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Criticising the stock levels is a category 2 offense, you know....

Whoever could have eaten all the pies? said Craig Shakespeare sheepishly

Another warm and sunny day here in NR2 in what seems to be the longest succession of warm and sunny days that I can remember. it hasn't rained here for so long that I've almost forgotten what rain feels like and I expect people will be dancing in the streets when it finally breaks. Here in the great East Anglian desert, Carrow Road looked a lush green Oasis as the teams came out and you could sense a certain level of disappointment when the only new face on display was that of Nunez. Some classy turns and quick passes from the Chile international caught the eye early on as City called the tune straight from the kick off. The class difference was apparent early on as the home side probed down both wings and Gianoullis had the first effort high and wide in the second minute. Then Pukki found time to turn in the area but a Wigan boot blocked his shot away. Then a Nunez shot was just off target but deflected off Cantwell and went the wrong side of the post. A series of corners added to the pressure and when Rashica again found the City talisman on the right side of the box a stinging low shot beat Amos but skimmed a foot wide of the far post. On the quarter hour some more neat work from Rashica and Nunez ended with a one on one and although the Kosovan got the ball over the keeper, a defender was on hand to head away. It was a promising opening and nearly all one way stuff with virtually nothing coming back from the visitors. That changed just after the midway stage when Sorensen appeared to be pushed over from behind while Mr. Donohue, saw nothing amiss and suddenly a totally exposed Tim Krul had to bring off a point blank block to save the day. The game quickly resumed its familiar pattern with City continuing to press and Nunez was a trifle unlucky to see his shot from the eighteen yard line just just curl a foot wide of Amos's right post. It appeared to be just a matter of time before the home side stamped their authority on the game with a goal, but having seen this sort of thing play out so many times over the years I was not surprised when the opening goal came at the other end. City should have easily cleared from their left back position but a poor pass from Gibson was cut out and suddenly the ball was in the centre of the box at McLeans feet and not a City defender within ten yards. Needless to say a player of his experience will score from there nine times out of ten and this wasn't time number ten. All very disappointing and it took the wind out of the home sides sails for the rest of the half. Just before the break however, McLean had a free header from a corner but could only loop it over the bar. City had looked a class above and had the lions share of the play but had twice given the ball away in their own half and had paid the penalty for it. Wigan had not looked a threat but had been solid and rugged in defence and had taken their chance when it came. The crowd voiced their disaproval with a few boo's as the whistle went and I confess I joined in, more out of frustration than anything else. City need to cut out the gifts if they were to get back in the game but the signs were not good when just after the restart, Gibson again presented the ball to Keane and Krul again had to come to the rescue blocking Megennis's shot at the foot of the left post. The crowd were certainly getting restive now and there was a long delay when Gianoullis went down with what appeared to be an ankle injury and was eventually replaced by McCallum, Hernandez also replaced Sorensen at the same time. Soon after the restart the ball was worked down the left and Pukki layed it on to Rashica who calmly touched it into the path of Aarons, who coming in from the right, slammed a low shot through the keeper and into the net to restore parity. From here on it was a game of defence against attack with City going close on several occassions. Sinani and Sargent came on for Nunez and Rashica as the pressure mounted and it looked like Pukki had done it when he latched onto Cantwell's pass but the shot came off the underside of the bar and nobody could scramble it home. The time wasting was on another level with the Wigan keeper outdoing anything I have ever seen from Tim Krul and the ref didn't help matters with some cockeyed decisions. Aarons was taken out with a wild tackle and then Kenny appeared to be pushed in the back but Mr. Donohue remained oblivious. I must admit I did get slightly agitated at this stage which is not really very good for the old ticker at my time of life. Ten minutes were added but Wigan successfully $hithou$ed most of it and so we are left with the usual very average start to a Championship campaign that has become something of a trade mark over recent years. We are clearly a class above most in this league but we must learn to be more savvy if we are going to garner sufficient points for a promotion challenge this season.

Better than Rashica !

How can you guys put that filth into your bodies ? It's about as poor quality as is available, badly prepared and overpriced to boot. It's only a couple of hours to survive without food, a boycott of the catering might get them to raise standards. Maybe one for the OSP to raise. ?

Have you completed an official body language qualification ?

About 90% are talking points from the Mail/GB News, blame shifting, divisive politics that the right are desperately pushing and an approval of taking away rights of protest. If it walks like a duck....

Having had a few hours to reflect on the Sargent vs Hugill conundrum I think I've decided that its bloody sad that we've got to this stage as both are essentially sh1t. The sooner Adam Idah gets fit, or we sign another striker the better. We have to have better than these two clowns.

