farley

If we stay up, can anyone see anything next year other than another awful season? I quite fancy trips to Hartlepool, Peterborough and Oldham. Be able to tick off loads of grounds I haven''t been to. This sounds daft, but if we stay in the Championship, I''m not sure I''ll be able to justify going to all these away games and hardly seeing any decent performances. Burnley on a Tuesday night!!! Fed up with it. Johnstone''s Paint Trophy at Aldershot or Barnet? Bring it on.[:D]

But the majority of City fans still applaud them off the park, week-in, week-out! I did''t applaud today as i thought they were guttless (for 80 mins anyway). I don''t know about alot of you, but the football on offer this season has probably been the worst I have seen since I started watching City back in 1985. But we still clap. Today was an embarrasment..........again!!! Thank God Blackpool are worse than us.

I was there, and never have I been so angry at a gardener in all my life!!! I can remember half the North Stand ending up on the pitch in front of us dancing around. In those days, the family bit was stupidly given to Ip***t families, and they ended up having to escape rather quickly or be hit with a seat. I can still vividly remember the sound of crunching seats and coins hitting the roof. It was pretty bad as many tried to get out creating a bad crush. Worst of all, they let the shellsuit wearing fools out of the pitch entrance next to the away end, and we were all allowed out at the same time. No being kept in for an hour after the game. Basically, bedlam ensued. I avoided a punch as I wasn''t wearing colours, but anyone in Yellow was a target. I can also remember bricks raining in from somewhere and lads clambering over a wall to get at the Ipswich lads. Somehow I doubt it''ll be like that again..............not really a bad thing either. I don''t mind admitting that, as a 14 year old I was pretty worried at the time, although it all seemed so exciting after the event. The only time I have been more scared at football was being chased down the road by about 30 lads outside Old Trafford after we drew 2-2 back in ''94! As for Curetons hair, I am sure that he came out for the warm up with it green, but was told to wash it out by the ref. Is this right or am I just talking rubbish? Anyway, roll on the 13th.

[quote user="All dots"]Nothing else to do in Norfolk on a Saturday afternoon, in Winter.[/quote] Not far from the truth there!!! We are a stupidly loyal lot here in Norfolk, but what other footballing options do we have? Unless you want to watch Ridgeons League, none. (Lynn is a long way from most). I do think that it''s great that we have such numbers, but sometimes when there is rubbish on the field, it means that the club can''t be kicked into action due to support dwindling because, once you have paid for a season ticket, you are going to go whatever is on offer.

It''s a shame a few people have mentioned that they won''t go away again for a while, but to be honest there were about 700-800 people there on Saturday who don''t go to away games apart from once a season. This isn''t the norm. Ususally I can wander around the ground before and after the game with no problem whatsoever. Saturday had an atmosphere I haven''t seen for a while but was casued by loads of lads I have never seen before! The ususal lads I thought were our troublesome lot left before I had. I drove past them as they were walking to the station! Don''t let this put you off going away. However, the atmosphere isn''t always like that either. Bury was dead and I don''t think we mustered more than 3 songs all night! To the lad who who seems to think that staying to the end means that you are a REAL fan!!! Get a life! I''ve only left early twice in the time I have been going to football. One was with 10 minutes left at Luton when we were 4-0 down at half time, and the other was on Saturday. Getting out of Leicester is a nightmare after the game, so I went early and was home by 7.30. It is not a reflection on what a bad supporter I am because I decided that watching the next 10 minutes wasn''t going to be much fun. In fact, I bet you went by coach so you had no choice BUT to stay. Real fans are those that go despite how well we are doing. 3000 turned up on Saturday, but there would have been 1000 less had we not have been on the 13 game unbeaten run. As for the troble, Norwich and Leicester have had a history for years. I remember stand-offs at the Clarence Harbour after games back in the 90''s. I''m sure 95% of those involved won''t be at Watford.

