Stewart Lewis

It MAY be attractive and safe to resume. That’s fine for some – but should it be? May 14, 2020 - Today’s piece is a divergence from my norm. It may not show, but I do usually try to write something vaguely coherent and joined-up. No pretence of that today. Rather, it’s a random set of thoughts around a common issue: the Restart, or not, of football. Each thought leads to ...
In the world of the Premier League, some are MUCH more equal than others May 2, 2020 - Are you sitting comfortably? Yes? Let me try to change that. Or at least, to paint a familiar picture in some more vivid colours. In a discussion on another forum about pay cuts and furloughing staff, I gently ventured the view that some Premier Clubs were in a different position ...
Heroes on the pitch and also in our hearts. Yes, the Canaries have produced many April 3, 2020 - Malcolm Robertson’s recent reminiscences here about his favourite City players over the years set many of us thinking. Fortunately, there are plenty to go around, special players in one way or another who we’ve watched in the Canary colours (albeit in a variety of shirts). Some are genuinely outstanding talents. ...
Webber and Farke still committed to Norwich City – a club that’s “going places” February 21, 2020 - I’m going to make a leap here. I’m taking as read that most of us like Stuart Webber and Daniel Farke, and want them to be motivated to stay and keep working for Norwich City. No need to re-hash the detailed reasons why. Suffice to remind ourselves that they inherited ...
“You don’t know what you’re doing”. Perhaps true of City in the past, but not now January 14, 2020 - I’ve been pondering a mystery. No - not why I’m still overweight and unfit. Little mystery about that, I’m afraid. The mystery is this. City are bottom of the table, with 3 wins out of 22, and relegation is all-but-certain. I’m disappointed, of course – but why am I not ...
A lousy day at the seaside. But not the only way to judge City’s future November 5, 2019 - This is my first article for a while. Some of you will know the reason: I was looking after my wife through illness, an illness that eventually took her life in September. Fortunately, the quality of writing on this site means I haven’t been missed (except, apparently, by the editor’s ...
Luton 1, Norwich 5. Eric Morecambe wouldn’t have enjoyed it, but 642 of us did July 29, 2019 - It’s easy to read too much into pre-season games. Perhaps especially this time: in football even more than in geography, it’s a long way from Luton to Liverpool. And yet – for those us getting a first look at the 2019-20 Canaries, it’s not unreasonable to look for some pointers. ...
TV WEEK: From the Doctor to the Inspector – with kidnapping and the Spanish Inquisition along the way… June 4, 2019 - Being of a similar vintage to Martin Penney, I share many of the TV memories he so vividly conjured up a few days ago. And a few different ones. In very young days I certainly watched Andy Pandy and the Flowerpot Men. I’ll resist the temptation to compare their dialogue ...
Keys to the Championship? Tight defence, and don’t play kids. But that was all BF May 9, 2019 - Yes, I did say BF. Before Farke. There are still practitioners of the traditional approach, notably Tony Pulis at Middlesbrough. All season he fielded experienced players, several of whom individually cost more than our entire team. And true to his principles, they conceded 16 fewer goals than we did. They ...
Always a joy when good guys and the beautiful game prevail. And now it’s OUR good guys and OUR beautiful game? April 30, 2019 - I’m going to need some help today. Not because of celebratory after-effects – understandable as that might be – but because my words simply aren’t good enough to describe the achievements of this Norwich City team and the feelings they’ve inspired in us. I’ll need to borrow some words from ...
Norwich City’s 2018-19 season? It’s like something out of a movie… April 23, 2019 - As I write, we’re not promoted – but we’re very close. In the end, the reason we’re close is a difference between ourselves and Leeds. Nothing to do with fluent football; all to do with character. In the cauldron of promotion and facing dogged opponents, we’ve dug deep and kept ...
The blueprint for Norwich City’s success – and you heard it here March 26, 2019 - It’s almost two years since I interviewed Stuart Webber for these pages. It was before we appointed – and in most cases before we’d ever heard of - Daniel Farke. We now know that Daniel was top of Stuart’s list, but very different names were on our lips. Thank goodness ...
Norwich City, your examination starts now. Please put all calculators away March 5, 2019 - I’ve an important message to help my fellow Norwich fans preserve their sanity. Do as I say, not as I do. Are you scouring the remaining fixtures, trying to assess how many points we’ll get from each game, then doing the same for our rivals and attempting to work out ...
Dramatic highs and lows over the past decade – but success this season would top the lot February 20, 2019 - Someone recently said to me: “You must really be happy – City top of the league, and you predicted it all”. If only. They were referring to an article I wrote here on 5 September after the 1-1 draw at Portman Road. In it, I argued for patience with Daniel ...
Special City teams, the changing Premier League – and why we need technology January 23, 2019 - As regular readers will recall, I sometimes like to start articles with a trivia question related to something I’m going to discuss. Today’s is this: of the 22 clubs in the inaugural Premier League (1992-93), how many are still in the PL today? As a secondary: are any of them ...
We know about lies, damn lies and statistics – but sometimes stats DO tell the story December 18, 2018 - As I write, City have played 22 league games out of 46. A fair point for a half-time review. Others have given well-deserved praise to individual players, and to Daniel Farke and his coaching staff. I’ll take a slightly more statistical slant. But first, a question to ponder while you ...
Daniel Farke may be getting national recognition, but I still have a thing or two to teach him November 15, 2018 - That headline may be greeted with open-mouthed incredulity - especially by the Capital Canaries players I managed in the West Fulham Sunday League. But I stand by it. You see, Daniel doesn’t always get it right. He’ll sometimes say, for instance, that he’s “pretty pleased” when he clearly means he’s ...
