a bit OTT ...
NEWCASTLE PREVIEW: Broken Ashley promises… dinosaur pots… and a Hanley OG August 16, 2019 - Ahead of tomorrow's date with the Toon, I've been chatting with Norman Riley, a writer and podcaster with Newcastle site, True Faith. First up, a little bit about you, Norm? Your Toon journey, who you host/write for etc I’ve been a Newcastle fan since my first game in 1986 which ...
A tricky opening night at Anfield sees City emerge with pride and belief still intact August 10, 2019 - It's not too often you emerge from a 4-1 mauling and feel immense pride, but last night was one. Battered, bruised and bewildered at half-time, the only question in town was 'how many', a question that also hung in the air during those nerve-jangling opening ten minutes of the second ...
Here we go. Strap yourselves in, tin hats at the ready, and let’s give it ‘a right good go’ August 9, 2019 - So, here we go then. Almost time. Belt up, clench those buttocks and hold on for dear life. We know this one is going to get hairy – probably from the word go. But the measured, philosophical approach of Messrs Farke and Webber needs to seep beyond the psyche of ...
LIVERPOOL PREVIEW… with Matt Ladson from This Is Anfield August 8, 2019 - So, *I* know who Matt Ladson is - we even dined together at a fairly swish Soho restaurant in our Metro days - but MFW readers don't. So, a few words on your Liverpool™ background and who you write for? Matt: And what a wonderful dinner it was! My background? Boyhood ...
Not long now for the Yellow Army – just three to go, then all roads lead to Anfield July 25, 2019 - Not long now. The waiting is almost over. Three to go. That the Liverpool (a) tickets went like hotcakes was no surprise (sold out within one hour apparently), but it neither bodes well for those who in future are not able to go full 'four-screens' online as soon as the ...
Massive? Maybe not… yet, but life in NR1 is never ever dull, even when the football is July 21, 2019 - It was when I was penning my piece for the Along Come Norwich fanzine, a while ago now, that it dawned on me just how eventful life is as a Norwich City supporter has been, and still is come to that. Maybe a statistician out there will prove me wrong ...
Norwich City Ladies FC – Ambition… plans for the future… and beating Ipswich (twice) July 15, 2019 - The Lionesses may have fallen at the penultimate hurdle, but the Women's World Cup was still an undoubted triumph - even though VAR did its worst - and did a great job in raising the profile of the women's game. The trick, as ever, is to lock in that interest ...
Shiny new contracts for the Class of 2019 and financial surety for the club – a win-win July 14, 2019 - I know I keep harping on about it, but I'm still struggling to get my head around the almost serene way the City fanbase are effortlessly gliding their way through the run-up to a new season in the Premier League. For a whole host of reasons, we truly are in ...
Remember the halcyon days of the fanzine? Well they’re back, thanks to the lads at ACN July 12, 2019 - Lovers of the olde worlde fanzine have a treat coming up. Not content with painting the Lower Barclay various shades of yellow and green and doing more than their bit to crank up the Carrow Road atmosphere, the lads at Along Come Norwich have - with a little help from ...
Fährmann’s arrival further proof that sentiment has no place at Carrow Road 2019 July 7, 2019 - When Schalke’s Ralf Fährmann was rumoured, in the early part of last week, to be in the sights of Stuart Webber and Daniel Farke, I have to confess to having been caught a little off guard. Not because I didn’t expect us to be in the market for another keeper ...
Arsene’s law and calm Germanic tones give City hope for new season in the Prem June 30, 2019 - I wrote in the week of the calmness that has descended upon the Canary Nation and how, in the circumstances, it’s so unusual. You could argue, unique. I was referring of course to our relaxed attitude to the summer refresh of the squad, NOT the understandable disquiet over the membership ...
Pre-season almost upon us, yet an unlikely calm has descended on the Canary Nation June 26, 2019 - Seldom have we been just five weeks away from the start of the Premier League season and been so calm. And this is Canary Nation we’re talking about. We don’t really do calm. Okay, there’s the been the hoo-ha over the flawed new membership scheme and the odd Twitter spat ...
Turnbull plumps for Celtic ahead of the Canaries, and the certainty of silverware June 23, 2019 - Thankfully City's attempt to sign David Turnbull didn’t reach saga level. I’m pretty sure Stuart Webber would never let that occur, and we’ll never again – at least while he’s around – have summer-long fiascos akin to the successful pursuits of Robbie Brady or Gary Hooper and the unsurprisingly futile attempts ...
With the Carra about to burst at the seams, what’s the answer? Is there an answer? June 21, 2019 - It’s an age-old conundrum and one that, for different reasons, gets reignited from time to time. This time I blame BBC Radio Norfolk’s Richard Hancock, who tweeted this last week. https://twitter.com/CanaryWorf/status/1139427174858002432 If nothing else, I admired Rich's chutzpah, as I once wrote a piece on that very subject for this ...
A feisty week in NR1 without a ball even being kicked, plus a cringey opening day June 16, 2019 - Considering not a ball has been kicked, that was one tempestuous old week in and around NR1. Not since the opening six games of last season has the gander been up quite as much, although back then it was because of things we thought might happen over the then-upcoming 40 ...
“To hoof it or to play it out from the back?” – should no longer even be a question June 9, 2019 - You know the scenario - happens all the time. Pop out, bump into a friend, quick chat, entirely about Norwich City, 100%, not even getting to the bit when you inquire as to each other's welfare. Well that, yesterday morning... in Beccles. And in that short time, we predictably managed ...
TV WEEK: From The Persuaders to Chernobyl via Vic & Bob and The Fast Show June 5, 2019 - Self-indulgent it may have been, but Music Week worked nicely on MFW last summer in that period betwixt the conclusion of the playoffs and the start of the World Cup. To get a glimpse of the person behind the name when they're not talking about our beloved Canaries was, in ...
Typical Webber signings… Champions League nightmare… and a pair of safe hands June 2, 2019 - So, the first signing of the summer is through the door and is one Patrick Roberts. For anyone who hasn't heard, he's a 22-year-old Londoner whose formative years were spent at Fulham, where he was awarded his first pro contract, making his first-team debut at the age of 17. A ...
Three more years of the Stieperdude … and MSM agony over poor old Frank May 29, 2019 - Those who know me will tell you I'm a sucker for an underdog. 'Empathy' could be my middle name and I know for a fact that I take it way too far. In the odd moment of extreme weakness, I've even expressed begrudging sympathy for that stubborn, erratic-with-the-truth, vicar's daughter ...
Pep’s City in cruise mode … the role of the playoff dice … and the need for calm May 19, 2019 - It's impossible not to marvel at Pep's Man City. The football they play, the drive, the desire; it's a heady cocktail that looks set to dominate English football for as long as Sheikh Mansour wants it too. Equally - and this probably says more about me than anything else - I ...
A fascinating summer awaits, even if MSM are already assuming the worst for City May 17, 2019 - From the moment promotion was confirmed, I braced myself for the inevitable. I wasn't alone. The inevitable churn of finger-wagging from pundits and experts, telling us what we should be looking to do, who we should be looking to buy and why what we're going to do won't be enough. ...
Championes, Championes, Ole Ole Ole! – City seal the glorious deal at Villa Park May 5, 2019 - There have been numerous themes running through City's season - the late goals, Teemu scoring, Christoph and Ben being heroic, Stiepi's weird goal celebrations etc - but one of the most bizarre has been how at almost every turn there's been folk telling us how undeserving we've been of our ...
VILLA PREVIEW: One final push for City with the Championship title in touching distance May 4, 2019 - Ahead of our potential title-decider at Villa Park, I've been chatting with The Villa View presenter Dan Bardell. We talked poor Paddy Bamford, brilliant Jack Grealish and the Championship's Virgil van Dijk. Before we get on to Sunday's game, tell us a bit about your Villa-supporting journey and how the ...
Ajax offer hope for the underdogs – ‘have you ever seen a bag of money score a goal?’ May 2, 2019 - City will never get to the semi-final or final of the Champions League - nor will we ever compete in the Champions League for that matter - but how many of a yellow and green persuasion have followed Ajax's exploits in the knockout stages of this year's competition and thought, ...
The Carra rocks to the sound of promotion on a special night of nights…. April 28, 2019 - We did it! We only bloody did it! Not since 1960 has Carrow Road witnessed a promotion being confirmed, so forgive me if I get a little misty-eyed over the next 1000-ish words. Nights like last night don't come along very often. Even those of an iron disposition and a ...
BLACKBURN PREVIEW: Will Mowbray’s flying Rovers rain on the Canaries’ parade? April 26, 2019 - Ahead of what we desperately hope will be one of our finest hours, I've been stateside (not literally) and been chatting with Dirk Copland, the man behind Blackburn's biggest and best vlog - Blackburn Roverseas. Before we get stuck into Saturday's game, tell us a bit about your Rovers journey ...
Canaries on the brink – a modern day fairy-tale being played out in the Fine City April 23, 2019 - Wow... none of us will forget the Easter Monday of 2019 in a hurry. And who would have guessed that the City hero to emerge from the day would be an ex-Canary. Sergi Canos we salute you. I've been banging the 'let's do this ourselves and not rely on favours ...
STOKE PREVIEW: Unpredictable Potters between City and their date with destiny April 21, 2019 - When it's Stoke up next, it's a no-brainer as to where to turn - so, as ever, it's to my old mate from our Metro Sport days, Mr Matt Meir. Here are his thoughts on the Nathan Jones era, why Paul Lambert is no longer in the Potters' dugout and ...
Mario and Tim to the rescue against lively Owls – City doing it one point at a time April 20, 2019 - The River End was a tetchy old place last night. Around me, Stiepermann became the new Cantwell. Mo took some too; too "flicky and lightweight". And Onel is apparently "simply not good enough". An alien dipping into Carrow Road for the evening would never have guessed we were destined to ...
OWLS PREVIEW: The Ipswich way… Brucey’s digger… concrete foundations… and a repugnant beast April 18, 2019 - Ahead of tomorrow night's potential p-word clincher - but probably not - for the second time this season I have been chatting with James Marriott from the fine The Wednesday Week podcast. And what a top lad he is... So... how's the podcast going? Am guessing there has been plenty to talk about this ...
City edge closer to the prize but Cook’s Latics make it a nervy one in the north west April 15, 2019 - In keeping with the UK 2019-style, yesterday lunchtime's 1-1 draw in Greater Manchester had a polarising effect on the Canary Nation. Those of a positive disposition perceived it as another step closer to the ultimate goal. A point, a vital point, which at least matched the result of Wilder's wobblers ...
WIGAN PREDICTIONS: The prize is huge; trust Farke’s lads to get the job done April 14, 2019 - So, you probably know how it works by now. In the week, or very occasionally weeks, before a game, we get in touch with a contact from the opposition and arrange to either chat with them on the phone or send over a few questions that will form the backbone ...
A nervy one, but another point on the board and a step closer to the Promised Land April 11, 2019 - Remember that game last season when Neil Warnock got the hump with Nuno Espírito Santo after Wolves had beaten Cardiff 1-0 thanks to two injury-time penalty saves by John Ruddy? Remember how Wolves celebrated at the final whistle and Colin lost it because the Wolves manager forgot to shake his ...
READING PREVIEW: Relegation haunted Royals to offer sterner test than the Hoops April 9, 2019 - Ahead of tomorrow night's visit of the Royals, I've been chatting to Simeon Pickup, editor of The Tilehurst End and the Reading face of Sky Sports Championship goals coverage. He's not confident, which makes me nervous... Cheers, as ever, for joining us on MyFootballWriter, mate. So... you going to avoid ...
Pressure? What pressure? City offer the Hoops a Carrow Road masterclass April 7, 2019 - It's so bloody hard to be objective when you're inside the Canary bubble. We're all so wrapped up in it, ensconced in it, invested in it, it's impossible to see what everyone else is seeing. They see a team that plays the most beautiful football, that's finding a way to beat ...
Mr Argos seals the deal for City as the stars align and they go five points clear March 31, 2019 - It’s all too easy to drown in a sea of hyperbole when things are this good, and it's a trap I fall into on almost a weekly basis, but there really are only so many ways of putting it. This is a bloody good Norwich City side. Give them a ...
BORO PREVIEW: Dark arts… Pulis’s timidity… big beasts… and all-too-fancy Dans March 29, 2019 - As ever, when Boro come calling, it's to ex Match of the Day editor Paul Armstrong we turn. A lovely chap he is too and nothing like that seething "yous are cr@p" Boro fan who ignited the internet after we'd beaten his heroes 1-0 at Carrow Road early in the ...
Eight to go, but Mystic Mick’s prediction of City top and ‘that lot’ bottom has promise March 27, 2019 - By way of an international break 'filler' and to launch us into our eight-game mini-league that's about to decide the medium-term fate of this football club, Rick suggested a revisit of the team's pre-season predictions would be in order. So, reluctantly, without further ado... Compared to... Apologies to anyone who ...
There’s the beautiful game and there’s Farkeball. What we’re seeing now is extra special March 24, 2019 - With a little bit of help from the world's biggest tax-dodging search engine, I've narrowed it down to February 24, 2001. It was a game under the Carrow Road lights, City v Wolves, which was won by a Paul McVeigh goal after three minutes. I can't remember too much about the ...
City pass stern test at the NY Stadium and it’s full steam ahead for the finishing line March 17, 2019 - In an ideal world, Leeds would have won yesterday, then we would have beat Rotherham and gone into the international break with a juicy seven-point gap to third with eight to play. Of course, Chris Wilder and his merry band of Blades had other ideas and instead it was the ...
ROTHERHAM PREVIEW: How relegation battles should be fought… and free-scoring centre-backs March 15, 2019 - So, in the spirit of scratching around for good omens and the need in football for [cliche klaxon] "focussing on the positives", I'm taking the fact that my Rotherham contact has been unable to deliver a Q&A as a good sign. This same combination of events produced a City win on ...
Another nervy one at the Carra but yet another City win as Emi takes centre stage March 14, 2019 - I'm not particularly superstitious - at least not to the extent of a River End neighbour who insists he has a lucky River End season ticket 'reader' - but when it comes to football I do love a good omen. And so, as I headed to Carrow Road through the ...
HULL PREVIEW: Beware an ambush of wounded Tigers, especially those still with a sniff of top six March 13, 2019 - When Robert Burns wrote ‘the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry’, I’m 99.9% sure he was referring to writing match previews; specifically those where your plans to connect with an ‘interviewee’ flounder. You didn’t know Burns was a blogger for Ayr Utd? But that’s what’s happened I’m ...
A nervy one at the Carra as the slick Swans make life tricky but some Emi magic seals it March 9, 2019 - Job done. Forget the obstacles put in the way by a Swansea side who, in the first half, did to City what City have done to so many this season. Forget that the stats, for once, saw City come out second best. Forget that City scored with their only on-target ...
SWANS PREVIEW: Chaos off the pitch… inconsistency on it… but the mood is positive March 8, 2019 - Ahead of tomorrow’s top-eight clash between the cities of Swans and Canaries, for the second time this season I’ve been chatting with Guto Llewelyn – a journo for ITV Wales’s Welsh language current affairs department and part of The JackCast podcast. And what a nice chap… *** As a current affairs journo, I'm ...
Still a long way to go, but if the unthinkable happens let’s not assume the worst… March 6, 2019 - Amidst some good MFW content recently (Sunday morning contributions aside), there were a couple of cracking guest blogs last week. One was from George Devo, who eloquently and sensibly asked the question ‘do we really want to get promoted?’, and the other was by Radio Times writer and City fan, ...
City overcome a raucous din at The Den to maintain that crucial two-point gap March 3, 2019 - According to many, Millwall (a) was a "banana skin", others called it the "acid test", some even went as far as "season-defining". Take your pick. If you chose to run with cliché one or two, City either avoided it or passed it - and with some style - but it's the ...
Canaries triumph over the Robins to stay top and the Carra roars … February 24, 2019 - pulsating (pʌlˈseɪtɪŋ) adjective 1. expanding and contracting with a rhythmic beat 2. quivering or vibrating 3. exciting 4. varying in intensity, size, or magnitude At least that's what the Collins English Dictionary says. I think they're missing a trick. For nothing, they can have: 5. Norwich City v Bristol City. 23/02/19. Minutes 46 to 96 In fact, thinking about it, there are ...
City bounce back in style and end mini-tour of the north-west with a four-goal salvo February 17, 2019 - That's what you call a response! After defeat at Preston, events at the University of Bolton Stadium (can we please just all agree it's the Reebok) clearly took on an even greater importance, and so for City to deliver in such an emphatic way, with the pressure valve twitching onto ...
Deepdale gloom for City as Alex’s men in white finally end the unbeaten away run February 14, 2019 - I wasn't alone in having a sense of foreboding ahead of last night's trip to Deepdale. It wasn't so much a case of 'After the Lord Mayor's show', because no-one can ever question the desire of this bunch, but there was a collective sense that the emotionally draining effect of ...
PNE PREVIEW: A Scottish ex with class… a strong window… and 100 up for Dec… February 12, 2019 - Ahead of tomorrow night's game, I've been chatting with Adam Lord, a sports journalist with the Lancashire Post, who covers all things Preston North End... *** First things first... by trade you're the Lancashire Post's PNE man, but are you also a fan? If not, where do your allegiances lie? ...
City overcome spirited neighbours and an irate ex to edge two points clear at the top February 11, 2019 - First things first, and that wasn't your average 3-0. Minus the green and yellow tinted spectacles, it was a fairly even game and in the middle third of the pitch, for long spells, Town matched us. In fact, I'd go as far as to say there were spells when they ...
City players visit local charity building a stronger community February 8, 2019 - To celebrate the 550 UK projects receiving funding from this year’s Aviva Community Fund, Norwich City players Kenny McLean and Louis Thompson swapped the football training ground for a Norwich café that trains individuals who face a barrier to employment, The Feed on Prince of Wales Road. The Feed is ...
No need for tub-thumping – a dose of normal is key to Derby Day success for City February 7, 2019 - Often at this juncture – as weeks turns to days and then hours ahead of a Carrow Road derby – I’ll find an excuse to write a piece that is little more than a thinly veiled call to arms. I’d trot out the usual lines and clichés around the opportunity ...
The Teutonic plague sweeps through Elland Road, as City send out a signal of intent February 3, 2019 - So, Leeds... how did your #WelcomeNorwich plan work out? To be fair, it was only a minority of Leeds' fans who wanted the City bus to be given the Man City/Liverpool treatment, and as it transpired they were called out by the majority who preferred the white heat to be ...
LEEDS PREVIEW: Spygate… wobbles… #WelcomeNorwich… and the genius of Bielsa February 1, 2019 - Ahead of Wessi's final farewell - the penultimate game of last season - I spoke with Pete Schlenker, the managing editor of Through It All Together, and marvelled at the way he played a perfectly straight bat to some needless prodding. So, given the less-than-harmonious build-up to tomorrow's cruncher, there was only ...
No cigars for City as Blades give as good as they get in tetchy one at the Carra January 27, 2019 - There's no escaping the fact it did feel like two dropped. Equally, no-one could deny that Sheffield United were good value for their point, having had the better of the second-half after City had shaded the first. Say what you like about Chris Wilder - and we've said plenty - ...
BLADES PREVIEW: Mr Sharp… Wilder’s battle cry… six-pointers… and feuding owners January 25, 2019 - Before the so-called Battle of Bramall Lane, back in September 2017, I chatted with Pete Turner who, in his own words, is "the Brixton arm of the Brighton, Brixton and Belgravia Blades" - aka the BBB Blades. We talked footie, of course, but also a bit of John Denver, The Boss, Kell ...
A 30-minute blitz wins the day for City as Monk’s Blues are put to the sword January 19, 2019 - There was more than a touch of déjà vu as the River End grew increasingly impatient in last night's second half. As the ball was shifted slowly and laterally from centre-back to centre-back, those who berated and seethed over that very thing in year one of Farkeball could feel it all ...
The ol’ girl is already vibrant – now time for Y’Army to crank it up another notch January 17, 2019 - I don’t tend to write match previews per se. I usually leave it to the MFW team – we have a rota you know! – to engage with a writer/blogger/podcaster/fan from the opposition of day in a Q&A-type piece that’s rounded off with the MFW prediction table. It generally works ...
Jordan to the rescue as City emerge intact after a Black Country nail-biter January 13, 2019 - Okay, so the fact that Chris Wilder's Sheffield Utd leapfrogged us into second place was slightly irritating, as was the oxygen this gave those tiresome #TwitterBlades, but who in the Canary Nation honestly wouldn't have taken a 1-1 at the Hawthorns? That City had to come from behind was no surprise whatsoever, but ...
BAGGIES PREVIEW: Big D’s subtlety… odd blips… goals aplenty… and Gareth Barry! January 11, 2019 - Ahead of tomorrow's second vs third clash at the Hawthorns, I've been chatting to Luke Hatfield - a digital sports journalist at the Express and Star - who covers, amongst others, our friends from West Bromwich... Obviously, you cover, for your employers, Villa, Wolves, Walsall and the Albion, but judging by your ...
Pompey chimes echo around the Carra as ten-man City succumb to late sucker-punch January 6, 2019 - And so ends the Canaries' cup involvement of 2018/19. Not that, in the circumstances, too many were complaining. Given how events at Carrow Road panned out last night, for City to have taken it to the wire was no mean feat in itself, but the fact remains we have exited ...
♫ Jordan Rhodes is one of us… ♫ January 3, 2019 - It was on 15th June last summer when a pal, who’s a resident of the fine city of Sheffield, shared with me on the q.t. some news about a potential move by City for Jordan Rhodes. “Advanced talks” was how he described the situation, with the stumbling block to a ...
Krul’s heroics earn dogged City a point against some lively and vibrant Bees January 2, 2019 - Only in the final countdown will the value of yesterday's point at Brentford become clear, but given the general paucity of performance and adversity that was overcome to earn it, it feels like it could be a significant moment. On Saturday, against FLDC, they snatched defeat from the jaws of ...
BRENTFORD PREVIEW: The ‘flat earth, fake news’ brigade… new stadiums… and that Sergi Canos January 1, 2019 - Ahead of our 2019 opener against the Bees of Brentford I've been chatting with editor of the Beesotted fanzine, David Lane: So, a bit about you and your Brentford supporting journey mate. How did you get involved with the fine Beesotted site? Beesotted started as an inky, paper fanzine in 1990 and ...
A surreal one at the Carra but ultimately a win for FLDC and an end to the fine run December 30, 2018 - Well, the run was never going to end with a meek, scrappy 1-0, was it? Such has been the non-stop thrill ride we've been on for the last three months, there was no way the roller coaster was going to ease to a dignified and measured halt. Not a chance. ...
DERBY PREVIEW: Bigger bank balances… humongous wages… doomed Bradderz… and Marmite Keogh December 28, 2018 - Ahead of tomorrow's game with Derby (I've even bored myself with the Lampard™ thing) I've been chatting to Ryan Burton from the excellent Steve Bloomer's Washing pod and website. Here goes... First things first. I promise not to mention the FLDC™ phrase. Obviously, we're all sick to death of it ...
Another Christmas miracle as Onel earns City the most unlikely point ever December 27, 2018 - Blimey... where to start (again)! Just as we thought there were no more late fairytales left in the locker, this lot go and write another extraordinary chapter. One so extraordinarily that (again) if you pitched it to a Hollywood scriptwriter you would be sent forth on the grounds of it being ...
The run continues and it’s time to believe this group can indeed take us the whole way December 23, 2018 - It's not often I feel the need to quote or paraphrase Roy Hodgson. The same Roy Hodgson who masterminded England's classic Euro 16 campaign, during which part of the plan was to have the country's best striker taking corners. With good reason, dear old Roy went down in my estimations ...
BLACKBURN PREVIEW: Benno… Super Jordan… and Mowbray’s soldiers & artists December 21, 2018 - Ahead of tomorrow's game at Blackburn, I have been chatting with Oscar from Talk of Ewood. We got along famously... So... first of all a bit about you and your Rovers 'journey'? I'm a lifelong Rovers fan, but not your average Blackburn supporter. A teenager, from Huddersfield. Yes, Huddersfield. Yet with ...
CHRISTMAS ON MFW – 45% off ad rates and an engaged, loyal Norwich/Norfolk audience December 19, 2018 - In order for MyFootballWriter to continue to thrive, we need a little help. We need that trickle of ad income to help us continue to offer you our take on all things NCFC and, sometimes, beyond. Therefore, we’ve moved on from Black Friday and have hit the Christmas sales by ...
A point apiece at Ashton Gate as some battling Canaries make in ten games unbeaten December 16, 2018 - No injury-time heroics this week and no football from the gods for the travelling (and watching) faithful to digest, but what occurred at Ashton Gate could, in the final countdown, be every bit as significant as anything we've witnessed so far. Rather than the precision and silk we've become accustomed to, this ...
ROBINS PREVIEW: Bigger budgets… awesome owners… and dear old Marley W December 14, 2018 - Ahead of tomorrow tea-time's clash with Bristol City, I've been chatting with Joe Tanner - a Bristol City-supporting journo and producer who works for, amongst others, LBC and talkSPORT. Here's what he had to say about his beloved Robins... So, first of all, a bit about you and your Bristol City ...
Another Pukki late late show as the Canaries make it 25 from a possible 27 December 9, 2018 - There was a brief moment in the second half, just after Marco Stiepermann made it 2-0, that almost for the first time I allowed myself to dream. Anyone who reads this column regularly (cheers Mum) will know I'm generally not keen on looking too far ahead because football is football ...
Still 26 games to go for City but already “it sure beats the hell out of last season” December 6, 2018 - Martin P and I have been trying for some time to get one of our regular commenters – Chris Payne – to pen us a guest blog. His comments, whether you agree with them or not, are always insightful and eloquent, and we think he’s a blog waiting to happen. ...
