East Rider

After Portsmouth last year, we don't deserve to.

Let's hope he keeps his word and Shrewsbury grabs a good win there.

Indeed. Such was the transition from when DF came to now with our playing staff, that if we survived this season against the odds, it could in all likelihood kick start a terrific era for us as a club. Then he would certainly go down in folklore.

West Ham :- Billy big b0((0cks attitude of a club Aston Villa :- just for the laugh Man city :- Just so those who state 'they were there before the money flowed in' can get their club back

Just thinking yesterday we put out virtually our strongest available 16 for an FA Cup game when there is an extremely important match next week end coming up. Has DF changed his view on this season and is he trying to salvage something via the Cup? Perhaps he has taken stock of our chances and feels going for a strong assault on the cup is the right way to go now, unlike the last two seasons. If so, this could turn out to be a decent season after all, especially if we reach the later rounds. Love a cup run...….

Last night on MOTD Danny Murphy (probably one of my favourite pundits) stated, not for the first time that Norwich are the best team he has ever seen at the bottom of the PL table ;- he is right of course. However, he went on to say whilst we are a joy to watch we do not score enough and can't defend, indicating we are going down. He said almost the exact same things around Christmas time on the radio. We are magnificent to watch for the neutral and provide entertaining football for us who follow each week. IF we still had 20 plus games to go and our performances were as such I would be confident of turning things round, but we don't. We are fast approaching the business end of this season and then teams near us will simply 'play for the point' or not to lose against us. They will be tight and niggly which doesn't suit our style. Getting back to that pundit. The only difference I recall between now and then when he first said that about us? We are now further adrift of 17th spot !

However, I do know what I'm on about: Below are two lifts direct from the Pink un. They clearly state that Timm Klose was not 100% fit for the start of the season which was relatively known at the time. He had also missed quite a bit of the season. 'The Switzerland International missed the start of the season because of hip trouble, and then suffered what turned out to be a long term issue on his first appearance in the Carabao cup at Crawley.' 'Klose's last league game for the Canaries was the dramatic 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday at Carrow Road in April.' Grant Hanley (who I believe has been excellent for us) was linked last summer to a couple of clubs with a loan in mind. That is not because supporters felt he was not good enough, but the coaching staff felt they could let him go I suspect. However, he wanted to stay and fight for his place, thank god he did! Godfrey, despite being one of the hottest prospects out there (and again I agree) was only 19 without any PL experience. Zimbo is a warrior and exemplifies the personality of this club. However, it can not be ignored where he came from, his lack of PL experience and the goals we let in, in the championship (which was as much to do with midfield). So my opinion is that we needed another CB (whether on loan or not) and perhaps a proven striker, perhaps someone who knew the club.

Exactly, and without those injections of funds we would slowly stagnate and then drift of into the bottom of the championship a la Ipswich, self funded or not.

Yes it probably has, to a lesser degree. Just off the top of my head, Tottenham and Palace both at home would have been 4 extra points without VAR. Man utd would have been a point as well probably. However it would be wrong to point the finger at VAR for our shortcomings. We have been in enough winning or promising positions in games and yet have failed to capitalise time and time again. The blame / fault / responsibility for our woe is multi faceted and some have been eloquently and often bluntly expressed on here.

Not quite sure that was the case. We started with a suspect/injured T Klose, a CB called G Hanley who was not considered good enough for this league and was apparently going out on loan, a 19/20 CB with great potential and no experience at this level and a superb German chap who had just had the season of his career with us having come from the 3rd tier overseas. On top of that we desperately needed a DM to help our defence who had leaked goals like a sieve in the championship. Considering all of the above we have done very well to keep in touch with the others.

If it was a Christmas present. I'd thank them through gritted teeth, keep it inside its grubby cheap wrapping paper, try to ignore the stink emanating from inside for the year whilst hiding it in my compost bin for safe keeping and recycling. Then, the following year I'd drag it back out attempt to wipe off some of the accumulated sh1t and with a big false smile and a cheerful 'Happy Christmas' hand it over to however had p1553d me off the most those last 12 months. I would then have hours of fun thinking what could they do with such an awful, uninspiring and neverendingly dull gift.