As someone who tends to look for the good in people first (it's an automatic thing), it's always a disappointment when you gradually learn of the truer colours emerging... and you then realise you're far too idealistic or optimistic about the world. Maybe it's the Candide principle (if you've ever read Voltaire's very short book)? Then I read comments about "young idealists". Shouldn't they be? And as a comparatively older idealist? Am I worse in his view because "I've learned nothing"? I find it odd that someone should be so angry about people of the left of politics. What is there to be angry about? Those wanting a fairer world? A better spread of wealth? And just what is wrong with actually pointing out the huge vested interests in our society? You don't need to look far or even that deeply to see where the money is and where power lies. So...in summary I'm suspicious - maybe wary is a better word - of any posts that pour scorn to such a challenging of the status quo. Sometimes folk reveal themselves over time, sometimes quickly. Anger ought to be placed where it is needed - to challenge injustice in society (it is everywhere) and not on those who seek to expose it. I don't read about literature or social media from far right sources because it would probably depress or disillusion me if I did. Same with the Express and Mail...they are simply organs that want people to believe in the negative side of human nature, ultimately they use their outlets to maintain a gap between the haves and have nots. No wonder they are Brexity papers and no wonder they hate the "leftists and Marxists". Just look at the ownership. Jeez, the world is full of great things and further, you can find it and even create it yourself - every bloody day of you want to!

Wigan’s defense had a good foot over anyone in our squad and we hadn’t won a header in their half all game. Bringing Hugill on would encourage more high crosses and played right into their hands, Sargent offered more physicality and energy and should have had a pen when he was hauled down. Think he needs some game time up front before we write him off, but he doesn’t belong on the wing.

"Utterly infantile" is a good description of your response to those comments. Firstly, Herman's comment was obviously intended to be humorous whilst still capturing the serious point that fascistic tendencies must not be tolerated. Secondly, Gunny did not draw an equivalence between the Conservative Party and the Third Reich. He pointed out correctly that the Weimar Republic's tolerance of the intolerant Na-zi Party was a catastrophic mistake, hence his reference to the esteemed work of Karl Popper (try reading him and then come back and describe his work as "puerile"). The current degenerate bunch of Tories has done similar things that are indeed reminiscent of what happened in the '20s and early 30's Germany that made it possible for the subsequent Na-zi nightmare to occur. We have witnessed the illegal proroguing of parliament, the Attorney General undermining trial by jury, the Home Secretary introducing laws to ban noisy protests, Truss promising to stamp down on Unions, the demonising of immigrants, a party determined to foment a culture war, a PM attempting to subvert the disciplinary processes of parliament, etc, etc, etc. Sounds familiar doesn't it? I don't think for one minute that makes the Tory Party a bunch of Na-zis, and I don't think for one minute that this country would ever let that happen; but then again I suspect I might have said something similar if I had been a German in 1929. Democratic values have been under serious attack around the world (witness Russia and China et al), and it is undeniable that this present corrupt government has seriously undermined the public's confidence in our democratic processes in the UK. Even those of you of a right wing preference on this site have posted comments decrying the loss of traditional one-nation Tories from the constituency parties, and their replacement with the UKIP tendency. The world is becoming an increasingly hostile place and that hostility will be seriously intensified as global warming renders huge parts of the planet uninhabitable. Now is precisely the time to heed the warnings from history and prevent any slide from our democratic values into repressive measures of a fascistic tendency, be that of the extreme right or extreme left. Complacency is no longer an option.

I think we're going to spend most of this season floating up and down between 4th and 12th which means this debate will just go on and on. He'll never be in danger of being sacked but nobody will be happy either. I can just see us drawing too many games this year because we struggle to score goals and conceed cheap ones. We'll dominate most games and feel hard done by quite often, we'll probably smash a few teams on our day as well but I can't see us winning consistently with this team being less than the sum of it's parts. It'll be up to people to decide if that's because of the manager or the recruitment strategy, I lean towards recruitment being the problem as our attacking players just don't compliment each other so even if we got a better manager in I can't see us storming through this league. Might be better to let Smith have this one as we go through a transition and hope we can build a more coherent team next year.

Farke had brownie points saved up. Smith has been **** since he got here.

Most of the players at Carrow Road are capable. Their body language on the pitch says they really don't want to be there. Smith does not seem to be a motivator neither does he seem to have empathy with the players or the fans. His body language also says he does not really enjoy being there. Get rid. They are missing Farke. Get him back and there will be a different complexion on the atmosphere at Carrow Road and the quality of football. Might be a good time to kiss good bye to Webber and his shenanigans as well.

My heart sinks every time I think of Rashica and Sargent. And the money spent on them. Awful signings, don’t fit us at all. At least Sorensen plays a type of football that suits us, just doesnt play it at the standard needed.

Keep humans away and watch nature thrive.

Not only that , it's actually foul. And people do need to be critical, Jamie Oliver was ridiculed for pointing out the shoite people eat in England. ... but he was right .

