Views From The River End

The "old team" show the way

2010-08-15T17:14:00.000+01:00

Watching Norwich play Watford last week, I felt Lambert had somehow ripped the heart out of the team in the name of change, and as a result the midfield looked like strangers to each other. One week later things look very different.

The return of Korey Smith to the side has brought back some bite and energy, whilst Sion Lappin showed his value with an excellent cross for our great winner in yesterday's match.

Of course we need to move on and develope the squad, but not at the expense of team spirit and not by moving players out of the starting eleven who know how to win games.

Been busy

2010-05-02T08:52:00.000+01:00

Yes, I've been very busy with politics lately hoping another team in yellow can emulate Norwich's success.

I really do feel that the burden of leading the league for four months was starting to get to the players, but was delighted to see that with the pressure off at Bristol Rovers yesterday, Norwich really showed some class.

Let's hope they can do similarly next week in the final home game.

Oh do shut up Steve Claridge !

2010-03-28T22:59:00.001+01:00

I really don't get Steve Claridge. He banged on and on last night on the Football League Show about how "Chris Martin made a meal of the contact he received" in the wake of the sending off of Leeds Tresor Kandol, without acknowledging in any way that the Leeds player had his hands on Martin's throat and Martin neither threw himself to the ground or exaggerated the contact he received.

Then again, Claridge has some form and must be feeling very daft as I seem to recall him saying last October that one thing was clear in League One, everyone is playing for second place as Leeds had won the League.

Oh dear Steve, egg on your face ?

Bad spell - Good results

2010-02-15T22:29:00.000Z

In any season every team goes through peaks and troughs, and despite results seemingly saying otherwise, Norwich are in something of a trough at the moment.

In the last four matches Norwich have managed to pick up three points, the odd thing is, Nowich have been really poor in all of those games. In the three victories Norwich came from a goal behind to win 2-1, with ironically the only game lost being the one match that Norwich took the lead in.

The great thing about this trough is that Norwich are playing poorly but picking up good results, which is always the sign of a good team. I am sure that they will get through this, particularly as the pitches get a little easier underfoot and with a run of home matches coming up. But if Leeds and Charlton continue to slip up (and Charlton lost 2-1 to Bristol Rovers this evening) it could be that Norwich come through their "dodgy" spell in better shape than they went in to it.

It all goes to prove what a fascinating sport football is.

Supporting your local team

2010-02-05T18:16:00.000Z

As many people who read my blogs will know, I follow two football teams. I know for many that is hard to comprehend, but for me the logic is simple. I became an Everton fan when I was seven. I didn't really choose to be an Everton fan, I tend to think I was chosen. I watched Match of the Day, saw Everton beat Liverpool 1-0, got very excited that the glory hunters at school would be very upset if I went in on the Monday morning saying I supported Everton, and that was that. the added bonus that as a seven year old Everton was easy to spell and I liked blue was an added attraction. However, as I got older, particularly entering my late teens, I could see what a major asset it is both financially and culturally to have a thriving local team who represent Norwich and Norfolk as a whole, and so after several years of casual attendance at Carrow Road, in 1992 I became a season ticket holder. And not for one moment have I regretted it.Although it is odd when Everton play Norwich to find myself supporting Everton, but those occasions (sadly) are not as common as they were.

So with Norwich announcing season ticket prices for this year will increase by about £1 a game, people really ought to be proud of what their local team have achieved. Okay, we're in League One, but to get 25,000 fans regularly, to get this consistently and to know that Norwich really could sell 30,000 tickets if they had the capacity really says a lot about the community feel of the club and the feel good factor that having a winning team can engender in the local community.

Last year, when bottom of the Championship, Norwich still had 25,000 people at the games, a point often ignored by the media, when it should be noted that Leeds had 22,000 fans last week and Charlton just 17,000. With a so called big club like Middlesbrough getting only 18,000 in the Championship, its about time people started to realise that actually Norwich realy does have the potential to be a bigger team than many so called big teams.

Where are the News of the World now ?

2010-01-29T19:51:00.000Z

Lasy Sunday the News of the World reported that Norwich City would go in to administration on Thursday.

It's Friday now, and as 99.999% of the world already knew (except it seems on NotW journalist) Norwich are not in administration and have, in fact made another signing. It is prettty abvious to anyone with any sporting knowledge that clubs that are close to asministration do NOT make signings.

That's entertainment

2010-01-23T21:22:00.000Z

What an incredibly exciting game today against Brentford. All the ingredients were there, missed chances, great saves, hitting the post, some incredible tackling, and the obligatory numpty of a referee. I noted before the game that this was only the second game the referee had been in charge of this year, and boy did it show.

Whilst I can't disagree with the red card for Grant Holt, the player he kicked was sliding towards him with both feet in front of him. Had Holt not raised his legs, he would have been kicked. So why not at least book the Brent ford player for intent ? Also why were Brentford players allowed to repeatedly shirt pull, but Russell was booked for "repeated foul play", despite the fact that the other tackles the referee was pointing out were in fact committed by Korey Smith. Heaven forbid I should suggest the referee could not tell two black players apart, but it is ridiculous to get the confused. And why was a Brentford player allowed to raise his hands to the neck of a Norwch player without a card being produced ?

Still, a great late goal from Martin, another good cameo from Olli Johnson, and despite a three game ban for Holt, al looks good.

Small club with a small club mentality put in their place

2010-01-16T18:33:00.000Z

I know a few Colchester fans, and I had always liked the club, the good family reputation that goes with the club and the town of Colchester too. This week, however, my attitude towards the club has changed somewhat.

Whilst I can understand them feeling aggrieved at the loss of Paul Lambert to Norwich at the start of the season, the pathetic statement emanating from the Colchester board have shown them to be very small minded. Comments that they would rather see empty seats than sell them to Norwich fans, banning people from Norfolk from buying tickets for the match, taking back tickets from those who had already bought them and a series of other puerile actions and comments do nothing for their reputation.

A Colchester fan was sat near me in the Norwich home terracing for the first day of the season 7-1 Colchester win. He suffered no hassle, was not ejected fromthe ground, and Norwich fans showed a degree of maturity sadly missing from Colchester in recent days.

I love the way that Colchester justified their actions by stating that they had sold all their tickets to Colchester fans so that was one of the reasons they would not sell them to Norwich fans. Of course they ignore the fact that several hudnred seats today in the home terracing will have had Suffolk, Essex and London based Norwich fans sat in them.

So to the game. Five nil to Norwich and Norwich missed a penalty too. Norwich's silence on the way that Colchester behaved this week was the right decision. Let the football do the talking, and it did.

A team with a small club mentality is likely to remain a small club. That's a shame as the decent Colchester fans I know deserve better.

Sell Carrow Road and suffer a slow lingering death

2010-01-08T16:35:00.001Z

Norwich are, according to the EDP, considering a plan to sell Carrow Road and lease it back, in order to clear the clubs debts. In my view, this is utter folly and is like many PFI projects that happen around the country these days, in other words, a short term solution that costs far more money in the long run.

On Wednesday Radio Five have a piece about Stockport and their imminent demise. Stockport, according to their supporters trust, have no one willing to buy the club because their only asset, their ground, is not owned by them any more. The advice from Stockport is that no club should ever consider selling their ground as a sensible option. It is a short term fix but costs the club much more in the long run.

Should the City board follow this route then they ought perhaps to look at other clubs in England that have done this and name more than one where it has proved to be successful ?

Grow up Walsall

2010-01-01T11:32:00.000Z

Walsall have made them seem like a small club with a small ground and a small mentality in the last few days.

The referee decided on 28th December to call off the Walsall vs Norwich game because he felt that with part of the pitch frozen solid, whilst the rest of the pitch was softr, this would cause a problem for players and could lead to injury.

Despite this obvious concern, Walsall maintain that it was Norwich manager Paul lambert who called the game off, and small minded Walsall stewards, unable to take responsibility for their own clubs inability to defrost or protect their pitch, told Norwich fans who had travelled to the game that it was the Paul Lambert who called the game off. Pathetic.

Everyone knows it is the referees decision. If Walsall had laid down some matting or some form of protection to that frozen corner of the pitch overnight, the game could have gone ahead. Don't criticise Norwich for your own clubs failings. Small clb, small minds. Grown up Walsall.