I see. I wonder (with a mischievous smile) though if (whilst holding the power in your hands) deliberating for ever over a simple decision that may affect a small club like ours is as damaging to an individual (let's call him a VAR referee who wishes to be known as accurate pro active and 'fair') as it may be if a big high profile team was involved? I'll stop now as even I know very clearly VAR is not the reason we are where we are.

Totally understand the sentiment here and if I was more of a cynic I would have a big issue with it. let us just hope the Bournemouth type of penalty we won (as obvious a penalty as a puppy is guilty beside a pile of ****) occurs at Liverpool. VAR may then get properly reviewed and who knows.

I don't see people turning on DF. I see supporters with genuine frustrations regarding a perceived lack of investment and some (like myself) who would like us to adopt a plan B or whatever we call it these days when we are chasing a game or especially when we are holding on or in front holding on. I believe the vast majority (apart from a few tw4ts on here pretending to be NCFC supporters) are still behind him and appreciate the hand he has been dealt with. He has galvanised this club, and in turn, last season given us some of the best football I have ever seen at CR since the late 70's. My frustrations are due to what could have been with this squad and the injuries that have wrecked our chances (along with the lack of a couple of additional pre season signings to help us). Turning on Farke? No where near.

I would disagree. Burnley went for the jugular that is Jones in defence with their basic style and it worked. They had a plan for this game. I'm in no way advocating a change in manager, but it would be nice to have an earlier change in options for us. Perhaps Onel with his pace on quicker, a period of more direct play, a change in creativity.

I wish no offence to LDC and I do agree with a lot of what he says. However, a lot of what is said is obvious to anyone watching us this season. We are a decent team, we do create a number of chances but we make the same mistakes almost every game, either tactically or otherwise. And that is the hallmark of a team who usually end up relegated. I am an absolute 100% Percy positive in every day life, but you sometimes have to look at the situation rationally and without passion or favour. And that view is uncomfortable to me

It is noticeable watching Burnley play against a Man Utd who they have failed to beat in their last 10 meetings, deliver every free kick from the half way line into the utd box and score from one knock down as a result. They had a plan B and it worked. Whilst I appreciate our style of play, you can't help hoping for the odd long pass/free kick straight into the box sometime just to create a chance and change our style briefly.

If we do not start turning some decent result our way, this squad will probably not be broken up too much come the end of the season.

I agree we are 'good enough at this level' however, we play as a team destined for relegation unfortunately. We simply do not take our few chances, fail to enhance a position and often when under pressure, make unforced and silly mistakes. That and the fact that lady luck has forgotten where we are adds up to the probable and likely. Time is running out quickly. Tonight was the night to play spurs and we fluffed our chance. A real shame

I'd also have swapped Todd Cantwell after the goal as he ran himself into the ground tonight. However, we were playing quite well at that point and it looked like we could have gone on. The problem was we continually made unforced mistakes.

You can not get away from the fact that despite the lack of funding compare to other teams, we performed magnificently last season, and against virtually everyone's expectations. That was down to him, however you dress it up. The issue is the lack of investment for this season and the chronic injuries we suffered for half a season are not down to him. However, you can't help having the feeling we are yet again about to miss out on a golden opportunity.

Succinct, spot on and sadly predictable after the first few fluffed passes and unforced errors. Could and should do much, much better.

Good question. Be as tight as we can for as long as we can, then let the onslaught begin.

to finally kick on with this recovery from the doldrums? There has not been a better time for any team to play Spurs this season and it is our chance this evening. A point will do but three would be preferred and of course magnificent, putting some much needed pressure on others. Failure, and we limp along again for a few weeks reducing our chances significantly. Duda to excel, Pukki to rampage and Cantwell to demonstrate his skills! Preying to the VAR gods as we speak.

The MOTD highlights did not in my opinion reflect the true nature of the game. We played okay at parts with Todd Cantwell, Emi and Duda looked very good throughout. However we were nervous and at times played within ourselves instead of going for the throat. We dug in and won but we will need to be more clinical against other teams or we have a long winter ahead