I don''t think the moaning is a problem. Every fan is entitled to an opinion, and to be honest there has been a lot to moan about. However, what annoys me more than anything is the fans that think they only help the team. You are deluded!!! Our current situation is pretty much down to bad decisions for a number of years. But, I honestly believe some city fans haven''t helped. Why? Because, booing a player wearing the shirt while the game is going on is counter productive. Andy Hughes for example. Now he has left us, he is a first team regular in a good Leeds side. Yes, Leeds are a league below us, but if we got them in the cup, I wonder who would be favourites??? In my opinion, he was never given a fair chance at the club byt the fans. Early on in his city Career, he was booed and abused when on the ball. He would get the ball, and there would be an audible sigh around the ground. How on earth does that help a player? Imagine you were playing and everytime you got the ball all around you held their heads in their hands. Doesn''t exactly make you want to play, does it. It''s an unneccessary pressure, and I think that pressure has ruined certain players at this club. I remember going to MK Dons in the League Cup, Andy Hughes'' 3rd game for us and the bloke in front said to me, "he can play here for 10 years and I''ll still thinkhe''s S***". What''s the point in that attitude. Last night, Hartson was awful. However, cheering because he is being substituted???? That''s really going to make him want to do his best, isn''t it! BEfore I get abuse, I am not attempting to blame all our problems on the attitude of some fans, but I do think that this is - and has been for a long time - a problem at this club. I''ve watched other clus, and I have never seen anything like the attitude we have here. Whay can''t we just support the 11 in the shirts for 90 minutes. Instead of getting on someones back for missing a chance or misplacing a pass, why don''t we try and get behind them so next time they have the ball, they aren''t afraid of being almbasted by some old boy in the stand who obviously knows the game better than anyone! Rant over.

Finally, someone who saw the same game as I did. We were not that bad to be honest (apart from the first 20 where we could have been 2 or 3 down!). I can''t fault many of the players except maybe Chadwick. Dion Dublin probably has one of the best footballing brains I have seen. Honestly, without him we would probably be relegation contenders. Not to say that we aren''t anyway. For all the huffing and puffing, there is an element of skill missing from the team. We just don''t scare other sides. When Charlton went forward they looked dangerous. Quick passing moves. We attack and there is no-one in the box. Noone wants the ball. Chris Brown played well last night, but he needs someone there with him. Huckerby, for all that everyone loves him, was a waste of space last night. When faced with a physical challenge to get the ball he will either 1) throw himself on the ground looking for a foul or 2) chicken out of it. I know he has unbelievable skill when the ball is at his feet, but its the other times that worry me. Jamie Cureton should have come on at half time last night. If this had have happened I rekon we might have nicked it. I can''t explain how frustrating our tactics were last night. Grant, to me, has shown unbelievable nievity in terms of tactics here. If you leave last seasons top scorer on the bench until it''s too late, he''s going to get annoyed!!! Personally, I don''t think we will do anything with Grant in charge. If people are happy with a return to the days of Hamilton an Rioch then we have the right man. The board continually disappoint in terms of their managerial appointments. When will we take a chance on a proven manager, not someone who is making the step up from coach!!! If this level of football continues, we will be away at Northampton in a couple of years, not Charlton!

Arsenal (Highbury), Man Utd,  Liverpool, Chelsea, Charlton, Fulham, Reading, Portsmouth, Blackburn, Newcastle, Sheffield Utd, Watford, Sheffield Wednesday, West Brom, Stoke (Victoria Ground), Colchester, Plymouth, Palace, Cardiff, Ip****h, Coventry (Highfield Road), QPR, Leicester, Luton, Leeds,  Brentford, Orient, Millwall, Tranmere, Blackpool, Forest, Yeovil, Boston, Grimsby, Notts County, Wycombe, MK Dons, Swindon, and of course, Carra Rud.   39 League clubs as of this season, but Boston are off, although I have also been to Dagenham''s Victoria Ground. 3 re-visits needed, but looking forward to getting Scunthorpe and Bristol City off the to do list next season. Hopefully Blackpool WON''T get promoted, as that is not a place I would like to re-visit. Favourite ground is either St. James'', Newcastle, or Ninian Park. Shame they are going to tear it down next year! Least fav must be either Brisbane Road or Bloomfield Road (as it isn''t finished). Worst view was at Chelsea, when we were in the side stand. Best view I think I have ever had was at the New Den. Oh, and least likely to bother re-visiting - Selhurst Park. (those prices!!!).