Questions over tactics

2009-12-07T00:09:00.002Z

Whilst the first half yesterday against Oldham was a delight, with Norwich dominant and Oldham not even having a shot on target, it was disappointing to see Lambert fail to reorganise in any logical way following Oldham's change of tactics.

It was clear that Oldham had the best of the last half an hour of the game, and but for two great saves from Fraser Forster, the result would have been very different. Yet, Lambert brought on a winger up front and succeeded only in confusing the team and we looked totally disjointed.

A good win yes, but as I wrote before after the Leeds game, for me there remain questions about Lambert's decision making.

Bloody useless ITV coverage

2009-11-07T14:43:00.002Z

Reflecting on ITV and their coverage of the FA Cup game today versus Paulton Rovers, yet again it makes you realise how good the BBC and Sky are.

All the pre-match coverage was about Paulton. They didn't even do a run down of the Norwich team. The pathetic commentary (how many times did the idiot commentator mention that Norwich lost 7-1 on the opening day, that Lambert had been the Colchester manager, 10 days later he was Norwich manager ?), and only at 6-0 up did they actually start giving Norwich credit.

As for the game, didn't the last four goals show that when we started shooting, we scored. Why do we have this obsession sometimes with trying to walk the ball in to the back of the net ?

Overall, well done. Now if someone could train Darrel Russell to control a ball first time, we could be dangerous !

Vs Leeds United - First questions about the manager

2009-10-19T21:31:00.005+01:00

Let's not blame the keeper for the loss today at Leeds. For me there were the first real question marks over Paul Lambert's decision making.

With 75 minutes gone, Darryl Russell should have been sent off. After already being on a yellow card stupidly gained for a pointless lunge, Russell spent the last 15 minutes carrying a passenger in midfield who could not make a challenge because he knew the next foul he did would be punished with a red card. What was the result of this ? A total lack of bite in the midfield and 15 minutes of hanging on which led to the Leeds goal.

The Sky commentators were raving about the Leeds sub ignoring the fact that in effect Norwich were playing with 10 men.

What did Lambert do ? Stood their with his collar up whilst three midfielders sat on the bench until the dying seconds.

I know the keeper will take the blame, but Lambert needs put his hands up and accept he got it wrong.

P.S. And let's also not get carried away. Leeds United are far from being a great side. If only every Norwich player except Holt didn't need at least two touches before shooting, the game would have been well won before the 92nd minute.

PPS. And less than 20,000 fans at Elland Road. A pathetic attendance. I wonder how many glory hunters will turn up if they go up ?

Returning to the fold

2009-10-04T11:16:00.003+01:00

It is pleasant to see the Norwich revival in recent weeks including not just youth team players coming through our own academy, but also include those players who were, just a few weeks ago, being shown the door and encouragees to leave.

Gary Docherty, Wes Hoolahan and Darryl Russell have all played outstandingly well in the last few games and their experience will be vital to making out younger players better players in the future.

As for yesterday's match, the result was never in doubt for me. Even when they equalised, the crown stayed buoyant and nobody seemed to think that we still would not go on and win. I told people before hand we'd win every home game from this point of the season by at least two goals, and I will stick by that. There is a real momentum at Carrow Road at the moment, and long may it continue.

At half time I said 3-0

2009-09-29T23:10:00.003+01:00

Okay, we benefitted from a sending off (and let's be honest, the guy should ahve got a straight red in the first half for an appalling tackle on Russell). But aside from a couple of shots in the first half, Orien showed little in the way of quality and were it not for their keeper making four outstanding saves, Norwich could have been home and dry long before the first goal.

But let's take nothing away from the quality of the goals.

Great finish from an angle from Martin. Super chest and volley from Holt. Spillane looking like Cristiano Ronaldo with an amaxing goal and a cool finish from Cureton.

There's a real spirit at Carrow Road at the moment and it really is a pleasure to watch them.

I have to say though I was really pleased with Cureton's goal. not just for him but because I told so many people it would be 3-0 that I was starting to feel annoyed I had not put a bet on.

Stupid comment from Charlton Manager Phil Parkinson

2009-09-20T12:54:00.002+01:00

What a pathetic and puerile comment the Charlton Manager Phil Parkinson gave to the BBC after his team left Carrow Road with a lucky point yesterday. He said, in a nasty dig at Norwich and the 24,000 fans who attended, which is incidentally, a crowd size Charlton have not seen since they were in the Premiership (gloryhunters ????), that "he had never seen fans so pleased to get a point at home".

Perhaps he failed to see what the rest of us saw.

Charlton have abandoned their passing game, now relying on pace from wingers and a hoofball style which is winning them games in League One, but is not pleasing on the eye. They were extremely lucky that the referee seemed unable to see that one central midfield committed four fouls in the first half (two were going through the back of players legs) whilst Nicky Baily should have been sent off for his reckless off the ball swipe at Grant Holt. The referee apparently told Grant Holt he did not see it, but apparently neither did the 4th official (who stood three metres away) or either linesman.

So playing against a top of the table team, Norwich dominated the second half whilst Charlton remained without a yellow card despite reckless and heavy tackling going on throughout the match. Finally, in the last minute, when all hope was finally going, Norwich got a fully deserved equaliser, and still Phil Parkinson is confused why Norwich fans were so pleased with the result ?

Perhaps he might want to address his comments about fan behaviour to the Charlton fans who waded across their stand to attack Norwich fans when Norwich equalised ? Why did they act so violently ? Why were so many police needed to control the Charlton fans ? Why is he so concerned about Norwich fans reaction to scoring an equalising goal in the 93rd minute ?

I seem to recall this is the same Phil Parkinson who led Hull to a terrible start that nearly got them relegated (and in so doing so lost his job) only for Phil brown to win promotion to the Premier League with virtually the same squad. So clearly Phil Parkinson is not someone whose view we should take too seriously.

It's hard to beat 11 men and the ref

2009-09-14T21:42:00.002+01:00

Just watched Norwich lose 2-1 to Franchise Dons on Sky TV. Very disappointed with the ref.

As the commentators pointed out twice in the opening 10 minutes, you should be yellow carded if you go straight through the back of a player's legs to win the ball. Franchise did this throughout the game and never got punished for it with a card. Is it any wonder that three Norwich players went off injured when the ref offered such little protection ?

Then there was the penalties.

Norwich, when leading 1-0 should have had a penalty (as the replay showed) whilst at 1-1, Norwich did not deserve to concede a penalty because the Norwich player did get a tough on the ball.

Sadly the score was 2-1 to the referee. What a disgrace !

A dose of realism required and delivered by Walsall

2009-09-05T19:30:00.003+01:00

Leaving the dreary 0-0 match today against Walsall I was, of course, disappointed, but certainly didn't think the booing was necessary. Walsall showed that if you turn up with no intention of attacking, when the full backs never went beyond their own wingers (staying as a rigid back four throughout) and that if you come for a 0-0 draw, Norwich (and indeed most League One teams) might not have the guile and quality to unpick the defence. And that is something fans at Carrow Road must learn.

Commenting to my wife that I thought he booing was out of order, I received a torrent of abuse from another Norwich fans who started a tirade against the team, claimed that he could see better down Sloughbottom Park in Mile Cross any Sunday morning, and asked why we had signed players who are not good enough to pull on the yellow shirt. Naturally, I didn't let the ignorance of this chap and his aggressive manner disuade me from putting him right.

The main point this bloke was making was that we needed a central defender who could win the ball, had lots of pace and could confidently pass the ball out of defence. I pointed out that I knew exactly the player he required, but that as Rio Ferdinand was already contracted to Manchester United, he was unlikely to join us.

The bloke looked slightly dumbstruck and didn't seem to understand the point I was making. He seemed oblivious to the fact that Norwich are in League One, has little money and is reliant on Bosman signings so we are getting in the players that we can afford, not world class players capable of playing the in the Premier League.

A further torrent of abuse came about how useless he felt Nelson was in the centre of defence (a player who we felt did well today and didn't really put a foot wrong when defending), and I responded simply with the words "You need a reality check. We are in League One because we were not good enough for the Championship.". He wandered off muttering further abuse as another fan patted me on the back and said simply "Some people cannot gt their heads around our predicament".

Indeed.