Everything is heading the wrong way, Climate, habitat destruction, species annihilation, geopolitical instability, nuclear expansion, political credibility and leadership in democracies, hardening public attitudes towards horrendous abuse due to over exposure on the media and the internet, global inequality rising and becoming more obvious…. Let’s face it we have had it. I wonder in awe at those who lead the fight against what is happening. But it’s sadly a losing battle.

Yes , really unlucky Parma. The early weeks are tough but you got so close. We're back here doing what we do and that will bring its own dividends.👍👍

Given that we have had two incompetent referees so far, I'd still rather have human error than VAR. Swearing about refs is a huge part of the enjoyment of football and castigating them afterwards for us not winning (when we have had 22 shots and only 4 on target - bit of a giveaway there as to why we really didn't win) is also fun. VAR is destroying football. Just like social media is destroying society and Love Island is destroying romance.

Under Smith we'll be last season's WBA and finish about 10th Post match press conferences full of excuses and hard luck stories will become the norm I'm afraid that first half team selection yesterday is a sign of things to come , playing a holding midfielder and no no.10 at home to Wigan Everyday is another day of being headed down the wrong path while Smith is here, he didnt really want to be here, it was a situation where we were thrown together over conveniece and circumstance. Get rid and replace whilst we're only a couple of games in and someone else can take this over See the change at Forest when Cooper took over from that dullard Hughton? ..its exactly whats needed here

Thinking Farke will come back when he's just started with Gladbach is like thinking your ex who moved in with a 6ft 5 bodybuilder millionaire is going to come back to you.. Any day now right? On her hands and knees begging?

So late it could be next weeks... Many thanks to Eddie for keeping this wonderful thing going, and keeping alive the memory of Ray and Lapps, both sorely missed. Many thanks to PUPAnon, and PUPAnon 2 for their very generous support. Monday night Fenerbahçe v Umraniyespor - Home win An Ayrton Senna heading your way shortly from Mrs Wazzock

You're wasting your time mate. Divisive rhetoric and alt-right memes are the only language he understands. Save your nuance for posters who can be arsed to debate sensibly.

Copy and paste from elsewhere which people might find interesting - disclaimer - no idea how accurate it is Total shares 630,000 Delia & Michael - 327,109 - 53% Fouger Family ( 3 sep holdings ) - 98,200 - 15.6% J Jones (in Trust) 24,478 - 3:85% Under 2% Old Supporters Trust - 10,219 Carter - 7500 Turners - 5000 A Davison - 4040 Bertram Books- 3818 Canaries Trust 3650 Archant - 3500 (held by administrator ) Neil Woolner 3000

Didnt you know? Webber has taken the material to create his tent

Astonishingly there are people on twitter defending that challenge as perfectly fair because he “got the ball”

Will you be eating humble pie then if we start to build during early season and get into the top 6 places? Or will you be hoping we struggle because Smith is manager? Did you not see clear signs of improvement yesterday? Didn't the players show spirit? Were they not playing for their manager? If either of these were true it would be far more of a worry. Unlike you I don't hate Smith. Couldn't care less what he looks like whether he is fat, whether he drinks tea from a mug. Yet I'm not a great fan either - arguably no-one could follow Farke easily. Fulham nearly beat Liverpool yesterday. It happens. Wigan were the usual 'lower expectation' recently promoted team yesterday to arrive at Carrow Road ready to defend and try to waste time. It's happened for decades and you must have watched that. Yesterday there were many positive signs. Many. Just support your team and maybe even be more supportive of your fellow fans who don't have the same world view as you? This forum has many views and they will not all be real buh's no matter how much you want them to be.

Are you really so dopamine addicted and attention deprived that you needed to start the third thread on the same thing? Have you considered getting a partner and taking up sex?

There was this article I saw yesterday from the ex-conservative (was chucked out by Johnson) Rory Stewart along with all the other moderate conservatives. I think the points he makes are unarguable - the so called Tory party has indeed lurched to the right becoming (and he should know) simply a populist party promoting right wing simple solutions to complex issues. The fact that they then berate all and anybody who disagrees - enemies of the people, culture wars and yes many seeming to lack ethical standards of public behavior and service too - and yes I think we can then draw comparisons with the state of this party and the rise of populist regimes unhinged from any factual reality across the world. A similar reactionary party in the USA all but created a coup recently! The truth is that for many Tories - winning was more important than the truth or honesty. That is Johnson's legacy. A race to the bottom. Sadly far too many so called Tories are still far to fully imbibed with the populist drug to recover their wits and call a spade a spade. Even Sunak with his 'lefty lawyers' jibe (the law society if I recall had to say recently that the lawyers where only doing the job they were supposed to do - defending their clients - I dare say if we find a ruse to deport Sunak he'll expect same lawyers to defend him?). https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/aug/06/tory-partys-lurch-to-right-painful-to-watch-says-rory-stewart

If you can get to the national museum (right in the centre - see photo) it's worth the visit alone. The whole history of Lithuania laid out in maps, costume, artefacts. Great coffee shops too. When I went it was 1 degree at the warmest (November) and the streets were full of ice. The city reeks of its history (and there are reminders round lots of streets) - a bit of a feel like Warsaw.