A tricky one at the Carra but again Farke’s fledglings find a way to get the job done December 2, 2018 - For those that don't tweet, you missed a gem from one of our own last night. Chris Sutton, the Lewis/Aarons/Cantwell of his day here at Carrow Road, reminded Suffolk's finest that, as things stand, City have more wins than they have points. Typically, it wasn't well received south of the border ...
ROTHERHAM PREVIEW: Adopted sons of Yorkshire and some ‘tough little nuts’ … November 30, 2018 - Ahead of tomorrow's clash with the Millers of Rotherham, I've been chatting to Paul Davis who covers 'all things #rufc for the Rotherham Advertiser'... So ... the day job sees you write about Rotherham. You also a fan? If so, what's the journey been? Rotherham born and bred? Rotherham supporting family? I'm ...
A point apiece in a rain-sodden KC Stadium but Canaries remain top of the pile November 28, 2018 - How you perceived last night's stalemate in Hull is about as good a barometer as it gets as to the fullness of emptiness of your glass. Some zoomed in on the end of the winning run, others on the continuation of the unbeaten run, while for some, the clean sheet on ...
HULL PREVIEW: Continued pain from the Allams… not-so-super Chrissy… and no Fraizer November 27, 2018 - Ahead of tonight’s game in Hull, I have again been speaking with Andy Dalton, editor of the award-winning Amber Nectar website and podcast. Obviously, there was rather more to mull over than footie alone… So, last time we spoke (back in March) there was an awful lot of discontent among the Hull faithful ...
Another four for City as Farke’s men keep the hunting pack at arm’s length… for now November 25, 2018 - For the fourth game in a row, where to start? Blimey. This is really starting to get interesting. Even the Norwich supporter in me - the one that reminds folk we're still only six points ahead of Forest who are outside the playoff places - has had to concede that to ...
BLACK FRIDAY ON MFW! – 45% off ad rates and a monthly audience of 17000 City fans November 23, 2018 - MyFootballWriter has hit the Christmas sales early this year with news of a whopping 45% saving on our monthly advertising rates. Now you can advertise to up to 17,000 unique monthly visitors from as little as £100 per month - a proper festive bargain. "We always aim to please - be ...
SWANS PREVIEW: Hot and cold Fer… Swansea-ola… and bonding at the Liberty November 23, 2018 - Ahead of tomorrow's top-eight clash between the cities of Swans and Canaries, I've been chatting with Guto Llewelyn - a journo for ITV Wales's Welsh language current affairs department and part of The JackCast podcast. And what a nice chap he is... First up, can you tell us a bit about Guto Llewelyn ...
How far can team spirit and harmony take a team of possible promotion seekers? November 18, 2018 - Eight days on from that goal in that game, and it still makes the hairs on the back of the neck stand on end. Such was the buzz and, potentially, the significance of said afternoon, for once it was rather convenient that an international break should present itself. Seven extra ...
One for the history books at the Carra as City head to Florida top of the pile November 11, 2018 - Every so often one comes along that defies description. That City somehow won the game with two goals in injury time made it a unforgettable in its own right, but there felt something special in the air from the moment the day's community heroes were introduced to the crowd. Pip and ...
‘On the Ball City’ – surely the greatest football song in the world. But if only … November 8, 2018 - As editor of MyFootballWriter, I’ve been thoroughly spoilt this week. First up there was Martin’s fine and inimitable take on the win at Hillsborough, followed on Tuesday by the wonderful Bowles family’s insightful take on their day in Sheffield and then Anita Byrne-Phillips’ stirring plea for the Yellow Army to ...
Flying Canaries make it to summit of the Champ, hoodoo busting along the way November 4, 2018 - Many years of being a Norwich supporter have taught me not to look too far ahead; to remember that there's always disappointment around the corner; to brace yourself for a rough ride and (obviously) to expect nothing at Hillsborough. And then they go and win 4-0... at Hillsborough... to make it ...
OWLS PREVIEW – Financial constraints… 2001… the band… poor ol’ Hoops… and the lovely Chris Wilder November 2, 2018 - Ahead of tomorrow's potential for a Hillsborough mare , I have been chatting with James Marriott from the excellent The Wednesday Week podcast. We got along famously... So, first up, give us a bit of background on your Wednesday 'journey' and the origins of the Wednesday Week pod... How often do ...
Plenty of verve at The Vitality but City pay the price for some horror misses October 31, 2018 - So ends City's Carabao Cup adventure 2018/19, but as cup exit's go, this one was most definitely in the 'blaze of glory' category'. For the third time in two seasons, Daniel Farke's men have gone toe-to-toe with Premier League opposition and gone within a whisker of glory. Last season it was ...
A rotten day for football, but the Canaries deliver again, for the third time in a week October 28, 2018 - It feels more than a little hollow to be penning thoughts on a football match after the events of yesterday. With Glenn Hoddle fighting for his life, a Brighton fan passing away after falling ill just before their game with Wolves and then the helicopter crash outside the King Power, ...
First Big Timm and now it’s Jordan Rhodes at the double. Something stirring in NR1? October 24, 2018 - As the River End emptied last night, while King Klose was doing his well-deserved lap of appreciation, I bumped into a pal who, for me, nailed it. 'I feel so much pride watching these boys ... even if we lose, when they play like this you know another win is ...
VILLA PREVIEW: A shy, understated JT (!) … Bruceball … Dr Tony … and super-Jack G October 23, 2018 - Ahead of tonight's clash with Villa, I caught up with Sam Tighe - a journalist who covers Villa and who writes for, amongst others, the Bleacher Report. Here's how it went... *** So… a Dean Smith/John Terry dream team?! Discuss. (Didn’t realise Smith was a die-hard Villa fan until his post-Swansea ...
Klose at the double as City overcome the October hoodoo to win in Nottingham October 21, 2018 - Our Jack unintentionally gave me the collywobbles earlier in the week when he wrote an excellent piece comparing City's fortunes in the Septembers and Octobers of recent years. The gist was clear: City can do Septembers fine, they're very good at Septembers in fact, but give them an October to ...
“Who’s the Pride of Anglia?” The NCFSC hope to help us find out… TONIGHT October 18, 2018 - The Norwich City Fans Social Club (NCFSC) launched in July 2015. In its own words, its aim is... 'To work with, and under the guidance of, our football club to build a social club for our fans with enjoyable activities, bringing the club and its fans even closer together whilst ...
Three extensions, one departure and an online treat for the Canary faithful October 14, 2018 - With my editorial hat on, I loathe international breaks. Generally, for obvious reasons, there's a paucity of Norwich City news and so a limited number of topics for the team to mull over - not that they ever let me down. But this one's been a little bit different. First of ...
Defeat for the Canaries but still a spring in the step and pride in the heart October 7, 2018 - It's a rare occasion when following defeat the Yellow Army departs Carrow Road with spring in the step and pride in the heart, but yesterday was one of those. Entirely in keeping with the well-deserved standing ovation and hearty rendition of On the Ball City at the final whistle, the mood was positive ...
The run ends but still City deliver on the big stage against Frankie’s fancied Rams October 4, 2018 - That was pretty good wasn't it. That it came with a sting in the tail in the form of Craig Bryson's 86th-minute equaliser was gut-wrenching at the time but shouldn't disguise what was a quality City performance - one I'd argue was probably the pick if the bunch so far. Certainly, there ...
Canaries leave it late but Mario’s ice cool pen sees them gatecrash the top six September 30, 2018 - And to think how gloomy and negative we all felt trudging out of Carrow Road on August 25 after being spanked by the Real Madrid of the North. Who'd have thought that in the 35 days that followed our record would read... Played 7, Won 6, Drawn 1, Lost 0, ...
Loftus Road nightmare for Schteve but a buoyant City make it three in three September 23, 2018 - O ye, of little faith. Well, by ye I actually mean me. I was convinced that last night, after a couple of fine wins, was going to be one of those games that brings us all crashing back to Earth; where those whose heads had started to poke into the ...
Farke’s youth club starting to bear fruit as City grind out win at the Madjeski September 20, 2018 - Well, there's another one that few of us saw coming (apart from Stewart, who predicted 2-1 to City!)! Arguably, this one was even more impressive that Saturday’s given the look and feel of City’s starting line-up; one that had full-backs and wide men whose age profile was 20, 20, 18 ...
A big win for City against Tony’s giants but now’s the time to churn them out regularly September 16, 2018 - Wow! Who saw that coming? Even MFW's Mr Positive, Stewart Lewis, felt unable to predict a City win - instead going for a 1-1 - but should still be awarded a bonus point for being the only one in our prediction league to not foresee a Boro win (apart from ...
BORO PREVIEW: Last on MotD … Uncle Tony v The Monk … Jonny H … and Britt’s knees of cheese September 14, 2018 - We have a rota would you believe for doing these pre-match Q&As. Other than a few special requests, it's supposed to be pot luck as to which teams we get to preview, so given our close relationship with Boro supporter of some repute, Paul Armstrong, it was pure good fortune ...
An awkward final season for Russ but he departs a hero … and thoughts on the Carra Rud atmosphere (drum anyone?) September 9, 2018 - There have been lots of nice words said and written about Russell Martin since his departure was announced, every single one of them deserved, but I did start to nip up a bit when by the end of the week the subject started to do its usual 180 and the ...
Mo to the rescue as City survive a difficult one down south to make it eleven unbeaten September 2, 2018 - Thank God that's over. I'm of an age where local derbies bring little but angst and stress. While I'd never go as far as to say it's a no-win because a win is indeed a win, a wise lady recently called it right when she pointed out that the level of ...
Carabao Cup success for City in South Wales offers timely fillip ahead of Sunday August 29, 2018 - Well, that was a surprise! An epic trip to South Wales to face Premier League opponents was, on the face of it, the last thing anyone needed after Saturday's brutal defeat at the hand of Bielsa's Leeds but yet again football did its thing and threw up the unexpected. As ...
A painful one at the Carra. Bielsa’s Leeds teach powderpuff City a harsh lesson August 26, 2018 - I'm not sure football gets much more painful than that. Or brutal. Not just the being completely outplayed by a better side, but a better side whose fans are 'chirpy' at the best of times and who now finally have something to be really chirpy about. Let's get Leeds out ...
A tetchy, nervy and, at times, fraught one but Pukki and Tettey transform frowns to smiles August 23, 2018 - We’ve long established that football is a daft game. Last night was just further confirmation. After having played some good stuff at times over the last three game, which yielded a single point, last night was disjointed and bitty yet enough to secure City their first three points of the ...
Late heartbreak for City at Bramall Lane and Wilder (again) gets the last laugh August 19, 2018 - A health warning first of all: the following 800+ words are really going to irritate some. If you're one of the increasing number who think Daniel Farke's P45 should be there waiting for him at Colney this morning, or that Mo Leitner should be on the next plane back to ...
City leave it late but the ‘big guns’ steer them through to next round of the Carabao August 15, 2018 - Whichever way you spin it, the purpose of the exercise is, by hook or by crook, to get your name in the hat for the next round of the cup. By that barometer, City did all that was asked of them last night and that there were a few “ups ...
The Baggies go ‘boing boing’ as individual errors hurt City in Carrow Road opener August 12, 2018 - So, how the hell is anyone supposed to make sense of that? We asked for more excitement, for more thrills and spills, but now all of those things have happened it maybe doesn't seem such a great idea. The debate on Canary Call was "would we prefer an attritional 1-0 win for City than a ...
Too much time spent dwelling on events south of the border? Or a natural by-product of a local rivalry? August 8, 2018 - We spend far too much time worrying about what’s happening down the other end of the A140. We’re all guilty of it. I’m probably one of the worst offenders. A post-match ritual of mine is that if we haven’t been to a City match, my dad and I will speak ...
Late drama at St Andrew’s but time running out for the Canaries. Only 45 games to go… August 5, 2018 - And so it begins. It didn't take long to be reminded just how stressful this Championship lark can be and how you can be transported from agony to ecstasy and back again in minutes. And my god this lot put us through the ringer. But, once the St Andrew's dust had ...
BIRMINGHAM PREVIEW: Monk… embargoes… dear ol’ ‘Arry… and nice Mr Hughton August 3, 2018 - The wait is finally over and at last it’s time for the talking to stop and for those in yellow and green to deliver. Quite how we’ll all be feeling at 5pm tomorrow is anyone’s guess, but to gauge what kind of shape our opponents are in, I’ve been chatting ...
Six days to go and the phoney war is finally over. But are the Canaries ready? July 29, 2018 - So, that's it. The fun and games are finally over and one week today we'll have something tangible to discuss. Huge relief eh? In the absence of a stream, I made the mistake of following events at The Valley on the Pink Un's live feed. Never again. While Michael Bailey ...
The City squad now back in Blighty but for MFW it was a German tour like no other July 22, 2018 - I can't ever recall feeling envious of those who've travelled overseas to watch a City pre-season tour. In truth, I usually tend to give all pre-season games a swerve for the reasons stated so eloquently by Connor in his piece yesterday, unless it's a game on my doorstep. But this ...
The trophy didn’t come home but football did. Now for the boys in yellow to deliver… July 15, 2018 - All things being equal, in three weeks time I'll be cobbling together some words on City's season opener at St. Andrew's. Hopefully, we'll be discussing a win. Hopefully. It may be too much to wish for, but I also hope the general mood will be one of positivity. I won't ...
A World Cup semi awaits… the Southgate stock soars … carpe diem boys… July 8, 2018 - I'm not sure there's too much appetite for Norwich City talk after the events of yesterday - and it's not often I write (or believe) that - but it's not every day your country qualifies for a World Cup semi-final. At least not when your country is England. (Our German ...
Two new signings… in one day… and the first friendly just five days away. Who’s up for this? July 1, 2018 - That was some Saturday. For every World Cup humdinger, there was a new City signing. At one point it looked as if from midday onwards we were going to be fed a new signing every two hours. But it was just the two in the end: Teemu Pukki, who I'd never ...
Remember those heady days of being linked with, but not signing, Toivonen, Alderweireld and Koulibaly? Weird eh? June 24, 2018 - I didn't watch Germany v Sweden live - a family meal for once took precedence over football - but a break for "some fresh air" did permit me and my son the chance to escape for five to catch up on latest score. You know what I'm going to say... ...
Josh out, Marley out, BBC Sport nonsense about Godfrey and the latest suitor for Madderz June 17, 2018 - Those of you who tweet (I appreciate a lot of you don't) will be familiar with the conundrum that arises every time a City player is sold. To continue to follow or unfollow. Of course it's daft, but for me there is no dilemma to be had. Once a City ...
Emi arrives in the Fine City while a certain former chief exec chirps up on Twitter! June 10, 2018 - So, the first one is through the door - an Argentine no less. A short(ish), stocky(ish) Argentine to boot. They sometimes work out okay. A ridiculous comparison of course, but what isn't ridiculous to hope for is that by the time Emiliano "Emi" Buendía ends his spell in the Fine ...
Madderz unsurprisingly in demand… a bitter blow for one of our Shrews… and Sterling’s front page news June 3, 2018 - So, the opening salvos have been fired in the battle for James Maddison's signature. Fears that the club's post-parachute financial plan would have to revert to plan B (if indeed there even was a B) appear unfounded as the great and the good of the English game jostle for position in ...
MUSIC WEEK: From the Bunnymen to The Killers via Oasis, The Pogues and the UEA May 29, 2018 - I love it when the comments at the end of an MFW piece veer off-piste. Okay, I may nip up a little when it heads off in a political direction (especially if it edges to the right), but when Martin (it’s usually Martin) takes us down a musical route it’s ...
A little likeability can go a long way in the Fine City, but will it be enough to deliver the near impossible? May 27, 2018 - I'd originally intended to write a piece that would look back at Daniel Farke's first year at the City helm - he was appointed on May 25, 2017 - but the EDP's Paddy Davitt did precisely that and some on Friday. If you haven't read it you should. It's here. ...
Wall to wall legends as Inter edge out City, but winners aplenty on an afternoon of nostalgia May 21, 2018 - It wasn't my intention to pen a piece summarising the City Legends/Inter Forever game. We've gone big on nostalgia over the last fortnight and I wasn't sure if there's was the collective stomach for more schmaltz. But I went, and it was great, so you're going to get it anyway. ...
A trip down memory lane… back to the autumn of 1993, with trips to Arnhem, Munich and Milan May 16, 2018 - Way back when, when I was a mere slip of a lad who was playing footie on Saturday afternoons rather than watching it at Carrow Road, midweek games were an absolute treat. A proper win-win. I got to see the old girl under the lights, while also getting to watch ...
City on the verge of something good? Something disastrous? Or more of the same? May 13, 2018 - My original plan was to encapsulate my thoughts on the whole season in the post-Wednesday piece but by the time Atdhe Nuhiu had bullied home his second goal on the hour mark last Sunday,that idea had been knocked on the head. An objective analysis in the direct aftermath of such a ...
A Hillsborough finale to forget as City implode and Maddison exits stage left on crutches May 7, 2018 - If last weekend was the perfect way to sign off at home - and to say farewell to a club legend - then yesterday’s final away-day of the season was the complete antithesis. I’m not sure there is an antonym for 'if Carlsberg did...’ but if there is one, then ...
OWLS PREVIEW: Sky’s David G talks injuries, analogies, new faces, that band and the lovely Chris Wilder May 4, 2018 - For this season's finale, we've been chatting, again, to Sky Sports' presenter, David Garrido - Wednesday fan extraordinaire - who has offered us his thoughts on where it all went wrong for the Owls and what's next for the nicer, bluer half of Sheffield... So, you're locked in the battle for 15th, we're ...
A fine send off for Super Wes but still a Carrow Road finale of light and shade April 29, 2018 - Was a teary old day yesterday. And not just because of Wes. The applause on 48 minutes in memory of Paul Rudd was too a thing of beauty. And then, of course, there were those who, as the final home game of the season neared its conclusion, we suspected we ...
LEEDS PREVIEW: So, who will emerge victorious in the titanic battle for twelfth? April 27, 2018 - Ahead of tomorrow's final Carrow Road hurrah for Wes and several others, I've been speaking with Pete Schlenker - managing editor of Leeds site, Through It All Together. Cheers for joining us, Pete. So, here we are, locked, along with Ipswich, in the titanic battle for twelfth. Doesn't get much better ...
Gritty, stubborn and resolute, but not a shot on target for City in Deepdale draw April 22, 2018 - It's not a phrase he uses anymore but Daniel Farke was keen not to go 'too deep' into certain topics (as he would describe them) in his first few Carrow Road months. We knew what he meant. And now that phrase sums up a Sunday morning when I'm looking for ...
Warnock’s boys leave it late but City finally succumb to a crash, bang and a wallop April 15, 2018 - Even before a ball was kicked yesterday, there was more than a hint of pending fireworks. Despite City's season meandering to a fairly uneventful close, Cardiff were in desperate need of a win and with Neil Warnock and Kevin Blackwell in their technical area, there was almost a guarantee of ...
CARDIFF PREVIEW: Club Metro, Vincent Tan’s ‘tache, Roger Johnson’s larynx and Colin with the hump April 13, 2018 - Back in the day, when City mixed it with the elite, The Metro (now the largest circulation weekday newspaper in the UK in case you didn't know - ahead of The S*n 🙂 ) employed 20 'Herberts' to blog about their respective clubs. I was one, Ben James was another... ...
City and Ivo Pinto leave it late but a point apiece, which leaves the Black Cats in big trouble April 11, 2018 - Talk of flip flops and beaches may be over-egging it - certainly over-egging it in fact - but that human trait of needing an incentive and edge to perform at your best is making away games a tough watch right now. That City were grateful to emerge from the Stadium ...
Villa surprisingly given the treatment at the Carra as City upset the Villains automatic hopes April 8, 2018 - Well, that was nice! Most of those asked to predict the outcome of Villa's visit plumped for an away win. Why wouldn't they? A team packed full of Premier League quality and expensively assembled Championship operators who desperately needed three points to keep alive their chances of automatic promotion against City, ...
Fulham deliver the Canaries a brutal Championship lesson. Three errors, two goals conceded. Game over March 31, 2018 - Aficionados of the Fast Show will recall a character called Indecisive Dave. As the name suggests, he took indecisiveness to a whole new level. He was brilliantly played by Paul Whitehouse but I now find those sketches an uncomfortable watch. Why? Because that's now me while reading the messageboards and ...
The ghost of Barry; the embarrassment of Amsterdam; and the pride in “one of our own” March 25, 2018 - It's been a while since there has been an England men's team I felt able to get fully behind. That bi-annual routine of comfortable qualification followed by tournament disaster took its toll and, as hard as I tried, the buzz that should accompany an England international - and accompanies every ...
A five goal bonanza(!) warms the cockles of the faithful at a frozen Carrow Road March 18, 2018 - After consecutive 0-0 draws, in which City did well to get nil, yesterday's five goal extravaganza was a bolt right out of the blue (as it were). Another event-less 0-0, which many were predicting, would have been a step too far on what was possibly the bleakest, coldest Carrow Road ...
No wins in seven for City but after some first-half horror they emerge from Oakwell with a point March 14, 2018 - To paraphrase: 'But can they do it on a miserable Tuesday night in Barnsley?' Answer: Well, yes and no. In the greater scheme of things, a point at Barnsley is not cause for celebration - especially given the success City have had at Oakwell over the years - but as it ...
A first-half Maddison hat-trick, a seven-goal bonanza but still little to cheer the faithful at the KCOM March 11, 2018 - Things are never dull around these parts. I'll say that much. From consecutive 0-0 draws to seven-goal thrillers, even if we did end up on the wrong end... and were pretty rubbish. Typically there was a heavy fall-out from the latest setback - and there's no disguising the paucity of ...
HULL PREVIEW: Stress balls, whistles, no concessions, and a tiny bit of footie. March 9, 2018 - Ahead of tomorrow’s game in Hull, I spoke this week with Andy Dalton, editor of the award-winning Amber Nectar website and podcast. Obviously, there was rather more to mull over than footie alone… G: Before we get into the nitty-gritty of stress balls, whistles, shyster owners and, of course, a bit of ...
Deja vu for the faithful, Forest the latest to comfortably earn themselves a ‘Norwich 0’ March 7, 2018 - As I took my seat last night, the world’s only rotating scoreboard was replaying last season ’s five-goal bonanza against Forest. I thought at the time it was tempting fate. As it transpired we’d have settled for a single goal, any goal; one that deflected in off Dennis Sbreny’a backside ...
“A little bit of snow and we’re stuffed…” And when realism and expectation collide March 4, 2018 - England's green and pleasant land hasn't been particularly green this week, to the point where I'm starting to tire of it. I've concluded the novelty of deep snow and all that goes with it (social media crammed full of random folk doing snow angels mainly) has a maximum shelf life of ...
A bore draw against the Trotters? Or an opening 45 that promised much? Glass half-full or half-empty? February 25, 2018 - I'm sure I wasn't alone when a voice inside my head said 'they're going to regret that' as Moritz Leitner's shot rolled the wrong side of Ben Alnwick's post. There were probably 25,000 little voices. For all the aesthetic beauty of City's passing, they simply don't create loads of clear-cut chances. They can ...
Nelson’s late late show rescues a deserved point for a gutsy and determined City February 22, 2018 - I didn't venture into the wacky world of #ITFC late last night but I've no doubt it was full of our little blue friends berating folk north of the border for celebrating another 1-1 draw. But no, good people of that small town to the south. Wrong. We were celebrating ...
WOLVES PREVIEW: Buying success “off the peg”, Super Jorge and the Old Gold procession to the Prem February 20, 2018 - As a Norwich-based footie commentator who supports Wolves, Dan O'Hagan is probably better qualified than anyone out there to mull over Wednesday night’s game. So we were chuffed when he agreed to do this week's Q&A preview: With your Old Gold hat on, you still pinching yourself? To use the ...
Ten unbeaten derbies and counting for City but they leave it late… very late! February 19, 2018 - And breathe... The relief was palpable. Timm Klose's last-gasp header not only earned City the point they deserved but brought to end six minutes of agony. We know Ipswich will beat us again one day. For those six minutes, it felt as if was yesterday was to be that day. ...
‘Well up for it’ … ‘Bring it on’ … ‘Going to batter them’ … Oh to be in the grip of the exuberance of youth February 15, 2018 - I hate the derby. There... I've said it. It's an age thing of course, and on the off chance there is a teenager reading this right now, he/she will be incredulous at anyone not positively salivating at the prospect of engaging with 'that lot' again. Social media this week has ...
A point apiece at Pride Park as Leitner, Maddison and co ensure the curve remains upward February 11, 2018 - We don't have to wind the clock back very far to find a City side that played under the 'too nice' banner. One we bemoaned was a little too easy to play against, that lacked an 'edge', that was just a tad too compliant and non-confrontational. Not any more. It ...
RAMS PREVIEW: It’s Bradders v Madders as City look to build on the Boro momentum February 9, 2018 - Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Pride Park (I think it’s back to being Pride Park?) I’ve been chatting to Ollie Wright, the man behind the excellent Derby County Blog. Gary: Plenty of our flock have passed through your doors of late, Ollie. Jason Shackell, Jacob Butterfield and Chris Martin have ...
A special one at the Carra. Tears mingle with smiles and cheers as City double the Boro February 4, 2018 - In a season that has been notable for too many afternoons and evenings of Carrow Road nothingness, yesterday was the exception. It was a special day, and not just because it concluded with City 'doubling' Boro; enemies of old and red-hot promotion favourites at the start of the season. It ...