Quel surprise

2009-08-22T18:55:00.002+01:00

Walking up the stairs today entering Carrow Road someone said to me "Have you seen the team ?". When he explained who was in, who was out, I was seriously worried. Well, thank goodness I was wrong.

Otsemebor looked good, scored a goal, stopped dawdling and played well. Curetone looked good, slim, and much more mobile whilst the whole team looked solid. Yes, there is room for improvement in central defence with the new partnership needing time to bed in, but overall Norwich look full of goals and with quality crosses from McVeigh and marticularly Lappin, who was outstanding, Grant Hoult is guaranteed to add to his five already this year.

Overall, a big well done and a big surpise.

Excelent article on BBC website about Norwich and lambert

2009-08-19T16:56:00.002+01:00

This is a great article about the current situation at Norwich. Well worth a read.

The real reason why Gunn was sacked

2009-08-17T22:26:00.002+01:00

The fact that Norwich are still in negotiations with a new manager and did not have anyone lined up when they fired Bryan Gunn last week underlines what a useless bunch the board are at Norwich right now. But it also highlights why they sacked Gunn last Friday.

The truth of the matter is that they feared that a result in Norwich's favour on Saturday and tomorrow at brentford would prevent them from sacking Gunn. That in itself is appalling. The board feared Gunn becoming a success so got rid of him leaving the team rudderless and possibly in the position of losing points in vital games.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink for Norwich ?

2009-08-15T17:04:00.004+01:00

Apparently the rumours are that Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will be the new manager of Norwich. If true this is astonishing risk taking by the Norwich board. We need a manager who has the neccessary skills to get Norwich promoted. Instead we are likely to have a "name" with no managerial experience who could be great, but could equally be awful.

I wanted a Mark Robins type or Aidy Boothroyd. But this board really have not got a clue.

Update : Apparently the club Chairman has deined the rumour and says JFH will NOT be the new Norwich manager.

Gunn Gone - Right decision, terrible timing

2009-08-14T17:29:00.002+01:00

I was one of the few who felt that appointing Bryan Gunn in the first place as manager was a terrible decision. Sentiment does not win you football matches and his record of winning gour out of 20 games since being put in charge has proved that.

If the board had sacked him on Sunday, I think we could all have said it was the right thing to do. But to sack a manager after a four nil win seems wrong somehow, even though I think in the long term it will probably serve the club better to have a new manager in.

On a personal level, I am enormously sad for Bryan Gunn. One of the reasons I didn't want to see him as manager was that I didn't want to see him with no role at the club in the future as Gunn has been a loyal servant of the club and it is sad that he now has no role to play at Carrow Road.

I heard someone on the radio say just now "We need a big name manager". Time for a reality check. We are League One, we have no money. What possible attraction would we be for a big name ?

What a difference three days makes

2009-08-11T21:57:00.001+01:00

Wow. Yeovil nil, Norwich four.

Listening to the match on the radio it was clear Norwich dominated for long spells, and if they had taken chances as clinically as Colchester did on Saturday, it could have been seven or eight to Norwich.

Well done. Nuff said.

So bad it was almost funny

2009-08-08T20:11:00.002+01:00

Well, I was wrong. I, like 23000 other Norwich fans turned up with so much hope only for this to evaporate in to thin air through a mix of terrible defending (Q - Who passes back to the keeper with a lob. A- Jon Otsebebor), sloppy goalkeeping, a failure to attack the first ball or attempt to win the second ball, no running and terrible management (why Bryan Gunn did you keep the same team for 60 minutes then only make two subs ?).

Things can only get better we hope, although with Southampton only nine points behind us on minus nine, things could actually get worse.

Reasons to be cheerful. 1, 2, 3.

2009-08-08T09:34:00.002+01:00

Three reasons to be cheerful about today's kick off in League One.

1) Norwich have bought well. For years many fans have had doubts about the packing of the Norwich team with loan players who lack any commitment to the club whilst some signing have left a lot to be desired. Some of these signings have shown a real lack of loyalty in wanting to leave the club at the earliest opportunity too, so signing players who want to play for a team in league one, but who want to improve and get better is a positive thing. The signings of Grant Hoult, a prolific goalscorer in the lower leagues, Simon Whaley, a proper winger with a decent shot, and Nelson in defence (an absolute rock and hard as nails) gives the team a really good look already. Coupled with Matt Gill (a local who wants to play for Norwich who can add a bit off bite in midfield) and Tudor-Jones, the team has a strong spine.

2) We might see some home wins ! I've forgotten what it is like to see regular back to back wins at Carrow Road. We, like the team, had almost become used to losing home games on a regular basis. Without wanting to count any chickens or assume promotion, I expect us to do much better at home this year and that is a good thing.

3) 20,000 fans. We may have sold a few thousands less tickets, but home attendances will still be over 20,000 and I wouldn't be surprised to see 22,000 fans there today. This will intimidates some teams and will drive Norwich on. We have though got to learn to make more noise and really be the 12th man.

So, I am looking forward to this afternoon, even if it is in League One.

Stan Laurel

2009-06-20T00:04:00.002+01:00

I used to work with the mother in law of one of Norwich's new signings, Matthew Gill, and upon Norwich signing him I was reminded of something she told me a few years ago when he was at Notts County.

He was described apparently by a fanzine as looking like Stan Laurel.

What do you think ?

Worryingly quiet on the transfer front

2009-06-07T15:43:00.003+01:00

Yes, it is the holiday period, but some teams have already announced signings whilst rumours abound about players linked with various Championship and League One teams. But not Norwich.

The only news we have had in recent weeks has been the news that Norwich will rebuild "from the back" with a new goalkeeper and central defender top of the shopping list.

Whoever Norwich buy, and clearly it is a wise tactic to keep your powder dry when making signings, it is vital that they are in place for the start of the pre-season and don't join up with the club late.

I think though as soon as the club have made a signing many fans will feel a little more relieved.

Presumably Ledley King's famous "injury" is not so bad after all ?

2009-05-10T12:00:00.002+01:00

Tottenham keep on telling the football world that after every game Ledley King's knee swells meaning he cannot train and has to rest his knee in order to play the following week.

Seemingly it must not be a bad as Tottenham implied.

P.S. Yes, this isn't Norwich, but Norwich City is too depressing to write about at the moment.

Bryan Gunn - You don't know what you're doing !!!

2009-05-03T18:06:00.003+01:00

In a game that Norwich needed to win, the most important game for many a year for Norwich, Bryan Gunn decided to play centre half Jason Shackell as a left back. He played left back Simon Lappin as a left winger and brought in a youth teamer with virtually no experience of the first team to play on the right wing whilst a left winger and a right winger were dropped to the bench.

Sorry, Bryan. I feared this would happen. When the chips are down you should play square pegs in square holes, round pegs in round holes. What you don't do is think you have invented new positions and formations that neither the team nor fans have ever understood.

Another example clearly of why Norwich City deserve to go down.

My views on relegation

2009-05-03T15:10:00.000+01:00

Can be read on my other blog HERE.

Not quite dead yet, but certainly having CPR

2009-04-26T13:54:00.002+01:00

I was doing a first aid course the other day and it occurred to me that Norwich City were much like the victims (yes I know they are plastic and not real) I was working on.

Thankfully, because of Barnsley's inability to hold on to a lead, Norwich are still alive, just, but undergoing CPR and, in my opinion, look more likely not to survive.

Consistently crap referees

2009-04-13T18:51:00.001+01:00

I think every football fan accepts that referees will not get it right 100% of the time, and once in a while you know they will miss a clear penalty. But for Norwich to be cursed by referees on such consistent basis who simply refuse to give cast iron penalties seems to be turning the whole question of referees competence in to a joke.

Again today two clear penalties and another one which falls under the category of "I've seen them given", were ignored by the ref who seemed in one case to be the only person (along with his assistant) in the ground who missed a blatant handball where even the Watford player's reaction was to look shocked as he listened for the expectant whistle.

As to the game, a well deserved win and an example of how Norwich can play when the press the opposition and don't sit back letting the other team dictate play.

Clingan Fears

2009-03-30T19:54:00.002+01:00

I saw the Northern Ireland game on Sky the other day and was again impressed by Sammy Clingan who really does not appear to be out of his depth on the international stage and seems set to move on to bigger and better things next year irrespective of whether Norwich stay up or not. But every tackle he went for I was holding my breath desperately hoping that he wouldn't get an injury.