I wouldn't have thought the Momentum set would have too much sway with a fairly Blairite sort in Starmer at the helm, also notwithstanding the fact that Corbyn was chucked out of the Labour party, and he was their talisman.

I’ve got cupboards like that in my house. “These will come in useful, I can’t throw them away…”

Sargent made a difference when he came on....not enough of a difference, but he did cause problems. Hugill could have done the same, I grant you, but the thing is that Hugill did the business pre-season in showing he was on form, so you would have thought he would be given the job. Sargent can be effective - we saw it last season, he is a unit and a handful. But we need goals and we need him to score more this season. Can he do that? Yes, I believe so, but with Hugill in the squad, he has competition for what is a similar role. Too soon to write him - or anyone else - off this season.

Max Aarons, by some distance.

Buh, we all have standards and I expect every Norwich fan hoped and expected a win yesterday. But we're in the real world not seemingly your fantasy football world. Unfortunately results don't always go your way. We gifted them a goal, pummelled them and got a draw. It was only dodgy refereeing that prevented all 3 points. But it was good to see a performance and them battle back to get a point, after last season when heads dropped and we threw in the towel each time a goal was conceded. It's game 2 of the season for crying out loud. Players are adapting, from being pummelled at a higher level, to having more control of the game and trying to break down opposition. Players are also building confidence after last season. Smith is trying to get them to press more, and we're introducing new players who have to gel with each other. You clearly want and expect instant results and the "standard" is to win every game. But you also want a manager sacked two games into a season. You're entitled to that but I doubt the board see it your way. Smith will be given time like every other NCFC manager (apart from Gunn) this early in the season. Lessons are being learnt and Smith is trying to address the midfield, which we've all been desperate for. Sorenson (I was an admirer) and Mclean certainly don't look the answer, & hopefully the standard will be raised if/when Hayden & Sara get up to full speed. Nunez looks exciting!

For once I felt Sargent did well when we came on, at least until that last-minute fluffed shot. He caused trouble for their defence and almost made an immediate impact when he bothered one of their players into making a mistake. Problem is, we could have paid a tenth of what we paid for him for someone to do that.

Imagine being a Norwich fan with an attitude of entitlement. Wigan are a championship club. So are we. The sooner the fan base get the idea that we’re entitled to win this league and that anything less is a catastrophic injustice, out of their heads, the better. We’re a very good club at this level, and results will come. So enjoy being one of the better sides. It’s taken a while for us to be consistently one of the those at this level.

Not a fair comment that. Can’t recall him having a bad game in our 20/21Championship run in. In fact, he came in and improved us. Disappointed last season, yes. But who didn’t?

Another one who improves every match he doesn't play. Has always promised a lot but disappointed too many times.

Smith just needs 10 more games of bringing Sargent on to sort this all out

Fans on here are notoriously wrong - Farkes first season wanting rid, the disgust at employing a manager from Hamilton in Scotland to try and recover a season etc etc. Essentially, if fans start wanting a manager out, in recent years it normally means we're going to win the title. Clear, obvious positives from yesterday and as per the Wigan fans around me at the time "Another day and Norwich put 4 or 5 past us, they were a cut above".

MTW pretty swiftly fell into cliche and whole rounds were clearly set up to let the comics crowbar in 2 minutes from their stand up sets, didn't feel organic at all.

There's always a few frustrating games like this every season. If we hadn't looked a class above, I would have been concerned, but we did and I am not. I fully expect the team to gel as things settle down. Nunez looks a real find and if Sara is anything of a similar calibre then the only way is up. We have been slow starters in most recent Championship seasons so this is nothing to be over concerned with yet. We have the players to do the job if Smith can get them all firing together. Things can and do go wrong but I am a long way from the panic mode that seems to be thr prime reaction of some on here.

No, we’re using screws and PVA 👍

Just seen a replay of the Aarons penalty incident, I was right to get agitated. Penalty and red card all day long on VAR. Ref should be hung drawn and quartered.

Season will be gone before this chancer is fired.

You're new here aren't you? 😂

I hope we won't give the Americans the chance to have any input into the catering at CR. Things I don't want for sale at CR: Pretzels, bagels, Hershey bars and Twinkies. Lukewarm coffee made with over-roasted beans. Things I don't want on the menu at Delia's : Biscuits, turnip greens and grits.