Griffin Park joy for the Canaries as Madderz’ quality again seals the away-day deal January 28, 2018 - 1-0 wins courtesy of one moment of genius followed by rather more moments of undiluted brawn are rapidly becoming our thing; something that I'm fairly sure wasn't on Daniel Farke's CV when he arrived. Yet wins at the Riverside, Bramall Lane, Portman Road, Ashton Gate and now Griffin Park have ...
BRENTFORD PREVIEW: The buoyant Bees offer a stern test to our hit-and-miss Canaries January 26, 2018 - On the eve of the 'return leg' with Brentford it made perfect sense to catch up with our December 'interviewee', none other than Sky Sports' presenter and Bees fan, Natalie Sawyer. We talk Sergi, Alex and, of course, Jim White... Here we go again! Seems like five minutes since your ...
A tough one to take for the City faithful but the Blades’ triumph a well deserved one January 21, 2018 - It was as though the footballing gods had taken the decision out of our hands. Following the battle of Bramall Lane - spilt claret, flying water bottles, blubbing managers et al - it was written somewhere (in the stars presumably) that Sheffield Utd would win by the odd goal and ...
Canary heartbreak at the Bridge but City take the ‘champions of England’ all the way January 18, 2018 - We remind ourselves constantly that to support a club likes ours requires the enduring of many a bad day in order to then squeeze every last ounce of joy out of the good ones. And since that day at Wembley in 2015 we've had to endure a fair few stinkers. ...
Ashton Gate joy for the Canaries with heroes aplenty – Madders, Hanley, Gunn and Vrancic among them January 14, 2018 - If there is one thing we've come to expect this season it's the unexpected. A week ago I certainly didn't expect us to be kicking off at Ashton Gate minus one Alex Pritchard (and him simultaneously lining up in a Huddersfield shirt to play West Ham) and, equally, I really ...
FA CUP: City hold the Premier League Champions and with Tetts in fine fettle the mood is positive January 7, 2018 - Football is weird isn't it. It was only six days ago that City were booed off at half-time for going in 1-0 down against Millwall. The boos were undeserved but they were undeniably there. The game before that, against Brentford, saw the boos resonate at full-time amidst a groundswell of ...
CHELSEA PREVIEW: talkSPORT’s finest looks ahead to Third Round day for the Blues of Chelsea in the Fine City January 5, 2018 - One of the great joys of this writing lark is that occasionally you get the chance to chat to one of your heroes in the name of work. So, as a true devotee of talkSPORT's Hawksbee and Jacobs afternoon show, the chance to request an audience with Andy Jacobs ahead ...
Seven points from nine and the good ship Canary is, for now at least, back in calm waters January 2, 2018 - So, the gamble paid off... just. Daniel Farke put it all on black and, despite it popping in and out of red a couple of times before the wheel stopped spinning, on black it finally settled. Cue one massive, collective sigh. The fine margins for which City have invariably come ...
A clean sheet and a point but little else to excite on a joyless afternoon at the Pirellii December 31, 2017 - Even before a ball had been kicked, yesterday's trip to the Pirelli offered up enough juicy 'along come Norwich' potential to whet the appetite of the Burton faithful. Not a single clean home sheet all season for the Brewers and eight home defeats on the bounce were sufficient to make ...
BURTON PREVIEW: Split loyalties, silly mistakes, last-gasp goals and purple shirts December 29, 2017 - In the midst of the cold turkey, Quality Street for breakfast and being discombobulated around what day it is, I caught up with Joshua Murray, Burton Albion writer at @BurtonMailSport, ahead of tomorrow's game at the Pirelli... *** Cheers for agreeing to do this Josh. Obviously you write about Burton in ...
The return of ‘Tetbull’ and a left back at left back. The start of the comeback? December 27, 2017 - We all feeling just a little better after that? Yes, they were bottom of the league and there for the taking; yes, Norwich looked a little ragged and disjointed at times and, of course, all of the ills have not been cured in one fell swoop, but after one win ...
Another day, another defeat. Same issues, still no solutions. Canary brows are furrowed December 23, 2017 - So much for the season of goodwill. Well, unless you're a Brentford fan of course. I'll swerve the obvious puns around gifts and presents but there's no questioning that there is plenty of joy to be had when playing against Norwich City right now. We're pushovers. Championship managers are queuing ...
It can be done. They are out there. You just need to want to find them in the first place… December 19, 2017 - This is not going to make me popular. My tin hat is near and handy. But the news today that Barnsley are now under the ownership of a consortium, which includes a Chinese billionaire, unsurprisingly made the ears prick up. The circumstances that have led the Yorkshire club to this ...
A tight one at Elland Road but, again, City find themselves on the receiving end December 17, 2017 - In terms of performance levels yesterday's offering at Elland Road was up there. The passing was fluent, the ball was worked rhythmically through the thirds in the way the head coach demands and amidst it all we did create some chances. But we lost 1-0. Again. And, aside from a ...
Finally something for the faithful to celebrate, as City hit the Owls for … three December 10, 2017 - When you haven't won a home game for 91 days and when, in that time, all you've had to celebrate is a late equaliser that 'felt like a winner', to finally win one offered up a whole plethora of emotions. Relief was the overriding one. To have gone seven home ...
OWLS PREVIEW: Wednesday seven without defeat; City eight without a win… December 8, 2017 - Ahead of tomorrow's teatime clash with the Owls of Sheffield I caught up in the week with Sky Sports presenter and Wednesday fan, David Garrido... Cheeky question for starters (given your current employer) ... what do you make of 5:30 kick-offs? A fan? Long ol' haul back on a Saturday ...
More gloom for the Yellow Army as Canaries go eight games without a win December 2, 2017 - There's no escaping that City are in free fall. No wins in eight is a rotten run in anyone's book and a quick glance at the league table is sufficient to make the sphincter tighten. Where once we were gazing upwards, dreaming of squirming our way into play-off contention, now ...
Another draw, so another point but the thrills and spills still few and far between at Carrow Road November 26, 2017 - The boos that sounded upon the final blast of Tim Robinson's whistle didn't quite reach cacophony levels yesterday but that they are becoming the Carrow Road norm tells a story all of its own. I used to get the hump with the booers. I could never really see the point ...
City Ground disappointment for the Canaries as the problems in the final third persist November 22, 2017 - Well that didn't go to plan. Last night was supposed to prove once and for all that, while we can't win at home to save our lives, we have at least found a formula that will see us pick up more than our fair share of points on the road. ...
More frustration for the Y’Army; Barnsley the latest to plunder points at Carrow Road November 19, 2017 - There's little point in sugar coating it. Anyone who watched or listened to yesterday's dismal draw with Barnsley will know that what was produced was a far cry from what we desired. Whether it was a far cry from what we expected however is a different question because in reality ...
The NCFC investment debate: when does ‘not inviting’ becoming ‘discouraging’? November 12, 2017 - To be the majority shareholders of a football club can be a tough gig at times, even more so if as well as wielding the power you're fans of that same football club. When defeats and bad runs come along not only are you feeling the pain of a supporter, ...
Fluffed lines at the Macron as City succumb to some determined and resurgent Trotters November 5, 2017 - Hhmm... where to start. While the Derby defeat was laid firmly at the door of fatigue and was swiftly followed by a Wolves walloping that bore all the hallmarks of being beaten by a better side, I'm struggling for extenuating circumstances to explain away what occurred in Horwich yesterday. Unfortunately, as hard ...
Wolves offer a timely reminder of exactly where City are right now, and it’s still a work in progress November 1, 2017 - We could have done without the Wolves fans reminding us that "we're just too good for you". But they told us anyway. We'd have done the same. Alas this wasn't the usual bravado of a travelling hoard. This was a statement of fact. Plain and simple. Despite it being one ...
One step too far for a jaded City and the end of the eight-game run, but no time to dwell. Wolves up next! October 29, 2017 - It's rare to depart Carrow Road after a defeat and not be either seething or hurtling towards the depths of despair. But on that score yesterday was an oddity. Off the back of an eight-game unbeaten run that turned a place in the bottom three into one in the top ...
Bravery and pride but no route to next round of the Carabao, as 8,800 make the spine tingle at The Emirates October 25, 2017 - Trips to the Emirates tend to be riddled with angst if you're of a yellow and green persuasion. If it's not being swept away by wave after wave of intricate one-touch football, and taking a shalacking as a result, it's Wenger-mesmerised officialdom who send the blood pressure soaring. Last night ...
“Hand-in-hand through their Farkelife”, which now extends to a win over our nearest and dearest October 22, 2017 - For bit part players in The Ipswich Town Story we're doing rather well. With Sky's team doing their very best - with obvious exception of Darren Eadie - to big up the hosts and skip over the deficiencies in their crude brand of football, it must have crushing for them to ...
IPSWICH PREVIEW: Bermuda Triangle, muted expectations, ’15th in the Championship’ and Storm Brian October 20, 2017 - There was only one place to head for a Q&A with an opposition fan ahead of Sunday's derby. TWTD , the renowned Ipswich Town fansite, is no lover of anything yellow and green and so, armed with only a keyboard, I went in search of an interviewee. Harry Wainwright - a blogger ...
Shredded nerves for the faithful but Nelson’s late show earns City a valuable point as they go unbeaten in eight October 15, 2017 - Fortress Carrow Road it is not right now. Far from it. That's not to say there wasn't a buzz around the old place as 25,000 made their way home; 96th minute equalisers tend to have that effect on home stadiums. They feel like wins. Equally, behind the adrenalin rush that ...
Enough of international football already. Let’s focus on what really matters to Y’Army because Webber is on a mission October 8, 2017 - The last international break was a godsend. It gave Messrs Webber and Farke the chance to take stock and turn what was at the time a spluttering, backfiring engine into one that's running really quite smoothly, I'm loathe to say it's purring quite yet because that would suggest there's little ...
September has ended. And it was wonderful. Not a dream. And the tide has indeed turned October 1, 2017 - Well that went rather well. This feeling of contentment though - I'm unsure about it. Doesn't sit comfortably. Give me a good old crisis to cogitate over any day. I jest of course but there is something very un-Norwich City about the way we are going about our business right ...
“No-one likes us, we don’t care”. More lost friends for City but five in a row and the momentum builds September 27, 2017 - The Class of 2018 may not be making too many friends along the way but in their own gritty, defiant way there is no escaping that things are shaping up very nicely thank you very much. Five consecutive Championship clean sheets is a ridiculous run when you consider its starting ...
BORO PREVIEW: Our Jonny, last on MOTD, ‘La Bamba’, Dirty Leeds and free clackers September 25, 2017 - For once, where to head for a pre-match Q&A was a no-brainer. Paul Armstrong, occasionally of this parish, former Match of the Day editor, Boro nut and all-round nice guy kindly agreed to have a civilised Sunday chat to mull over all thing Boro/City... At this juncture I'd normally enter ...
A goalless one, but not a draw of the bore variety. Toothless maybe, but at least now the base is solid September 24, 2017 - As 0-0 draws go the latest tale of two cities was quite entertaining - a statement that will with have some RiverEnders foaming at the mouth - and far removed from the Burton equivalent, which did scream bore draw. Unlike Cloughie's men, Bristol City arrived overflowing with confidence and, orchestrated ...
A cup run! The curve is definitely upward but still Canaries and Y’Army must proceed with caution and expect some blips September 20, 2017 - If winning two Carabao Cup games was a faux cup run, winning three makes it a bona fide one. That Daniel Farke has chosen the competitive rather than experimental path for this competition certainly helps, but crucially so too that his new squad is showing very promising signs of togetherness ...
Three points on the road… three successive clean sheets… City running down the clock… no, you didn’t dream it September 17, 2017 - "THREE consecutive clean sheets? Pinch me, I'm dreaming.... #ncfc." The words of one of our own - Mr Edward Couzens-Lake. And Ed, I'm happy to confirm it wasn't a dream. It actually happened and in circumstances as trying, as hostile and as tricky as they come. By the same score ...
BLADES PREVIEW: With special nods to John Denver, The Boss, Kell Brook and Test Match cricket September 15, 2017 - In the same way that Steve had a struggle to find a Burton interviewee, I'd been having my own travails over finding a Sheffield United fans willing to swap notes. But then, out of the blue, our Kathy (Blake) came out with a 'if you need a Sheffield United contact ...
Frustration, frustration, frustration. Cloughie does a number on Farke as the natives get restless September 13, 2017 - If there was any doubt over the definition of frustration... That the toys went hurling from the pram upon the final blast of referee Andy Davies' whistle should have come as no surprise, but still I found it as irritating as the 'booers' clearly find that "tippy tappy crap across ...
Canaries move Klose to mid-table comfort as ‘Arry’s newbies succumb to Lord Nelson’s early strike September 10, 2017 - So it was there all the time. The answer I mean. Bolt Timm Klose into that back four; go 4-2-3-1; sacrifice 75 per cent possession; scrap it out; put bodies on the line. I jest of course (and yes I know Klose has been injured) but I'm sure the irony ...
Hanley will help but so too the tweaking of a system that is yet to find its Championship equilibrium September 3, 2017 - Such has been the fallout from events at the New Den I'm not sure I could find 800+ words to say something new - so you'll be relieved to hear I'm giving it a swerve. Besides, a week and one day on and it's still feels a little raw. But ...
As the saying goes… the more things change, the more they stay the same August 27, 2017 - I'm not going to trot out the three-word phrase that begins with an A and ends with a H. That would feel like making light of a situation that's anything but. Everything about yesterday's surrender at Millwall was predictable. Everything. And that includes a full legion clad in yellow and ...
Not exactly a Carabao extravaganza but an interesting one at a lively Carra August 23, 2017 - When it comes to cup games - especially early stages of the League Cup - I tend to give them a swerve. Not sure if that brackets me a glory hunter - but I felt owed it to John Salako to make last night an exception. And as is my ...
More Villa Park misery for the faithful and lessons aplenty for Team Farke August 20, 2017 - And so it came to pass. An 'along came Norwich' moment if ever there was one. I deliberately steered clear of Twitter last night; the little taster I had between the end of the game and 5 o'clock was sufficient to suggest that carnage was about to unfold. That's not ...
Redemption for Oliveira and a thunderstrike from Reed. City are finally up and running August 17, 2017 - If the overriding emotion at 3:30pm on Sunday was frustration, then last night's equivalent was relief. Of course there was no little joy to be had - and the old place rocked at times last night - but Daniel Farke's first Championship victory also signalled a collective 'Phew! Now we ...
Football does its thing and brings a buzzing Carrow Road crashing back to earth August 14, 2017 - Frustration rather than anger thankfully appeared to be the overriding emotion after City's home defeat by Sunderland, but seldom can I recall a walk back to the car that was so quiet. The sense of disappointment and anti-climax was festering but for most the 'early days' mantra prevailed. And inside ...
Canaries, Robins and Geese collide and there’s only one winner. Luckily City also scrape through to next round of the Carabao August 9, 2017 - The Carabao Cup rolls off the tongue only slightly better than the Milk Cup but still it's a competition in which we have history - and we all love a bit of history in this part of the world. That City progressed into the next round of said cup by ...
The rarity of a positive one at the Cottage and the Farke era is up and running August 6, 2017 - As #NCFC days out at Craven Cottage go I’d say that was right up there wouldn’t you? We didn’t win of course – that’d be a little too much to ask at Fulham… on opening day… with a new coach… and a new team – but for the Yellow Army ...
Y’Army is positive, the players are confident, the coach is content. What can possibly go wrong then? July 30, 2017 - Not sure I’m altogether cool with these almost flawless pre-seasons. Part of me wishes there had been a reality check along the way in the form of a major cock-up. You know… a performance so inept and spineless that Daniel Farke would have been unable to mention ‘the guys’ without ...
Fears for the safety of the River End faithful but German tour was about as good as pre-season gets July 23, 2017 - Thanks to the wonders of the interweb I was able to watch both of City’s friendlies in Germany. And now part of me wishes I hadn’t. As has become my wont over any given City pre-season, I’ve been banging on over how little we should read into the results of ...
Early injury woes for Team Farke but any concerns are drowned out by the steady stream of newbies July 16, 2017 - I didn’t venture to what was once known as the Abbey Stadium yesterday but by all accounts is was a robust affair, in particular the challenges that brought a premature end to the afternoon for Timm Klose and Alex Pritchard. The tone of Daniel Farke in his post-match interviews told ...
Fun and games at Lowestoft’s Amber Dew and sub plots aplenty for the City faithful July 9, 2017 - Despite not being big on pre-season friendlies I was unable to resist the call of what’s now known as the Amber Dew Events Stadium – the Crown Meadow to you and I. Rarely does a Lowestoftian (it’s a proper word, promise you) get the chance to watch City without experiencing ...
Enjoy the calm while it lasts. For now we’re all pulling in one direction and hope outweighs angst July 2, 2017 - I bumped into a fellow River-Ender in the week. It was the first time we’d spoken since the arrival of Daniel Farke and a sizeable chunk of the Borussia Dortmund II backroom team, so we covered the usual ground and concluded, like most, that while there’s an undeniable tingle of ...
Science rather than Mousehold is a good thing, but it has to translate to sharp minds as well as fit limbs June 25, 2017 - Back in the day Ron Saunders would unleash the joys of Mousehold on his returning troops; pre-season back then not being compartmentalised into fitness tests followed by stuff that will make you even fitter. Things are of course vastly different now, even before Team Farke adds Germanic efficiency to the ...
Oh for the joys of the Cottage! Not to mention two midweek trips to the North East. It’s not OK computer June 21, 2017 - I struggle to generate too much personal excitement over the releasing of the fixtures. It’s probably an age thing and I was most definitely not “buzzing” over the prospect. The order in which we play our 46 games could become important as the season unfolds but as things stand it’s ...
With Zimmermann at the back and Barlow, Owen and Donald in midfield it’s been a funny ol’ Norwich week June 18, 2017 - On the current Canary scale this week’s been a relatively quiet one. With Take That taking taking centre stage, even the signing of a centre-back (that’s a *centre-back*) found itself eclipsed; Gary, Mark and Howard taking plaudits by the thousand for simply doing what Jonny Howson has been doing once a fortnight ...
Three players in, one coach out, and still the revolving doors of Colney promise to keep on turning June 11, 2017 - Ordinarily, the summer months are something of a nightmare for the editor of this website. Scratching around for credible links and rumours that can be fleshed out to 800 words tends to be my modus operandi for any given June, the alternative being to take the Adrian Durham route and ...
One in, more to come, but on the list of possible departees, Jonny was certainly not at the top of it June 4, 2017 - Given the events that unfolded in London late last night it feels a little puerile to be commenting on events at a football club, but in the spirit of not letting these bastards change how we go about our daily lives I’ll write it anyway. I appreciate it’ll be too ...
C’mon all you ‘in the knows’, let’s be having you! Who’s it to be? Rosler a shoo-in? Or Keller maybe? May 21, 2017 - My son’s 12 and as such his interest in football and cricket is shared with a love of playing against his mates on the PS4 (that’s a generation four Play Station for the uninitiated….. a Play Station? … oh, just Google it). Yesterday morning for him was PS4 time and, ...
The final call on 2016/17 as we revisit Mystic Mick and the MFW columnists' bad prediction league May 14, 2017 - We’re into the James Nursey season (like the silly season but a bit sillier) where rumour, gossip and ‘in the knows’ will offer us talking points aplenty as the club’s playing roster undergoes its biggest transformation for many a season. Let’s however brace ourselves and prepare for the majority of ...
One final Carrow Road flourish for 2016/17 as QPR roll over but still the sense of what might have been May 8, 2017 - Seven years of service were given due recognition from all four corners and there was added poignancy to the pre-match and post-match hugs afforded the Big Man by his team-mates; warmth and respect being evident in every embrace.
Farewell Big John. The wind of change has taken with it one who's been here for the really good times May 5, 2017 - He quickly established himself, alongside Russ, Wes and Holty, as a key figure on the pitch and in the dressing room, and on top of his dominant displays in goal none of us will ever forget his full-length-of-the-pitch sprint to join in with the celebrations when Jackson, Goreham and “utter ...
Fun and games in Yorkshire as City reveal yet again the good, the bad and the ugly in their armoury April 30, 2017 - The current squad, for all its undeniable faults, has an attacking edge that’s matched by very few in the Championship. To take a sledgehammer to that part of the squad threatens to throw a baby or two out with the bathwater.
Canaries delay the Brighton champions' party and offer the faithful more glimpses of what might have been April 22, 2017 - There was no taking away from Pritchard’s impact on proceedings and thanks to the cacophony of noise that accompanied his every flick, trick and dropped-shoulder his evening’s work was played out under the brightest of spotlights.
Events off the pitch have made it a fine season for the NCFSC, who go from strength to strength April 20, 2017 - The money raised by the NCFSC over 2015/16 season will help a team of local footballers with learning difficulties take part in this summer’s National Special Olympics in Sheffield.
A Norwich City rarity of three points on the road but few lessons to be learned from this 'friendly' tour April 18, 2017 - The changes promised post-match by Irvine on Friday were duly delivered with Wes, Jacob Murphy and Nelson Oliveira, three of Friday’s strugglers, finding themselves rested in favour of Messrs Naismith, Jerome and Josh Murphy.
More pain inflicted on Canary from Cottager, and not just from Chris Martin's flailing, wayward elbow April 15, 2017 - Too many within this group are able to excel when the planets are aligned and the going good but lack the wherewithal to impact on a game when the chips are down; their ability to come back from a losing position almost non-existent.
And the Webber revolution's off to a flier – three out and more gaps to fill. Meanwhile the Cottagers await April 13, 2017 - City’s season has turned to mush. In the true tradition of sport the least they can now do is their best to scupper it for others and, given the unquestionably impressive home form, Fulham will be well aware that a yellow and green banana skin awaits.
Seven up for City on a bizarre afternoon when the misery and gloom was temporarily lifted April 9, 2017 - As it transpired, those hoping for a window of opportunity to unleash their wrath were to be disappointed and the general mood as the folk filtered out at the end of the game was an odd mix of joy, mild amusement and bewilderment.
Troubled waters for City. More of the same on the road, live on Sky, and 2016/17 can't end soon enough April 6, 2017 - Most of the implosions have been revealed to the wider footballing public on a 30 second highlight reel. Not this one. Every missed tackle, every stray pass, every defensive lapse was played out in all its ‘glory’ for the delectation of anyone whose not part of the Canary Nation.
Roll on the summer. Villa Park just another reminder that this City crop is wholly unfit for purpose April 2, 2017 - There is naturally risk associated with large scale turnovers but this is no time for a tweak here and a new face there; this needs the shedding of so much dead wood that if done properly Colney on 1st July could resemble the UEA’s Freshers’ Week.
No white smoke but the name Stuart Webber looks to be the first piece of the Canary jigsaw March 26, 2017 - In a week that has been blissfully light of Yellow Army bickering the one discussion that has strayed into ‘lively’ territory is that of how much urgency should be attached to appointing the new head coach, and whether it's important to do it now or wait until end of the ...
A win, clean sheet and five points shy of the play-offs but it's events off the pitch that take centre stage March 19, 2017 - That Roy Hodgson is not to be part of the structure has come as something of a relief; not because of his age or ability to manage, which despite his England tenure is good at club level, but because of his proximity to the club’s owners.
Innovation and bravery are key if the Y'Army are to be able to look forward with 'hope in their hearts' March 12, 2017 - What it can’t be is a cosmetic exercise designed to appease the “moaners” that Delia so despises; one that essentially just shuffles around the building blocks to such an extent it becomes unrecognisable but offers more of the same.
Initial thoughts of MFW's team of writers on Alex Neil's demise and where the club goes from here March 11, 2017 - This time be bold, be different, be imaginative with your next appointment. Don’t look north of the border; been there, done that. Ronald Koeman’s appointment at Southampton was inspired. Surprise me.
The City board finally calls time on Neil's tenure. Sad yet inevitable but we'll always have Wembley March 10, 2017 - Alex’s credits in the bank extended to an ovation as he and the players sheepishly paraded around the pitch after the final home game against Watford. He expressed surprise; he expected at least a modicum of heat. Instead he showered with warmth. Hugs not brickbats.
A point. Against Bristol City. Who are third from bottom. And City were hanging on. But it's okay March 8, 2017 - The blame apportionment has gone no further than the players; Alex seemingly absolved of any responsibility. His pre-Ashton Gate presser told the story of a man who astoundingly is feeling not even the slightest hint of heat from above; of one who is already planning for a long-term Carrow Road ...
Same old, same old. Crunch time arrives and it's yet another meek surrender from the Class of 2017 March 5, 2017 - Money can of buy you a player with an impressive CV, one who has a deft first touch, who ping the ball onto a sixpence from forty yards and pull the ball out of the sky as if ball and boot were adorned with Velcro but unless that player has ...
A point apiece in the derby and the bragging rights are void, but pain felt acutely north of the border February 27, 2017 - Where it fell down was the inability to find enough quality in the final third to really hurt the massed ranks of blue and when half-chances arrived they were either snatched at or Town's keeper was up to the task, and in a game of fine margins City's cutting edge, ...
A time for bravery and guts. And time to channel the inner spirit of Forbes, Johnson and Huckerby February 25, 2017 - To get turned over by the old enemy would, for many, be a blow too far, especially with it likely killing off our lingering hopes of gate-crashing the top six. Wounds that had started to heal following the mini-revival could, or probably would, be re-opened in an instant. The mood ...
More away day pain for travelling Yellow Army as Clough jnr does a number on our fragile Canaries February 19, 2017 - New dawns have generally been the product of flat-track bullying at Carrow Road - with admittedly the odd exception - and have ended up being the false variety, with City's away-day woes the result of an embedded inability to stand up and be counted when it really matters.