It is, of course, great that Norwich players get recognised on the international stage, but it can also cause real problems when smaller teams like Norwich could potentially lose there star players to injury and do not have the resources or large squad to cover for him.

Lappin up the praise

2009-03-21T23:35:00.003Z

I was always a fan of Simon Lappin, a player in the Steen Needergard mould who knows his limits, does not try to do things he cannot do, and works hard and rarely turns in a poor performance. Yet after one game last year, Glenn Roeder decided he was never to play for Norwich again and would be got rid off.

So today, faced with a suspended Darrel Russell (and please don't start me on the idiocy of Darrel Russel getting himself sent off by petulantly arguing with the ref), and the clear fact that Mark Fotheringham is not fit to wear a Norwich shirt after his reaction to management and fans a couple of weeks ago, Bryan Gunn faced something of a dilemma. Step forward after 16 months out Simon Lappin.

Now I was not at the game, but according to all reports Lappin had a great game in the centre of midfield, and I am not surprised.

So well done Bryan Gunn and well done to Simon Lappin and welcome back.

Staying up thanks to Reading

2009-03-16T22:02:00.002Z

The funny thing is about Norwich's recent good form is that it further highlights the club's reliance on loan signings and as one colleague pointed out, we "may I Reading a large favour" if we stay up.

With goals earlier in the season from Leroy Lita, and now from Mooney, it may well be thanks to Reading that Norwich stay in the league.

Now I doubt there are many people who would have said that 10 years ago.

I knew yesterady was going to be a bad day

2009-03-01T11:29:00.003Z

We got the bus in to Norwich yesterday (£7 return for two people - it would have been cheaper to drive), and although I was not going to the match in real hope of a result, listening to fellow Norwich fans rewriting history on the bus really did tell me that it was going to be a bad day.

One so called fan, in particular, took great delight in telling a Coventry fan on the bus that "Delia Smith makes Robert Chase look like a saint". Now as bad as thing get at Norwich City, not for one moment can any logical clear minded fan believe that Delia's involvement with Norwich can be equated with Robert Chase's rule.

Chase took us from 3rd place and in Europe to relegation and being literally 30 minutes from being wound up by creditors, and where would the club be without Delia, her husband and Geoffrey Watling now ? There would be no club.

Yes, things are pretty awful at the club right now, but for any fan to suggest the Robert Chase would sort it out really does seem to be blind to the facts.

As to the match, oh dear. Pretty spineless, a lack of direction, apart from Hoolahan there is no creativity and sadly it is clear to everyone that we are doomed.

Jason Shackell back at Carrow Road

2009-02-10T20:24:00.002Z

Well if nothing else, the return of Jason Shackell to Norwich on loan from Wolves until the end of the season will keep the block who sits behind me quiet as he has moaned since September about why he was let go.

For me the problem is that Shackell is inconsistent, is a very poor distributor of the ball and since the Premiership season where he played against Manchester United and marked Rooney out of the game, I cannot remember him have a good game.

I certainly wish him luck on his return and in many ways it is the perfect signing as at least he knows the team, he knows the training ground, and he knows about relegation fights.

Andy D'Urso - History of bad decisions against one team - Norwich City

2009-02-10T20:11:00.004Z

I wrote a few days ago about the dreadful refereeing of the Norwich vs Bristol City match, a game where not only was a Norwich player sent off when the video evidence shows he played the ball, not only was a penalty given which was not a penalty, but one of the clearest penalties you are likely to ever see was not awarded for Norwich.

You might imagine this was a one off bad game, but actually it isn't.

Last year Andy D'Urso, the ref for the match last weekend, was by strange coincidence the the same referee who awarded Bristol City a free kick in the final minute of the game which Bristol scored from. The only problem was that he seemed to be the only person in the ground who thought it was a Bristol City free kick whilst fans, managers, players and video evidence showed it was Bristol City player who handballed it, not a Norwich player. So last like weekend, Mr D'Urso effectively awarded the game to Bristol City.

This is not the only occasion though that D'Urso showed such poor judgement against Norwich as I wrote about him before on my other blog.

The question is when one referee shows what appears to me to be consistent and almost pre meditated bias in his decisions against one team, why do the Football League allow him to referee that team's games ?

Andy D'Arsole

2009-02-08T16:48:00.003Z

What an unmittigated disaster of a referee Andy D'Urso is.

In the whole of the 90 minutes he managed to miss 3 handballs by Bristol City, with one in the first half seeing the Bristol defender virtually catch the ball, then he sends od Gary Docherty and gives a penalty which replays now show Docherty kicking the ball, and then to make matters worse, he misses one of the clearest penalties you will ever see when Adam Drury was shoved over in the second half.

It was not just that he was unable to get the big decisions right. It seemed that anyone could hang on to anyone elses shirt at any point in the game and it was never a foul, with Bristol City taking full advantage by holding Carl Cort at every opportunity.

The chant 2-1 to the referee was really not far wrong.

Stop passing the buck

2009-02-07T20:25:00.003Z

I was disappointed today with the lack of bottle amongst certain players, more than I was with Marshall's dreadful goal kick which led to Bristol City's second goal or with Docherty over his sending off.

When I write about taking responsibility, I mean that certain players were too keen to pass the ball back to the keeper or play pretty keep ball games in our own half of the pitch rather than hoofing the ball clear and for once trying to play the game in the other team's half of the pitch. time and again defenders and midfielders took the easy option when not even under pressure and decided to pass the ball back to the keeper rather than looking for a forward pass.

I will write more on this later, when I am less tired, and will also add my thoughts on the ref (who was awful), but I am too tired.

Bottle and fighting spirit

2009-02-03T22:01:00.003Z

What a tremendous result for Norwich, drawing 3-3 away from home against league leaders Wolves.

To come back twice from a goal down against a team like Wolves says much for the spirit Bryan Gunn is starting to get in to the club.

Although the Southampton result last week was something of disappointment, four games and not a single defeat is a great start.

Change the manager ... same old players

2009-01-27T22:47:00.003Z

What a shattering disappointment tonight's match against Southampton was.

Forty five minutes of super football followed by 45 minutes of laziness, silly schoolboy errors, poor marking, dreadful clearances and half hearted play.

What a let down.

Player ratings

Marshall - Solid, made no errors, let down by his defence - 7
Otsemebor - Failed to attack his opposite number, poor floated crosses - 6
Bertrand - Got forward well, looked better than Otsemebor but not spectacular - 6
Docherty - Who was to blame for the second goal ? Solid apart from a question make over the marking for this goal - 7
Grounds - Same as Docherty but lazy to make a pass and closed down too often - 6
Fozzy - A decent first half but anonymous in the 2nd half - 6
Croft - What is the point of Crofty if he fails to take on his full back ? We never saw the Croft from last weekend. 6
Hoolahan - Great goal, creative - 7
Cureton - Where was he ? Tried hard but anonymous - 6
Russell - Tried hard be largely ineffective - 6
Clingan - Stunning performance again - 9

Bryan Gunn

2009-01-21T22:12:00.003Z

I wasn't sure if it was the right decision when I first heard that Gunny had taken over as manager, but as more comes out about the deal, I can see it working from almost every angle.

My greatest fear for Bryan Gunn was that he would become manager, and in two years time he would be reviled and hated if he fails, leaving him separated from the club which he so obviously loves.

But by giving him a short term deal it allows Bryan to stabilise the club and see whether he thinks he can do the job long term and if he is not ready to do it full time or if he fails, he can return to his previous job at the club and the board can find a full time manager to take over in the summer.

So all in all, a good move.

"Bryan, what's the score ? Bryan Bryan what's the score ? "

Norwich vs Barnsley - Round pegs in round holes

2009-01-17T18:59:00.000Z

Well, I'm not going to be fooled by one result because today's 4-0 win was against a poor team who failed to really turn up. However, I am not complaing because Norwich showed a level of persistance and patience whilst also showing some real invention from Croft and Hoolahan.

The most interesting aspect though was the fact that Bryan Gunn had players playing in their best positions. Gone was Roeder's attempt to push players in to position they do not play well in. When Bell came on, he came on on the right. Cureton is not a right winger, and played up front whilst Hoolahan is great in the free role. Moreover, Russell showed why he is a great attacking player by providing a masterful performance in the role just behind the striker.

