Pyro Pete

Agreed. But today Doherty was the big surprise for me. He made a huge difference compared to Svensson. Ok lumping the ball up front shouldn''t be a long term plan, but it showed how pathetic Svensson''s touch, control, postioning, movement, jumping and complete lack of strength is. I''d love it if Svensson proved me wrong, but I just can''t see it happening. Get to the back of the queue Matt. You''ve had your chance.

I ''m really proud of our boys after that spirited display. Shame we couldn''t have nicked a point - if only Bentley''s shot had gone in! But if you''d told me this time last year that we would be at Old Trafford making Man United sweat in the last 15 minutes as they hung on to a one goal lead, I''d have laughed my head off. I hope Worthy and the players take confidence from that performance, and now step up their game and look to beat Newcastle. McKenzie and Doherty (great debut) should now be considered ahead of Svensson who looked way out of his depth, unlike the rest of the team. One great goal seperated the two teams, and I can live with that. As Worthy said in his post game interview, now we need some points. So let''s start at St James'' Park.

"If the team stays in the Premiership then a lot of that will probably be down to me" David Bentley has been talking big in an interview in today''s Guardian. He certainly doesn''t seem to lack confidence or self belief. Check out the online version of the article here: http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,9753,1287746,00.html

He looks pretty happy too. His left earlobe is right where my seat is! http://www.canaries.premiumtv.co.uk/page/FirstNewsDetail/0,,10355~554496,00.html

Beardsley does have a sense of humour about his ugliness though. He recently did a "Pheonix from the flames" moment on Fantasy Football with Skinner and Baddiel, who had turned up holding a Quasimodo outfit and a huge bell.

Ama, thank god for optimists like you. If Worthy can transform Doherty the way he transformed Malky then I be well chuffed. Before Worthy became manager I honestly felt Mackay was the worst centre back that I''d ever seen in the yellow shirt. Honestly, I really did. But the way Worthy got Malky to perform by keeping it simple, staying in position and playing as part of a unit was just amazing. A real testament to quality coaching and man management. Remember too that Steeno was just a reserve team player before Worthy took charge. So if anyone can transform a defender''s career then Worthy can.

I saw the goals on Sky Sports News. They showed them as part of the ongoing Carrick-to-Spurs story (apparently he sat in the stands). McKenzie scored a scrappy goal after an almighty goalmouth scramble. But a goal''s a goal. West Ham''s goals were of better quality and cut our defence apart (I don''t know who was playing at centre half I''m afraid).

I really wish I hadn''t looked at that link! Spurs fans really hate him don''t they.

I spoke to a colleague who supports Arsenal about this yesterday evening. He said that at Arsenal Bentley is seen to be in the Bergkamp/Reyes mould. But he has only played one hour in the Premiership, and that was on the left wing against Portsmouth where he was pretty ineffective (his words). He''s played 8 other matches for Arsenal - 4 in the League Cup, 3 in the FA Cup and one in the Champions League. Apparently he models himself on Bergkamp, and the Arsenal fans call him the second DB10! So on that basis I would try him up front, or just behind the front two.

Well I suppose 1st Wiz could bore me to death by reading from his fantasy novels. Other than that he is about as threatening as Svensson was on goal on Saturday.

What I like about reading the Pink''un talkboards is that everyone gives their own honest opinion. Whether it''s praise or criticism, long may it continue. There are people like 1st Wizard who, after Saturday''s game, said that fans have "no excuse" and "no right" to criticise their team. He is of course wrong. But he is entitled to give his opinion, despite the fact that he obviously doesn''t want other fans to give theirs. 1st Dictator would be a more appropriate name.

Performance of the 4 new boys: CHARLTON looked composed, has more pace than Malky, and his distribution is a little better also. But his lack of height is a concern. Though he copes with it well in one-on-ones, we do miss a dominant defender when our penalty area is crowded. HELVEG looked very solid, and covered the centre backs well when called upon. Hopefully Worthy will encourage him to get forward more. BENTLEY was very quiet, and surprisingly I was impressed by his defensive work. Which was highlighted when McVeigh switched to that side and we instantly conceded from that flank. A lot of promise, but needs encouragement to have a go at defences. JONSON was anonymous. Forgivable bearing in mind he arrived only a week ago. As with Bentley it was his defensive contribution that made him look better than anything else we have on that side. Never play Edworthy on the wing again Worthy! SUBSTITUTIONS: Cost us 2 points, it''s that simple. That''s all I''ll say. SVENSSON: He was playing was he? He did nothing. NOTHING. McKenzie should have come on the moment we conceded, with Edworthy going straight back to the subs bench. HOLT AND FRANCIS: They are the best we have. Until Safri is fit there is no competition in central midfield. Holt gave everything today. EXTRA PLAYERS: A quality striker, a creative central midfield playmaker, and a big centre back. Each would cost big money. MAN OF THE MATCH: Thank god for Huckerby and Greeno. Both deserved it today.