Ruddy's brilliance ensures it's a point apiece after a Carrow Road thriller with the Prem bound Toon February 15, 2017 - Something has changed since that spell that's still painful to even think about. Where once there was brittleness and half-heartedness, now there's durability and fight. Belief too has been added to an armoury that was deficient in many things, and for all the technical difficulties that again revealed themselves in ...
City go nap, with Forest the latest side to succumb to an increasingly buoyant and optimistic Carra February 12, 2017 - As has been pointed out by many, it's fun to sweep aside those for whom mid-table is home but where City have fallen short this season is when going toe-to-toe with those who currently reside in the top six. That needs to change, preferably starting on Tuesday evening.
A point apiece but defensive frailties again cost the Canaries as the struggling Latics make life tough February 8, 2017 - That City conceded from two set pieces was no surprise and that the first came from a cross that was not properly dealt with was something that clearly irked Alex, but he continues to tread a very narrow path with his insistence on naming and shaming those who err.
A win on the road and a rise from Warnock! Away day joy for Y'Army as City make it three on the spin February 5, 2017 - That Dijks was able to come in at left-back after three days of training and equip himself so ably was a welcome bonus, and suggests those few days were well spent. He'll do it differently to Olsson but hopefully with a similar level of success.
Moxey departs and the Chairman promises 'a fresh approach to how we go about our business…' February 2, 2017 - What became apparent quite quickly was that Moxey didn't 'get' Norwich City - the most obvious and glaring example being the £25 tickets for the Southampton FA Cup game. And, for all the bravado, he'll not have enjoyed being on the receiving end from the faithful.
City go Dutch in their quest to plug Olsson and Brady shaped gaps. But a good or bad or 'meh' window? February 1, 2017 - Even if the left sided like-for-like trades have been successful, still there are defensive frailties that have been left unaddressed. Still we are only an injury to Timm Klose away from turning again to a central defensive pairing, whichever pair Alex chooses, that has proven itself unfit for purpose.
Two points from the play-offs and the trajectory is upward. But time now to crack the away day riddle January 29, 2017 - Eight defeats on the road, with a sprinkling of horror shows among them, is precisely what has afforded Delia, Michael, Jez and co a rough ride. And until that part of the equation is solved Carrow Road will continue to carry the air of a brooding, petulant teenager who's awaiting ...
Exclusive: The name Yanic Wildschut enters the frame as City's player quest heads north west January 27, 2017 - His potential arrival would signal the 'domino effect' Neil mentioned recently when quizzed about the timing of any window ins and outs and given City's failure to land two Dutch left-backs this week he'll be keen to get this one over the line.
A lively one at the Carra with thrills, spills and a late sending off to entertain the Canary faithful January 22, 2017 - For all the talk of hero worship amid a potentially acrid atmosphere, the Wolves manager was a peripheral figure in the afternoon's proceedings, and the prospect of the bloodbath many had predicted was realistically quashed by Steven Naismith's nicely executed 13th minute opener.
Shane Long twists the knife as Saints leave it late to find their way past a stubborn City rearguard action January 19, 2017 - As an attacking force City were clearly limited - how they were set up to be - but they offered the odd threat, mainly through triggering counter-attacks via the pace of Josh Murphy but chances were virtually non-existent and Kyle Lafferty offered little by way of quality service.
City implode again on the road as the Millers expose the old soft centre and the fresh wounds are re-opened January 15, 2017 - The self-financing model this board perpetuates is not for the 21st century. Jez Moxey spoke with great pride of how this club likes to do things differently but for me the question should be why have we found ourselves on a path that is trodden by absolutely no-one?
Will Rotherham be another step on Alex Neil's road to redemption? Or will the spirit of Oakwell prevail? January 13, 2017 - If the same mentality as offered against Derby prevails then expect a convincing win, and some extended leeway for a manager who has already been afforded grace aplenty by his employers, but a repeat of the lethargy of Oakwell will only serve to reopen festering wounds.
A decent FA Cup day at the Carra for those present and City, for once, are in the hat for the Fouth Round January 8, 2017 - Naismith was one of those I'd pencilled in for a January departure - and it may of course still happen - but the signs are he's fully fit, is finding something like his 'Everton' form and is contributing in a positive way. Long may that continue, even if it means ...
From frowns to smiles as Carrow Road, Alex Neil et al enjoy the Canaries' flying start to 2017 January 3, 2017 - It was solid, composed, no-messing when it needed to be, and the protection offered to Ruddy was in sharp contrast to the 'hot knife through butter' version that has so epitomised this dreadful run of form. And when was Ruddy was called upon he too delivered.
So, good riddance to a rotten, cruel and depressing 2016. And then of course there was Norwich City FC January 1, 2017 - The half-hearted applause and haunted expressions of Delia, Michael and Jez Moxey at the end of the game suggested that they may too be of a similar belief yet are are curtailed in making any tough decisions by matters 'more complex'; matters that, courtesy of Charlie Wyett's piece, appear financial.
Same old, same old as City lose yet again but the Board still fiddles as Carrow Road slowly burns December 27, 2016 - That David McNally and Alan Bowkett were not best buddies is well known but while it lasted, and before it imploded, that volatile dynamic drove this club forward. From the brink to the Premier league in three seasons. It wasn't cozy, we weren't particularly nice and there was collateral damage ...
No spark, no invention and outplayed by a side who had a plan. Plenty for Delia, Michael and Jez to ponder December 17, 2016 - When out of possession, with Huddersfield’s manager David Wagner being a disciple of Jurgen Klopp, it came as no surprise that were exponents of the high press – worthy ones at that – but still City had no answer.
Two home wins on the spin and, roared on by a lively Barclay, City deliver a timely and gritty good'un December 14, 2016 - It wasn't the beautiful game of course, it rarely is in the Championship, and I'm doubtful if the neutral watching TV audience was wholly enthralled but to those draped in yellow it offered up something very different to the fare we've become used to - even when comparing it to ...
Seven defeats out of eight and more away day misery for the Y'Army but it's as you were for Team Neil December 11, 2016 - The mix of a manager who has lost his way, identity, mojo [delete as appropriate], who is picking his team with one eye on the fans' reaction to it and a bunch of players who only perform when the track is flat, not spinning, and has even bounce, is toxic ...
The Canaries hit Brentford for five but it's baby steps and dry powder for Neil's men as sterner tests await December 4, 2016 - Many of the gripes and moans that prevailed at 2:59 were still relevant at 17:00, and there is a long way to go before we're set fair for an assault on the top two but it was a start and, above all, it was a joy to watch 95 minutes ...
More away-day misery for the faithful as Johson stays true to the script and further twists the knife November 27, 2016 - Alex was bullish, and clearly finds himself increasingly at odds with those who interview him and write about him, but until that fire in the belly starts translating into points on the board then the difficult questions will continue.
Same old, same old. Defensive woes and poor decision making render another QPR trip futile November 20, 2016 - What we see before us now is a far cry from the well-oiled machine that purred through the play-offs and beyond. This iteration looks disjointed, dis-spirited, disorganised and, in some cases, disinterested; some of the players looking anything but sure of their role in the side.
Player loyalty may be a big ask in 2016 but we do ask them to give their all and wear the shirt with pride November 13, 2016 - These guys have been handed a golden ticket. The chance to walk out on that Carrow Road turf, wearing the yellow shirt, in front of 26,000 adoring fans, tasked with representing our football club is literally the stuff of dreams. And to be paid handsomely to do so?
Another miserable one at the Carra as the Canaries yet again fail to grasp the nettle of taking the lead November 6, 2016 - Delia and Michael speak very highly of Alex Neil in The Times' piece and few of us would argue against her assertion that he's an intelligent man who was 'devastated' after the 5-0 drubbing at the Amex. But weren't we all, and for us there is not a single thing ...
An Amex horror show for the City as Hughton does a painful job on Neil and his former charges October 30, 2016 - We've suffered some heartaches over the years and, as is the wont of the average football fan, have become accustomed to the disappointments outnumbering the highs but seldom have we witnessed and then had confirmed that "too many lads gave up".
Canaries wave goodbye to the EFL Cup for another year and same old same old when a lead needs defending October 26, 2016 - The first-half of normal time was, at times, a passing masterclass and Alex Pritchard's stooping header should have been the signal for City to take a vice-like grip on the game. But a few warning signs late in the half were not heeded.
It's been coming. The Carrow Road defences finally breached by some hardy plunderers from the North October 23, 2016 - When the updated league table hovered into view it became evident that the Canaries record against those in the top half of the table is currently not one to be proud of. Of the Championship's top fourteen only Bristol City have succumbed to City's Premier League charms, in one of ...
No hoodoo buster for City at the Cottage but a valuable point after a horrible second period October 19, 2016 - City are still second, have won six of the last eight, have a points per game ratio that will do very nicely thank-you in the final reckoning, but still there is clearly an Achilles heel that needs to be addressed.
City's win over the Millers takes them top. But should it have been easier? Or just a clinical job well done? October 16, 2016 - The Millers are bottom of the table for a reason yet they came and had a go, especially in the second half, and set up to make it difficult for City to break them down. And as the game opened up they had enough about them to carry a threat ...
A quick glance south of the border is a reminder of the fragile nature of hanging around in the Championship October 9, 2016 - When the talk turned to City it was obvious that those on the outside - even those south of the border - see us as shoo-ins for the top two, with there even being a hint of recognition that we're doing it the right way with, for the most part, ...
One Molineux storm duly weathered and City return to second place ahead of the international break October 2, 2016 - It was a performance that, typical of a side that's yet to really 'click', was not without errors and indecision but equally was one that had a couple of first-half chances been taken would have taken the game out of the reach of the Old Gold.
Mis-firing maybe but City still go top of the Champ and woe betide the rest when/if it all clicks into place September 25, 2016 - That Jacob Murphy added to his ever burgeoning goal tally came as no surprise whatsoever, but for him to be joined on the list of goalscorers by Messrs Olsson and Pinto merely added another layer to an already slightly surreal afternoon.
Wos gorn on Y'Army? The rarity of a good one at Goodison, a clean sheet, four wins on the spin and a cup run September 21, 2016 - We rode our luck at times and were grateful to the profligacy of Barkley and Deulofeu, the abs of Alex Pritchard and the standing foot of Steven Naismith, but... so what.
Whisper it quietly, but three wins on the bounce and all of a sudden the Canary world looks a bit brighter September 18, 2016 - A Forest side that is clearly full of goals was always going to be a test for a back-four that has creaked a little and after falling behind in such disappointing fashion I'm not sure too many would have been betting on City conceding just the one goal.
More frayed nerves, chewed nails and furrowed brows but three more points as City go two from top September 14, 2016 - Of some comfort was the manager's assertion that the issue was one of match fitness rather than fitness per se - were it the latter there would be some serious questions that needed answering.
Not beautiful but some standard Championship fare offers the Canary faithful three points to cogitate over September 11, 2016 - Russ's header and a beautifully curled right-footer from Josh should have made it a cruise but by the 85th Pilks had stirred from his slumbers and his two eleventh hour tap-ins made it far more squeaky than should have been necessary.
Moxey's blunt appraisal sets off a mini-tsunami; Timm's got the hump; and don't mention invest…. September 4, 2016 - Deadline Day was only going to offer up a new face if one of the big names departed; a Robbie Brady or a Steven Naismith most likely. That neither did meant Alex's desire to land a striker was without funding.
Reality bites for City as a St Andrew's shocker sets off the first Yellow Army tsunami of the new season August 28, 2016 - Alex Tettey's role in the third goal also needs no description but was symptomatic of his afternoon and the team in general: loose, lacking awareness, sloppy and lackadaisical.
Ewood Park joy for the Canaries on day one as Wesley and Jacob lead the charge, and the rest follow August 7, 2016 - Of course it's important that the feet remain on ground (and if there's one thing that Alex is good at... ) and, as results yesterday confirmed, freak results do occur on opening day but there is unquestionably a different feel to the place now that one is out of the ...
MFW columnists predict: time for Mystic Mick and the team to look ahead to the next ten months August 1, 2016 - "Buying a football player isn't the same as nipping down the shops to buy a loaf of bread. Whilst I understand and share the frustrations that our business isn't concluded within minutes of the season ending, it's a reflection of the complexities of the transfer market."
McCormack bid finally accepted by Fulham? If the Daily Mail is to be believed the deal is nearly done July 31, 2016 - The first season back in the Championship represents the best chance of bouncing back to the Premier League - if it goes to a third we have every right to start panicking - but the need remains to juggle the financial stability of the club with appropriately funding a promotion ...
A red in a 'friendly', a rival for Ruddy, City in for McCormack (?) and a homage to the 'bird poo' of 1992-94 July 24, 2016 - With a three-year Norwich City contract tucked in his glove bag, McGovern is certainly not here to make up the numbers. At 32 years old and fresh from the month of his professional life it's hard to imagine him signing up to a season on the bench, and so what ...
Early days in the window and when the missing pieces of the City jigsaw arrive we'll be in decent fettle July 17, 2016 - Throw into that midfield mix two fired-up Murphys and the exciting potential of James Maddison alongside the midfield experience and nous that saw us through to promotion last time round, then Alex has the tools at his disposal to return to his preferred, attacking, possession-based style of football.
Walsall put to the sword, City maybe edging Klose, a new deal for Mr Dorrans and yet more Ricky-mania July 10, 2016 - Talk of nasty old Norwich City slapping a £20 million price tag on Robbie Brady has caused a rumble or two - not least in Leicester who, while initially appearing to be in the box seat, now seem to have lost interest in signing the Canaries' most prized asset.
City's first summer signing, the curse of St George's, an angst-free 2016 kit launch and a move for Klose? July 3, 2016 - For all of City's faults last season seldom did they deliver anything as dispiriting and gut-less as that second half performance against Iceland. In fact, seldom can I recall any team in any game delivering a showing of such ineptitude.
Redmond departs south, Brady makes hay in the Euro shop window and the Hethersett hotel mystery June 26, 2016 - I was rather hopeful we'd get Newcastle away on the premise of losing and killing two birds with one stone but Blackburn it is and barring the miracle that would be victory if we can emerge with a point it'll be an okay start to the campaign.
The riddle of the ugly yellow box, City's Irish trio at the Euros and is it now finally time to have your say? June 19, 2016 - Brady meanwhile continues to pull up trees and, as if it were needed, offered us another reminder of why his future is at the top table and not in the Championship. Olsson too was eye-catching in Sweden's second game against the Italians and I do wonder...
More injury-time heartbreak, no more brain freeze, a need for calm, and the return of a familiar old face June 12, 2016 - That Brady and Redmond were names mentioned came as no surprise. Both have ambition beyond which City can currently deliver and so in their own one-to-ones I suspect both made clear to Alex their wish to depart, hence them being touted to bigger clubs.
Redmond in the sights of Hughes, a fond farewell to the Jarrold, an unrealistic target and a hat-tip to Ali June 5, 2016 - Newcastle and Villa with their new high-profile managers will likely take their places at the head of the table but we're next in line and should get at least third dibs when it comes to luring bright young things through the doors of Colney.
Empty seats at Wembley, Twitter payback, hopes and fears for the Euros, and a new date for the diary May 29, 2016 - The Murphys have proved relatively successful in Leagues One and Two but neither were ready to cut it in the Champ last time round and it's hard to see Carlton Morris's spell at Hamilton Accies being sufficient to fast-track him into City's forward line of one.
Almost a year since Wembley glory but now the club finds itself at a crossroads. The next turn is crucial May 22, 2016 - Behind the scenes there were problems brewing, even as we partied at Wembley, but they were so far in the background it was impossible to tell. And besides, in moments of elation no-one cares a jot if everything isn't perfect.
City and Yellow Army going down with their heads held high. But some may argue a little too high May 15, 2016 - Alex Neil and Gary O'Neil both spoke of their surprise at the crowd reaction; each expecting rather more in the way of pointed-fingers and questions being asked. But the players and management were given a standing ovation at they walked on their lap of... something, their names being sung passionately ...
McNally departs and leaves a gaping hole. All's clearly not been rosy but the ride has been a fun and thrilling one May 9, 2016 - Under McNally, and with Alan Bowkett riding shotgun, we dodged the bullets of numerous financial institutions and all that League One and the Championship could throw at us and emerged, four seasons later, as a debt-free, efficiently run, Premier League football club.
City on the brink; McNally in Twitter storm; restless natives. These are unsettled times at Carrow Road May 8, 2016 - There evidently are to be none of the 'twists' that we have been promised. Just four defeats on the bounce during which we have not scored a single goal. In a second-half yesterday where we were 'fighting for our lives', de Gea didn't have a single shot to save.
'Hapless' City according to Danny Baker but for most it was a decent, albeit fruitless, one at a the Emirates May 1, 2016 - For the umpteenth time this season, what happened between the two penalty areas was actually quite good and, always assisted by the fact we allow ourselves a five across the middle of the pitch, we looked composed.
Do we accept our fate as a yo-yo club? Do we grasp the nettle and go for broke? Or do we have be be innovative? April 24, 2016 - As ever when in the Prem, the highs are very high but few and far between while the lows are more plentiful and range between moderately disappointing to gut-wrenching. If it has to be a roller-coaster then it's more Vegas than Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach.
Yet another painful one for City as Big Sam's bruisers make the most of two gifts to bag three priceless points April 17, 2016 - We also suffer a thumping dent in our goal difference on a day when Newcastle improved their own by three. We started the day with a seven goal advantage over them but ended it just a solitary goal better off.
The clappers are ready and crunch time awaits as the Canaries and Black Cats get ready to rumble April 15, 2016 - Allardyce has overseen the odd successful relegation fight, has been around a bit and has a very loud voice but let's not carried away. He's no Pep Guardiloa or Jose Mourinho or even Rafa Benitez. Pound for pound I'd take Alex Neil any day.
Selhurst offers the Y'Army its customary grim welcome and Puncheon further twists the knife April 10, 2016 - Despite the outpouring of Twitter grief and the volley of dummies that accompanied Oliver's final whistle, Palace have not inflicted a final, fatal blow to City's chances of survival. They've just given our forward momentum a nasty jolt.
A Carrow Road trend bucker and heroes aplenty as the Toon depart the Fine City empty handed April 3, 2016 - As a unit the Toon were a different proposition after the interval - it was inconceivable that they could be as ordinary as they were before the break - and the introduction Mitrovic certainly added an attacking presence that was simply not there before.
A tense and nervy one awaits as Rafa's Toon enter the Fine City with three priceless ones at stake April 1, 2016 - Across the back four, fitness permitting, fans' favourite Timm Klose appears a shoo-in at centre-back and it looks likely that Russell Martin and Martin Olsson - Sweden's official man of the match in their midweek draw with the Czech Republic - will join him.
Roy is smiling, Eoin's boys on a roll, Dylan in the good books. But City's fate will make or break it March 27, 2016 - Upon securing promotion via that glorious Wembley day I penned a piece for the Metro in which I reeled off five reasons why City would stay up this time round. In hindsight it was borne less of logic and more of the adrenalin that was still coursing through the veins ...
Ugly but who cares. Win at the Hawthorns offers Alex's men hope and belief in quest for PL survival March 20, 2016 - Many had spoken of the need for a continuation of the football played in spells against Manchester City and how it was key to produce a performance of a similar ilk when faced with opposition from outside the Premier League's elite. But in reality it was never going to happen.
Canaries emerge unscathed in the latest tale of two Cities and restore some lost Liberty pride March 13, 2016 - It wasn't about individuals - it rarely is with the Canaries - it was about the team working as a cohesive unit with each individual in that unit knowing and implementing his role to the letter. And it was about eliminating the stupid errors that offer the opposition chances on ...
Storm clouds gather over the Fine City as the Yellow Army endures another heart-breaker March 6, 2016 - A Chelsea-type performance yesterday would have offered a realistic chance of a win. Instead we had something more akin to Villa away and subsequently a scoreline to match. That Leroy Fer was the provider of the only goal just rubbed salt into an already festering wound.
Lionhearts to a man but still it's Hiddink's Blues who emerge victors in Carrow Road bruiser March 2, 2016 - A joke with Cahill there, an arm around Hazard there and, the pièce de résistance, a '999' for a slightly shaken Willain while ignoring the blood pouring from a two-inch gash on the forehead of Gary O'Neil and Robbie Brady who was minus his two front.
More Yellow Army heartbreak as Foxes title charge continues apace at the expense of spirited Canaries February 28, 2016 - In 2016 City have played nine, won one, drawn one and lost seven, during which time they have scored eight and conceded 22. They've taken a single point from their last seven league games and have gone 14 PL games on the road without a clean sheet.
Time to hunker down, pull the coaches in close, stick together, and strain every sinew to avoid the drop February 21, 2016 - In truth, if anyone were to offer us a point at the King Power and another at Carrow Road three days later we'd whip their hand off wouldn't we? Either way the smart money has to be on City being in the bottom three by the time we make the ...
Defensive pain returns to haunt the faithful as two more Carrow Road points slip from the grasp February 14, 2016 - For three players to get attracted to the ball when at the feet of the silky-skilled Andy Carroll, while leaving Dimitri Payet the freedom of the penalty area was asking for trouble. Ditto giving England non-starter Noble a free strike under no pressure whatsoever.
Groundhog day for the Yellow Army with Villa the latest to benefit from the gift that keeps on giving February 7, 2016 - Instead of hovering near but not quite in the brown stuff we're slap, bang in the middle of the it. Right up to our necks in fact. But that's what tends to happen when you lose five league games on the bounce and when in that miserable run you're shipping ...
Nerve shredding times for the faithful with the Canaries barely able to land a glove on Spurs February 3, 2016 - A midfield that contains Alex Tettey and Youssouf Mulumbu and which doesn't contain Wes and Nathan Redmond is designed specifically to make it hard for our opponents, and to stifle their creativity and attacking intent. It isn't designed, or equipped, to be 1-0 in just over a minute.
Six and counting as the board delivers, and makes amends for that half-hearted summer window January 31, 2016 - Some have been quick to cite his unhappy time at Selhurst Park, for which there will no doubt be mitigating circumstances, but I prefer to concentrate on the bloke who was last season's Championship's Player of the Season and whose loan services were much sought after in the summer.
Klopp becomes 'the Lucky One' as City somehow conspire to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory January 24, 2016 - As it transpired the failure of those around us to win yesterday meant the damage was limited but by the same score it was a chance missed to put clear water between us and the bottom six. And it's too early to gauge the longer term psychological impact of yesterday's ...
A wretched one in Dorset as Eddie's boys offer the Canaries a painful and chilling lesson January 17, 2016 - The back four - the same back four that earned consecutive clean sheets over the Christmas period - creaked horribly and, while Afobe more than occupied Ryan Bennett and Seb Bassong for the duration, it was in the full-back areas that City were really exposed; the space and time afforded ...
No cup magic, drama, or thrills to whet the appetite yesterday but, equally, no time to dwell on defeat January 10, 2016 - Naturally it was one of those where City were up against it the second the draw was made and any hopes of Manuel Pellegrini affording us a sniff by making wholesale changes were dashed at 2pm when his team-sheet included the names Aguero, Sterling, Navas and co.
Vadis in beast mode and Tettey on target; City offer the mis-firing Saints a dose of their own sour-tasting medicine January 3, 2016 - Victory was sweet, especially given the painful afternoon we endured at St Mary's back in August, and there was a certain symmetry in Saints ending the game with ten men just as City did, with Steven Whittaker seeing red for a professional foul.
A twitchy one for the faithful but three priceless points off the Villa was a fitting end to a fine 2015 December 29, 2015 - City's only truly cohesive attack of the opening 45 was the cue for the opener and, for all the intricacy of the build up, it took a thumping volley from the 'wrong' foot of Jonny Howson to finally test Brad Guzan, who failed at his first attempt.
City defensive frailties laid bare at the Lane but arrival of Villa offers early chance to get back on track December 27, 2015 - Alan Shearer can wax lyrical for as long as he likes about Kane's ability to "shift it a yard" to create a shooting opportunity but Spurs' second goal just looked a bit soft. Not the sort you wish to concede when a half-time audience with Alex Neil is just three ...
City buck the 'gift that keeps giving' trend and give Manchester United and LVG much to ponder December 19, 2015 - City tapped into the Old Trafford nervousness and as the minutes ticked by without an opening goal so the disquiet gathered momentum.
An unlikely point but still plenty for Alex and Frankie to ponder ahead of Canaries' visit to Old Trafford December 13, 2015 - Compared to the Arsenals, the Man Citys, and even the Evertons, we lack quality - everyone knows it - and so, at the very least, the players need to make tackles, play with energy and operate at an intensity that never dips below 100 per cent.
Few positives for City as Watford teach us a harsh and painful lesson on a day that went from bad to worse December 6, 2015 - The quality, or otherwise, of the squad has been discussed in infinite detail and most have concluded that in Premier League terms we're nestling safely in the bottom three. In terms of the size of the wallet we're at the bottom of those three.
Only a point for City but Piers is fuming and Alex proves yet again that he is the man with the plan November 30, 2015 - Tuesday morning's debrief will deal with areas that need improvement but Team Neil deserves the plaudits for formulating a plan that carried City to within a palm of Petr Cech's glove from a famous win. And alongside the finely honed plan they should also be lauded for a brave team ...
Carrow Road. To relocate or not to relocate. Should that not now be the question? November 18, 2015 - The design of any new stadium would be key to its success and none of us would wish to frequent another Ricoh, Riverside, King Power or St Mary's, which in the words of fellow columnist Steve Cook come under the collective heading 'soul-less', but something unique and innovative that sets ...
A priceless win for Norwich as Neil turns the tables and sets up with the onus on no silly mistakes and not conceding November 8, 2015 - The decision to cede possession and territory against a Swansea side that thrives on it was one that undoubtedly goes against his better nature. And it was brave because the wriggle- room in such an approach is virtually nil.