My team ratings ?

Marshall - 7 - Had little to do but was assured and distributed the ball well)

Otsemebor - 7 - Really supported Croft well and got forward quickly. Distribution can be a problem though.

Bertrand - 6 - Didn't see much of him but tried to get forward more than of late. Still looks a little lost without support on the left.

Grounds - 7 - Solid, composed.

Docherty - 8 - Solid, assured.

Clingan - 8 - Here's here, he's there, he's every ....... where !

Croft - 8 - Great display as long as he keeps going forward. There is though still a question mark over his fitness over 90 minutes. Yet again he looked tired after an hour.

Hoolahan - 7 - Inventive and got better as the game went on.

Russell - 8 - Does he ever tire ? Great performance.

Cureton - 6 - Yes, a goal, and you cannot fault his attitude and commitment. But he looked off the pace. Stick with him though.

Fotheringham - 7 - Fozzed the ball around well and linked things up. Much improved.

MOM - Russell

Time for some pride in wearing the shirt

2009-01-17T12:05:00.002Z

One thing is needed today, pride in wearing the yellow shirt and some real spirit, something that has been missing for some time.

At least the club have made the right decision to appoint Bryan Gunn as interim manager because if he cannot instil some passion in to the players then there is no hope.

He's not worthy

2009-01-15T23:43:00.002Z

I find it hard to believe that Norwich would seriously consider bringing Nigel Worthington back to the club as manager, but this is apparently what they tried to do.

I think it is clear to anyone with half a footballing brain that bringing managers back never works.

Howard Kendall had two comebacks at Everton which failed whilst we have seen mike Walker return and fail at Carrow Road. history is littered with similar disasters elsewhere.

The problem for me is that Worthington lost my trust long before he left and failed, in my opinion, to do the right thing and admit he could not turn it around.

Do I want him back ? No. For me, the choice should be someone with lower league experience,. an eye for a bargain, and preferably someone with some experience of the club. Mark Robins ?

Ginger Pele

2009-01-15T22:01:00.001Z

Our very own Ginger Pele, known to us all as "The Doc", gets a mention on the Daily Mail website.

Sadly, we didn't make up this nickname, instead it was Spurs fans, not usually known for their hunour, who coined it.

Roeder gone - He told us so

2009-01-14T21:53:00.002Z

Iain Dale, top political blogger, once a Norfolk resident and the man behind top West Ham blog "West Ham till I die" has a regular column in the Eastern Daily Press and would like to remind us that he told us so about Glen Roeder some months ago.

Well done Iain, yes you were right !

Come in Mr Roeder, your time is up

2009-01-11T13:34:00.002Z

Actually, I don't dislike Glen Roeder. Yes, I gather he is a bit humourless and I think he can be too dogmatic. But at the end of the day he inherited a very poor squad and in my opinion, the squad we have now is a vast improement. The only problem is the erratic way they play.

For Roeder though the problem is that fans are losing patience. Another decent performance yesterday against a top team (and another narrow defeat) doesn't alter the fact that Norwich city level on points with teams in the relegation zone.

A cup run ?

2009-01-03T22:27:00.001Z

Thinking about recent years and our repeated dreadful performances and results in both cups, I am already considering the fact that we have got a replay at home against Charlton as a cup run.

Yes, things are really that bad !

Stop idolising those who cared little for Norwich

2008-12-29T20:04:00.003Z

What a bunch of arseholes some Norwich fans made of themselves yesterday applauding and fawning over a former Norwich star who is no longer at the club.

No, I am not on about Darren Huckerby, who deserves our thanks and cheers, but Robert Earnshaw.

I my opinion Earnshaw left the club at a difficult time, appeared to make sure Norwich were unable to make any real money from the deal, such were the terms of the contract he wanted when he signed for City, and in the same way as Huckerby showed selfless loyalty to Norwich when other clubs were offering better deals, Earnshaw was the complete opposite by showing himself to by the typical money grabbing Hummer driving professional footballer whose idea of loyalty extends to keeping his wallet full.

Yes, it's all my biased opinion, but in my view he didn't deserve anyone's applause. Some people have spent more time in Norwich Airport than he spent at Carrow Road. Missed on the field, but not someone I will ever look at with great fondness.

My Christmas Message

2008-12-25T11:11:00.003Z

Well this year has seen many ups and downs for Canary fans, but overall, we can look back with some good memories.

Firstly, some sad goodbyes to some much loved players.

Dion Dublin's signing was, at first, considered to be some sort of joke, but he turned out to be the most consistent and dedicated player wearing a yellow shirt in the last few years, and rightly ended the season as player of the year. It is a great shame he joined SKY TV, as I think it was clear to everyone that his organisational abilities, even form the sidelines when directing players as a sub, showed he has much to offer in coaching and management.

It goes without saying that Darren Huckerby was an absolute star for Norwich and something of a talisman. Although in the last 18 months of his time at the club he only showed his true class in fits and starts, he was still able to conjure wonder goals out of nothing and his ability to draw fouls is second to none in the Championship. The manner of his leaving, with no goodbye, is to be put right on 28th December against Nottingham Forest (five years after he signed for Norwich before the Notts Forest game on 26th December 2003), but there is no doubting his contribution and he will always be remembered as a Norwich great.

As for the team, I think we have a much stronger team that a year ago. Sammy Clingan is a Premiership player in waiting (and I am surprised Everton have not poached him to replace Lee Carsley) whilst the rest of the squad of permanent signings (not loan signings) are capable of better than 20th in the league, if only they could be more consistent. If Bell, Hoolahan and other could be more consistent, all we would need is a striker who is actually signed to the club. Sadly our only striker (Cureton) is on loan, and we cannot move on without a striker signed to Norwich, which leads me to my Christmas wish.

All we want for Christmas is Leroy Lita ... please ?

Views from a Charlton fan

2008-12-20T10:15:00.003Z

I work with a Charlton fan who is surprisingly up beat about today's game against Norwich.

He assures me that Charlton are genuinely on the up, despite throwing victory away against Derby earlier in the week in the 94th minute, and that today is the perfect game for Charlton.

My own view was that Charlton were robbed during the week, they dominated and looked a good side, but this may suit Norwich because teams that come and have a go are the type of teams Norwich seem better able to contain. Birmingham, Sheffield united, Wolves and Ipswich are all a testament to this, whilst teams who sit back cause us more problems than they ought to.

Either way, Christmas will be a lot more enjoyable if Norwich can get a win today. Another home defeat and people won't just be sharpening their knives for their turkey !

Update : What a spineless lot Charlton were. They turned up looking for a 0-0, and when they went one goal down, they failed to change their play and still seemed to be playing for a 0-0, seemingly unaware that they needed a goal !

Why do some refs lack personal honour ?

2008-12-14T09:53:00.003Z

As Norwich fans we are all used to watching the inept performances of referee Lee Probert, the joker who made a real hash of the first half of the Norwich vs Ipswich game last week when he missed a clear penalty, booked Sammy Clingan for winning the ball and then awarded a series of goal kicks when they were clear corners. Of course, Mr Probert's series of crimes go back much further that last week. But what a surprise it was to see that he had been given another chance to referee a premiership match yesterday.

In yesterday's match (Villa vs Bolton) he missed a clear penalty (again), refused to consult his linesman over it, and then proceeded (according to Sky) to have an absolute howler.

The point for me is that most people have a sense of decency about them which means that when you are really crap at something, you do the honourable thing and step down from it or do something else, except, it appears, for referees. A bad referee just keeps on going, getting managers sacked, players banned, and fans annoyed.

Don't get me wrong, there are some great referees about (Lee Mason and Howard Webb stand out), but some of them lack a certain something which does make you question why (apart from the money) they do it.

Bloody hell, not again !

2008-12-10T22:07:00.001Z

Another win followed up by another loss. This time 2-1 to Watford and a game, by all account, that Norwich played well in and deserved more from.

Bloody hell !

Jim Magilton - What a whinger

2008-12-08T20:59:00.003Z

What a shame it was to hear Jim Magilton, the Ipswich manager, whinging after the Derby game yesterday about how the referee had cost them by not awarding them a penalty deep in to injury time at the end of the game. Hadn't Mr Magilton the long term memory to notice that the incompetent referee missed a blatant handball in the first half which should have resulted in a Norwich penalty or the fact that Sammy Clingan was booked after ten minutes for making a good tackle or the fact that Ipswich kept getting award goal kicks which were clear and obvious corners for Norwich.

