Wishbone

Another is managing Norwich in the future and losing by a greater margin than his Dad's Norwich side achieved

Judging by his defending for Plymouth yesterday, this is unlikely. When we initially bought McCallum, he wasn't ready and was loaned back to Coventry in league one. Earley will improve but his defending yesterday suggests he's not yet ready for league one. He did score though.

I’ve never been relegated before, it’s a record I’m proud of and I’ve told the players that. Dean Smith in the Telegraph in April 2022. This quote always bugged me because of the ego - deflecting any blame or responsibility from (Dean Smith) himself if Norwich were to fail - a case of it won't be my fault, look at my record. It could have been taken out of context but I don't think players want a leader bragging about themselves. They want someone who's words and actions align. Sometimes humility is important. They want someone they can believe in, respect and work hard for. He did take responsibility once we were relegated. However, we all know that Webber has also deflected from his own mistakes and has spoken of injuries and loss of form being main factors for our relegation. He hasn't owned that he didn't bring in the quality of players that Norwich needed at the time. I do imagine people pointing fingers has been hard and the defences are up. The main problem at Norwich, for me, is division. Board vs journalists. Board vs fans. Fans vs Management. Fans vs players. Success, in Sport, isn't that different other areas of life. Collectives have more energy and power than individuals. Teams prosper in a culture of encouragement and, ultimately, growth. The power of we surpasses that of I. It's been said on here before that a lot of Norwich fans are tired of the yoyo-ing and of football, in general. I think there's a need for clarity from above, as well. What is the direction and what are the objectives? I think everyone needs to look at themselves to turn this around. To create a we, rather than I. Whether that's with Dean Smith at the helm, we're not so sure...

Bit of a sad one but the chorus works

4. Intriguing line - "In fact, Norwich hope their two midfield signings — once completed — will underline why they have not been looking as low as League One for incomings this window". I remember Paddy saying a similar thing last close season and look at how those signings turned out 🤣 I hope some learning has been done.

Dean Smith saying the players haven't been good enough, albeit after relegation was confirmed, might sow doubt in some players as well. I guess the facts to back this opinion but wouldn't you question a manager that says this after continually spreading the message the players are good enough earlier on?! Deep down, did DS ever believe they were good enough.

Jacob Murphy did well in league one before the Championship. I think a lot would argue he'd walk into our current side.

Scored a decent goal for Doncaster today. 4 for them since he joined in January. Could he be an option as a number ten next season?

BBC have Sinani down as right in a back three 😂 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61115597

He was on radio 5 live last weekend and said he's mates with Dyche. He also warmed to Farke, as we know, after their initial spat.

I seem to remember after Lees-Melou was signed we had a period of a few weeks where no one else was brought in, until Sargent and Tzolis. During that time, we seemed to be confirming outgoing loans and Thompson's contract was ended (loans and contract terminations have been happening all summer I know). Small loan fees coming in and a reduction in the monthly wage bill is very helpful. Norwich are always working with a tight budget so cutting costs is a constant operation. They've said they want better quality with less numbers. I wonder whether this extra bit of revenue / monthly wage budget will help when bringing the final pieces of the jigsaw in. I'm hopeful we will get at least the defensive midfielder. Hopefully a centre back as well.

I'd steer clear of Liverpool youth players. They overprice them. Brewster and Ibe are two examples...they've hardly excelled since they left. Jurgen would keep them if he saw real class.

Webber / Farke have never been reactive with their vision. They will have had this summer partially planned once they got relegated from the prem two seasons ago.

I like the way Normann is holding the football in the photo on the front page. If this is his speciality, he must get sent off a lot.

I look at a striker like Bamford who had three failed premier league loans (Us, Burnley, Palace) and flattered to deceive. Put in the right set up and he's excelled. Webber / Farke have done the research. They know how we will play this season. Trust their judgement. It might just be a good fit.

Tzolis almost done https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/canaries-ncfc-christos-tzolis-move-close-8212354

I reckon we definitely need another good quality centreback. Dunno who but I'm sure we've done our homework. Get Omobamidele out on loan. He's got a shed load of potential but it'll probably be better for him to get gametime in the championship or league one for a season. Zimmermann seems to have lost a bit of his reliability since the injury in the premier league. Hanley, after a run of games, looked really solid last season. With him in the side, we actually had some solidity and there was a small glimmer of hope we'd stay in the league. He didn't play at all once project restart was underway, from memory.

He was our best defender in that short spell before lockdown in the premier league. Added to that, he excelled in the first season after we'd bought him. He suffered with injuries in the championship winning season. Clearly isn't the graceful modern centre back but he's pretty damn solid when he gets a run of games!

I actually thought Hanley, when up to speed, was our best centre back last season...probably not the greatest accolade, considering our defending collectively. Injuries aside, I'd play him and Gibson.

Are we not allowed to play either of these because they weren't registered in our squad for the second half of the season? I'm sure there would be special dispensation due to the injuries we've had in defence. I'd sooner play either ahead of Tettey as a centre back.

I agree, has defended better than Zimbo during the three games. Lacks a natural ball playing ability but made up for it with resilience.

I understand we lost £35 million last season and this affected our expenditure in the summer. However, losing games builds pressure. It seems to be (understandably) getting to Farke, who is beginning to look strained and burdened. Rational mindedness would suggest we're doing how we could be expected to, considering the lack of investment. What we don't want is to lose a coach who has had his hands tied throughout his time at Norwich. Someone that has got on with it when others would have felt a greater injustice. I believe he, perhaps, could improve us defensively, even with the players we have. Maybe the youngsters in the back four have to learn. The defence is something we have struggled with for a very long time though, predating his time at the club. The second half today hinted at how fragile confidence is right now. What I hope is Farke doesn't crack as he had been put in a super difficult position, ever since he joined us. It's unfair to expect miracles from him.

"If you don't recognise that two young and inexperienced players in Cantwell and Buendia had more game time forced on them than they might have had because of the injuries to midfielders, then you are deluded." Disagree with this comment, These two players are very creative and integral to Farke's way of playing. In terms of the three behind Pukki, we only have Hernandez, Stiepi and McLean (lately) that can play there. Outside that, we have Roberts (who isn't upto it), Leitner (number ten I think not) and Vrancic (also not suited that far forward). Cantwell's progress has surprised everyone (bar Farke I'd imagine) but Buendia was expected to be a main player this season. We don't have a big squad at all, so it was always likely we'd be playing the two above regardless of injuries.

I replied to a Paddy Davitt post match interview quote from Farke saying the same...three players in the starting lineup were young (Aarons, Cantwell, Godfrey). The rest were mid twenties (upwards) and had amassed a lot of game time and subsequent experience.

I think Godfrey is better alongside a centre back with aerial ability and in that more old fashioned mould! Klose definitely looked quite rusty in the limited game time he had in pre season. Understandable considering his ongoing injury problems. Hanley in his first season with us was our most consistent centre back. Let's give him a chance..