Pride intact but City depart the Etihad pointless as yet more defensive woes deny them a priceless point November 1, 2015 - The fields of Colney last week were clearly abuzz with talk of a 3-4-3 and 3-6-1 and it almost proved a master-stroke. Even the oddity of seeing Brady - a more left-footed player you are unlikely to see - taking up the berth of right-sided wing-back worked.
Three defeats on the bounce and the Etihad up next; things about to get hairy on the good ship Canary October 25, 2015 - We're quickly learning, the Premier League 2015-style is, alongside the top-level technique, all about pace, power and dynamism. It's about soaking up pressure when needed and to then explode on the break and exploit the wide open spaces. It's about gobbling up chances when the present themselves.
An interesting June 2016 awaits the Y'Army, with the potential for five Canaries to be on parade in the French Euros October 11, 2015 - It's not just Roy's fault that we generally have to rely on the other home nations and beyond for our international interest. When a player progresses to a level that takes them out of our grasp, the next stop is the clutches of the top six and then England.
Rousing late rally not enough for City as Claudio's Leicester do a job on them on a dreary Saturday October 4, 2015 - In what was in truth a fairly torrid opening 45, City must have been counting their blessings that their half-time audience with Alex, Frankie and Gary was only to mull over a one goal deficit but the message about not surrendering possession so cheaply clearly went unheeded.
Late heartbreak for City but still plenty to make the Y'Army proud and to confound the national media September 27, 2015 - The old football adage of taking your chances when in the midst of a good spell rings true at every level, but especially in the rarified air of the Premier League.
City chisel out a hard earned point, courtesy of one to remember from an emotional skipper September 20, 2015 - Yes, they rode their luck at times and yes, John Ruddy was absolutely magnificent but this was not a point borne solely of fortune. It was a point chiselled out by a combination of neat inter-play, organisation, discipline and good old fashioned guts.
The mood is now buoyant, optimism abound, yet we're only ever ninety minutes away from a meltdown September 16, 2015 - Alex has made no secret of his annoyance at some of the overreaction to the slightest of setbacks. In fact the steely gaze and furrowed brow has never been far away when talk of fans' frustration has entered the conversation.
Wessi shines again as Eddie's off colour Cherries are put to the sword by Alex's vibrant Canaries September 13, 2015 - The much-discussed fragility of the back-four will continue to head the debate but the solidity of formation and method suggests to me that if the Class of 2016 can avoid too many more no-shows and adhere to the meticulously prepared game-plans, there are good times ahead.
Why being a 'yo-yo club', at the wrong end of the rich list and not really 'massive' is a dodgy combo September 6, 2015 - Given that Watford and Bournemouth both enjoy external backing of an ilk we can only dream, I'd suggest that right now for a prospective new signing we're the 20th most attractive in the Premier League. That's the harsh and not very pleasant reality.
A puzzling one for the faithful as City end Deadline Day minus a hero and still awaiting a new centre back September 1, 2015 - In a season that ended in Wembley glory, Johno netted an impressive 15 times; more often than not courtesy of his hammer-like left boot. The examples are numerous but the first goal in the regular season home game against Ipswich will forever be remembered as his finest.
A miserable one for the Canaries at St Mary's as Mr Whittaker sees red on a not very 'Super' Sunday August 30, 2015 - That Whittaker's dismissal made life difficult goes without saying. Having been shown yellow for 'ungentlemanly conduct' the Scot desperately needed to keep his head down and clear of the thoughts of Jon Moss. Alas getting entwined with Dusan Tadic was sufficient for some Serbian histrionics and card brandishing. The rest ...
City survive a test in a lively New York Stadium but, despite a Ricky winner, Lewis steals the show August 26, 2015 - It was an odd night in many respects, not least because the biggest story emerging between 7:45 and 9:45 didn't occur on the Rotherham turf. Instead, if the Daily Mail is to be believed, it was occurring at Rotherham Central.
A point apiece but yet more evidence for Y'Army that this time round Norwich will give it 'a right good go' August 23, 2015 - That City's only reward was Russell Martin's equaliser was obviously a cause of frustration and disappointment but nothing should detract from a performance level that was right up there with the best they have produced in 2015.
A fine City win on Wearside, our first three points of the season and a content gaffer. What's not to like? August 16, 2015 - To have dominated possession at home on opening day, still buoyed my the bounce of Wembley, was one thing. To then do the same in the Stadium of Light when faced with opponents who were smarting from an opening day walloping is another.
Time to move on. Forget the goal that never was – all roads now lead to Sunderland's Stadium of Light August 12, 2015 - The preparation will be meticulous. The players will be as mentally and physically prepared as is humanly possible, and the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses laid bare for everyone’s consumption. No stone left unturned.
Mr Simon Hooper steals the show as the lively Canaries come second best to Pardew's ever-soaring Eagles August 9, 2015 - It began with Glenn Murray cleaning out Graham Dorrans with studs showing, for which he earned a light-hearted slap on the wrist, only for minutes later Alex Tettey to earn a yellow card for something that, from the River End at least, looked no worse.
MFW columnists predict: On the eve of the big KO the team give us their thoughts on what may lie ahead August 7, 2015 - Ed: "My major fear is that the teams' progress this season might not match the expectations of some sections of the clubs support, resulting in early and potentially morale sapping criticism of the club's owners and pressure on both the players and manager."
Six days to go and the fettle appears decent. A visit from Lady Luck and the Canaries good to go August 2, 2015 - In terms of playing style, the summer has seen a continuation of the same pass and move ethos that became a feature of last season's run-in - typified by the two goals against FC Augsburg - and I expect City to continue with the high-pressing game that also became a ...
Positives aplenty but West Ham offer Alex a timely reminder of what it's going to take to compete in PL July 29, 2015 - City's starting XI was equally as 'experimental' as West Ham's, both starting just two players likely to feature when it kicks off for real on August 8, but the strength of the Canaries' line-up was another timely reminder of just how the stock of the squad has risen over the ...
Norwich's euro training camp ends in victory thanks to another 'wee' half-time chat from the boss July 26, 2015 - A friendly it may have been but Alex Neil appeared a disgruntled figure on the touchline for much of yesterday's first-half. "Too much respect" was his no-nonsense conclusion as to why City were second best in the opening forty-five and the half-time message sounds like it was an unequivocal one.
More patience needed from the Y'Army faithful as the Brady saga rumbles on and on and on….. July 20, 2015 - RvW's appearance and goal on Friday evening was the cue for a Twitter love-in of proportions hitherto unseen but by Saturday morning the realists were out in force reminding us of just why he was sent off to St Etienne with his tail between his legs. Seldom before has a ...
A fun one in the sun for the Yellow Army as Canaries' pre-season gets up and running at Emerald Park July 12, 2015 - For Gorleston, a bumper crowd of circa 2,400 will have swelled the coffers nicely for the season ahead although for Ricci Butler's squad it was naturally a gargantuan leap in quality given that their opening two friendlies of pre-season were against Caister and Acle.
The club's final 360 offers closure to the most amazing season ever and sound-bites aplenty July 5, 2015 - While for some pre-season is already a week old, many of those whose season extended beyond May 25 return to duty tomorrow, among them Ricky and Kyle Lafferty. And when the main party returns from the St George's Park training camp, the countdown to the first friendly begins.
It's yellow and green, it's a shirt, it's worn by the Canaries. And for the majority that's good enough July 2, 2015 - I do wonder if Kyle Lafferty will be afforded a full pre-season to make his claim. Clearly the Ulsterman is keen to be given the chance to impress (why wouldn't he) and he does possess certain qualities that will appeal to Alex and Frankie.
So, what's in a shirt? And what's in store for the Y'Army at the Norfolk Show? Or does it matter? June 21, 2015 - I hope City's marketing department were not observing too closely events as they unfolded in Islington. I'd hate for Bradley Johnson to be the subject of a Naomi Campbell-style catwalk tumble or for John Ruddy to suffer the ignominy of an interview in which he's asked to comment on the ...
The road's been rocky, but would anyone have swapped it for the glory of promotion via Wembley? June 20, 2015 - Finishing 12th that season seemed an achievement. Another year in the Premier League - who would have thought it! And it meant more big clubs could be ticked off the list at a more relaxed pace, plus some favourites could be revisited. However on June 2nd 2012 the Messiah left. ...
With Thompson, Vadis and Toffolo soon due back at Colney, Team Neil already has some 'new' faces in mix June 14, 2015 - While the Belgian's arrival in a summer of upheaval didn't come with the bells and whistles that heralded the entrances of Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Leroy Fer a year earlier, his was probably the one that sparked most interest, with YouTube offering us a tantalising glimpse of his Club Brugge ...
Eight promotions, seven relegations, three Wembley finals, one UEFA cup run and a 50 per cent 'win' rate June 8, 2015 - Aidan's yellow and green journey also began aged four but had inglorious beginnings. His debut was in 2008, in the midst of the Glenn Roeder era, when a Robert Earnshaw-inspired Nottingham Forest saw fit to offer him an early taste of Canary defeat.
Just 13 days to the fixtures so thoughts turn to 2015/16 and what it's going to take for City to thrive June 4, 2015 - While to the watching world I expect the club to trot out the 'consolidation in the first season back' platitude, I'm positive that was not the mindset that took Hamilton Academicals to third place in the SPL at the turn of the year.
Calm, assured, yet intense, hard-line, focussed, no nonsense, real and you cross him at your own peril May 31, 2015 - The eyes told the story. He had a game-plan, his players knew unequivocally their role in it, and he had an unerring faith in all of those around him to deliver - including the fans.
Yellow Army joy as Delia, David, Alex and co deliver us one of the great days on the biggest stage May 26, 2015 - The calmness exuded by Alex Neil in the game's build-up was borne out by his players, whose composure shone through against twitchy opponents, and the mindset of all involved - starting and ending with the manager - was a master-class in what it takes to manage the big occasion.
With the Promised Land in touching distance it's time for cool heads, brave hearts and hoarse voices May 24, 2015 - Whether tomorrow will be one of the glory days will ultimately be determined by the footballing gods but if the calm that continues to be exuded by Alex Neil is anything to go by City's preparation as at 3pm tomorrow will be well-nigh perfect.
As the dust settles on yet another famous derby win, all roads (and trains) now lead to Wembley Stadium May 22, 2015 - At the moment we're all trapped in a play-off bubble that we don't want to burst - and it's marvellous - but when said dust has settled perhaps the achievement of keeping McCarthy's men at arms length so comfortably over 360 minutes will finally dawn on us.
Angst turns into ecstasy as Carrow Road rocks to the tune of a derby win and place at the Wembley showdown May 17, 2015 - Typically Neil will call to account those who were found wanting in the build up to the Town equaliser but we should at least be thankful that John Ruddy didn't arrive a half a second earlier and risk 'cleaning out' the Ipswich centre-back.
Tick tick tick……. As days turn to hours, Norfolk expects. It's make or break time for the Class of 2015 May 15, 2015 - When divided the Yellow Army can ooze negativity - we know that only too well - but when united it can be an irresistible force. And right now now I'd say it is every bit as united as it was in the heady days of the Paul Lambert era.
An awkward one out of the way, and now it's up to a raucous Y'Army to make home advantage count May 10, 2015 - Certainly McCarthy's men gave their best performance so far in this season's trilogy, with City offering Alex Neil probably their weakest performance of the three, but true to form the City boss was still in upbeat mood post-match and was happy with the control City had for virtually all of ...
Judgement Day. But how will it end? With the ecstasy of gold or with the bitter, heartbreaking pain of defeat? May 7, 2015 - McCarthy has also gone to great lengths to remind us - yet again - of the financial disparity between the two clubs, forgetting as ever that four years ago we achieved Premier League football on a not dissimilar budget to that with which he is currently working. And minus the ...
Finally a win over the Cottagers but it barely registers as in just six days the Ipswich hover into view again May 3, 2015 - Ironically, after 29 years of hurt yesterday's win over Fulham was something of an anti-climax. The misery inflicted on us over the years by the Cottagers has been well documented but when it finally arrived victory was greeted with something of an understandable shrug.
An anti-climax maybe, but to break the Fulham hoodoo will set City up nicely for what lies ahead May 1, 2015 - To enter the play-off semi-final first-leg off the back of a three-game win-less run would be far from ideal and would mean that City enter the mini-tournament minus the momentum that, until the Middlesbrough defeat, had threatened to see us crash into the automatic spots.
Now is not the time for division and spite. Only a united Yellow Army will see the Canaries through the play-offs April 28, 2015 - Freedom of speech thankfully allows us to have opinions and to discuss the rights and wrongs but it does not give us the right to play vigilante, to turn into online bullies, to start hate campaigns on individuals, or attack people – either verbally or otherwise.
The blame game begins as a Steve Evans/raw meat combo denies the Canaries in the cruelest fashion April 26, 2015 - The ten players left on the pitch - particularly given the circumstances and the raw meat that had been served pre-match to Rotherham's finest - made a more than decent fist of smuggling the three points out of South Yorkshire and will consider themselves a tad hard done by.
What price some favours from Messrs Hughton, Symons and Lennon? Unlikely, but just maybe… April 23, 2015 - The end of the hoodoo? It has to end some time and given the state of flux in which the Cottagers find themselves there can be no better time for City to end what has been one of the most miserable runs in football.
Hard to take for the Yellow Army as City succumb to the Boro's early goal and some unsavoury antics April 18, 2015 - I've read some online nonsense this morning about City being 'bottlers' but, as disappointing as last night was, I couldn't disagree more. I saw no-one hide, no-one shirk a tackle, no-one give less than their all and, from the outside looking in, no-one froze.
Three to go and, despite the best efforts of Howson, Dorrans et al, City's fate hangs in the balance April 15, 2015 - For those of us at the mercy of BBC Radio Norfolk, the Goreham tones told the story perfectly. Before the break it sounded as if it was to be one of those nights: stray passes, spurned gift horses, needless fouls and furrowed brows. But it soon it became clear that ...
Another late late show but City answer every question the top two contenders throw at them April 12, 2015 - The players have clearly bought, hook, line and sinker into the Neil way, and desire vividly seeps from every pore. While the rest of us were sweating, fidgeting and stressing over results elsewhere the players’ focus on the task in hand never wavered and neither did their faith in their ...
Some old, familiar faces await City at the Macron but yet another high intensity away day may well suffice April 9, 2015 - In the aftermath of Monday's impressive 3-0 win at the Cardiff City Stadium the Trotters' manager was bullish in his defence of the two, and cited "a few sniggers behind our backs" when both were initially deployed. Their obvious lack of 'legs' have been compensated for by him surrounding them ...
It's building. Wednesday swatted aside in the most clinical fashion possible as City stride on April 7, 2015 - David McNally's sojourn to South Lanarkshire was derided by many at the time. "Neil who?" But the only folk smiling now are those clad in yellow and green. It was a simply inspired appointment, one that looks better with every passing win and one for which the CEO should be ...
Calm heads and brave hearts needed as the Owls swoop in but prepare for a nervy ninety April 5, 2015 - While we won't scoff at a favour here and a leg up there, we are no longer in the realms of purely relying on others to drop points. And given where we were at Christmas, to be in charge of our own destiny is one mighty achievement.
Arise Sir Bradley. The left footed-one lays one hand on the old Barry Butler with heroics at the Amex April 4, 2015 - In the same way that substance triumphs over style as the season nears its climax, so too does the need to forensically dissect every performance. The manager, as ever, wrapped it up in a nutshell: "We're going to have to win ugly and do whatever it takes to go home ...
The Y'Army now braces itself for a Good Friday on the south coast as Neil prepares for the final push April 2, 2015 - Hughton is the past as far as Norwich City is concerned. I hope he's not ridiculed tomorrow but, equally, I see real no reason for warm applause. I suggest every last breath being saved to roar on Alex Neil's Canaries.
The Scrimmage, 'that' day in March 1985 and why Master Akpom opted for red instead of yellow March 29, 2015 - The game was notable only for its lack of quality and it was somehow appropriate that it was won by the scruffiest of goals. But in a final who cares. The fact that Clive Walker chose to miss his penalty was also of no consequence on a day that was ...
No luck of the Irish needed as Wes offers the Canary faithful a 2010-11 style master-class March 22, 2015 - Forest began the day as one of the league's form teams, just as Wolves were upon their arrival at Carrow Road in mid-February, but both were swatted away like irritating flies - City again perfectly taking on the role of flat-track bullies.
So, two points dropped but now is the the time for calm City heads and a return to the footballing basics March 18, 2015 - Colney may not be a pleasant place this week and the management team will be straining every sinew to right the wrongs of last night. Those who under-performed will be reminded accordingly but everything will lead to Saturday's date with Nottingham Forest.
Two points dropped but as the final few bends approach City still have autos in sight March 15, 2015 - For all their injury woes the Rams remain on the cusp of the automatic places for a reason. They are clearly a decent side and to have restricted them to a Tom Ince 'bobbler' and an in-swinging corner over the course of 96 minutes speaks volumes for City's dominance.
The spirit of Jackson still lingers but time for a new Carrow Road hero to halt the Rams' charge March 13, 2015 - It will likely be a bum-squeaker and probably not for the faint-hearted but it will also be good, honest Championship fare - the very antithesis of Wesdnesday evening's drama-fest between Chelsea and PSG.
Howson leading from the front as City get back on track after another fine 'Carlsberg' style weekend March 8, 2015 - Not for the first time a product of City's Leeds 'academy' had made a decisive impact on City's charge for promotion. If it's not Bradders bludgeoning one in from distance and making life generally miserable for opponents, it's Jonny grafting and probing in his fluid box-to-box style.
Alex triumphs over an unhappy Mick as passing quality wins the day over a route one bombardment March 2, 2015 - An unchanged back-four for seven consecutive games was the Neil way of trying to solve the defensive conundrum and with five clean sheets rattled off in fairly quick succession it suggests that, as ever, he has called it right.
A Canary Nation expects: A day to be seized and for some new yellow and green clad heroes to emerge February 28, 2015 - The Blues will compete – that much is guaranteed – and City will face a very different beast to the one they humbled back in August. Back then they were low in confidence, even lower in quality and excelled only in sporting a collective hipster look that was more London ...
Seven wins out of nine for Alex and the Canary juggernaut is gradually, steadily gathering speed February 25, 2015 - Week by week it is gradually dawning on us that this bloke has more than a little something about him. Seven wins from nine games is one hell of a honeymoon period. The good run that we all hoped for is here, happening now.
Canaries take the sting out of the Hornets to good effect as second chapter of Neil story continues February 22, 2015 - The protection afforded John Ruddy against opposition who have been full of goals was not only a testament to the game-plan but also to those who implemented it. Against opposition with whom he was also too familiar Seb Bassong again stepped up to the plate.
From South Stand to River End via the Barclay, the Geoffrey Watling, the Aviva Stand and the pitch! February 18, 2015 - Steve Bruce's late header against 'that lot' was witnessed from a raucous River End. The sight and sound of celebrating canary fans thumping the sides of the Portakabin changing rooms upon departing the ground will stay with me forever.
Wolves given the treatment as those once in the shadows emerge the stronger and continue to shine February 15, 2015 - Alex Neil spoke post-match of how 'pleasing' it was to overcome a decent Wolves side and again made reference to the aforementioned lack of effort and desire. That horrible Carrow Road afternoon when Brentford were visitors clearly left an impression on the new City boss - and not a good ...
Three points, but from cigars to a bum-squeaker in the space of 96 mins in The Valley February 11, 2015 - As ever Neil's heart was firmly visible on his sleeve post-match, not only when behind the microphone but also directly upon the final whistle when, by all accounts, he couldn't wait until his players were in the privacy of the dressing room before unleashing a few home truths.
A Hooper hat-trick, a Canary Call joust and a River End exodus. Just another day in the Fine City February 8, 2015 - All too often this season City's inconsistency has been borne out by lack lustre showings against those they should beat. Birmingham, Charlton, Rotherham and Reading, just to name four, all departed the Fine City with a point or three when they were there to be beaten.
Andreu in and Lafferty out, but the talking far outweighs the walking on Jim W's deadline day February 3, 2015 - An attacking-midfielder with an eye for goal, Andreu has spent three seasons in Scottish football. Initially with Livingstone, he later moved to Hamilton in 2013 where he has clearly been an important cog in their unfolding success story.
A clean sheet and a point from a tricky away day and City stay in touch with the play-off pack February 1, 2015 - As per footballing tradition (unless your name is Louis van Gaal), good teams are usually constructed starting from the back. Only when the base is solid can a team then look to be inventive and creative. And that, judging by events at St Andrews, is the route being taken by ...
Much to ponder for Master Neil as he looks to solve the ongoing riddle of the error ridden City back-four January 30, 2015 - It will be interesting to see if the manager perceives Sebastien Bassong's reintegration into the fold, and impressive hour for the Under-21s, as sufficient for him to be thrown into the heat of battle at St Andrews. As ever, with him, it will boil down to attitude.
Stung by the Bees and now time running out for City to find the hunger required for a play-off push January 25, 2015 - Despite his valiant and laudable attempt to deflect the attention away from Steven Whittaker's difficult afternoon, Master Neil must privately question his decision to plonk his second-choice right-back into the centre of midfield. It backfired horribly.
With Cherries and Blues in midst of mini-wobbles, City's clash with Bees becomes biggest test yet January 23, 2015 - Brentford are a good side, make no mistake, and a record of seven wins from their last ten league games confirms as much. They will arrive full of confidence and off the back of an impressive win at the Amex.
A nail-biter but three invaluable points at Neil's Canaries see off Slade's Bluebirds January 18, 2015 - As an attacking unit Neil will have seen ample yesterday to convince him the task in hand is an achievable one and, with two of three key figures coming into some timely good form, the tools at his disposal will have likely whetted the appetite.
Home clash with Cardiff will offer first clues as to how our new Neil intends to go about business January 15, 2015 - To be the much fabled 'best squad in the league' - as alluded to by Eddie Howe - they need to display a hunger and work-rate to match. And over 25 games we have seen too little of both.
The Alex Neil era gets off to an unlikely flyer with City's ten heroes turning it into a 'Carlsberg' day January 11, 2015 - The new manager had been offered a reasonable snapshot of City's season. Some decent possession, some decent football but a horrible knack of switching off in the defensive third when it really matters.
McNally delivers us another Neil, as Alex takes over the Canary reins January 9, 2015 - It's one that carries all the hallmarks of a David McNally appointment, as opposed to one borne of a sense of loyalty and sentiment. In the mould of the Paul Lambert if you like, except this time permission was sought to speak with the target; unlike the shenanigans that led ...
2015: Another FA Cup exit, another away defeat and another lack-lustre performance January 4, 2015 - In recent history, our track record of FA Cup progress has been awful. Throw into the mix the current crop's recently exposed lack of hunger and desire away from home, and yesterday's defeat all of a sudden looks less surprising. Expected even. Few of us awoke this morning in shock, ...
What will 2015 bring Norwich? Will harmony break out? Or are we heading for more division? January 1, 2015 - In the aftermath of the Boxing Day win over a woeful Millwall the top two appeared in our sights but Sunday's defeat at Reading and subsequent wins for Bournemouth and Ipswich served as a timely reminder of the consistency required for automatic promotion
A very Merry Christmas at Carrow Road as a resurgent City hit the woeful Lions for six of the best December 27, 2014 - Interestingly, while it appeared miraculous that after such a dire run of form City still found themselves within touching distance of the play-off positions, a run of three wins and a draw still leaves them outside the top six.
Whisper it very quietly, but after two very gloomy months the Norwich tide may just be turning December 21, 2014 - The decision to leave the starting XI unchanged from that which started against Huddersfield was justified and, against a side with a reputation for keeping the ball, City's two banks of four denied the hosts any time or comfort on the ball.
Sterner tests await, but two wins on the bounce and all of a sudden things look a little rosier December 14, 2014 - There was much to admire, not least the sight of a rejuvenated Ruddy, whose dominant display - which included two world-class saves from distance in the second period - assured us all that the shenanigans of Reading have been well and truly put to bed
A chance to say farewell to the ultimate Terrier but, even more importantly, to bag three more points December 12, 2014 - For four seasons we revelled in the fact that opposition supporters, and players, loathed Holty. But for 90 plus minutes tomorrow we find ourselves in that same role, except there is no way we'll be able to generate the venom deserving of one of football's great pantomime villains. I'm sure ...
Ugly, direct, turgid but ultimately 'marvellous'. A win's a win and never has it been more welcome December 7, 2014 - If there is one thing that these traumatic few weeks have taught us it's that this season's Championship in unexceptional. To have won just twice in eleven games and yet still be only two points off the play-off places speaks volumes.
Problems aplenty but City have to re-acquire the knack of turning good players into even better ones December 5, 2014 - Naturally, along the way there have been a commensurate number of duds - for every Dean Ashton there has been a Dean Coney and for every Andy Linighan an Andy Hughes - but crucially the production line never stopped rolling.
Simply 'not good enough'. The slide needs to be arrested or else we are in for a repeat of 2005/06 November 23, 2014 - To concede three in the manner we did was unforgivable. I'll refrain from dissecting the all too obvious wrongs in each goal, only to say the defending for the second was of an ilk that would have earned me an earful in my amateur playing days.
A bicker-free week and for once the international break brings an element of calm to the Fine City November 18, 2014 - Three seasons in the Premier League clearly propelled the club forward in a way that surprised, thrilled and angered in equal measure - finances and esteem both benefiting - but as a result the bar was raised dangerously high.Nowwe find ourselves back in an ever-growing group of Championship clubs who ...
The McNally axe falls again as first-team coach Mark Robson exits Colney stage left November 10, 2014 - Explicit in the club's statement was the continuation of Neil Adams as manager and Gary Holt as first-team coach, and an unequivocal 'there will be no further comment at this time'.