In the cold light of day, and given some time to think, I note Magilton's comments on various websites have been much more controlled and give some credit to Norwich. But perhaps Mr Magilton, like all managers, would do well to take a sharp intake of breath and count to ten before making such daft comments immediately after a game.

What is wrong with a Derby game at 3pm on a Saturday

2008-12-05T23:13:00.002Z

Speaking to fellow City fans today, we were all bemoaning the policy of the police in Norfolk and Suffolk who insist that Derby games are always played on a Sunday.

Yes, I know that Sky are covering this game (which accounts for the early kick off), and yes, I know that the fixture had seen crown trouble in the far distant past (and we are talking 80s and early 90s). But things have moved on, there is never a hint of trouble at Carrow Road and its about time we were treated with more respect by the authorities.

ITV highlight why they should be kept as far away from football coverage as possible

2008-11-30T12:30:00.002Z

I am sitting at home watching ITV's coverage of Histon vs Leeds United in the FA Cup second round, and it highlights just how incompetent ITV are at covering football.

ITV, it seems, have no system for keeping rain off their cameras. They have no special devices, coverings, enclosures or anything that BBC and SKY use when they cover football matches in the rain, meaning that we are left with a blurred and distorted view of the match.

ITV highlight again what utter crap they produce.

Red cards and penalties

2008-11-30T09:30:00.002Z

What on earth has happened this year with Norwich City's discipline.

We are shipping penalties at a ludicrous rate whilst we have now had four red cards.

I'm all for a bit more bite from the team and I know Roeder wants the team to be less nice, but some work has got to be done on ensuring we finish matches more often with 11 men and without giving away stupid penalties.

Common sense from Peter Cullum

2008-11-26T22:40:00.004Z

I've not been entirely impressed by Peter Cullum's attempt to buy the club at, what I felt, was a price that was not fair on Delia and Michael Wynn Jones. However, it is good to see Mr Cullum speaking out in support of Delia and her husband in today's EDP.

Mr Cullum stated

" that the "one disappointing aspect" of the truncated investment talks with the board was the "fierce critical reaction" of some fans to Delia and Michael.

He said: "Maybe that's the fickle football fan being disappointed with the performance of his team. But the two of them have been brilliant for Norwich City - and I've always said that."Every home and away game they are there. They've put a lot of their own personal wealth into this. If you happen to be Abramovich and you have stuck £10m into Norwich City, it's an accounting entry that barely covers the cost of a holiday. But here are two people who have put in a considerable amount of their total wealth.

"So I feel it's disappointing if they are now being seen by some as the devil incarnate. It's unkind and it's unfair."

Hear hear is all I will say.

Picking the wrong eleven players

2008-11-25T22:51:00.002Z

Right from the start tonight it was clear the wrong team was out on the pitch.

In summary, Adam Drury cannot play at centre half whilst Ryan Bertrand has not played well for about a month, so the inevitable switch of Drury to left back at half time made complete sense. Also, why is Antoine Sibierski allowed on to the pitch when he is unable to win headers, cannot hold the ball up and fails to inspire or perspire during a match. Again, his replacement by the excellent Hoolahan at half time showed what a monumental cock up it was to have put the starting 11 on the pitch.

Sadly, the game was already lost before half time after one calamitous error for the first goal and a sublime finish for their second. But in the second half, there was only one team in it, and it wasn't Crystal Palace.

Glen Roeder can moan to the players about their application, but he has got to accept that he picked the wrong team tonight, and that is what cost us.

Winning with ten men

2008-11-22T21:21:00.003Z

I have to admit that I couldn't watch the last 10 minutes of the Forest game tonight on Sky, such was the stress I was feeling.

The team, it has to be said, played out of their skins. Croft not only ran his socks off but also used the ball really well, didn't give away cheap possession, and posed a real threat. Marshall was immense in goal whilst you really couldn't fault anyone, including the referee who, for a 23 year old, had an amazing game. What a difference it makes having a fit young referee who can keep up with play.

The fact though that Norwich won with just 10 men for 70 minutes could be a real turning point. Now lets keep it going on Tuesday against Palace.

AGM Stuff

2008-11-15T08:58:00.003Z

Lots has been written in the Eastern Daily Press this week about the Norwich City AGM, with much criticism being aimed at the board about finance and at the manager about Darren Huckerby. my view is that most of this criticism is unjustified.

Lots of fans like to moan about Delia and Michael Wynn Jones, somehow under the impression that they are coveting Norwich City and preventing a takeover of the club. Media reports in the summer about the billionaire Peter Cullum's interest in the club came to nothing, but fans still seem to believe that Delia is raking it somehow at the expense of the club.

A few fans need a reality check.

Since taking over the club Delia and her husband ahve stuck about £1.5 million a year in to the club for no return at all. She allows the club to use her name for the "Delia's" restaurant, a name and a brand which would be worth a small fortune to her if she chose to launch restaurants by herself. Instead she has gifted this to the club, the restaurant makes several hundred thousand pounds a year for Norwich City football club, and still some fans moan.

As for Mr Cullum's interest, as Delia made clear, not one written offer has been received from Mr Cullum. The phrase "put up or shut up" would be the one I would use in relation to Mr Cullum. I am sure he has the best of intentions, but his unwillingness to deliver a deal has actually caused the club problems, which would be best avoided.

Then there is the criticism of Glenn Roeder's decision to release Darren Huckerby at the end of last season. This is a difficult one for many Norwich fans. We all remember Huckerby at his best, and even last year he seemed to be able to turn on the style and deliver a moment of magic, but these moments became fewer and far between, with the best of Hucks only being seen towards the end of the season and not during the worst winter months. Did he deserve a new contract ? Possible yes, I think so, but what did he want in terms of wages ? Norwich have made it clear that they are running at a £2 million defecit each year (this only being found by loans and investors like Delia and other Norwich supporting business people), and with Hucks on a reported £10k a week, this would represent 25% of the club deficit.

It was interesting too that his preferred choice of club in the USA (San Jose) was made in great part because of their pitch and the effect that Toronto's astro turf pitch (where he appeared to be heading when he first left Norwich) was likely to have on his dodgy hip. It is clear his hip was affecting his ability to produce in every game.

Emotionally, I'd have loved to have given him a proper send off, but financially and perhaps in terms of his performance over a whole season, I think Roeder made the right call.

So with another home game today, I go in hope rather than expectation, but I will not start criticising the board and despite misgivings about the performances of late, we must all get behind Glenn Roeder as there is no more money for players and so the team we have has to start performing.

What a disgrace David Norris is

2008-11-10T15:12:00.004Z

Yes, it might look like I am wading in because an Ipswich fan player is in the wrong, but I would have complained about this had any footballer done what David Norris did on Saturday.

For those who didn't know, after scoring against Blackpool on Saturday, Ipswich player David Norris raised his arms up as if handcuffed, reportedly to show some sort of solidarity with his disgraced friend and former Plymouth team mate Luke McCormack who many of you will realise killed two children and left their father permanently disabled when he ploughed in to them when speeding whilst being drunk in his Range Rover.

Yes, well done David Norris. Your apparent message of support to a child killer must make you and your family very proud.

Of Course, Norris said it was a private gesture. Yes, doing it in front of the ITV and SKY Sports cameras as well as several thousand people really is a private gesture ???

How NOT to do a minute's silence

2008-11-09T16:08:00.001Z

I wasn't sure whether I should have posted this on my other blog or put it here, so I've compromised and put the same posting on both.

Yesterday at Carrow Road before the Norwich versus Preston match we were given an object lesson in how NOT to show proper respect for those who serve or have sered this country in our armed forces.

The announcer announced that we would be showing our respects, we all applauded as some servicemen came out along with some people form the British Legion, and then as we waited for the announcement of one minute's silence, instead we got 50 teenage girls wearing tiny short waving pom poms whilst the tannoy system played "Right Here - Right Now" by Fat Boy Slim.

Quiet how this was honouring our servicemen, quite how this showed respect was lost on me and all the other people standing around me who felt that it was a balls up of quite embarrassing proportions.

Well done NOT to Norwich City and all those who were involved in the planning of this balls up.