Farewell to Steve Stone. He saw us through turbulence to calmer waters, and with a smile October 12, 2018 - A disclaimer to begin: this is neither an investigative article nor a gossip column. I’ve no scoop on the reasons behind Steve Stone leaving the club. My speculation would have the same validity as everyone else’s (ie. very little). However, Steve has been a key part of Norwich City’s journey ...
Against the odds, City find form and harmony – and the opposite elsewhere. It’s all rather paradoxical October 10, 2018 - How quaint the ways of paradox At common sense she gaily mocks Readers of a certain age and schooling will instantly recognize The Pirates of Penzance. Gilbert’s paradox, in that case, involved contracts and birthdays, but he might just as well have been talking about football. In particular the past few ...
The Nest is progressing and we should be proud of it. Now it just needs a little more feathering September 18, 2018 - You may think, as I did, that you know the Community Sports Foundation. And you may be, as I was, a bit wrong. I thought CSF was largely, if not exclusively, about giving young people a chance to play sports. Nothing wrong with that, of course – but it turns ...
Win, lose or draw – for the moment, let’s hold off judgement on Daniel Farke September 5, 2018 - I could have written this article last week, or the week before. Your expression at this point may be similar to my wife’s. “What??? City play a derby, and it makes no difference to what you think?” Nope. The bottom line is this: I said before the season we should give ...
PNE PREVIEW: Alex and his mojo, a club on the up and yet another ex-City keeper at Carrow Road August 21, 2018 - With Preston the next visitors to Carrow Road and City desperate for that first win, I spoke to Dave Seddon, lifelong PNE fan and sports journalist with the Lancashire Evening Post... *** First, Dave, thanks for joining us. An obvious point of interest for Norwich fans is seeing Alex Neil ...
The challenge of creating Fortress Carrow Road – and the pros and cons of social media August 9, 2018 - “Were they at the same game?” It’s a question we might well ask of the EFL specialist paper (!) which reported City coming back “from 2-0 down” at Birmingham. But it’s also a question that springs to mind reading social media and online forums – and indeed, reaction to Gary’s ...
LUTON REPORT: The skirmishes are almost over. Farke is preparing his troops for battle July 26, 2018 - One of my clients once decided to carry out a worldwide survey of its staff. As consultant to the project, I was to join the third meeting of the Working Party. This sounded interesting, not least because the first two meetings had been in Rio de Janeiro and Singapore. So, ...
Plenty to discuss about Norwich City on this forum. But not just here…. July 18, 2018 - Certain thoughts are better left unthunk - Woody Allen I have a really bad idea. If I follow it through, I’m on a hiding to nothing. Yet it’s fair and right. And having thunk it, I can’t unthunk it. It concerns my wife and Norwich City. ...
“It’s a pleasure to be here”. Jordan, I hope the pleasure will be ours July 10, 2018 - I confess: I have a bias here. If there’s one player I’ve coveted for Norwich City longer than I did Dean Windass, it’s Jordan Rhodes. For most of the past decade, I’ve yearned to see him in a City shirt. In our Premier League days we could probably have afforded ...
Our family: fractious and overwrought at times, but bound by a fierce and shared passion June 29, 2018 - Family love is messy, clinging, and of an annoying and repetitive pattern - like bad wallpaper P.J. O’Rourke Norwich City forums, even ours, fit the description painfully well. A visiting Martian coming to MFW (as he no doubt would) might be forgiven for missing that we’re drawn together by a ...
MUSIC WEEK: A journey from ABBA to Wagner, with some Bs along the way June 1, 2018 - The music I love comes with surrounding stories – tales of excess, groupies, illicit relationships, drugs and early death. Yes, it’s classical music. But first, following in the footsteps of my fellow writers, a bit of nostalgia for the music of my formative years. Given the attractions of nostalgia, I ...
Stand by for some more unknown quantities joining Norwich – and for youth having its fling May 22, 2018 - Well, here we go. The transfer window is open, from now til 9 August. Stuart Webber, we know, has been making his plans for some time and laying whatever groundwork he can. Though we have a spectrum of views about the state of our club, I think we all share ...
Growing old irresponsibly, chess strategy and the challenges facing Norwich City May 10, 2018 - Much as I’d like to cling on to a different view, the truth has become inescapable. I’m old. (You didn’t think I was going to turn against our club there, did you? I’ll come back to that, but for now….) The players I now watch in the yellow-and-green could be ...
Not a memorable season on the field. But a historic one, with its share of highs and lows April 24, 2018 - OK, let’s get this first bit over with. The changes at Norwich City a year ago were far more radical than the club had ever made before; more radical than most clubs will ever make. In the wake of that, an up-and-down first season was inevitable. The good and bad ...
Why it’s natural to be apprehensive about next season. And perhaps a few reasons to be cheerful April 13, 2018 - In turbulent times it’s good to find something to smile about. I’ve come across a couple this week. In the “you couldn’t make it up” category, there was Neil Warnock’s lecture to the Wolves manager on behaving with class and dignity. Hmm… The other was a story that happened a ...
Just a matter of time. But time has its mysteries, in life and football April 4, 2018 - With the recent death of Stephen Hawking, it’s perhaps an appropriate moment to reflect on the nature of time - and its particular, sometimes downright peculiar, part in our football experience. These musings are prompted not just by Professor Hawking’s passing, but also by a rather haunting little book I’ve ...