I just watched that myself and felt exactly the same way vicar. The presenter looked mildly embarrassed by Mark Lawrenson''s crude and dismissive attitude towards all the newly promoted clubs. I suppose he and Hansen are just bitter that Liverpool are simply an "also-ran" side these days, so they have to release their own frustrations somehow. Sad really.

Herb, cheers for the offer. As my father is coming back from holiday on the day of the game it will be a close run thing whether he will be able to make it or not. Hopefully he will call and let me know before Saturday so I don''t have an empty seat next to me. If it becomes available I''ll post something on here - it would be free by the way.

I will definately be bringing my flag on Saturday - and waving it around feverishly like a fool! I hope the atmosphere will be like our last home game at the end of last season too. With a sea of colour, mexican waves, confetti, beach balls, sex dolls (ahem, River End only), and general partying in the stands. Lets enjoy every minute of it. I may even have a spare seat next to me if my father fails to make it back from holiday in time for kick-off. So I might be able to offer some lucky devil a free ticket.

The Premiership season preview in yesterday''s Guardian was slightly surreal. You do sometimes wonder if these journalists ever get out of their London offices and experience the real world. Here is the Norwich section: http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1276933,00.html

I watched the match live on tv and thought it was the best Charity Shield game in years. Arsenal looked formidable, even without Viera and Pires. Their passing and movement is just on another level to everyone else. Lets hope we meet them on an off day. As for Man Utd, while I thought they looked competitive I honestly believe that with a bit of luck we can take points off them. With van Nistelrooy, Saha, Solskjaer and Wes Brown injured. Heinze and Ronaldo at the Olympics, and Rio Ferdinand and Darren Fletcher both completing bans we are playing them at the right time. And remember, up until last season Norwich were the last team to score a penalty at Old Trafford.

I have to admit I am partial to a bit of Pro Evo Soccer on the PS2. It would be good if they did include our official line-up, but I can''t see it being up to date if the game is coming out in October. But with our current squad of international players I''m sure they will feature in the game somewhere. The 3-4-3 (diamond midfield) is THE killer formation by the way!

I don''t believe for one minute that Worthington was in an either/or position when it came to signing a third goalkeeper or an outfield player. If Worthy also has a striker or centre back in his sights then I don''t think todays signing will have any impact on his plans. Let''s be serious, in the Premiership 250k (if that''s correct) is peanuts. The question we have to ask is are we serious about maintaining our Premiership status? If we are a serious professional outfit then obtaining a credible third choice goalie is a must, and I can''t believe it''s even open to debate. Outfield players can play out of position and provide cover in an injury crisis. In goal it''s a different story. I remember the season we got relegated. We went to Everton in the FA Cup with a last minute loan keeper as all ours were injured. Step up Mr hopeless himself, the one and only Simon Tracy. We got stuffed 5-0 due to his incompetence, and the impact of that defeat on team morale must have been devastating. I agree that a new striker and centre half would make it a good summers work in the transfer market for us. But if these additions don''t arrive I''d be very surprised if Ward''s arrival had any bearing on it.

McVeigh: "I''m taller than Charlton even when he''s standing on a chair "

I was a ball boy at a reserve team match against Reading in 1986. Does this qualify me as staff?

I have to admit that I did notice the positioning of the black players in the team photo when I saw it on yesterday''s back page, and did for a moment think "Hang on...". But it was probably the photographer''s idea of producing a balanced composition rather than any dubious intent. Personally I was more interested in trying to see if there was any truth in the claims that Mulryne had become slimmer-of-the-year, but it''s hard to tell when they''re all sitting down.

Just seen the same advert in The Observer Sport Monthly section today. It was quite a surprise to see the park I walk through every other day in a national press advert! For those who don''t recognise it, the photo is of the five-a-side footy pitch at the Jenny Lind park. I wonder if the ads in the USA read "New York is my Norwich"...

I have to admit this was a bit of a surprise to me. I rate Kanu as a player, but not necessarily as a goalscorer though. But will he really want to play for them in the Nationwide League next year?

I was living in Manchester when we won 2-1 at Maine Rd. Unfortunately I had to work that day so I couldn''t make the game - shame because I only lived a few minutes from the ground - but I loved rubbing my workmates noses in it when the final score came through!