As to the match itself, what a disappointing result given the first half performance. Russell might have bene provoked, but his sending off cost us two points and he should not be given the Captain's armband again if this is the way he lets his team down.

On the bright side, Docherty was great and David Bell was terrific.

Another "Must Win" game

2008-11-08T10:27:00.002Z

Every home game now seems to have become a "must win" game given the team;s abject away performances. After two consecutive home wins, city really loused things up with abject performances at Derby and Burnley, leaving the team still sitting only just above the relegation zone.

The real fear today is that Norwich are again playing a team who, on paper, Norwich should beat. Preston have struggled this year after a super second half of last season, but we all know that Norwich put in their very worst performances against those team they should beat and only bother to turn up against teams in with a genuine chance of being promoted.

I cannot say I am looking forward to today's game and I know many other fans feel the same.

What is there to say ?

2008-11-02T18:27:00.001Z

I am starting to sound like a stuck record. Another weekend, another away game, another defeat. It is all rather depressing.

What is the strategy ?

2008-10-30T12:36:00.002Z

At the weekend against Doncaster a lacklustre very poor Norwich team eaked out a somewhat lucky win against a poor Doncaster team. Everyone left Carrow Road happy, but not entirely happy. The phrase I used to my brother who came to the match with me was "it's a good sign when you win when you play bad". Who was I fooling. The fact is that Norwich play bad most of the time, only turning on the style against top 6 sides (Wolves, Birmingham, Sheffield United).

So the question is, what is the strategy now ? The truth is, as the EDP and Radio Norfolk comentary made clear, Norwich were not worth their 3-1 loss on Tuesday against Derby. The team turned up for just 20 minutes and were second best for 70 minutes and deserved to lose by more than two goals.

A simple way to afford to pay for Leroy Lita

2008-10-25T18:12:00.002+01:00

At half time today in the Doncaster game, I deceided to get myself a drink. knowing that there would be some sort of queue at the bar, I went down to the bar three minutes early. And what time did I finally get my drinks order ? Four minutes before half time.

Why was this ?

One till was broken, one bar had only one person serving (whilst lots of car park stewards stood around drinking - now there is a good use of resources) whilst my plans to have a drink were eventually curtailed as like many others I realised that there was no way I could drink my drink and get back to my seat for the start of the game (you can't take alcohol back to your seat.

So in a bizarre way Norwich City turned us in to low spending tea-totallers. The potential, if they got the correct amount of staff in and working equipment, to sell inordinate amounts of drinks and snacks at half time is completely wasted. However much income is lost to the club by the pathetic way the business managers at Norwich actually serve us, the customers.

Piss poor, like the performance for 83 minutes today. At least we won 2-1, and at least I saved some money by not having a drink.

Huckerby is back

2008-10-23T19:47:00.002+01:00

Isn't it just brilliant to see that Darren Huckerby's son is not only a Norwich fan, he is a junior Norwich player and he can also score five goals against the scum.

Read the EDP report HERE.

Oh what a night

2008-10-21T22:46:00.003+01:00

I can't remember a match I have so not looked forward to as much as tonight's game against Wolves. I friend of mine, also a season ticket holder, told me today he was relieved to be going to the theatre (to see the excellent Steve Coogan who I saw on stage last night) and not to the match whilst my good friend Andy who sits near me was on urgent business in Edinburgh and was almost revelling in not having to go.

Oh how wrong we all were.

Anyone who thinks that football is boring would have been proved wrong by a pulsating exciting match the like of which you cannot see for several seasons at a time. The game had everything.

Omozuzi had a 30 yard shot touched over the bar, Clingan scored in a comedy moment from the keeper who caught the ball and fell in to the net, Leroy Lita scored an excellent hat-trick, Wolves were reduced to 10 men, and all in all we were thoroughly entertain.

Bloody marvellous and very well done indeed to the team.

Now lets not mess it up against Doncaster at the weekend.

Bad to worse ?

2008-10-19T09:45:00.002+01:00

Another Saturday, another defeat, but worse than that, we seem to be going backawards in our development.

Towards the end of last season we went to Bristol City when they were flying high in second place in the league, and we played them off the park, only being consigned to defeat by one of the most bizarre ferereeing decisions of the year. But despite the defeat then, the performance gave the fans hope that things were really getting better.

Sadly, from my spies at the game, Norwich seemed moer toothless than ever and lack a create spark. Six months on, despite Roeder's clear out, were looking worse than ever.

Norwich vs Derby Match Fixing Allegations

2008-10-16T19:01:00.002+01:00

It was a bit of a shock to hear that the Norwich versus Derby game, the only home league games I have missed in about three years, is the game that is being investigated because of strange betting patterns in the far east.

As I didn't go, I cannot comment in detail. But the one overriding thing people said to me was that as soon as Otsemobor was injured, followed by the odd decision to push Sammy Clingan, who was dictating the match, to right back and bring on Fotheringham, it was clear to Norwich fans that they were not going to score.

Perhaps the betting syndicates in the far east were also aware that Norwich lost to a 10 man QPR side only a couple of weeks before ? Or perhaps they realised like city fans that Roeder does not have a clue.

Are Norwich fans starting to tire of Glen Roeder ?

2008-10-09T22:27:00.002+01:00

In the summer Glen Roeder had something of a clearout. He got rid of fans favourite Darren Huckerby whilst people raining from physios, coaches and scouts were also shipped out of the club, many of whom had given the club years of great service. Even the kit man lost his job. Quite how his role affected Norwich's performance on the pitch was never explained, but to many people, however harsh, it was a sign that Glen Roeder was a man with a plan. it was rather unpalatable, but like any medicine, we were made to feel it would make us better.

Sadly, there is always a reaction though to a foul tasting medicine when it seemingly has no affect.

Twelve months on from the disastrous start we had under Peter Grant, Norwich are barely any better off, sit only just above the relegation zone and the harsh fact is that people are now starting to question Glen Roeder's abilities and whether he is not so much a man with a plan, but a man who makes lots of changes in order to make it seem like he is doing lots.

Clearly, on the pitch, he is not making the club any better. Norwich's best players were bought in under the previous regime (Russell stands out every game) and more and more people are muttering that Roeder has upset too many people and the team is still worryingly fragile.

What difference does 12 months make ? Very little.

Saved by the traffic

2008-10-04T16:59:00.002+01:00

Given my difficulties in getting in to Norwich today meaning I missed the match (read a full account of it on my other blog HERE), I am somewhat surprised to feel in hindsight that it was a blessing in disguise given that Norwich played a great proportion of the game against 10 men (as they did against QPR) and lost (like they did against QPR).

As one of my friends who went to the match said in his text "Bloody Poor". Too right !

Central Defensive Crisis

2008-10-04T09:44:00.002+01:00

Oh dear. I didn't read the EDP or Evening News this week and with their website being under reconstruction I have been out of touch with the defensive crisis we are facing today.

After discussing over lunch with a colleague how solid Jonathan Grounds and Elliott Omozuzi looked at the heart of defence in the last home game against Sheffield United I was somewhat surprised then to pick up and old copy of the Evening News in the staffroom at work only to read that Jonathan Grounds had been recalled from his loan by Middlesbrough.

This leaves us with only Omozuzi able to play at centre half. The chances are now that Adam Drury may have to play centre half, but given his weakness in the air, it is likely to make what was a solid looking defence in to a shaky one.

The only good news from the defensive problems is that with Omozuzi having to play at centre half, Roeder will have to play Otsemobor at right back. The options he gives the team with his pace and the way he links up with Lee Croft means that Croft will have a better game and new loan signing Leroy Lita can be guaranteed at least half decent service in to the box down the right.

Leroy Lita - A signing to excite fans

2008-10-01T18:41:00.002+01:00

I was slightly taken aback and excited today to see that Norwich have signed Leroy lita from Reading on an initial one month loan.

Lita, to me, seems like a fantastic prospect, has done well for England U21's, has scored lots of goals at Championship level and could be that extra spark that Norwich desperately need.

What hope does a team like Norwich have in the Premiership when refs are biased towards "bigger" teams ?

2008-09-28T17:25:00.002+01:00

Yesterday we witnessed one of the poorest days of refereeing decisions in a long while with, again, a clear bias in referees decisions towards the bigger teams in the league.