We all love a tryer – especially if he’s wearing the yellow and green March 27, 2018 - I’m writing this column from just outside Tampa Bay. No, I didn’t win the half-time competition at Carrow Road. It’s a mini family reunion, happily in the warmth of Florida. (In part, and somewhat scarily, it’s to celebrate my ‘little’ goddaughter’s 30th birthday.) I don’t know about the players, but ...
The Good, the Bard and the Ugly. Or, Hamlet’s dilemma with a football fans’ forum March 15, 2018 - In case you missed the news, it’s Shakespeare Week. An idea that would have amused the Bard no end, I suspect. In a way, it’s surprising the authorities are so keen for us to study Shakespeare. His most famous plays involve witchcraft and bumping off the royal family (Macbeth), gang ...
FOREST PREVIEW: A team striving to be on the up, and the return of a Carrow Road panto villain March 5, 2018 - Nottingham Forest is one of the clubs where foreign ownership has not fulfilled fans’ expectations or restored former glories. But it’s seen significant developments since City’s visit to the City Ground in November – in particular, sacking Mark Warburton and replacing him in January with a familiar figure, former Middlesbrough ...
Norwich City, The Pride of Anglia? In one instance, that and much more February 27, 2018 - A question. What would you do if you were running a charity that was one of the biggest of its kind, admired by all who come across it, making a real difference to the lives of 38,000 people a year? You might reasonably take a breather and pat yourself on ...
The vagaries of the Championship, what it takes to succeed, and a big question: is Dan the Man? January 25, 2018 - A word of advice for any would-be MFW writer. In a nutshell: go for it! It’s fun, and in Gary Gowers we have an editor who’s unfailingly sympathetic, flexible and supportive. Well, almost unfailingly. You need to know that every year there’s one day of complete embarrassment and ritual humiliation ...
In life, and especially football, we seek the quick fix. But sometimes there’s no alternative to re-building January 17, 2018 - I’ve contributed less than usual to this forum over the last few weeks. Unfortunately, I’ve been occupied by the serious illness – in one case terminal – of my mum and brother. I mention that not for sympathy (it’s a rare blip in a happy and fortunate life), but because it ...
You may say that I’m a dreamer. And in this case, very likely the only one… December 13, 2017 - My university tutor was a pioneer in the field of semiotics. If I’d spent less of my time on extra-curricular activities, I’d perhaps be able to tell you exactly what it is. But it’s something to do with the process of signs and meanings. Highly relevant, then, in considering our ...
Tough times. But if we were going to abandon Norwich City, perhaps it should have been last year December 7, 2017 - Like many City fans, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting about our club. I’ve seen numerous fans signalling their disillusionment, and/or saying they’ve fallen out of love with the club. Some of them are people I know and for whom I have great respect; all of them I understand. ...
Caller, you’re on the Norwich City phone-in with Stewart Lewis. This had better be good… November 11, 2017 - Despite my quibbles with Rob Butler, it’s probably good that I don’t host Canary Call. For one thing, it’s not as easy as it looks. You only appreciate the skills involved if you have a go at something similar yourself. Secondly, though, I wouldn’t show the forbearance that Rob does ...
The destination (so far) may be no surprise. But the journey has been dramatic – and it’s only just started October 26, 2017 - Every season has its twists and turns, but I can’t think of another one quite like this. If I’d somehow been incommunicado for the past two-and-a-half months - say, abducted by aliens for sexual experimentation - the first thing to do on returning would of course be to check the ...
How to get a sensible perspective on Norwich City? Keep calm and listen to Stuart Webber October 11, 2017 - I’m never sure whether travel actually broadens the mind, but I enjoy it. It certainly refreshes the mind to experience new places and people, to take in different cultures. And, inevitably, to find creative ways of following the fortunes of Norwich City. Advances in technology have reduced the need for ...
If only age brought wisdom. But I’ll carry on wearing the shirt and working on it September 14, 2017 - A few days ago we had a personal piece here from one of MFW’s brilliant young writers, Connor Southwell. It made me reflect on my view from the other end of the spectrum. So I’ll get to the Canaries today, if you’ll bear with a few initial observations on “what’s ...
In life and football, it’s important to have a plan – and know when to adjust it September 4, 2017 - I’m not creative. No false modesty there – it’s unquestionably true. Give me the mechanical mental processing tasks that used to be the core of IQ tests, and I’ll do fine. Ask me to name twenty uses for a flowerpot, though, and you can come back an hour later to ...
Millwall: the beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning? We’ll see August 28, 2017 - Seeing my name at the top of today’s column, some may be thinking “Right – it’s Stewart the Optimist. What’s he got to say for himself now?” Well, you deserve for me to say something, and something I can say with honesty. Our editor Gary is always indulgent with his ...
Patience under pressure isn’t just a virtue – it’s a way we can tangibly help our club to succeed August 22, 2017 - Yitzhak Rabin was a tough soldier, rising through the ranks to become Israel’s Chief of the General Staff. When he became Prime Minister, though, he devoted much of his time to exploring a peace deal with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Though ultimately unsuccessful, their efforts won them the Nobel Peace ...
Villa preview: Brucie, JT, past glories, present unpredictabilities, and an analogue club in a digital age August 18, 2017 - To set us up for the game at Villa, I spoke to Andrew Raeburn. A Villa fan for 20 years, Andrew is a freelance sports journalist and commentator; among other things, he contributes to BBC Sport Online, West London Sport and WhoScored. As you’ll see, Andrew does not look at ...