More away-day misery for the City faithful and the question is being asked. Do we now stick or twist? November 9, 2014 - In the battle of the technical areas I can think of few occasions this season where City have triumphed. In the game of chess that is Championship football, all too often Team Adams found themselves in check, often checkmate.
A horror show on the Riverside and quandaries aplenty for Adams ahead of trip to the City ground November 5, 2014 - The decline has been equally steady, but in the opposite direction. Top of the league turned into some dallying around in the play-off places before, courtesy of last night's walloping in the north-east, slipping to seventh.
O'Neil shines and Jerome plunders as Adams trumps Lennon in the battle of the Neils November 1, 2014 - While the rationale behind Adams' 73rd minute changes were completely understandable - Jerome because of a gashed knee and O'Neil because he was walking a red card tightrope - the impact was such that City found themselves hanging on.
Another blank, more missed chances, yet City remain three points off the top of the table October 26, 2014 - Perhaps those of us who are left feeling a little uncomfortable when the league table comes into view are jumping the gun. Perhaps I should be affording Adams and co the same level of patience that I unreasonably, and unfathomably, offered to Team Hughton.
Another evening of the 'f' word. Leeds prove a tough nut to crack and the home anguish continues October 22, 2014 - Unlike some of those around me, I don't have a particular problem with the ball being played backwards and sideways as long as it is done so with purpose and pass, but when it's done so slowly and with no conviction the problems begin.
More grief by the Thames as City muster one shot on target on a gloomy afternoon October 19, 2014 - The faith shown by Adams in his defensive midfield pairing of Bradley Johnson and Alex Tettey has been admirable, but when they are not producing and you have Jonny Howson, Gary O'Neil and Vadis Odidja-Ofoe sitting on the bench it just feels a little uncomfortable.
For all its quirks Carrow Road holds memories aplenty for those of a certain age October 12, 2014 - At that time the only seats in the ground were in the old Main Stand from where its occupants would frequently hurl cushions - presumably there to provide comfort from the wooden benches - to express their disdain at events on the pitch
Another ninety minutes of frustration for the Carrow Road faithful but a point from the Millers sees City stay top October 5, 2014 - Neil Adams and his troops do need to find a way of grinding out home wins, especially from games where they have massively dominated possession. It goes without saying that the majority will arrive in the Fine City and park the proverbial bus.
An impressive Shrewsbury give City a short sharp lesson in the art of slipping on cup-tie banana skins September 24, 2014 - Few have faulted Adams for playing a second string. With 30 players to keep happy - all of whom could expect a first-team start at some stage of the season - the cup competitions offer a perfect opportunity to offer game time to those on the fringes.
Not a win for City but the unbeaten run continues and Jerome caps off the perfect week with a brace September 21, 2014 - City will have better days although I was gobsmacked to hear a 'Canarycaller' bemoan the start they made to the game. Yesterday's opening was, compared to recent offerings, of a tempo that threatened to overrun the visitors.
The Adams stock continues to rise as a John Ruddy inspired City make it two away wins on the bounce September 17, 2014 - Whether McNally just got lucky, or whether it was yet another masterstoke, will have to wait for another day but one suspects even the chief executive will be rubbing his eyes at the start Adams' new charges have made to the season.
Team Adams passes its first proper test with flying colours as victory in Cardiff is snatched from the jaws of defeat September 14, 2014 - Out went the tippy-tappy passing in front of the Cardiff back-four and in its place was a more direct approach that played to Jerome's strengths - with balls being slid into the channels. And crucially the tempo and intensity were upped significantly.
With Pilks, Adeyemi and Marshall lying in wait City must be wary of a South Wales ambush September 12, 2014 - The confidence is high, the squad well-equipped and the manager bristling with bravado. And, as if to highlight the point, in yesterday afternoon's press conference Neil Adams reminded us, "... it will be the same as every game, we’ll look to try and win it".
A long week ahead as Adams sweats on fitness of those away and ponders starting XI for Cardiff September 7, 2014 - Vadis Odidja-Ofoe has clearly been bought to fill the void left by Leroy Fer and, if YouTube is to be believed, is of a similar mould. He looks to be a box-to-box type with an eye for goal and will not have made a move to the Championship on the ...
A decent start to the season on and off the pitch, but just five games in the hard work really begins now September 5, 2014 - The arrival of two centre-backs made perfect sense and with both coming from good, wholesome footballing stock the element of risk that comes with every new signing appears to have been mitigated as much as possible.
The Cherries depart the Fine City with a point, but Adams content with ten points from five games August 30, 2014 - For some City fans this afternoon's result came as a crushing blow. No sooner have Adams' men has rediscovered what it feels like to win again, than some of our number appear to have already forgotten how it feels not to win. There were even a few boos ringing around ...
Four in a row as the Crawley resistance ultimately proves futile against the young guns August 27, 2014 - And the stock of Neil Adams continues to rise. Four wins in a row is impressive by any standards, but with the fourth of those being achieved by an XI that comprised youth with a smattering of experience was doubly pleasing.
A good day south of the border and the Adams stock rises as City make it three good wins on the bounce August 24, 2014 - For their part the home side were a huge disappointment. The passing principles of years gone by have been abandoned in favour of an approach that is more Wimbledon Crazy Gang than Barcelona'esque tiki-taka.
'Top of the league at Portman Road' as Grabban's first-half strike seals the deal in feisty Old Farm derby August 23, 2014 - His inswinging corner was initially headed clear from the Ipswich six-yard box but Tettey's header back into the danger area was met by the unmarked Grabban, who steered his close range header beyond keeper Dean Gerken.
City hit three for the second game running as Carrow Road rocks and the fun slowly starts to returns August 20, 2014 - The half-time arrival of Ryan Bennett helped to shore things up at the back, even though it was a forced change - due to Javier Garrido's injury - as opposed to the managerial masterstroke I hailed it at the time. But it will have been duly noted by those who ...
Finally a good day for the Y'Army faithful as the ten-man Hornets are put in the sword in a clinical manner August 17, 2014 - As ever, the trick when playing with an extra man is to shift the ball at pace and to make the pitch as big as possible. City did both well, and at the heart of it was the unlikely figure of Bradley Johnson.
Twelve years in the making but Gossy's volley in Munich signalled a triumph for desire and determination August 15, 2014 - "This isn't a book about victory, FA Cup Final wins or trophies on the mantelpiece because I have none of those. It's a book about determination, commitment and, as I said, a genuine love of the game. And it was about me wanting to show the Norwich City fans, who ...
A Pilks departure has been inevitable for some time with Solskjaer's Cardiff taking the gamble August 14, 2014 - Since that glorious glancing header, which had Anders Lindegaard clutching at thin air, we've seen very little of that tormentor of top-six full-backs. He disappeared, with a succession of injuries doing little to propel his career in a forward direction.
After a week one victory for the MFW readers, we now need your help to pick to play Watford (h) August 13, 2014 - With Kyle Lafferty's cameo catching the eye, will - or perhaps should - the Irishman be let loose on Beppe Sannino's high-flyers? And should Adams persist with the Martin/Turner combo? Or has Ryan Bennett done more than enough to earn a shot?
More opening day misery for the Yellow Army as Olsson sees red and the Canaries fail to deliver August 10, 2014 - When in possession City shifted the ball too slowly. Their passing was laboured, and lacked precision and zip. And, in truth, the home side looked to have a greater appetite for the battle. For City there will be better days ahead but the ghosts of the Chris Hughton era still ...
A lively Molineux awaits as City look to get 2014/15 off to a good one in front of Sky's cameras August 9, 2014 - That City haven't managed a win on opening day for eleven consecutive seasons will hopefully mean nothing to Neil Adams' chosen XI and the aforementioned clean sheet of paper applies equally to unwanted records and bogey grounds.
Fancy picking a City team? MFW needs your help to pick a starting XI to face Wolves at the weekend August 6, 2014 - The basic premise is this: we'll basically be playing a series of one-off matches against fellow websites representing the other clubs in the Championship. These matches will coincide with Norwich's real-life fixtures.
One week to go and City appear in decent shape, but will that remain the case come September 2? August 3, 2014 - While in the horses for courses world of the second tier he may have to be sacrificed on occasions, it seems that Wes Hoolahan ripping the Championship apart 2011-style in still fresh in Adams' mind.
With pre-season cranking up, it's time to look forward. How will the Class of 2015 compare to 2011? July 27, 2014 - While the Lambert midfield would struggle to compete with the likes of Leroy Fer and Bradley Johnson in terms of athleticism and desire, only Surman comes close to David Fox if we're talking quality of passing.
Three weeks to go to a date at Molineux and changes expected before Adams finalises his class of 2015 July 20, 2014 - After last weekend's gentle run-out at Dereham, things looked to have been stepped up a gear at Braintree with those Canary fans present being treated to the oddity of an avalanche of goals.
Finally the talking is over. Dereham provide stubborn opposition as City get to dust down the cobwebs July 13, 2014 - Whether City's quicksilver attacking options will include the talents of Nathan Redmond remains to be seen, with Southampton and Stoke reportedly lining up a move
With pre-season up and running the changes may soon be coming thick and fast July 6, 2014 - In the centre of defence one wonders if now is Ryan Bennett's time. Since arriving in January 2012 the ex-Peterborough man has had a stop-start time in the Fine City, but when called upon has always played with a confidence and surety
One in, one out, as the doors of Colney and Carrow Road slowly start to revolve ahead of a new City era June 29, 2014 - They will have done their research, and any alleged foibles in the make-up of City's latest international will have been weighed up against what Neil Adams and co think he can bring to the Carrow Road party.
What are we expecting? An automatic promotion? Top six? Or just a return to playing decent football? June 22, 2014 - If thirty-eight games in the Premier League felt a bit like a sprint, the Championship season is going to feel more like a 3,000 metre steeplechase.
Molineux it is on opening day for the Canaries with a hostile reception sure to await the Class of 2015 June 18, 2014 - The men from the Black Country have beef with us - the origin of which I'm not 100 per cent sure (I suspect it goes back further than Kevin Muscat) - and in the intervening years some of our number have made hay of their demise,
Lack of creativity in Manaus strikes a chord with the Yellow Army for whom a 'poor final ball' is the norm June 15, 2014 - The quandary of quality in the final third is a different kettle of fish for Neil Adams in terms of the talent at his disposal, but the conundrum remains - even when adding relegation into the equation.
As the fixture computer gets ready to do its worst, a few gems await for the Yellow Army June 12, 2014 - Away trips may even start being fun again. Remember those days when the Yellow Army would set off on a Saturday morning, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, full of hope and expectation?
On eve of Brazil 2014 City fans have plenty to ponder, not least the odd club and country similarity June 8, 2014 - I should be worrying over Neil Adams' next move in the transfer market, or whether Snodgrass and Olsson are having their heads turned, but equally I find myself stressing over the fitness of 'the Ox' or whether Glenn Johnson is really good enough.
Team Adams taking shape as the 'old boys' network sees the return of some familiar faces June 3, 2014 - One of the accusations laid at the door of David McNally, Delia Smith and co is that, in Adams, they have appointed a manager with virtually no first-team experience. Well, in Royle it looks as if they have tried to address that deficiency.
Decisions aplenty await Adams. For example, should Andrew Surman now be recalled to the Fine City ? June 1, 2014 - I read recently, with interest, a messageboard thread that asked if we should recall Andrew Surman to the Fine City. The answer was an almost unanimous 'yes'. I wonder if Neil Adams feels the same.
A sound financial footing is one thing; it would take investment beyond the pale to take City to the next level May 30, 2014 - The Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules are clearly there to reduce one's ability to 'do an Abramovich' but already loopholes are being found to scupper Sepp Blatter's best made plans, and no-one is expecting to see a significant shift in the pecking order of the Premier League as a result.
The sooner the Yellow Army unites behind Neil Adams the better. The time for dummies and prams has gone May 25, 2014 - The hard work starts now. Adams' first task is to filter the current crop for those suited to a Championship challenge and those who are not. Those who are not will be on their way.
Relegated we may be but the club is in safe hands. Mistakes have been made but the line has been drawn May 20, 2014 - Clearly discussions around Chris Hughton's future did figure heavily in January's board meetings and Michael confirmed they concluded that even if City had avoided relegation a change would still have been necessary this summer.
Is Malky the chosen one? A big week awaits in the fine city as McNally closes in on the new man May 18, 2014 - The club's inability to close the deal by the end of the week has clearly irked a few but the odd day, or even a week, over their self-imposed deadline is hardly the end of the world if it means getting the right man.
The MFW columnists have their say on who should take over the reins at Carrow Road May 13, 2014 - Ed: 'The director of football may be the candidate who is already in work, I would suspect, however, releasing him from his current role is more of a procedural formality rather than something which might become a long drawn out process as it was with Paul Lambert.'
With ten months of misery behind us let's hope lessons have been learned and we can move forward as one May 12, 2014 - The squad needs rebuilding; there little doubt about that. While I'm not expecting a mass exodus there will clearly be those who, for all the right reasons, will want to stay in the Premier League and have earned that right.
Let's pray for a Wearside miracle. After 37 games that's the one and only card we all have left to play May 7, 2014 - In hindsight, those who called for the head of Chris Hughton in December will consider their campaign to have been vindicated, but the decision to retain his services was made in good faith on the basis that a league position that hovered around fourteenth place could be maintained.
Bravery and passion at the Bridge but City's Premier League life hangs by a slender thread May 5, 2014 - With different questions being asked of Messrs Terry and Cahill, the previously impenetrable looking duo found themselves backpeddling and it was at that point it felt almost as if the game were there for the taking.
With Premier League safety now a long shot, the Yellow Army are at least owed a performance to restore the pride May 2, 2014 - For those wanting a straw to clutch, at least City cannot be relegated this weekend. Equally, as the official Premier League website politely and factually reminds us, 'nor they can ensure avoiding the drop'.
We asked them be party poopers. Instead they slipped all too easily into the role of hapless victims April 27, 2014 - To be put forward as cannon fodder at the canonization of St Ryan was always going to be a challenge but to roll over in such limp fashion when the stakes were so high speaks volumes of the current crop.
An Old Trafford cauldron awaits. Can we expect a tactical masterclass from the rookie Giggs? April 25, 2014 - In the cold light of day we've been marooned on 32 points for over a month. Not since the win over Sunderland - the one we thought had taken us to the cusp of safety - has the points total headed in an upward direction.
Too little too late or plenty to build on? Another tough one to take but Adams' men show there is still life April 21, 2014 - Rather than being steam-rollered, the Canaries rolled up their metaphorical sleeves up and dug in. The heads stayed high and the chests remained puffed out. And what we witnessed was a City side 'giving it a go'. Something we have been asking for all season.
The famous red juggernaut will arrive with belief sky high but there could yet be a twist before the fat lady sings April 19, 2014 - With the bookies, pundits and 'experts' alike now predicting a return to the Championship, City now find themselves in the realms of 'nothing to lose'.
Another hard one to take for the faithful but while the second tier beckons now is not the time to throw in the towel April 13, 2014 - Tactically few could have complaints with the new manager's approach and it was refreshing to see a more fluid look to City as they pressed forward. The narrow midfield certainly plays to the strengths of Martin Olsson.
A traumatic week, but one that can yet end in smiles. Sneak a win at the Cottage and the world changes April 11, 2014 - Clearly the task of getting the message across to a bunch of impressionable 17 and 18 year-olds is different to instructing a dressing room full of established Premier League players, but Adams has passion and belief.
City now staring headlong into the abyss as the Baggies breeze past a yellow and green gift horse April 6, 2014 - Those who follow City home and away will have been thinking 'what's the fuss about... we see this every other week', but for 25,000 to witness such a listless, lacklustre and abject performance in a game that just had to be won was hard to take.
A generous gesture but a win against the Baggies will do more to erase the pain of the Liberty than any refund April 3, 2014 - Of course there have been plenty of away-days that were as bad - worse even - than Swansea, but following this week's no-show it's clear Russell Martin and co decided, on reflection, it was one let-down too many for the travelling support
The Swans breeze to an easy one as the cycle continues: home joy followed by away-day horror March 30, 2014 - Against the Swans ball retention is king. If you let them have it they will keep it all day if they feel like it. That's how they play - their schtick. To go four v five from the word go was, even without the benefit of hindsight, suicidal. Wes found ...
One of the good Carrow Road days as Tettey, the clappers and Wes combine to make it memorable March 23, 2014 - The supporting roles played by Messrs Snodgrass, Howson and Tettey meant the midfield functioned probably better than it has done at any time this season. First to every loose ball, victorious in every 50/50 and in complete control
With the Black Cats in town, it's not too late for a hero to emerge and provide that YouTube classic March 22, 2014 - In terms of a starting XI is virtually impossible to second-guess Hughton's thoughts. If a 1-1 draw with Stoke was sufficient to prompt five changes one can only imagine his thinking following the debacle at St Mary's
Yet another dismal away day for the faithful as Saints dominate and make hay from some woeful City defending March 15, 2014 - A midfield that includes Bradley Johnson and Alex Tettey is designed to be be strong, to not take a backward step and to win the 50/50s. It was was therefore worrying that it failed on every count. Ditto the quality of passing from central midfield which has long been questioned. ...
More frustration for the home faithful as City again pay a heavy price for a mis-firing strikeforce March 9, 2014 - The Premier League fixtures computer has long since deemed March to be the month when City's short-term future is decided but with one point from a possible six on the board so far, even the optimists among us - and I've really tried - must be wavering slightly.
Let's brace ourselves for an emotional one. With Stoke in town it's also a day to remember our Big Dunc March 7, 2014 - A once great warrior clad in yellow and green reduced by this terrible illness to a shadow of hid former self. A proud, dignified man who literally spilled blood for the Canary cause and who was the epitome of a leader
Hoodoo shows no sign of abating as City again suffer the curse of Lambert to gut-wrenching effect March 3, 2014 - We even looked capable of adding to the lead. Just imagine it... 2-0 up away from home, at Villa Park of all places, with brickbats raining down on the technical area occupied by him. Dreamland. Alas that's all it was. A dream.
With Lambert and Holt playing down talk of a grudge match it City go in search of footballing karma February 28, 2014 - Lambert's penchant for 'grudge' matches is well known, and documented, and his three trips to Carrow Road in a claret and blue tie have been painfully successfully
One of the good days as a rocking Carrow Road roars City over the line against Sherwood's men February 24, 2014 - Alex Tettey, Leroy Fer and the aforementioned Johnson were immense yesterday and were the springboard upon which City's victory was based. Terrible cliches aside, there were thirteen heroes in yellow but said trio refused to take a backward step
The fightback starts here: time to dispel the myths of Spurs, Sky and returning ex-Canaries February 21, 2014 - While it's imperative that the issues in the final third are addressed if City are to give themselves even a chance of survival, Sunday's game is going to be won and lost in the third inhabited by Messrs Ruddy, Olsson, Bassong, Yobo and Martin.
Sochi 2014 reminds us that fortune indeed favours the brave. Now is surely time for City to go easy on the brakes February 16, 2014 - For the first time this season I looked at the league table, and remaining fixtures, and concluded that in City's fight for Premier League survival we're now in the the realms of 50/50. As encouraging as it has been to see the clean-sheet count rise, the only thing that's getting ...
Two late goals signal more away-day heartbreak as the Canaries now teeter on the brink of the drop zone February 11, 2014 - Much of the post-Man City talk was of that performance only being meaningful if it were to be followed up with a good result at Upton Park. And how true. To have drawn another blank when it was imperative to win has rendered futile much of the weekend's good work.
Carrow Road roars and Norwich emerge intact from the original tale of two very different cities February 9, 2014 - Alex Tettey's return to the midfield has provided a huge boost to a unit that was flagging. His rock-steady influence at the base of the midfield has afforded a rejuvenated Leroy Fer the chance to operate in more advanced areas, a little closer to Gary Hooper.
With Man City on the horizon hope it's rather than expectation… February 7, 2014 - That said fixture takes place within the confines of the city walls makes the Pink'un's depressing - yet rational - list of predictions ever more hard to swallow. Whatever's happened to 'Fortress Carrow Road'?
All a little too predictable for City as another gut wrenching away day ends point-less February 2, 2014 - Whether Hughton will have seen enough from the permutation he stumbled across in the last fifteen minutes to persevere with something of that ilk remains to be seen but there appeared an urgency hitherto unseen.
Down but not out: City survive a bruising from the Toon to emerge with the most priceless of points January 29, 2014 - There's no point pretending it was anything other than awful - Hughton admitted as much in conversation with BBC Radio Norfolk's Chris Goreham - and the fifteen minute interval was wholly insufficient to dissect all the wrongs...
A united Carrow Road a key factor as the Canaries emerge triumphant in a tale of two Cities January 19, 2014 - In the aftermath of the Fulham debacle I questioned the technical ability of a few to deliver at the highest level and, while the question marks remain, there was no questioning the grit and determination on display yesterday from one to eleven when the chips were down.
With the Tigers ready to pounce Carra Rud should brace itself, but if you need some 'positives'… January 17, 2014 - For the sake of balance - and in a week that has seen the clamour for change taken to a whole new level - another of our regular 'commenters', Russell Saunders, has provided us with some data that supports the opposite view of caution and restraint.
Another awful night at the Cottage lays bare again the woes of a City side that is now in freefall January 15, 2014 - I wrote at the weekend of the need for a spark. Something or someone to re-ignite a season that is currently in freefall. After watching the latest chapter of 'the Craven Cottage massacre' I underestimated. A single spark, as things stand, looks unlikely to be sufficient.
More away-day blues for the magnificent travelling Yellow Army as crunch time beckons January 12, 2014 - From here on in games like Hull, Stoke and Sunderland at home have to be won, but not at the expense of away-days at Stamford Bridge and the like. As from now they have to be tackled head-on too. No more luxury 'bonus' games.
McNally draws a line in the sand on Wes and co as City prepare to face an Everton side on the rise January 9, 2014 - With Elliott Bennett unlikely to feature too much between now and the end of the season, and Anthony Pilkington still to return from his hamstring injury, the game time afforded to youngsters Nathan Redmond and Josh Murphy is clearly more than Hughton perceives as ideal.
Talking points aplenty and still 'in the hat' but yet again there is no way past The Cottagers for City January 5, 2014 - The big question is whether Fox can replicate that successfully amidst the intensity of your average Premier League match - not easy when you have a Toure or a Gerrard breathing down your neck - but given City's inability to keep the ball of late it's certainly worthy of consideration.
We should brace ourselves for a rocky few months ahead with Premier League survival destined to go to the wire January 3, 2014 - Football is an emotive game of course - and for fans to disagree is completely normal - but there is nothing remotely healthy with the impasse at which we find ourselves.
Hughton in or Hughton out? The case for the prosecution as outlined by 'outer' Dave Bowers December 30, 2013 - On one hand under Hughton we finished a respectable 11th with 44 points last season, we are without debt, and spent big in the summer attracting a lot of top talent. On the other hand, in 2013 we have witnessed our team’s playing style deteriorate
No points, pride restored but another Christmas of under-achievement for the Canaries December 29, 2013 - If minds and limbs were sapped of energy following the Boxing Day bruising at the hands of mighty Fulham it didn't show - at least not once they had cleared their heads after a lethargic opening ten minutes.
A time to reflect as City's inability to deliver against the Cottagers sees them edge ever closer to the mire December 27, 2013 - The winner when it arrived - despite Parker leaving it until three minutes from time - was as gut-wrenching as it was predictable, although the quality of the strike was unquestionable.
A point at the Stadium of Light not enough for some but City enter Christmas in decent shape December 22, 2013 - Of course it was far from perfect and there remains plenty for Hughton and his team to work on, but wind the clock back a few weeks and I'd have given anything for an ugly away draw, especially one that's accompanied by a clean sheet.
City go from the grace of the Swans to the roar of the Mackems as another away day beckons December 19, 2013 - I can only imagine the mood of the place if Chris Hughton decided to go with one striker, but who would still be asked to drop off and make a midfield six at times. The bloke who sat a few feet behind me on Sunday certainly wouldn't have approved... route-one ...
Swansea up next for City as, for once, they look for victory minus the pressure of the usual 'must win' December 13, 2013 - Those same folk who cite the Swans as an example we should be following also like to throw in, for good measure, the style and swagger with which the Welshmen play, and there's no denying they are usually pleasing on the eye.
Ruddy and the revamped back-four emerge unscathed from the sternest of Hawthorns' tests December 8, 2013 - Gary Hooper's unerring finish for the first was quality and acted as another reminder of his qualities if afforded an opportunity in front of goal. Give him the much discussed plentiful supply and here is someone who could get 15-20 goals a season.
Another away day, another defeat as a Luis Suárez masterclass puts City to the sword… again December 5, 2013 - Of course it's easy to analyse and criticise, but the regularity and volume by which City make mistakes - particularly when going toe-to-toe with the 'big boys' - means it's invariably 'game over' before we even get a foothold in the match.
Wes rolls back the years as City emerge victorious from a Pulis fuelled war of extreme attrition December 1, 2013 - Wes's feet were dancing and his brain ticking; a timely reminder for the manager - and the rest of us - that when he's on song everyone's favourite Dubliner still has plenty to offer. Mercurial he may be but with that comes a sprinkling of magic.
With no Snoddy or Pilks it's time to give youth a chance. Step forward Josh Murphy and Nathan Redmond November 28, 2013 - Saturday's return of Tony Pulis promises to be another of those where a win at any cost is the only option - the classic 'must win' - with anything less likely to furrow the brow of McNally
More pain on the Tyne for Norwich as they pay the heaviest price for two horrible first-half 'softies' November 24, 2013 - Those hardy yellow-clad souls who travel to the northern extremities of England to watch a game of 'Subbuteo' from the edge of space do so in hope rather than expectation, always with a lingering hope of 'perhaps this will be the year'.