In the Merseyside Derby Cahill was fouled badly, no card was issued. In the second half Cahill commits a foul, which in Alan Hansen's view (and he is not noted for his bias against Liverpool), was not as bad as the one on him in the first half and Mike "old mother" Riley produces a red card from nowhere.

Then later on in the day we saw Rob Styles give a comedy penalty to Manchester United for no reason at all. It would not be so bad had he been in a bad position to see it, but replays showed he was perfectly placed. It would not be quite so bad had he got the guts to step forward in front of the cameras and say "I'm human, I made a terrible mistake". but his silences always makes you wonder why it is that Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea always get those decisions.

Of course, when it comes to the smaller teams, it clearly depends who you are playing. Last year Fulham had some awful refereeing decisions against them in matches when they were playing bigger opposition whilst Norwich fans will have little difficulty in remembering the away game in the Premiership against Portsmouth when not only were Norwich somewhat controversially down to 10 men from an over officious referee, but Norwich were ultimately robbed of the points by a referee who decided when a Portsmouth player hand balled in the Norwich area, to award them a penalty !

What hope is there for those smaller teams who go up to the premiership when you know you are playing against 12 not 11 men ?

Now is the time to build momentum

2008-09-26T19:39:00.003+01:00

So far this season we have already had a couple of false dawns.

Firstly we started the season in some hope of a good start. Lots of new signings left us all, like fans of many other team, in a position of thinking maybe this is the year. Sadly a lame defeat in a game dominated by Norwich to a poor Coventry team shattered those early dreams along with succession of draws.

Then, folowing the excellent draw with Birmingham and an away win at Plymouth, not seen since the 1960's, Norwich fans again began to hope that Norwich would build on the points only to this come undone in rather spectacular fashion when losing toothlessly against a ten man QPR team at home.

So tomorrow, following the late win against Sheffield United last week, it really is time for City to lay down a marker, not just to other team but for themselves and the fans. Back in the promotion season it was at the end of September that Norwich started to string some results together and gather momentum and it was in this period that the team themselves started to walk on the pitch like winners.

Tomorrow then a defeat must be avoided at all costs if we, the fans, are to start taking the promotion and play-off talk seriously.

Lee Clark is right. I was there

2008-09-24T18:46:00.004+01:00

I am in full agreement with assistant manager Lee Clark in his assessment of the Norwich team that faced Fulham on the last day of the season in 2005.

For those who do not know, if Norwich had won the game that day they would have stayed in the Premier League. Instead a spineless Norwich team lost 6-0 to a Fulham team who had absolutely nothing to play for except their pride.

Lee Clark, who was playing his final game for Fulham that day explained

“It was my last game for Fulham, after I had been there seven years as captain. We couldn't move any higher in the league. If we won we couldn't change our position, no matter what."

“Our preparation that week was that this would be the toughest game of the season - they are fighting for their lives, we could be getting kicked from pillar to post come Sunday. Dean Ashton missed a chance after about 12, 15 minutes to make it 1-0 and it was goodnight, Vienna. The towels were thrown in, the white flags were out. It was the easiest Premiership match I have ever played in."

“There were so-called superstars in the team that day who actually went on to do not bad, but they didn't do the fans justice that day. I can guarantee that. That was a pathetic effort to try and keep the club in the Premiership.You go down with a fight and that didn't happen that day. It was an unbelievable turnout and they let the club down.”

As someone who went to the game with my wife (then still my girlfriend - one wonders why she accepted my offer of marriage a fortnight later), as people who turned down offers of £250 each for our tickets by the many hundreds of Norwich fans who travelled down to London just to support the team on from outside the ground where there were probably a good 6,000 Norwich fans present, it is difficult to explain how let down we were by some Norwich players.

For many fans, people like Damien Francis, Thomas Helveg, Mattias Jonnson, Dean Ashton and several others all looked like they had their minds on their next transfer move, a signing on fee and perhaps larger wages, and the fans were the last of their concerns.

It is good though to read how seeing this capitulation has helped motivate Lee Clark now he is at Norwich. Hopefully this attitude from Lee will help us next time we are in the same position.

For anyone wanting to suffer the pain again, the YouTube clip below shows the 6-0 defeat.

Let's all laugh at Spurs

2008-09-22T20:33:00.001+01:00

This amusing story from the West Ham Blog "West Ham Till I Die" should bring a smile to any Canary fan still smarting over the mauling we received from Spurs in the pre-season friendly.

Will the Hoolahan knockers "knock it off"

2008-09-22T19:19:00.003+01:00

What is it with some Norwich fans who seem to revel in trying to make new players who struggle to instantly shine feel like dirt ?

The current target for some fans appears to to Wesley (Wes) Hoolahan whose main crime, it appears, is to play in the same position as Darren Huckerby. Norwich fans who sit near me seem absolutely obsessed with repeating over and over again that "he's no Huckerby" and "he's not like Huckerby", to which my response would be simply that for most of last season, particularly up to the last eight or so games, Darren Huckerby was himself a makeweight, unable to turn a game in Norwich's favour, seemingly unable to beat his marker and was a pale reflection of the player he once was. Norwich fans, it appears, can sometimes wear rose tinted spectacles.

Personally I think Wes Hoolahan is improving in each and every game. Yes, he is very left footed, but he constantly tries to link play and pick a pass rather than tamely giving the ball away by hoofing it long up the field. Like any new player, it is taking him time to bed in, but let's give the bloke a chance.

Whatever your views though on Hoolahan, we ought to all accept that moaning and booing Norwich players is hardly like to make them play better.

To be fair, the so called fans behind me moaning about him last week were also moaning about Norwich signing Dion Dublin a couple of years ago, they didn't rate Jason Shackell (until he left) and they now like to moan about Stefanovic !

Yes, some fans are just born to moan.

Some fans don't deserve Premier League football

2008-09-21T20:17:00.003+01:00

I am not one of those fans who believe "only the big clubs should be in the Premier League", after all, smaller teams deserve time to get up to the higher echelons of football and develop a fan base. However, there are some teams whose fans really do not deserve Premier League football.

Yesterday less than 20,000 people turned up to watch Blackburn play at home to Fulham. now granted, this was not the umber one game of the day, even on a day when only five matches were being played. But for less than 20,000 fans to turn up on a warm day (the weather might have been an excuse on a bad day), is appalling.

Blackburn have been in the Premiership for all but one season since the league started in 1992 and during that time they even won the league. I might point out that Norwich yesterday had more than 24,000 people at a Championship match and Norwich actually have 20,000 season ticket holders and a waiting list too !

As I said, some fans don't deserve to have the likes of Robinho, Ronaldo, Deco and Yakubu visiting them every week.

It reminds me of an old joke.

I phoned up Ewood Park to ask them what time the Blackburn match was due to start. They responded "What time can you make it ?"

Peter Thorne - How on earth ...

2008-09-21T12:00:00.000+01:00

A simple statement which also leads to a series of obvious questions.

Peter Thorne has scored 22 goals in 40 appearances for Bradford since leaving Norwich City.

Question 1 - How ?

Question 2 - Was he the most overpaid player Norwich's history relative to what he achieved on the pitch ?

Question 3 - Do you remember his one goal for Norwich ? (I do)

Question 4 - Was he taking the p*ss by staying at Norwich , playing reserve team football and taking his large wage packet when he could have gone elsewhere (and Norwich had accepted offers I understand) but he would have earned less.

The Lee Croft conundrum

2008-09-21T10:35:00.002+01:00

What is it with Lee Croft ? When we first signed him from Manchester City he looked like a potential world beater in a side under Nigel Worthington that was lacking ideas and direction. But ever since about Christmas in his first season he has looked like a pale imitation of himself seemingly unable to beat opponents consistently and having no end product. Yet yesterday he produced a stunning performance, beating the Sheffield United left sided players at will with a combination of unadulterated pace and skill and topping it all off with a goal.

Hopefully, Croft's goal will cement his place in the team, meaning we will see more top quality performances. But what must definitely happen is that Lee Croft needs to make sure this is not another one off. We have seen before at Carrow Road how a dynamic winger who can contribute a few goals can make a dramatic difference to a team. Back in 2002 Paul McVeigh's goals and consistent form saw us through to the play off final whilst Darren Huckerby's contribution over many years saw City promoted and also saved from relegation to League One.

So come on Lee, make the difference for us this season.