Jonncfc

Losing 7.1 at Blackburn was pretty grim, and it felt a very long way home afterwards. However, Millwall away in the mid-70s got the adrenaline flowing! They needed to win to avoid relegation and were 1.0 up for most of the game. We got an equaliser a few minutes from the end and to say the locals didn’t take it well would be a massive understatement. Absolute mayhem, and not in a good way.

Not the friendliest reception from the locals, I seem to recall. Running battles throughout the match.

Coconut rice is divine, although pineapple rice runs it a close second.

LDC would, of course, agree with you wholeheartedly that it’s still entirely possible that we could win 6 out of the remaining 11 matches, although even if we did it may well still not be enough (7 wins and a draw needed for the mythical 40 point barrier). But the reality is we’re a dead team walking. Results have been consistently abysmal, performances one-dimensional, team confidence now shot to pieces, and a board that seemed to have accepted relegation before the first ball of the season was kicked. Clearly spending money on the squad is no guarantee of success in the Prem, and we all know of the examples where some clubs have come seriously unstuck because of this, but equally not spending is an absolute guarantee of failure. Like it or not, establishing a club in the Prem requires money, and a lot of it. It’s hardly surprising that we are where we are.

What about the setbacks over the last 16 weeks?

But equally there are no established Premier League clubs that have succeeded without spending money.

LDC ”The sustainable model may or may not work long term, but it is a long term policy. Money does not solve all the problems and sometimes creates them.” Very true, and there’s no end of examples of clubs in the Championship and below who’ve had money but it hasn’t worked. But equally I can’t think of any examples of established Premier League clubs who have succeeded without money.

Sad though it is to have to admit, but it really does seem that the noble ideal of being a self-sustaining club that lives and succeeds within its own means without external investment is naïve and doomed to failure. In an egalitarian socialist utopia where all clubs operate on a level playing field this would be a realistic way to operate, but football these days, particularly at the highest level where the rewards are huge, requires enormous investment. Yes, we can sell some of our younger home-grown players, probably for severals tens of millions, but always offloading our best players to make ends meet is never going to be a model for becoming an established and successful team in the Premier League. It really is time to accept that the “Little Norwich” mentality has to change. For those that disagree, have a look at Leicester by way of comparison. That league table recently published showing the relative worth of the owners of all Premier League clubs was very telling.

Well, I’ve just checked online and I can’t find any link to my order history, nor any details of my season ticket, my away premier membership or any of the 10 away matches I went to last season. Oh well, what could possibly go wrong on Tuesday when I try to buy my Liverpool ticket?

Anyone received their away membership packs? The first window for Liverpool tickets is next Tuesday and I’ve received nothing yet other than an acknowledgment email when I paid my £51.50 a few weeks ago. It’s getting a bit close.

No, definitely not. Although I’d never ever want Ips***h to win, I definitely would like to see Shef Utd lose tomorrow. We’re limping a bit at the moment and the more help we can get, the better.

The way we play is absolutely the right system for the Prem, but obviously we’ll have to step it up another notch for it to be successful. I genuinely think the current squad has the potential to do that and it’ll be important that we stick with them and that we’re not tempted to bring in too many new faces, simply because they have Premier League “experience”.

It’s a Sunday so anywhere with a single yellow line should be ok.

This feeling of optimism based on proven and sustained success on the pitch is relatively unusual for us at NCFC, so let’s enjoy it while we have the chance. But, I’m sure I’m not the only one who still goes into games hoping for the best but still half-expecting the worst. LDC is right that we shouldn’t count our metaphors until they’re hatched. After all, do we really think we’ll win all of our remaining six matches? It’d be tremendous if we did, and, having already won 8 in a row, it would set a record for the club, but in truth we probably won’t. However, it’s clear that it would take quite a drop in form for us not to go up now, but I agree that we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves. Quiet confidence is one thing, but claiming that it’s all over bar the shouting is a bit premature.

I imagine they’ll all be court martialled but until then, as with everyone else accused of a crime, they’re innocent until proven guilty, so just what exactly do you expect the Chief of the General Staff to say at this stage? As for racism in football, this mirrors racism in society in general. People are far more aware of it now and, quite rightly, it gets flagged up whenever and wherever it happens, but let’s not pretend for even one second that it’s anything like it was in the 1970s or that it’s somehow suddenly getting worse.

Their squad is lacking players of any real quality, the only money Lambert will have to strengthen will be the few pounds they get from off-loading the dross, their crowds will dwindle yet further and they won’t have the new manager bounce that we benefitted from. They’ll find it a lot harder than they think and will struggle to get much above mid-table. The few remaining supporters will become increasingly disillusioned and Lambert will be gone by Christmas. They need a complete rebuild from top to bottom.

Had a bit of “banter” with some disgruntled Rotherham supporters on the way back to the station who were scathing about our alleged cheating, diving and feigning injury. I think that’s a bit harsh but, that said, we do have one or two extremely talented players (who shall remain nameless) who have a tendency to go down fairly easily and who then spend the next 10 seconds sitting on the ground gesticulating at the ref instead of getting up and chasing back.

Some great pubs around London Bridge, all with character and proper beer: The Market Porter The George The Wheatsheaf The Anchor The Horseshoe

And here’s to you, Marco Stiepermann Norwich loves you more than you will know Wo wo wo God bless you please, Marco Stiepermann Carrow Road’s the place for you to play Hey hey hey Hey hey hey

Some people, presumably of relatively mature years, are behaving very much like spoilt children. Regardless of whether or not you think the flag idea is a positive one, there’s really no need to be so negative about something that is well-intentioned and designed to help the team on the pitch. Time to swallow your pride and grow up a little.

Excellent effort yesterday from all concerned. Good idea to spread them further across The Barclay rather than concentrating them in a smaller area - better overall effect. Although most people seem to know that the flags need to be collected in at half-time I have seen one or two individuals trying to hang on to them. Hope most were returned and not too many damaged.

Often wondered when I’m at a match whether football supporters reflect wider society or whether there is a greater proportion of those who are slightly socially inept or otherwise outwith the norm, and if it’s the latter does that include me?

Had a similar experience many years ago when I foolishly had a season ticket in The City Stand. The 2 blokes behind me spent every match talking loudly and incessantly about the optimum time for planting potatoes, the latest techniques for harvsting wheat and the latest deals on new tractors. Moved to The Barclay after that season!

From my seat in Block C it seemed that there was a flag for every 2 seats and that the back 10 rows had them. Replicate that across blocks D and E and I reckon that would give about 200. Seemed to work well and the photo of The Barclay looked good. Hope they get further funding and permission from the club to extend across blocks A and B as well.

Why would you feel the need to smoke during a carol service?