From a cast of hundreds Ed picks Paddon and Supermac as his City heroes of the seventies November 15, 2013 - Ed's pieces on the here and now are insightful and thought provoking, but it's his ability to transport us back to days when Carrow Road had a rather different feel that sets him apart from all other Norwich City writers.
Relief all round the fine city as Hughton's men find some second half joy in the original 'game of two halves' November 10, 2013 - When you have a youngster of Ravel Morrison's ilk even Big Sam can see the benefits of keeping the ball on terra firma but it was telling that the England Under-21 man found himself only a peripheral figure in the second.
With Green Street's finest about to breach the city walls it's time for the players to deliver for Hughton November 7, 2013 - With my pint pot still just above half-full, even if the beer is a little warm and flat, I still remain hopeful that Saturday will be a turning point.
Another day, another horror show. Hughton's Norwich tenure looks to be hanging by a slender thread November 3, 2013 - The one area where Hughton has always trumped Lambert - the defence - is no longer a strength and speaks volumes. It further undermines the credibility of those, like me, who have defended his tenure throughout.
Snodgrass and Redmond suffer injury setbacks as City come off second best in an Old Trafford disaster October 30, 2013 - With a new fire-breathing Scot now occupying the United dugout things are not about to get any easier for opposition teams with regard to referees. The last thing they need is an excuse to award a penalty.
City's continued improvement in form does little to placate the 'outers'… October 27, 2013 - At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the passing was again of a decent quality, the stats show we enjoyed the lion's share of possession, we played with an attacking intent throughout, created a shed load of chances and had 31 attempts on goal.
Hughton looks to home comforts to end a difficult and troubling week… October 24, 2013 - Hughton has clearly been at the heart of much debate of late and will continue to be. While I may disagree with those who call for his head I respect their views; the perception of him as a good, bad or indifferent football manager the only thing that matters.
Not nice to get smashed for four by Wenger's thoroughbreds but still reason for optimism October 20, 2013 - That City came up well short was naturally disconcerting - crushing in fact in the hour or so after the end of the game - but, as often proved by the post-match interviews of Neil Warnock, perspective is a beast to grasp when the taste of defeat still swilling around.
With Hodgson proving leopards can change their spots, the Y'Army mobilises again… October 16, 2013 - While Islington won't be ablaze with green and yellow flares - or the Yellow Army singing about playing "at home" - there will be a wall of noise in at least one corner of the Emirates as City look to put right some of last season's wrongs
With the City books finally in the rudest of health, the board can take plaudits for a job well done October 11, 2013 - Backwards clearly isn't an option with both CEO and chairman both making clear their desire for 'continued improvement'; City's 'mission statement' making that crystal clear
West London's finest prevailed but City now have solid foundations on which to build October 8, 2013 - That Mourinho chose to turn to Hazard, Willian and Eto'o to save a potential embarrassment also tells a story of its own, with Willian's transfer value alone usurping the not inconsiderable sums that City spent in the summer. But that's where the fine margins come into play.
Goss, Gunn and co; 20 years on and the memories of City's 1993 UEFA Cup run still resonate October 3, 2013 - With Gossy providing John Motson with his finest Norwich moment, and the site of one Robert Chase lauding it over his kingdom, the second leg joined the first in the annals of City history. Unlike for the Vitesse game, European football had finally captured the Norfolk imagination and Carrow Road ...
The rare taste of victory at the Britannia made even sweeter by the disdain of those in deep, darkest Suffolk September 30, 2013 - Seldom, certainly of late, can I recall City smothering an opposing midfield like they did yesterday; the ball being won back at will for long periods of that first half - the centre-mid triumvirate working just how Hughton must have dreamt it on Saturday night.
Howson's strike gives City victory at the Britannia; a crucial three points and breathing space for Hughton September 29, 2013 - City had Howson’s strike to thank for going in at half-time 1-0 to the good; the mixture of boos from the home fans and cheers from the travelling Yellow Army telling a story all of their own.
With the 'outers' growing in number, what will it take for City to avoid reaching the point of no return? September 23, 2013 - If supporting Norwich for over forty years has taught me one thing, it’s that scenarios such as this rarely end well. While there has been much talk of Hughton ‘losing the dressing room’ – something that will remain conjecture to all but a few – to lose the crowd is ...
Another blank against the Villa as City struggle to make the most out of an afternoon of decent possession September 21, 2013 - Certainly the boos that accompanied the withdrawal of Redmond told a story of their own; the City boss defending his decision afterwards in conversation with BBC Radio Norfolk’s Chris Goreham, citing that the greater threat – in his view – as coming down City’s right flank.
Ted Mac, mullets, scarves around the wrist and Gooner bovver boys – a sojourn to the early 1970s September 18, 2013 - The seventies were the formative years of a ‘top-level’ Norwich City just as they were for a third-generation City fanatic – my dad having been indoctrinated similarly in the post-war years by his own City-mad father.
Another away-day horror show exposes City's inability to keep the ball September 15, 2013 - With Leroy Fer reminding us that he’s still finding his Premier League feet and Bradley Johnson re-affirming once again that passing isn’t his strong suit, the central midfield area looked exposed from minute one. All a far cry from 12 months ago when Johnson and Howson outplayed Sandro and Livermore ...
A Tottenham perspective: How Jeremy Goss destroyed a Spurs fan’s footballing innocence September 13, 2013 - As the game unfolded and Jeremy Goss scored what’s been described as “the greatest Norwich goal ever”, a little part of my childhood crumbled away. My father tried to comfort me and predicted that Bayern would triumph 3-1, but then Norwich scored again.
Butterfield's parting swipe at Hughton creates headlines aplenty; more than during his City career September 9, 2013 - If the much vaunted ‘promise’ had shown even the slightest hint of coming to fruition you can bet your life that Hughton would have given it a chance to flourish; the fact he didn’t confirms perhaps that, at 23 years of age, said midfielder’s career has stagnated.
With Hughton's finest away on 'duty', the Yellow Army watch and wait for their heroes to return unscathed September 6, 2013 - Of course there are many other issues that stretch far beyond the stereotypical ‘too many foreigners’ debate’, not least the permanent collision course on which the FA and the Premier League find themselves.
Sky report no late deadline day twists for City as Hughton sticks at eight September 2, 2013 - Alas, despite a busy day (one suspects)of enquiring phone calls by David McNally and co, there was no deal to be had and so City's summer activity 2013 has ended on eight new signings; value in the region of £25million.
Fine margins work in City's favour as the Canaries edge past the Saints September 1, 2013 - While the visitors took the honours for artistic impression, City edged it where it really mattered, with Nathan Redmond’s splendid strike from 20 yards springing a fairly subdued Carrow Road to life midway through that tense and twitchy second half.
Nine goals shared with the Shakers as City easily overcome their first banana skin of the season August 28, 2013 - All too often in recent the past we’ve given fringe players a chance to shine in Cup games only for them to confirm their rightful place on the periphery with tepid, unconvincing displays. For the Shakers to be swept aside in such clinical fashion was a little ‘un-Norwich like’.
A bad day on the Humber for City as their lack of care and precision again comes back to bite them August 25, 2013 - Yes, City enjoyed huge chunks of possession when faced with ten opponents in the second half, but with the ball shifted so ponderously Steve Bruce’s two massed banks of four simply shifted across ensuring there were no gaping holes and forced City to play in front of them. In the ...
A date on the Humber awaits with Elmander hopefully on board but minus the luckless Bennett August 22, 2013 - “Knowing that Chris was the manager of the team made it easier to decide to come here”. Increasingly, the Hughton-factor is becoming the common denominator this summer, with his charm and honesty in selling the fine city appearing to make it that little bit more appealing for prospective employees.
Elmander signs on the dotted line as Team Hughton slots the eighth piece into the ever growing puzzle August 21, 2013 - As well as being a doppelgänger for Grant Holt, Elmander also brings to the table similar qualities; big, strong, powerful, an ability to play ‘back to goal’ and a good first touch. Add to that 71 international caps and a goal ratio of one in three.
The Wolf off the mark, Redmond showing promise and a corker from Whittaker. What's not to like? August 18, 2013 - A point against a quality side with the top six in their sights is far from a disaster, even if a couple of ‘Canary Callers’ tried to convince us otherwise; likewise the bloke in the River End at half-time who thought Redmond was “virtually playing at left-back!” Hhmm.
It's prediction time; can City go one better than last season and make the top half? August 12, 2013 - As much as I’d like to throw City’s hat into the ring as potential leaders of the ‘peloton’, there are a few who currently have a stronger case. Swansea for example.
With the Wolf off the mark and the days ticking away thoughts turn to Hughton's Everton starting XI August 7, 2013 - The friendly with Real Sociedad – played in front of an excellent crowd of over 14,000 – provided most of those present with their first ‘live’ glimpse of Hughton’s summer purchases and there was little to disappoint; the 1-1 scoreline almost an irrelevance.
With Real Sociedad in the fine city, Hughton will be looking to crank it up a couple of notches August 6, 2013 - While the level of performance and match fitness still remain the name of the game, the need to prove a good match to a side that will be mixing it with Europe’s elite will not be lost on Team Hughton as thoughts head towards the Everton game.
Positives aplenty in Portugal as Hooper gets off the mark in City's entertaining draw in balmy Braga August 3, 2013 - The positives still outnumbered the negatives on a balmy Portuguese evening that saw Hughton give a City debut to Martin Olsson, as well as a first outing of the new season for Michael Turner, both of whom could now be ready for 17 August.
Surman and Barnett head for pastures new and the revolving doors show little sign of slowing August 2, 2013 - A classy midfielder with a left foot that can open a tin of beans, his elegant style was one that fitted perfectly with Lambert's desire to play the midfield diamond.
With Quagliarella confirmed by Hughton as a target a thrilling few weeks lie ahead for City fans July 29, 2013 - In the case of Quagliairella, he now appears to find himself a little way down the Juve pecking order and so one assumes an unlikely move to ‘unfashionable’ Norwich would come with an expectation of regular first-team football.
With Hooper's medical having been successfully passed, 'Arry is left to dwell on the one that got away July 25, 2013 - Given the protracted nature of this saga no-one would have been the slightest bit surprised if there had been a last minute hitch or two, but in the spirit of the Canadian Mounty, McNally and Hughton look to have got their man.
With fitness still the name of the game the US tour ends in defeat at Portland July 25, 2013 - Chris Hughton had predicted this would be the sternest test of the tour and he wasn’t to be disappointed with Portland – currently second in the Western Division of the MLS – providing robust opposition.
With Portland the final stop on the US tour, McNally has five and a bit weeks to nab City a striker or two July 24, 2013 - However laudable the Duke of Cambridge’s desire to later remind his new born son ’of his ‘tardiness’, when compared to the Hooper saga the wait for the arrival of HRH Prince George of Cambridge almost pales into insignificance. But as relieved as we’ll all be to see an end to ...
City slip to defeat in San Jose as the Wolfman and Leroy Fer make their debuts in the canary yellow July 21, 2013 - With fitness and game time still the name of the game, the defeat should be of little concern as City now build towards the finale of the tour, a Wednesday night ‘match up’ with Portland Timbers. Again it’s expected that Hughton will ring the changes as he looks to give ...
With City on their way to San Jose the name of Maxi Lopez is the latest to enter the frame July 20, 2013 - Having reportedly missed out on Juventus striker Fabio Quagliarella, rumours emanating from Sky Italia suggest that Chris Hughton’s attention has now turned to the Catania striker who spent last season on loan at Sampdoria. With Serie A the latest hunting ground in City’s search for a striker, Hughton and Ewan ...
With Norfolk likely to remain a mystery to Quagliarella the search for a striker rumbles on July 18, 2013 - I’m not expecting the Italian’s agent and family to come out and declare the Norwich option still to be a viable one, with Tuesday’s private jet from Turin to Norwich now looking highly unlikely to have contained a swarthy looking Italian goalscorer.
McNally plays hardball with Celtic as the City summer spending spree shows no sign of abating July 15, 2013 - City’s approach hopefully differs because those on the shopping list are there because they fit the City mould. Not because they’re ‘a name’ and they look impressive on paper but because, courtesy of Ewan Chester’s scouting reports, they provide a certain something that Chris Hughton has identified as missing from ...
From Belfast to the fine city and football to the media; Macca tells how in 'The Stupid Footballer is Dead' July 12, 2013 - City legends who feature in the book include Craig Bellamy, Darren Huckerby, Malky MacKay and Robert Green; all of whom have been on the McVeigh radar for a variety of reasons – some good, some not so good. The story of Malky giving a young McVeigh a ‘rough ride’ in ...
Martin Olsson and Carlo Nash make it a nap hand for Hughton with more trans(Fer)s in the pipeline July 10, 2013 - With Nash having been guilty of jumping the McNally gun by 48 hours thanks to Twitter, the same medium had all but confirmed the arrival of Olsson, with his picture – alongside a City fan near Norwich station – having been doing the rounds on Thursday afternoon.
Chelsea ramp up the pressure as a second, improved bid for Ruddy is met with another City rejection July 8, 2013 - Despite City’s CEO tweeting last week: “Can confirm though that I haven't been in talks with clubs about any one leaving #ncfc” Sky have persisted with the Ruddy story and are now reporting, via their famed sources, that a second bid has been made and duly rejected.
From the humblest of Carrow Road beginnings Holty has been pivotal in the best white knuckle ride ever July 7, 2013 - From the moment Holt arrived in the fine city it was obvious to all that here was a proud man – not someone who would be willing to blend into the background. A warrior; a fighter; someone who – courtesy of his footballing roots – would attempt to squeeze every ...
With Redmond joining RvW on the fields of Colney who will be next on the McNally hit-list? July 4, 2013 - Described back in 2010, by the then Birmingham City Academy manager Terry Westley, as a winger in the mould of Aaron Lennon or Ashley Young we certainly look to have acquired ourselves someone with genuine pace. With this particular quality having been in short supply in Hughton’s class of 2012/13 ...
The Wolf finally arrives in the fine city, courtesy of an endorsement from a Dutch legend of the 1970s July 1, 2013 - In conversation with BBC Radio Norfolk, van Wolfswinkel explained that when the chance of a move to Norwich City (or perhaps more significantly to the Premier League) arose he was offered some sound advice by a Dutch legend of yesteryear; none other in fact than Johan Neeskens.
With Ruddy to Chelsea the latest 'hot' rumour, how long before the 'press conference' signs go up? June 28, 2013 - Having always been a firm ‘it matters little what the bookies and pundits say’ advocate, I’m now a little curious as to whether their condescending attitude towards ‘little Norwich’ does have in fact an impact when it comes to the transfer free-for-all.
The nationals turn their attention to City departures; Benno and Holty the latest 'targets' June 23, 2013 - It goes without saying it doesn't sit comfortably to agree with Alan Hansen, but his incessant assertion that 'nothing frightens defenders like pace' is indeed true; Gabriel Agbonlahor's match-winning performance at Carrow Road back in early-May a perfect example of how destructive the combination of pace and power can be.
The speculating is over – City open against Roberto's men and close with a visit from Wenger's boys June 19, 2013 - Everton at home on 17 August is indeed mouth-watering and, with Roberto Martinez now at their helm, will reveal a re-branded Toffees outfit. One suspects their style will be the fluid, contemporary style that Martinez honed at Swansea and attempted, partly unsuccessfully, to refine at Wigan.
Minus the 'white smoke' of a new City signing, the fixture list offers a brief distraction June 17, 2013 - At around this time every year one of the nationals – usually a broadsheet – gives us chapter and verse around the complexities of compiling said list, and sure enough the Guardian hasn’t disappointed. While it apologetically describes the process as ‘laborious’, it’s actually quite interesting (or is it just ...
Rumours abound but the McNally powder remains dry as Toivonen and others keep their options open June 14, 2013 - The thought of a ‘big unit’ with a top-notch strike-rate (59 goals in 125 appearances since moving to Holland) linking up with Ricky van Wolfswinkel indeed sounds an edifying prospect, but before we get too carried away we should perhaps cast our minds back nine short years.
In the age old debate of club vs country the yellow will always shine infinitely brighter than the white June 10, 2013 - Swansea’s triumph in the Carling Cup at least suggests the odds of seeing green and yellow ribbons adorn a silver trophy are slightly shorter than England emerging victorious from the World Cup or Euros.
With Twitter linking City to a dozen names a day, beware the dreamers and mischief makers June 7, 2013 - While the pub would once facilitate the sharing of such a rumour with maybe a dozen people – some worse for wear and unlikely to recall a thing – Facebook and Twitter can spread the same rumour to thousands in a single keystroke.
With Melbourne Heart wanting to take Holty Down Under, should City keep a tight grip on the main man? June 3, 2013 - Where once City were renowned for injecting new life into the careers of thirty-somethings – Martin Peters and Mick Channon being two fine examples – our recent history has been littered with examples of us being the premature dispenser of said footballing demographic.
Jamie's Game brought the old memories flooding back, not least of Hucks whizzing down that left flank May 31, 2013 - To this day, there is no greater sight than seeing the great man, ears pinned back, turning on the after-burners to fly past a floundering defender. Whether said defender is Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville or Tubes (from Soccer AM) matters little; the end result is invariably the same.
Jacko, Wardy and Tierney exit Carrow Road stage left, but not before making their mark on Canary history May 27, 2013 - Simeon Jackson's goals in the run-in of 2010-11 are the stuff of legend and a quick Youtube search of ‘Jackson, Derby, Goreham’ is, to this day, guaranteed to make the hairs on the back of the neck stand up. Similarly that downward header at Fratton Park. Moments that will live ...
City legends and celebrities alike descend on Carrow Road next Tuesday; all in the name of Jamie May 25, 2013 - The evening has been named Jamie’s Game – a well-deserved homage to Jamie Abbott, a 16-year-old City-supporting footballer with Down’s Syndrome who, as part of the Community Sports Foundation, has become a charity ambassador.
Hughton finally lays to rest the ghost of Lambert as a perfect away day sees them sign off in style May 20, 2013 - While Hughton continually asked to be judged after 38 games – not an unreasonable request – it was never going to happen. We’re football supporters after all; knee-jerk reactions and snap-shot judgements are what we do… they’re built into our DNA.
The Canaries end the toughest of seasons in style as Man City suffer the rarity of defeat at the Etihad May 19, 2013 - Norwich set the tone early on with a really positive start – Robert Snodgrass and Wes Hoolahan both prominent in the opening exchanges as the home side began in ponderous fashion. A couple of decent looking penalty shouts – a scythe on Snodgrass and a handball shout against Joleon Lescott ...
The Etihad awaits, but there will be no shades and suncream for Hughton's men with work still to do May 17, 2013 - So, while we can rest safe in the knowledge that events in Eastlands will have no impact on whether next season we dine at The Ivy, with the likes of Chelsea, or at a ‘greasy spoon’ – with the likes of Ipswich – it will impact on Hughton’s summer transfer ...
Thirty years after City's last triumph in the FA Youth Cup, Neil Adams and his Under-18s do the same again May 14, 2013 - Despite Andy Townsend’s best efforts to persuade us that last night was merely a triumph of guts and determination over class and skill, it was no fluke. Flukes don’t tend to happen over two legs, especially those where the same team wins both games.
Smiles all round as City secure safety in the most emphatic fashion – their biggest Premier League win in 20 years May 13, 2013 - Alas, my fears were unfounded and, to a man, those in yellow took not one backward step yesterday. From minute one to minute ninety-three they were ‘on it’ – every single one of them – and from somewhere found a performance right up there with anything we’ve seen in the ...
No need for pitch parades and the clappers; the Yellow Army will do their bit – we can only pray the players do theirs May 9, 2013 - The mathematicians amongst us have suggested a single point on Sunday may be enough, but I’d hate to think Chris Hughton would set City’s stall out for anything other than victory. It wouldn’t sit comfortably with the Yellow Army for sure, if that were the case – caution playing a ...
For the Yellow Army it's death by a thousand cuts; the abyss looms as City sleepwalk into a chilling season finale May 5, 2013 - That Paul Lambert chose to prance across the pitch to boisterously celebrate Premier League survival with his new charges merely added salt into an already open wound – magnanimity never one of his finest qualities.
City's second date with the clappers throws up yet another chance to secure Premier League survival May 2, 2013 - The home wins over Arsenal and Man Utd were the stuff of dreams but were arguably gazumped by that thrilling 4-3 away win at the Liberty Stadium. Little were we to know that victory at Swansea was to prove to be the season’s only away success, assuming the final day ...
McGeehan the hero as City's Under-18s nudge ahead at 'half-time' in the FA Youth Cup Final April 30, 2013 - A lump in the throat quickly became a tear in the eye as those lads – off the back of 94 gruelling minutes – somehow managed to edge themselves ahead in the most thrilling of circumstances; McGeehan’s badge thumping summing up the mood to perfection.
A dearth of quality in the attacking third goes ignored as the 'Hughton out' brigade again find its voice April 29, 2013 - Typically, the resulting inquest has pretty much laid the blame squarely on the shoulders of Chris Hughton; his pragmatic approach – especially away from home – again coming under intense scrutiny. But, while it’s normal for those at the top of the pyramid to take the wrap when things go ...
City's no-show at the Britannia brings into even sharper focus next week's six-pointer with the Villa April 27, 2013 - The league table would have looked even worse for City but for Emerson Boyce’s 90th minute own-goal at the DW Stadium, one that saw Tottenham earn a point from a game that looked to be heading the way of the Latics. In short, that late twist at the DW may ...
As Ryan Bennett awaits trial by the FA over Twitter comments, the question now is… to tweet, or not to tweet April 25, 2013 - All in all a little bit of a mess for a young man who, on Saturday, turned in a tremendous Man-of-the-Match performance that included notching the all-important first goal; such is the life of a professional footballer. From hero to zero in the space of four days.
Love it or loathe it, an afternoon of happy-clapping takes City to the brink of Premier League safety April 21, 2013 - The Club, in their own attempt to fire up the atmosphere, were handed a trump card in the form of the Under-18s, and even minus the clappers their pre-match ovation would have been of the rousing variety. As it happened the lads played their part in proceedings perfectly and were ...
As City prepare for the mother of all 'must win' games, the Under 18s serve up the perfect aperitif April 18, 2013 - One hopes their call for the #Yellarmy to create a cauldron will have the desired effect – although it would be good to think that unequivocal backing of the Yellow Army would be a given on such occasions regardless. It’d certainly be helpful if the dissenters could find it in ...
With five to go, and the race for safety hotting up, now is the time for cool heads… on and off the pitch April 15, 2013 - The sense of injustice we all felt post-Stadium of Light was certainly back, and back with a vengeance. Whether that feeling of being shafted is as justified now as it felt at 17:00 on Saturday – with the adrenalin still pumping – remains to be seen, but to watch those ...
City suffer late heartbreak at the Emirates as the wave of a flag signals away-day disaster for Hughton's men April 13, 2013 - The game’s pivotal moment came on 84 minutes when, from a hotly disputed corner – Snodgrass looking as though he’d successfully shepherded the ball out for a goal-kick – the ensuing scramble resulted in Kamara harshly being adjudged to have pulled Giroud’s shirt.
While some question the current path, there are clubs (some not far away) of whom City are still the envy April 12, 2013 - The simmering discontent over Chris Hughton’s management style has taken on a life of its own of late – Twitter and the message-boards affording the dissenters a disproportionately loud voice – but the depth of feeling of some was brought home to me over me pre-match drink last Saturday.
Another afternoon of Carrow Road frustration as the Swans give City a lesson in the art of the beautiful game April 6, 2013 - If there was a positive to be gleamed from the game – other than the fact they didn’t lose – it was the way the City players responded to adversity. After being horribly outplayed for half an hour, and with the faithful getting increasingly restless, they somehow managed – completely ...
With Swansea next up, and games running out, a good old-fashioned Carrow Road cauldron will be order of the day April 4, 2013 - When presented with his first Norwich City fixture list, back in June 2012, Hughton will have looked at the final few home games of the season – Swansea, Reading, Aston Villa, West Brom – and considered each to be winnable. Nothing has changed.
With City clocking up just a single win in fourteen games the Yellow Army should brace itself for a nervous run-in – just as the gaffer suggested April 1, 2013 - Thanks to a fruitful autumn – that ten game unbeaten run now taking on the form of a lifeline – they still find themselves with a small but eroding cushion. Quite how much longer I’ll be able to say that I’m not sure, although Aston Villa’s ‘charge’ being halted by ...
More away-day blues for City as Koné's 81st minute strike edges the Canaries a little closer to the drop-zone March 30, 2013 - The game’s pivotal moment came on 81 minutes. The dangerous Gomez was given time and space to pick out a pass which he did to perfection; his perfectly weighted through-ball releasing Koné in the inside left channel. One good first touch later and the Ivorian slammed a crisp right-footed drive ...
City head to the DW armed with a bagful of Premier League nous – something missing from their last visit 19 short months ago March 29, 2013 - Such is the current life of the travelling faithful, last season’s expectancy – borne of the Lambert-inspired gung-ho spirit – now replaced with hope; a hope that just around the corner is that second away win of the season. For flamboyance read pragmatism; for flair read grit.
McNally seals the deal for the Wolf-man as City cash-in on Sporting Lisbon's need for pay-day cash March 24, 2013 - If just knowing that we were ‘going for it’ with real intent wasn’t exciting enough, to hear that the deal had been concluded was positively thrilling. In terms of the excitement generated this is certainly right up there with Boxing Day 2003 when one Darren Huckerby made his official Carrow ...