A hungry, organized and passionate Norwich City team – just as we were promised August 8, 2017 - I’ve fallen behind. That statement could apply to many facets of life – particularly those involving technology – but in this case I’m thinking of the writers on this site. Through the summer my fellow columnists have produced incisive analysis of tactics, formations and the Championship contenders, while I’ve been ...
The best in the land? Well by one measure we certainly are, and that’s about to take another leap August 2, 2017 - By kind permission of the club, our friends at Along Come Norwich and Stewart Lewis of MFW spoke to club director Tom Smith at the former Anglian Windows Sports & Social Club, now acquired by the Community Sports Foundation. Today’s piece focuses on CSF and that project; a further article will cover ...
Students, socialists and a game of four quarters – my past and present Cambridge world July 17, 2017 - My dad’s father was unquestionably clever enough to go to university, but his poor background gave him no chance. He worked as a docker in Yarmouth until bad health forced him to stop. My dad was equally clearly a university candidate, but the outbreak of World War II prevented it. ...
Leadership comes in different forms – it’s unmistakeable and it’s now in evidence at Norwich City July 6, 2017 - “Nearly all men can stand adversity. But if you want to test a man’s character, give him power” Abraham Lincoln I won’t take this into a discussion of our current political leaders, tempting as that might be. Suffice to say, perhaps, that Lincoln himself passed the test with flying colours. The ...
Ups and downs of following City on the road – which includes a brush with the very long arm of the law June 22, 2017 - The publication of the 2016/17 Championship fixture list naturally brought two questions to mind: - What’s the ideal question to ask the Prime Minister at PMQs? – Was Robert Louis Stevenson a Norwich fan? I didn’t have much time for William Hague as Leader of the Opposition. But I later heard him ...
Money can buy footballers. But it’s less good than we think at buying satisfaction and/or pure happiness June 17, 2017 - Today, just a quick re-cap on where things stand at Carrow Road. Then let’s move on to other important matters – in particular money, envy and (unrelated to the other two) my birthday. Current developments at Norwich warrant at least our interest, and possibly a bit of excitement (though Dave ...
Only the very committed will wear the City shirt next season. And they’ll have to earn their money June 7, 2017 - Deep breath…. I said a few weeks ago that Stuart Webber would test our faith by letting some of our favourite players go. Little did I realize the test would come so soon and so personally. My favourite player, Jonny Howson, seems destined to be gone before we see our ...
Momentum builds at City as Stuart Webber stays true to his word and finds us a ‘youth focused, dynamic, risk-taker’ May 31, 2017 - Stuart Webber could be forgiven a quiet smile. While the rest of us immersed ourselves in speculation about Rosler, Monk, O’Neill, Keller and assorted others, he quietly went about sealing the deal to secure his number one target. He smiled sweetly as other names were put to him. I saw ...
The first shots have been fired. Now time to trust in Webber and his clinical analysis of the current squad May 18, 2017 - If we want a more competitive Norwich team next season we’ll have to put some trust in Webber’s dispassionate analysis. Most of us would love to see Mitchell Dijks starting at left back in August. If he’s been won over by the charms of Norfolk, it would be frustrating for ...
We’ve seen the start – but there’s more in Stuart Webber’s path, including some sacred cows May 10, 2017 - While there’ll no doubt be a major turnover of players at Norwich this summer, it would be absolutely wrong to describe it as a ‘fire sale’ – that is, a situation in which you’re looking to sell any asset you possibly can to raise money. We are not QPR of ...
Exclusive: Steve Stone talks Stuart Webber, structure, ownership and the way forward for Norwich City FC May 1, 2017 - "It’s obviously easier if someone’s dumping a lot of cash in, as long as you’ve got the right structure. But I absolutely think it’s sustainable to be in the Premier League with the funding structure we have, if we’ve got the right set-up to spend the money properly."
The shape of things to come: Stuart Webber shares his thoughts on football and Norwich City April 24, 2017 - "If you’ve got the right coach, you sign the right mentality of player and get them in early, it gives you six weeks for them to gel. Because our identity and the way we played was so nailed at Huddersfield, it was easy from a tactical point of view for ...
Is our Norwich City debate all about opinions? Well, mostly – but truth and untruth are out there too April 11, 2017 - We often agree that most of our football discussion comes down to opinion. Should City start with Jerome or Oliveira? How many games should Wes be asked to play? Who is our worst central defender? We can debate all those and more.
Getting there: agreement, disagreement and the fine art of negotiation, from domestic to City April 4, 2017 - Interesting as the new Sporting Director (and for some of us, the process of getting him) is, the real excitement will come with the appointment of a Head Coach. Given Webber’s track record, it should be exciting even if we’ve never heard of him. It will bring to life the ...
The club finally appears to be on the right track – but must we, and should we, leave it to next season? March 29, 2017 - Whenever we get back to the Premier League we’ll need to use a big chunk of the income to strengthen the squad (i.e. what we failed to do in summer 2015). However smart our recruitment this summer, we’re simply not in a financial position now to build a PL team. ...
Fine margins and rub of the green – facts of life. But we can still give ourselves the best chance of success March 22, 2017 - Our owners shouldn’t be closed to outside investment. It’s my understanding that Delia’s Times interview and Michael’s comments at the AGM were borne of frustration at previous attempts to find investors, and came over as more closed and definitive than they actually are.