Ian Crook In my opinion, one of the best players never to have played for England. Had he have played for a "bigger" club during his peak, I think he would have been a regular in the England side. His footballing brain and accuracy of passing has never been seen again in a City shirt.

Both Losing 6-0 at Fulham, and 2-1 at Leeds in 1995. Unfortunately, I was there both times. I think the Leeds one hurt more as, as at Christmas, we were in the top half of the table. The Fulham loss, although somewhat embarrassing, summed up that season. Also, that 5-0 defeat to the binners. That hurt!  

I, too was on the pitch in the 94th minute after Akinbyi somehow managed to actually say on his feet for once! Also remember the Grimsby lads in the stand next to us trying to climb the mini-fence to have a go! I much prefered Grimsby when they had terracing (FA Cup 3rd round in ''94 I think?)

Completely forgot to mention my least favourite ground in the country, having been there both when terraced and seated, and lost both times (also got wet when standing!)........................Fratton Park!!!!  

Worst is probably tonights hosts. Although a decent atmosphere can be created at Kenilworth Road, the stand is falling down, the seats are broken, and parking is a nightmare! Also, Selhurst park. For 30 quid, I''m never going back there again until it improves. Swindon, when in the open air seating is a nightmare, especially when it rained. I don''t actually mind Grimsby, I have been to far worse. In fact, I''d rather visit Grimsby than Derby. I''m not a fan of the new, bowls such as Pride Park and the Walkers. Millwall is probably one of my favourite visits, just because (1) the view from the away end is probably one of the best you''ll get in the country, and (2) because, even when there aren''t many there, there is always a good atmosphere, however intimidating you may think it is. Also, always enjoy Loftus Road. Going to Cardiff next week, and I am sure I am going to love Ninian. I like the old grounds with character. Loved Stoke''s Victoria Ground when we used to visit, apart from the home fans above the away terrace.

I don''t know if anyone else agrees with me, but I think it is time that the club introduced a better way of allocating tickets for big matches. (I didn''t bother applying for Chelsea tickets before you have a go, couldn''t afford it and been before. Barnsley and Cardiff coming up as well). It seems that there are number of season ticket holders who will get tickets for Chelsea, where some members who go to most way games will not. We struggled to sell 900 tickets for Tamworth, but suddenly we could sell 8-9000 tickets for a cup match. What about the 1900 who trekked all the way to Blackpool??? I bet some of them miss out on tickets too. I know some see having a season ticket as the ultimate in support but I disagree. Making the 20 min etc trip to Carrow Raod once a fortnight doesn''t exactly make you a super-supporter (what else would you do on a Sat afternoon??) I think the club should bring in a loyalty points system, allocating points for different games. I''m not trying to have a go at season ticket holders, far from it to be honest, but I just think there are some who don''t have the chance (for whatever reason) to have a season ticket, but spend a lot of time and money supporting Norwich away from home. (Season ticket holders who regularly travel, and away season ticket holders please ignore!!!)

Here we go, everyone who can''t be bothered to go away to Tamworth or Blackpool, or any other away game unless its in London, come out of the woodwork and take up our 6000 plus allocation (assuming we beat Blackpool of course!). I know we have a loyal 1500-2000 who don''t miss many away, and don''t care about distance, but will they all be able to get tickets??? Also, I can''t see tickets being any more than 25 quid. Cheapest you''ll get to see see Stamford Bridge.

I can''t believe that peope don''t want to go to this game. I know things are bad, but it''s very rare that we get to go to a lower league ground. In fact, when was the last time we played at a Non-league ground in a cup competition???? Oh well, I can''t complain really as peoples indifference has meant that I could get a ticket!!! Anyone need a lift, or fancy getting a mini-bus together???