With van Wolfswinkel back on the radar everything points to a busy summer at Carrow Road IF they can find two more wins March 21, 2013 - Just 60 days after being publicly priced out of their transfer window pursuit of Ricky van Wolfswinkel, he is back on the City radar – this time with a vengeance. Despite Sporting Lisbon rejecting a January bid, reported to be in the region of £8million, the Portuguese press now appear ...
Hughton and Martin come up trumps in the dignity stakes as City give Sir Alex a lesson in how to respond to adversity March 18, 2013 - For his part in proceedings, Chris Foy now finds himself added to that ever growing list of those deemed to have ‘wronged’ the yellow and green. Step forward Eddie Ilderton, Andy D’Urso, Michael Oliver and Mark Clattenburg.
City overcome a three-pronged dose of adversity to claim a hard-earned and priceless point in the Stadium of Light March 17, 2013 - City didn’t have to wait long for the predictable blow to the solar plexus when, five minutes before the interval, Sunderland were again the recipients of a controversial decision. This time Bassong was harshly adjudged to have handballed with the ball skipping up awkwardly off the surface; Fletcher looking suspiciously ...
As the Stadium of Light zooms into view City look to buck a 16 year trend by finding the back of Mignolet's net March 16, 2013 - Football being what it is, the magnificent Yellow Army will still head north firmly of the belief that just around the corner is that elusive away win; that their heroes are on the cusp of bucking the recent trend of blanks and the odd scrappy goal; that it’s only a ...
While the league table makes OK reading Hughton has promised a 'tense' run in… so let's brace ourselves folks March 11, 2013 - Newcastle’s win over the purists from the Potteries has certainly made life interesting, with Stoke now firmly ensconced in the mid-table ‘pack’ – and with a very similar record to Norwich. Alas where it all starts to unfurl a little for City is when the goal difference column comes into ...
Holt's late penalty miss denies City a priceless three points but another clean sheet edges them ever closer to Premier League safety March 9, 2013 - Perhaps it was the surprise of being awarded the first penalty of the season, or maybe it was the shock of being on the positive end of some Clattenburg showmanship but, whatever the reason, the penalty chance was spurned in anti-climactic fashion by an off-colour Holt. Not the end of ...
As Saints enter the Fine City we can all be thankful that a '92 version of Razor Ruddock won't be at the heart of their defence… March 7, 2013 - That Southampton have trodden a similar recent path to City also endears them to me with their two consecutive promotions also coming off the back of an ignominious spell in the third tier. They too have kept faith with some key players along the way; for Grant Holt read Rickie ...
We can all dream, but the days of City going toe-to-toe with the big boys are some way off as Sir Alex's boys reminded us… March 3, 2013 - As painful as it was - and there's no doubt it was infuriating at times - yesterday was a perfect snapshot of reality. A gulf in class and quality that was evident from the second minute when some typically neat City inter-play worked Bradley Johnson into that exquisite crossing position. ...
City surrender to a footballing lesson from Sir Alex's men; perfect preparation for the visit of the 'Special One' March 2, 2013 - For City’s part they refused to lie down and in terms of effort and work-rate, Hughton would have few complaints. Where they came up short – well short - was in terms of quality, the Champions-elect showing a comfort in possession that eluded those in yellow for the whole afternoon. ...
Old Trafford and Fergie await as the Yellow Army heads north again in search of those yellow and green scarves February 28, 2013 - Turn up, marvel at the surroundings, be grateful to be there and enjoy the occasion by all means, but turn up with a game plan that may involve defending in numbers at times? Not a great idea unless you’re prepared to risk the famous wrath of Sir Alex.
The Kamara/Holt late-show adds a new zest to City's ailing season and maybe puts to bed the entertainment v. winning debate February 24, 2013 - In many ways those final fifteen minutes put the ‘winning v entertainment’ debate to bed once and for all. While for 75 minutes the general standard of fare on offer was of the average variety, I don’t suppose any of the 25,000 city fans present would swap them given the ...
With a lucrative third Premier League season tantalisingly close, the City board have one massive headache on the horizon… February 20, 2013 - As much as I’d love to frequent a stadium with four sides of a similar stature – the current lop-sided look reminds me of the old Filbert Street – and one that’s tad more aesthetically pleasing, if we had 32,000 seats to fill I’m not sure we’d be able to ...
With Lee Croft leading the way in Oldham's FA Cup heroics against the Toffeemen, City need to take note and make hay… February 17, 2013 - Given that the plan was to play two ‘up top’ against Fulham I expect the skipper to have some help at close quarters on Saturday. If, come 16:50, Messrs Jagielka and Distin fall into the ‘known they’ve been in a game’ bracket, it will go a long way to being ...
Wins or pure entertainment… while the debate has raged, the current style is surely a means to a prosperous Premier League future February 14, 2013 - If my memory serves me correctly, one of the many statistical reports produced at the end of last season deduced that City played more long balls than anyone else. While I can recall being more than a little sceptical of its accuracy – how could City have hit more long ...
Another point… another dour draw… but City maintain that priceless eight point gap with those in 'the zone' February 10, 2013 - Credit again is due the Match of the Day production team who – not for the first time – excelled themselves in finding five minutes worth of highlights, although showing a Luciano Becchio that flew ten yards wide from four different angles is cheating bit.
With Twitter giving us 24/7 access to our heroes, will Kamara take us all on a glorious Premier League chapter… February 7, 2013 - With Harry Kane having been returned to sender – his first-half appearance against Luton being a rather inglorious way to bring his Canary career to a close – Chris Hughton finds himself back to ‘as you were’ in terms of striker numbers, but with a different looking mix to his ...
QPR draw puts into very sharp perspective just what it takes to earn three points in the Premier League February 3, 2013 - The similarities between the Premier League and the Championship (and the SPL for that matter) are few and far between; even taking aside the riches on offer. The intensity and tempo of your average EPL game is what sets this league apart from all others, and is precisely what makes ...
City hold on for a hard-earned point at QPR as Bunn takes star billing with a brilliant second half penalty save February 2, 2013 - If the first half was pretty much a case of honours even, the second was a more open affair and was dominated for long periods by the home team. Buoyed – one assumes – by some typical Harry Redknapp ‘rabble-rousing’, the home side carried more of a goal threat in ...
McNally and Hughton continue to test the Celtic nerve as City reflect on a much improved day at the office January 31, 2013 - The next few hours – as absurd as the January scrum is – promise to be interesting ones. So interesting in fact City have been assigned their very own Sky Sports News reporter at the gates of Colney. We have indeed arrived, but let’s pray that Hughton isn’t cunningly lured ...
As City appear to be closing in on signing #1 all eyes now head north of the border as McNally again tests the Glaswegian water January 30, 2013 - With TalkSport reporting a third unsuccessful bid for Celtic’s Gary Hooper , ‘believed to be around £6 Million’, it’s worth reminding ourselves that even if successful in our pursuit of the former Scunthorpe man – or any other striker – the hovering clouds of doubt remain.
The darkest of dark days for City as Luton make light of the 85 league places that separate them January 27, 2013 - We're used to lows and horror shows - part and parcel of being a Norwich supporter - but since the unveiling of Messrs Bowkett and McNally, days of that ilk have been thankfully few and far between. In fact since ‘that’ game against Colchester, they have been virtually non-existent.
With Lee Camp arriving for his second tour of duty, all eyes now turn to City's search for that elusive striker January 24, 2013 - When all is said and done, it appears Hooper is top of the City list and anyone else will be perceived by many as either second-best or a compromise offering. Wholly unfair on anyone who does arrive late in the window and who doesn’t answer to the name Gary (I ...
Farewell to the King of Spain; a decent player but more than that… a thoroughly loyal and decent bloke January 21, 2013 - A confirmed member of the ‘Plymouth Brethren’ – a group of players ‘black-marked’ by Roeder following that 3-0 defeat – he found himself well and truly out of the first-team picture, and was consigned to train and play with the reserves and youth-team.
Anfield was a disaster, but now is not the time for panic… now is the time for clear heads and to re-focus on the task ahead January 20, 2013 - There is no hiding away from the abjectness of yesterday's performance, and even those of us for whom the pint-glass is half-full have struggled to unearth too many positives. But we need to remind ourselves that this is the same group of players who took us all on that terrific ...
Liverpool hit City for another five as one point out of eighteen makes it a very bleak mid-Winter for Team Hughton January 19, 2013 - The first sign that it wasn’t to be City’s afternoon came in the form of the team-sheet, with no sign of Sebastien Bassong – one assumes the result of a late injury or illness. In his place, Ryan Bennett was drafted in to the starting XI - to slot in ...
Liverpool next up for the Canaries as Turner and co look to put right a few of the wrongs from that awful September day January 17, 2013 - One player likely to figure, and who was also part of the September debacle, is Michael Turner. The source of much derision early in his City career – the Liverpool game looming large in his early-season CV – he would almost certainly take the ‘most improved Norwich player’ award if ...
City endure a 'nearly' afternoon against the Toon; one that is best forgotten and consigned swiftly to the annals of history January 13, 2013 - There were a few positives – the obvious one being the clean sheet – and it was important that we ended the four-game run of defeats; but to quote the BBC’s commentator, ‘it was not one that will last long in the memory’. And he wasn’t kidding…
With Newcastle on the horizon it's two members of the 'Old Guard' who could be at the forefront of Chris Hughton's mind January 10, 2013 - As Jonesy would say, those delicate souls ‘don’t like it up ‘em’… and our Holty is just the man for that role. The joint-demolition job done on Newcastle’s makeshift backline by Holt and Steve Morrison last December – when City beat the Toon 4-2 at Carrow Road – was a ...
It's Luton at home in Round Four but first it's eyes down for more of the January transfer window rumour mill January 6, 2013 - In terms of away days, it had everything... terracing, flares, toilet roll, ageing facilities... and was rounded off nicely with a thumping win. Even with eight changes to the starting eleven Chris Hughton's men had more than enough in the tank to easily see off a Posh side missing three ...
City cruise to a comfortable victory at London Road in front of Hughton's truly magnificent, 5000 strong, Yellow Army January 5, 2013 - Goals from Elliott Bennett, Simeon Jackson and Robert Snodgrass were sufficient to see Norwich cruise through to the FA Cup Fourth Round. A comfortable 3-0 win over a hapless Peterborough outfit was no more that City deserved from a game that, for long periods, resembled a training match of the ...
When does a blip become a wobble? Four defeats on the bounce gives Hughton a gentle reminder that work is still to be done January 3, 2013 - Four straight defeats in some quarters have constituted a mini-disaster but, given that the middle two were against the current European and Premier League champions, things are not as bleak as some would have you believe. The two away games - West Brom and West Ham - were undoubtedly in ...
An odd-goal defeat at West Ham for the Canaries as referee Mark Clattenberg again finds himself centre stage January 1, 2013 - Whilst some ponderous defending for West Ham’s second goal was a contributing factor, referee Clattenberg now finds himself in the esteemed company of Messrs D’Urso, Ilderton and Oliver as referees from whom the Canaries can rightly feel a sense of injustice.
A tale of two very different Cities; one that purrs with expensively acquired class and one that fights for its life December 30, 2012 - With Bassong's initial challenge - the one that caused the whole furore - looking to be nothing more than 'meaty', the visitors may now regret making such a fuss. When a tackle of that ilk is deemed worthy of a 'yellow' then football, for me, is getting perilously close to ...
Defeat by the Kings of Europe was undoubtedley disappointing but a little perspective shows just how far we've come December 27, 2012 - The ride we’ve been on had to end at some stage and – as Hughton has reminded us on numerous occasions – we will lose several times this season. It’s always disappointing when it happens and - I can guarantee - doesn’t get any easier to take with age. The ...
Hughton's dignity in defeat speaks volumes of the decent man we now have at the Canary helm December 23, 2012 - At least Barcelona can rest a little easier now they don't have the Canaries breathing down their necks in that well-known European 'top league' form table. I'm sure Messi, Xavi and Iniesta slept so much more soundly on Saturday night.
Canaries fail to make it eleven games undefeated as The Hawthorns proves just one prickly step too far December 22, 2012 - City failed to give the Canary Nation the Christmas present it had hoped for when the unbeaten Premier League run of ten games ended with a narrow 2-1 defeat at West Brom. A header from Romelu Lukaku with just nine minutes remaining forced the visitors to taste league defeat for ...
City's end-of-term report makes good reading, but will the run continue at the Hawthorns? December 21, 2012 - The disappointment of the Capital One cup exit was quickly forgotten as City returned to ‘business as usual’ with that gritty win over Wigan, but if we learnt one thing from the Villa game it was that, minus Wes, we lack a little bit of creativity
Hughton salutes his troops and reminds the Canary Nation that with some belief 'anything is achievable' December 16, 2012 - With the latest instalment of City’s triumphant march through the autumn of 2012 ending in another win, there’s little reason to doubt anything our leader says right now. That some of the aforementioned belief has been instilled in the class of 2012/13 is certainly not in doubt and with the ...
Onwards and upwards; the cup run may be over but just six wins needed to prove TalkSport wrong December 13, 2012 - That we missed the wizardry of Wes is not in question… who wouldn’t. My feeling is that without him we just need to find another way of playing; one that doesn’t rely on the ‘number 10’ role acting as the hub through which everything flows.
Even the return of an old friend can't overshadow a Capital One quarter-final date with the Villa December 10, 2012 - It was a turning point; a day when the new broom did start sweeping clean. It was also one that will furthermore be known simply as ‘game two’, on our record-breaking (number yet to be determined) unbeaten run.
The Canaries emerge victorious from a seven goal thriller at the Liberty… and the run continues December 8, 2012 - Hughton’s enforced changes did little to slow his team’s momentum in the opening period, as they revealed a previously hidden ruthless streak to storm into a 3-0 lead. But for a ten minute spell midway through the first 45, during which a Danny Graham header crashed against Mark Bunn’s crossbar, ...
Hughton's 'back to basics' philosophy and a generous portion of good fortune makes it a priceless eight December 3, 2012 - The Liverpool disaster still brings back painful memories – for me at least – but the progress made in the intervening 66 days is immeasurable. In Chris Hughton’s words the antidote to that, and the marginally better fare served up at Chelsea in the game that followed, was to ‘go ...
A hard-earned point at St Mary's makes it a magnificent seven as the Canary bandwagon trundles on November 29, 2012 - While the performance failed to reach any of the heady heights seen recently at Carrow Road, it was still composed, solid and controlled… just how Hughton likes it. Two banks of four with the full-backs tucked in has proved a hit on the road of late, and last night was ...
Bassong's late-show ticks another box for Team Hughton; and confines a dismal first half showing to annals of history November 25, 2012 - For those of us who've watched and played the game, the first half showing – coming as it did off the back of the Manchester United spine-tingler – didn't come as a complete surprise. I’ll avoid the Lord Mayor cliché, but to produce such a lack-lustre 45 after previously scaling ...
Team Hughton calls it right again; even Sir Alex and the Match of the Day boys agree November 18, 2012 - Last night was a classic case of Team Hughton getting the tricky balance of defence/attack absolutely spot on. To go ‘gung-ho’ against the likes of United leaves you wide open to be picked-off on the counter-attack, and to park the bus merely invites them to further pile the pressure on.
Hughton's decision to build from the back and make City that much harder to beat is reaping its due reward November 12, 2012 - The price being paid is that chances created for Grant Holt and co are currently less plentiful. It’s no coincidence that the last two homes games have been 1-0 wins – but while the points are being accumulated I don’t think there’ll be too many complaints. Hughton’s risk and reward ...
May the football gods opt not to return Reading any favours this weekend; three points for City and we're really flying… November 9, 2012 - For Hughton, the return of Grant Holt – following his opening, five-game sabbatical – and the emergence of one Sebastien Bassong have gone a long way to answer these particular questions. No room for complacency of course, but add Alex Tettey into the mix and there is now promising looking ...
If that's what passes for entertainment at the Britannia then Mr Pulis better start delivering the results, one suspects… November 4, 2012 - The bit that seems to be missing from the Stoke model is that football is an entertainment industry and we, the fans, pay handsomely for the privilege of watching these highly skilled sportsman at work...
Team Hughton delivers again. And delivers a re-union with our old mentor, to boot. Now that will be worth watching… November 2, 2012 - The cliché ‘name on the cup’ is not one I tend to use – makes it sound as if you just need to turn up, do nothing, yet still miraculously appear in the hat for the next round. But it makes you wonder doesn’t it? How else could you explain ...
It might – just – have been honours even on the past and present manager front, but for me the real winners on the day were the Yellow Army… October 28, 2012 - He had to settle for a point against a Villa side that, surprisingly, looked to have improved very little since that desperate visit to Carrow Road on the final day of last season. I wrote back then – following their dire performance and subsequent successful pursuit of our manager - ...
My plea would be for a dignified indifference at Villa Park. Let our football do the talking and bag another three huge points… October 25, 2012 - Chris Hughton and Co will, I predict, remind us that Saturday’s is just another game and – however big we chose to make it - there are still only three points at stake. All true and laudable, except it ISN’T just another game – and there are two million reasons ...
That was a little bit special; a game to long treasure as our Wes inspires a famous City win October 22, 2012 - If that winning feeling wasn't sweet enough, I was reminded during Saturday evening 's triumphant march back over Carrow Bridge that some of the visiting guests - from that North London enclave called, Beccles - were predicting their heroes would put six past us. Oh how wrong...
Hughton has all-too many questions to ponder right now; as for answers, they are all-too rare this autumn… October 18, 2012 - There’s a school of thought – of the old, traditional kind – that says a manager should write his best starting XI on a scrap of paper, shove it out of sight in the bottom drawer of his desk, but then call upon it when the chips are down. Well, ...
Bennett and Rudd left to watch on from the stands as a Dawson penalty hands Pearce's young Lions a slender advantage October 12, 2012 - As an occasion, the folk of Norfolk again did the country proud and it speaks volumes for Norwich City FC that the FA sees Carrow Road as its ‘go to’ venue when a win – and some passionate support – is required. In terms of England’s next crop… the jury ...
Right now we'd all like some swift gain to ease the autumn pain. I might even get the remote control back in my hands… October 9, 2012 - Illogical of course – it is their job after all – but there’s something uncomfortable about hearing criticism of those in yellow from someone who is not one of us. We can say what we like – we’ve paid for the privilege – but this member of the Gowers’ household ...
Holt, briefly, gives the Faithful hope only for the big Blues machine to slip into life and crush City with gears to spare… October 6, 2012 - The home side’s attacking midfield trio continued to pop the ball around with ease and City were forced – for large swathes of the game - to chase shadows. Not easy to watch for the magnificent, travelling Yellow Army but still they roared their team forward as they looked, forlornly, ...
You don't know what you've got until they're gone… Something that City are becoming painfully aware of September 30, 2012 - I guess there may have been a twist if Surman’s shot – in the first minute of the second-half – had gone in. As it happened, TV replays showed that Snodgrass’s intervention didn’t stop the ball going in, but instead probably just saved a photographer’s lens. And as bright spots ...
A heartfelt thanks to Alexander Tettey for giving us a win on a night when we needed it more than most. Bondy would have thought it 'Magic… September 27, 2012 - The number of top level players that passed through his hands during his Carrow Road stint were numerous – too many to mention – but spoke volumes of Bondy’s standing and regard within the game that he got them here. Martin Peters is the obvious one – not too many ...
I'm with the vast majority and am happy to pin a little hope on the cards that Hughton still has left up his sleeve – starting tomorrow night September 25, 2012 - To date, little has been spoken of his fledgling City career, in no small part due to the quiet, unassuming and efficient way the real King of Spain goes about his business. No frills; no dramas; few errors; few misplaced passes and a left foot that can open a tin ...
Goal-shy City slip nearer the bottom three as Norwich's inability to make possession count continues to haunt new boss Hughton September 23, 2012 - The first hiccup of the day arrived in the form of an injury to a key player. Sebastien Bassong’s return to Tyneside was short-lived when he pulled up following a forward foray for a corner, with what looked to be hamstring pull. Such has been the Cameroonian’s impact early on ...
For now I'll take the clean sheet and trust that between Messrs Hughton, Holt and Kane the goals will start to flow… September 16, 2012 - As ever, the trick is to find a system that gives us defensive solidity, while still retaining a cutting edge going forward. Finding the net presented us with few problems last season and it has been well documented that outside of the top six we were the top scorers...
That 'little ol Norwich' tag is one that we can do without; I think we have moved beyond that of late, Mr Shearer… September 12, 2012 - Where the MOTD boys let themselves down, in my eyes, is their failure to justify some of their dismissive put-downs. A prime example is the classic ‘Norwich will find it difficult this season’, shortly followed by ‘QPR’ will be fine...
All credit to Rob Butler – he called this weekend's events at The Lane to perfection. The Chris Hughton era starts here… September 2, 2012 - From minute one to minute ninety-four we were the better side, showed the greater desire, created more chances and even passed the ball better than our North London hosts. There were good performances all across the park but special mention should go to Bradley Johnson who has responded magnificently to ...
The invite to the third round was the point of proceedings, even if it proved something of a mixed bag August 29, 2012 - 'As we all know, the be all and end all of cup competition is to get yourself in the hat for the next round – and this was achieved without risking injury to the likely starting XI at White Hart Lane. Very much of a case of ‘Job done!’ I’d ...
Fair to say that was just like the best of times, until Mr Clattenburg decided that he had a big decision to make… August 27, 2012 - The goal itself was a beauty and I understand even had Paul Merson eulogising on Sky Sports (quite an achievement for us). The one-touch passing and Anthony Pilkington's perfect cross was a joy to watch, and as Simeon Jackson's header hit the back of the net the relief around the ...
Out-played and out-gunned in every area of the park. As opening days go, that one was right down there with the worst of them… August 19, 2012 - Between three and five o’clock I’m afraid to say our heroes in yellow and green fell foul of my wrath. No lack of effort I grant you, but how dare they provide Messrs Redknapp (J), Merson and Co with ammunition to back up their poorly researched and feeble opinions...
Hughton appears to have decided on his opening hand; now to take a little of that Olympian spirit down by the Thames August 14, 2012 - With Chris Hughton starting with the same XI for the final two warm-up games it does not take a genius to work out his thinking. In order to best accommodate the skills of Robert Snodgrass he looks to be toying with the idea of playing Holt up top on his ...
Ajax delivered yet another lesson in the art of keeping the ball; when English football will ever learn to do the same is a moot point August 2, 2012 - Such was the comfort with which they retained possession – even allowing for the relatively modest pre-season tempo – there were most likely occasions when the fourth official must have been tempted to throw on another ball for City to play with...
Can James Vaughan finally be the man for this season? Does destiny finally call that teenage sprint sensation? July 26, 2012 - But here is a lad who could reportedly run the 100m in 11.5 seconds as a 13 year-old – the fastest for that age group in the country at the time. And now we’re not asking him to be lightening over 100m… just 20m will do fine, especially if that ...
If we are entering an era of 'No more Mr Nice Guys…' – be it in the boardroom or dressing room – that suits me just fine… July 19, 2012 - Either way, there is no denying that these are heady days to be a City fan. (I hesitated to use the word heady as the last time I heard this used by a Norwich supporter was in a Munich bar soon after that 2-1 win, and we all know the ...
Hughton's evident comfort in the summer transfer market merely deepening the supporters trust in the new man at the Canary helm July 8, 2012 - It was clear from his first Press conference as a Norwich City employee that Hughton knew the value of Holt to the club and, in many ways, from that moment the die was cast. The new manager’s determined yet gentle aura impressed many at that first outing and it’s fair ...
Hughton makes the very most of Rangers' sorry state to snap up Whittaker. The transfer wheel begins to spin… June 30, 2012 - A solid, versatile defender who has played for his country over 20 times, he clearly ticks many of the boxes on the Hughton checklist - not least adding some experience to a relatively young back line now minus the know-how of ‘Hall of Famer’, Adam Drury...
I strongly suspect that many a water will have passed beneath the bridge before Lambert finally makes his return to Norfolk next season… June 18, 2012 - On that basis, it’s difficult to read too much into the Premier League’s latest offering other than to conclude that we need to reach the 40-point mark before the final game of the season – only a complete masochist would want to rely on three points at the Etihad on ...
With City home and hosed on the manager front, time to sit back, relax and watch the others go for a spin on the merry-go-round June 14, 2012 - The fact that McNally and co did their business so early and so clinically should now count as a blessing, as they now have the rest of the close-season to prepare for 2012/13 with a degree of comfort and stability....
Team Hughton suits me down to the ground. The fact that it includes Mr Chester's return can only bode well, too. June 8, 2012 - That he's now already seen as an integral part of 'Team Hughton' speaks volumes for his standing within the game. The bloke clearly knows a good player when he sees one and we're lucky to have him back....
McNally's stock rising ever higher as he and Bowkett pick their way through this summer's manager minefield June 5, 2012 - Unlike our former manager, our current chief executive does indeed appear to have the canny knack of saying just what we want to hear - even more canny when it just so happens to be the right thing at the right time...
You have to salute the Celtic hordes; they are a breed apart. That said, we proud North Folk need to stay true to our own roots… May 27, 2012 - Some argue that On The Ball City is something of a dirge, but to all those doubters - be proud that we have a song that resonates so deeply with us, and us alone. Yes, it may be considered a bit of a dirge, but it's our dirge...
Despite what many people think, it’s not all about the Premier League you know. And here is why… March 10, 2010 - I for one believe last season’s relegation to League One couldn’t have been better timed. For now, the Premier League is a place City are best out of – for it is there where debt levels could run into club-threatening proportions. This year, more than most, England’s top division seems ...
Despite what many people think, it's not all about the Premier League you know. And here is why… March 10, 2010 - I for one believe last season’s relegation to League One couldn’t have been better timed. For now, the Premier League is a place City are best out of – for it is there where debt levels could run into club-threatening proportions. This year, more than most, England’s top division seems ...

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