Some things that we should pay attention to: our club’s structure, its values, ethos – and Mick Dennis March 16, 2017 - It has to evolve and change over time. Giving David McNally free rein to supervise and intervene in every aspect of the club’s operation was crucial (as was Bowkett’s re-negotiation of our debt) in steering the club away from disaster in 2009. But it’s not the right way for Norwich ...
Politics, football and Strictly: the three domains of our Ed, and where a week remains a very long time March 13, 2017 - Relegation reduced City’s income by around half. The club’s good housekeeping, the relegation clauses in its contracts and parachute payments have helped to mitigate the situation, but they don’t fill the gap.
What we needed was Lionhearts in yellow. Instead we were presented with The Owls and The Pussycat March 7, 2017 - Undoubtedly the issues go further than the manager. But who can deny the manager is a significant part of the problem? Mathematically we can still make the play-offs, but under the current arrangements there’s no chance of the sustained form it would take.
A stressful season for all associated with Norwich City. But reports of its death may be exaggerated March 1, 2017 - We’ve had few problems scoring this season, but a shocking rate of goals at the other end. Quietly, however, it’s been improving. In the last ten league games of 2016 we conceded 18; in the ten of 2017, we’ve conceded just 11.
A thoroughly miserable day for City fans. But have our play-off hopes really gone for a Burton? February 21, 2017 - Maths isn’t the issue. The issue is form. Stepping back from the disappointment of the weekend, that’s surely open to different interpretations. Burton was another unsatisfactory day; more performances like that will clearly prove the pessimists right. And unless we improve our away record, we’ll fall short.
No doubt travel broadens the mind – but come matchday, mine doesn’t stray far from Norwich City February 15, 2017 - We had an exceptional run from February in 2015. However, we don’t actually need to replicate it. We finished third and but for a couple of late slips, we might well have grabbed one of the automatic spots. We were eight points clear of the team who took the last ...
To renew or not to renew, that is the current question. Reflecting on the slings and arrows of City fortunes January 25, 2017 - There’s no doubt in my mind that the Board is well aware of fans’ feelings, and would rather go with them than against them. The situation is that the Board – rightly or wrongly - genuinely believe in their path. On that basis they’re prepared to defy the fans’ wishes...
An article of two halves. In the second, why a Fouth Round tie with the Gunners is a possibility January 17, 2017 - The Board may feel fate has dealt them a cruel card with that fixture, and the obvious contrast in mood between Lambert’s time at Carrow Road and now. Rather than fate dealing the blow, though, I’m afraid they need to recognise it’s become a self-inflected one.
How might a psychoanalyst assess the state of Norwich City right now? Here’s a bit of amateur speculation… January 12, 2017 - The Board is not powerless here. It could have ‘bitten the bullet’ and dismissed AN; for various reasons it has not taken that course. Having retained him, it could now act to make the second outcome more likely than the first.
With a tweak or three this squad is good enough to challenge but the doubts still niggle January 6, 2017 - Two diseases in football show very similar symptoms - so similar that it’s easy to get the diagnosis wrong. One is lack of commitment (also known as “not playing for the manager”, “lost the dressing room” etc). The other is lack of confidence.
United against a common enemy. Sadly, that enemy is now the board of Norwich City Football Club December 28, 2016 - In the five weeks since the AGM (a very long time in a crisis), we’ve heard nothing from the board. I can imagine and understand their unwillingness to get embroiled in unsatisfactory debate – but silence is even more unsatisfactory. But what won’t do are platitudes.
After Villa and Huddersfield it’s time for hard (re-)evaluation. My open letters to Neil and Moxey December 19, 2016 - "You’ve been under intense pressure for the past twelve months. The way you’ve conducted yourself has been, in my view, admirable. But being the proud man you are, you may be the last to recognise that a break would benefit you."
A flawed team selection at Barnsley and therefore time to roll the dice? Or is essence of the old Alex still there? December 12, 2016 - To my mind nothing before this season raised serious questions over Alex Neil's ability, or the desirability of our keeping him. I was with the majority of Carrow Road in acclaiming him at the end of the Watford game in May.
Think City’s recent form has been ‘embarrassing’? I’ll tell you what embarrassing really is…… December 6, 2016 - Alex Pritchard is a quality playmaker, the rightful heir to Wes. His Ozil-like through ball to Robbie Brady for our third was an absolute joy; nice to think we have on our books the two best Number 10s outside the Premier League.
Question: should ‘opinion’ be binding? Maybe owners (and politicians) should just do what they think is right November 28, 2016 - Closer to home, while David McNally was in post I wrote a number of pieces here in praise, or defence, of him. The great bulk of readers’ comments were negative, often vehement in their attack on me, McNally or both.
Conspiracy theories are the last thing we need right now. Instead clear thinking is what’s needed November 22, 2016 - I’d still wait through at least the Derby game, to see if the spirited last 20 minutes at QPR can be carried into a full match. Another insipid performance, though, and it would be tough to argue against change.
Things aren’t always as they seem. In the end, it’s not how they look but whether they work November 15, 2016 - I missed the Leeds game but have seen the goals we conceded. Even on just those three clips, our players conspicuously failed to challenge and put their bodies on the line as we’d expect. However reasonable or unreasonable other expectations are, that one is non-negotiable.
Pretty sure I know the questions. I just seem to have more trouble than other people with the answers November 9, 2016 - Delia and Michael gradually handed McNally a deciding say in issues – the replacement of Neil Adams by Alex Neil perhaps the most striking example. They recognise the sentimental element of their attachment to the club, and why it sometimes needs to be overridden by tough judgement.
