Grick

Having been at today's game and assuming all these pro's train together in Wagner's methodology, my concern is that the longer he has to embed his philosophy of ultra cautious, focus on not losing rather than winning football the harder it will be to implement change. Today's game saw numerous examples of opportunties wasted and player frustration. Such as when the ball was played back to Long and we had the rare opportunity of 3 attackers against 2 defenders just beyond the halfway line - one long ball over the top and an overload possible, not us, Long sticks to the script, ball played sideways until all their defenders are back on station. I lost count of Sainz's little runs into space that either weren't seen or ignored in preference of the safer option. Football is a risk & reward game, no risk = no reward (payslips excluded obviously!).

Slowness seems to define NCFC at all levels at present. Slow in getting forward, slow to get back and defend, slow to make tactical changes when required, slow to make decisions re. coaching, slow to engage with supporters on the new master plan to take us forward, etc. One thing that hurts opponents is pace and while other teams have it and use it constructively we are being left behind literally. We flip too easily from being confident in taking the club forward to fear of getting it wrong - from the Board, through the coaching staff to the players on the pitch. A byproduct of octagenarian owners and a team with a higher than most average age maybe? Knapper & Attanasio need to lead a reset to address this now not in 2/3 years when Delia & Michael, who are at risk of tarnishing their legacy from the great things they have done for the club, hand over the reins.

Message to DW, out with the current Calamity Couple and in with Batth & Warner.

What are the odds on a defeat to Ipswich in the home game in April being the result to send us down? Doesn't bear thinking about.

Looking at NCFC under Farke, Smith & Wagner has demonstrated that we are not a team that can cope without a star player, look at Farke's record without Buendia, Smith with a misfiring Pukki & no Skipp type player and Wagner without Sarge/Barnes. This is what exposes us to injury risks and individual form. As a collective we are a midtable championship team who can punch above their weight when said 'star' is on it but are exposed for what they are when they go missing. With the current team they should be better than the sum of its parts and this is where Wagner should be adding that element but unfortunately is struggling. Other teams/managers see teams pull together when a key player gets injured but we just seem to look at each other and hope someone else can pick up the mantle rather than taking collective responsibility. This has its roots in our recruitment policy. It is also worth noting that we lack leaders on the pitch with Barnes, Hanley etc. out and the team find themselves in a rut with no clear way out of it apparant. Other managers/teams have found that e.g. Carrick at Middlesborough, Farke at Leeds, Martin at Southampton.

I'd be interested to know how people rate Ogwuru in the U21's. Someone looking to break into the first team fairly quickly or another slow burner like Idah potentially looking down the loan route? I appreciate that not all MCFC youngsters are Fodens in waiting but I'd have thought he had something going for him with that background. Worth a spot on the bench now given our dearth of attacking options?

Eustace from Birmingham, sacked with a team in top 6 for a bigger 'name'.

What about Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries as used in Apocolypse Now?

The silver lining for next year is that we won't be a favourite for promotion and more teams will come to Carrow Road on the front foot rather than to defend deep. May suit us better if we can get the ball forward quicker. The start will be crucial.

Since he has adopted the 80/20 rule (80% of passes must be backwards) his stock has plummeted. Put him in team that allows him to range forward with options up front to pass to and he could rediscover his form.

The way our defence play with short passes, looking back / sideways rather than forward and always inviting pressure you almost provide the opposition with an extra attacker. After 6 minutes today we lost 2 key facets of a good team: confidence & pace and we never looked like a top half, let alone top 6 team.

Will be able to lead the fans in a rousing On The Ball City to reconnect the team & fans! With his accent may even get a tune out of Sara & Nunez.

Roberto Martinez anyone? 🙂

We know that but does Stuart 'Bonnington' Webber?

I'm waiting to see if Gareth will leave the England job. (poor deluded fool).