Ark

Just read the bit on the front page about our last friendly. Not quite Real Madrid, but I think they''ve been undersold a bit on a 7-1 defeat to Newcastle. I remember them narrowly missing out to Lazio 2-1 in the last ever Cup Winners'' Cup final (1999 I''m told) after knocking out Chelsea - the then champions - in the semis.

Mine was a rather historic night against Vitesse in 1993 aged 11. My parents aren''t supporters (both hailing from elsewhere), so I got hooked thanks to a school friend who got me a free ticket through the Junior Canaries fan club.

We''re definitely a little short in the midfield department. But I''m pretty sure worthy''s saving any pennies that are still left in the kitty for a rainy day. With Brennan doing the same job he did at everton on the left, Francis replacing Holt (all the man seems to do these days is chase the ball - no offence like) alongside Mulryne, and either Rivers or Hendo refinding form, there''d need to be a major injury before the board got their cheque-books out again this season.

Charles Clarke may be a norwich supporter, but that''s not to say he shouldn''t be shot... In the nicest possible way and all! Hmm... Coming to think of it that may be libellous, so I''m not so sure it''ll get posted. Okay. Charles Clarke should get voted out at the next election (that''s our job), if this whole tution fees thing goes through - talking as a student who wouldn''t have been able to study at the university I''m at under the current system. As for darren huckerby, don''t get too carried away, but I reckon he can do a great job for us, and (hopefully) help to get us back up there so we won''t have to compete in any possible McDonald''s Football Championship next season.

I''d have to agree with stevenagefan. And I''d like to add that you have to respect that Nigel Worthington and the player himself know full well when he''s had a bad game, so when he''s out there doing his best to make up for a poor performance the previous week, it''s hardly going to do him much good to have large sections of his own team''s fans adding to the pressure on his shoulders.

"Which name would you rather see on the team sheet? Easton or Henderson?" Henderson, without doubt. He has the ability to play with the ball at his feet, beat defenders and put in a good cross, and seems to get better just about every time he steps onto the pitch. His only downfall has been in the last 15 to 20 minutes of matches when he tends to start losing composure somewhat. But what can you expect from an 18 year old!! And Easton''s always gone long before that. But that''s besides the point as Hendo''s out of position playing on the left, so if that''s what you''re getting at it would be an unfair contest. Quite what fans have against the kid completely escapes me!

My mate was saying a similar thing about Cedric Anselin the other day. He reckoned the other players on the pitch just couldn''t understand the Frenchman''s genius. You do have to wonder... Afterall, he moved from lighting up the french league at Bordeau (and as an under-21 international) to warming a place on the bench for the Norwich reserves! I think Norwich simply don''t play a flair game at the moment. It''s all about gutsy, battling performances. We may be able to outclass the smaller clubs in the division but, in all honesty, player for player I''d say we''re not even close to the West Hams, Sunderlands and even West Broms of this world at this moment in time (especially in midfield).

Thank god I''m not the only one. I remember watching him take a long range free-kick at palace last season. It BOUNCED before it reached the goal. I don''t think the Crystal Palace fans slated him or anything, I think they just stayed quiet, not quite believing that a professional footballer could take such a poor strike at the ball. I can''t say I was the biggest fan of Llewellyn before him, but at least he had some vague semblance of presence on the pitch. I''d like to see us bring in someone like Wolves'' Mark Kennedy (probably their only quality player) to play that position. He can put in great crosses and scores his fair share of goals from distance. Certainly a potential signing if we switch places next season anyhow!

If not roberts, I reckon svensson could definitely do a similar job. The main thing I''d say I''ve really seen from McKenzie so far is pace... and a fair slice of luck - the perfect attributes of a player best brought on as sub (eg. Vassell for England vs Vassell for Aston Villa). Whereas Svensson seems to have the element of presence - a much better foil for hucks!

Sadly couldn''t make it to the match myself, but for me the question seems to be, if indeed the chant is seen to be "you fat bast**d" by the relevant authorities, whether the charge will simply be dropped. Afterall, however common the chant may be, it''s still a form of abuse aimed at an individual on the pitch, and if for this reason they may feel that they can''t simply back down. And... what kind of precedent would that set - zero tolerance? I know it sounds a bit far fetched, but would be interesting to see if it panned out that way. My guess is they''ll attempt to side-step the issue in that circumstance and fine the club for the bottle thrown on the pitch.