The Year of Discontent has already claimed many victims – should Alex Neil be another one? October 31, 2016 - Fulham and Cardiff illustrated the psychological difficulty of bouncing back after relegation. It explains why three out of four clubs don’t, and it’s graphically described by Adam Drury in his excellent chapter of Tales from the City Volume 2.
Gorleston, Watford and beyond – my crossing paths with a City great, and a missing piece of the jigsaw October 24, 2016 - Stringer was a right back converted to central defender. He played alongside Duncan Forbes, whose aggression and strength made him the eye-catching one.
Obsession, love and commitment – who says football doesn’t bring out the best in us? October 17, 2016 - At Norwich these days, of course, we do have something special to feel good about: goals and wins. After 12 games the table doesn’t lie – and we sit at the top of it.
How Leicester won the title, how to keep Norwich City players happy – and the price of mental fragility October 10, 2016 - We all know of ‘mind games’, especially between managers: their aim is to disturb the focus and equilibrium of the opponent, just as a good striker drags opposition defenders into areas they don’t want to be in.
Swearing, tension, frayed nerves and the odd triumph – all part of the rich tapestry of being a City supporter October 5, 2016 - On opening day he said we’d cause opponents a lot of problems. The constant question from fans during the transfer window – “where will the goals come from?” – has been emphatically answered with 21 in the first 11 games.
Those ‘Eureka’ moments: Gravity, Big Bang, Black Holes and two enlightening trips to Nottingham and Merseyside September 21, 2016 - The now famous (infamous?) dressing-room picture after the game suggested that the players knew they’d done something special, and perhaps taken an important step on the path to success. Early days still, of course, but they proved to us – and to themselves – that they could rise to a ...
City and Brexit collide: looking ahead we can tell you with absolute certainty… it’s as clear as mud September 13, 2016 - I just hope the person leaving in front of me on Saturday and muttering about Jacob Murphy is in a small minority. We’ll need different ways to break down opponents this season, and the Murphys have a special ability to take on defenders.
The going’s tough at Norwich City right now – so now it’s time for our own tough guy to show his mettle September 6, 2016 - No-one could say that Alex has had an easy time of it. After sweeping all before him in the Championship, he had a real baptism of fire in the Premier League – a 34 year old, with the most modest squad in the division, taking on the world’s elite.
An isolated sneeze, or signs of pneumonia? Now up to City to show us how Birmingham was just a one-off August 30, 2016 - Our Board, recruitment team and manager have been written-off as not fit for purpose. Some would like to see all three, not just our chairman, waltz off into the sunset.
A little shot of perspective for those who view their Championship glass as being all-but empty August 22, 2016 - While it may not take 200 years to judge the current season, it’s certainly still early days. That hasn’t stopped City fans taking to social media to give a range of verdicts. It seems their glasses vary from brimming over to the thinnest of dregs. A bit of perspective may ...
How to first recognise and then applaud those characters in life that stay true to themselves… August 15, 2016 - Wes is much the same. From the Sheffield Wednesday game, you could produce a two-minute video making Wes look a complete liability. You could also produce one making him look a world-beating playmaker...
Striking the right balance: a story of squads, risk management and Swans (no, not those from Wales) August 2, 2016 - Football is littered with examples, from Leeds to Portsmouth to QPR, of clubs over-stretching and setting themselves back years. Because many of our fans seem oblivious to those dangers, some of us are tempted to keep reminding them at the risk of sounding like spoilsports who’ll settle for less than ...
What does it really take to escape the Championship? Never mind the quality, but feel that attitude July 20, 2016 - Quality matters, but – as Paul Lambert showed in his one Championship season with us – not as much as mentality. A relegated team has got used to losing, whatever its quality, unless it can shake off that mindset, is going to be vulnerable to hungrier and mentally more positive ...
Forget the Euros and Olympics – it’s City’s transfer business that will keep us occupied this summer May 18, 2016 - I’ve seen suggestions from fans about our summer business, including some who want to keep all our top earners and most valuable assets, then add some. Unless Bournemouth’s billionaire suddenly feels an irresistible urge to relocate to Norfolk, that’s not happening.
The end of a season and an era, a team not quite good enough and how lonely it can be at the top of the tree May 10, 2016 - Faced with the inevitability of City’s relegation, he will have turned in on his own role. The clear shortcomings of player recruitment, especially in the summer, are at his door. He’ll have felt, I suspect, that he let us down.
If it’s pain and frustration you want, football is the right place to be. We’ve just had more than our fair share lately May 4, 2016 - At least 85 per cent of football fans will finish this season frustrated. Television will show celebrations from across the leagues, but the norm is actually despair and recrimination.
A Comedy of Errors, a Tragedy, or All’s Well that ends Well? Trying to make sense of City’s prospects April 27, 2016 - The coming weekend may be difficult for us. The season climax always brings unexpected results, but in theory our rivals’ games are easier than ours this time, and we may find ourselves deep in the bottom three by Saturday night.
Allardyce may be in Wonderland for now, but it wasn’t a City no-show and there’s more drama to come April 20, 2016 - Our performance was variously described by fans on Saturday night as a “no-show”, “capitulation” and “disgrace”. I’ve checked back over the action and match figures, and they back up my recall. It was none of those things.
A while yet before the fat lady sings. In the meantime opera can tell us something about Norwich City FC April 13, 2016 - I thought that seven points from three games might create sufficient composure that we wouldn’t panic at a setback. Apparently not. Saturday night saw gloom-and-doom set in with a vengeance; on social media fans queued up to express their despair.
Another special Carrow Road day to add to the Pantheon but still plenty of twists and turns ahead April 6, 2016 - While Jeff Stelling announced our winner as “the goal that could keep one club up and send another down”, the Sunday Telegraph billed it as a goal that “set Norwich on course for Premier League safety”.
How David McNally ruined Easter. And emotional battles with Newcastle, past and to come March 28, 2016 - The meaning of Easter has always been clear to me: a biting east wind and two league games. We’ve had the wind, but it’s Leagues 1 and 2 who have the games. Even with an unexpectedly heartening England performance, it just doesn’t feel right.
The pitfalls of pre-season forecasting – and how to deal with that old Bear of Relegation March 22, 2016 - Our belief, and its translation into vocal backing, can genuinely help the club we love. Though I hated not being able to go to The Hawthorns, it was wonderful compensation to hear On the Ball City loud and clear over the radio.
A point no-one expected, won by dogged resilience and collective desire, offers hope for Prem run-in March 17, 2016 - The table may not look much different after Saturday, but the landscape does. I don’t know whether the players were losing belief after Swansea, but every social medium told us graphically that the fans were. The performance and result on Saturday has turned the mood around.
The need for nerve and unity; the enigma of City’s downward spiral and can we break the code? March 8, 2016 - After Saturday it’s easy to say we lack the fight and determination to claw our way to safety. But that wasn’t the case against Leicester and Chelsea, or indeed West Ham. In three of our last four we’ve shown plenty of heart – that doesn’t look like a lost dressing ...
Inevitably on the way back to the Championship? It’s no foregone conclusion. The Yellow Army must keep believing March 1, 2016 - I’d be more pessimistic if City were being regularly outclassed, but that’s not the case. In games I’ve seen, only Tottenham have done that. We’ve made life more difficult for ourselves by missing chances for three points such as at Villa.
No shortage of advice for Alex Neil – we’re all managers, it’s just a pity we don’t agree on anything February 8, 2016 - I think Alex Neil was right to change our approach after Newcastle; if he hadn’t, we were heading the way of Ian Holloway’s Blackpool. He was even right, in my view, to change for the Stoke game following the home wins against Villa and Southampton, both of whom have very ...
A ‘domestic’, a trier whose time here has under-whelmed, and another who whets the appetite February 2, 2016 - I’ve been on the receiving end of some sharp comment from him. When I once tweeted that I thought Jerome should be our starting striker, I became one of the people that Laffs sought out to say he disagreed.
Post-Liverpool Stress Disorder, an addiction, the four types of Tweeters – and yet another impressive Scot January 25, 2016 - I’ve had exchanges with Ed Balls and Stephen Fry (good experiences) and Piers Morgan and Kyle Lafferty (not quite so good). I’ve sent a number of suggestions to David Cameron but I guess he must still be thinking about them.
A nasty weekend on the South Coast, moving on to better things, and a way to enjoy the papers January 19, 2016 - Telling players they’re an effing disgrace and should never wear the shirt again – especially when the player has been at the heart of our three promotions since 2010 – is beyond the pale.
Remember the excitement of the Third Round draw? Alas the FA Cup, 2016 style, has lost much of its magic January 7, 2016 - My strongest feeling is the hope that none of our players gets injured. The importance of staying in the Premier League, especially this year, is such that I can’t pretend to care over-much about the outcome.
Players, staff and fans – stories of men and boys. And how a clear, calm head is key to any success January 1, 2016 - Sometimes it’s easier to recognise things in supporters of other clubs than in ourselves. It’s almost comical to see some Arsenal fans, for instance, in their monthly vacillation between wanting Wenger sacked in disgrace and wanting him given the job for life.
So… where do we go from here? Well it partly depends on how we think we got to where we are December 10, 2015 - Within the pragmatic approach that I believe he’s wedded to, can Alex fix the problem and inspire more Arsenal/Swansea performances while cutting the Watford ones? He’s such a quick learner and resilient character that I believe the answer’s yes. But what about the squad?
A true Canary convert from across the pond, and a romance centred around Norwich City FC November 18, 2015 - We’ve also of course seen Norwich win a Wembley final. Barbara is to blame that it wasn’t 2015. Frustratingly (in that respect) she was invited to speak at a conference in Australia, which is why we were on the other side of the world that wonderful day when we took ...
Non-partisan? Reflections on Norwich City, referees, Match of the Day, and the human condition November 11, 2015 - In the last relegation season, our fans would lambast the team as negative and not worth watching, then complain bitterly when MotD put us on late and said (in a much milder form) something along the same lines.
Parallel universes, how to write Shakespeare, and what we should do with Alex Neil November 5, 2015 - Southampton’s chairman recently outlined the club’s philosophy. In essence it’s: “We know what we believe, and apply it to every decision; we don’t look for short cuts, but build and earn success; we don’t panic, we’re consistent”.
As the Canary expectations grow, what place for the voice of reason in our support of City? October 29, 2015 - I believe we should have been proud of our club’s performance in those two years. What I saw though was a dramatic rise in expectations that still haven’t abated. While we were justifiably disappointed with the relegation season, some of our wider expectations seem, to me, to be less than ...
A sense of place: how Norfolk gets into the soul of our heroes, and never ever leaves those of us born there October 22, 2015 - If Sunday reminded us that our 34-year-old manager is still learning, maybe that’s not a bad thing. I believe Alex Neil has star quality and hope he’s with us for a very long time. But he’s learning his trade at the top level. The good news is that – as ...
The good, bad and the ugly of football 2015 style, and why City are part of the good October 10, 2015 - If we don’t have a top-quality striker, at least we have the next-best thing: genuine competition for the striker’s spot. I remain an admirer of Jerome, but Mbokani, Lafferty and Grabban are real contenders.
An £11m winger – why didn’t we get one of those? And a fond but relaxed farewell to Super Bradley Johnson September 5, 2015 - The arrival of Jarvis seems to have passed largely unnoticed among City fans. Two reasons are no doubt involved: the deal was announced well after the official close of the window – I refuse to say it ‘slammed shut’ – and he’s not a centre back.
The financial facts of life for a football club – not rocket science, though Einstein had something to say August 24, 2015 - Why did good players choose to stay at City when our wages were severely cut after relegation? For some, such as Bradley Johnson, there was an admirable element of loyalty. But I guarantee they only stayed because we promised major bonuses if we got promoted.
The challenge of a savvy Stoke City, the global Canary community – and a dilemma for the Lewis family August 19, 2015 - Brady looks well worth the wait, while Dorrans is beginning to seriously challenge Jonny Howson as my favourite player. His ability was never in doubt, but I heard reservations about his workrate and commitment at previous clubs.
Blowing in the wind – why fickle Canary fans should hold their nerve (and wish for a new striker) August 11, 2015 - We were given a tough opener. Palace’s form in the second half of last season was sensational, especially away from home. Their 10th place finish reflected much better than 10th place form after bringing in Alan Pardew.
Goalscoring at all levels, the enigma of Gary Hooper – and Watford’s multi-national transfer dealings August 3, 2015 - I’ve always admired Jerome – and that admiration reached new heights with his Wembley performance. I’m told he’s desperate to shake off the “not quite good enough for the Premier League” tag, and that hunger could make him a good first choice for us.
Management: the mix of inspiration with perspiration. And one who could have been quicker July 27, 2015 - A newspaper report of our training in Germany and Austria summed up life at City as it now is: “Every base was covered, every member of the team knew their role as Neil observed from close quarters.”
Sporting choices, Alex’s stance on City’s pre-season friendlies and the future of not-big and not-bad Wolf July 19, 2015 - Watching Alex Neil on the touchline, you wouldn’t guess this is pre-season against Hitchin and Cambridge – it might just as well be the Premier League. And forget going off for a shower and a beer when you finish your 45/60 minutes: the players sit and listen to his detailed ...
No news is of course absolute agony. But rest assured our Chief Exec is on the case as we speak July 7, 2015 - We’ve seen enough of Mr McNally to know he’ll be working night and day, focused on exactly what he wants. He’ll achieve whatever can be achieved without jeopardising the solvency of the club. And he won’t be deflected from his path by clamour from the fans.
The excitement of the fixtures, strong leaders on and off the pitch – and the joys of being 60 June 18, 2015 - McNally's tenure at Norwich has been five years of remarkable success and one of failure. The hurt of that failure makes him determined to avoid a repetition, and his determination is as steely as the strength that led him to appoint AN when we were all clamouring for an experienced ...
The joys of Watford, a psephological diversion, Russell Martin and the road to Wembley May 11, 2015 - Alex Tettey didn’t catch the eye as, for instance, Jonny Howson did. But boy, was he important to us breaking up Ipswich possession and getting our own started. My Man of the Match award was between the two of them.
Never fear – the agonies of the play-offs may be approaching but the Canaries have SEB on their side May 5, 2015 - An insecure manager would stress how much was wrong with the club when he arrived. At the end-of-season dinner, Alex made a point of praising Neil Adams’ work and the good health of the club he walked into in January.
Ordeal by play-off: How to triumph over two legs, a final, the football gods (and maybe Middlesbrough) April 22, 2015 - The 3-1 scoreline was too much for Wolves to claw back in their home leg, and we were on our way to the Millenium Stadium. What brought Wolves down wasn’t lack of quality, but lack of belief. Belief that keeps the heart pumping and the legs moving. This time, of ...
Weekend chores, the Masters or McNally’s Twitter call to arms? In the end all roads lead t’North April 13, 2015 - I have as much right to call Gary Hooper ‘a fellow striker’ as I have to call Mick Dennis ‘a fellow journalist’. However, let me draw on my long career in the West Fulham League (Division 5) to say that was a real striker’s goal.
Happy days on the road for the faithful as the masses gear up for the final push April 9, 2015 - However much some of us pretend to take a reasonable and mature view of games, talking to other fans reminds us that we are utterly and magnificently biased. When we get ‘the rub of the green’, we raise a mild eyebrow and move on. When it goes against us, we’re ...
Moderates, radicals, modern technology and David McNally. And it’s all in Shakespeare March 31, 2015 - In the televised leaders’ debates before the 2010 Election – back when David Cameron thought they were ‘essential to democracy’ - the mantra became “I agree with Nick”. For people like me, the mantra on this forum tends to be “I agree with Mick”.
Fools, naturals, the ‘Norwich City way’, and the secret of getting a roaring Yellow Army on board March 25, 2015 - The greatest commitment to attacking football wasn’t under Lambert or Alex Neil, but under Neil Adams, yet he didn’t come close to inspiring the fans as we’re now inspired. There’s something else - an evident commitment, heart and team spirit that supercedes structure and style. And that, perhaps, is the ...

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