Yellow Rider

Tend to agree with Wiz here. Yes - 2 good goals and a fairly comfortable win. BUT I was largely unimpressed by much of the performance. We looked better in midfield with Safri back but there were several occasions when we totally stood off Luton in midfield and gave them far too much room.  The long ball game continues (as it will) under this manager - that is his fundamental philososphy but he will deny it to the bitter end. Witness Peter Thorne yesterday - he is receiving a lot of praise and rightly so for things like ....''leading the line and flick on''s. That''s ok but is only surely a relatively small part of what should be an ATTACKING role! He spent the whole gane with HIS BACK to the Luton goal watching these missiles come down out of the sky towards him. Did he once get a ball played to FEET or into space for him to run on to? NO.      As for Dickson - wrong to make an instant judgement and we should look at him more objectively after about 5 games but I was less than impressed on this showing. Wiz is right about Ashton - look at his goalscoring record with us v Crewe at same stage of last season. He rec''d proper service there from a side playing fluent creative football. He is being made to ''run for the team'', ''work the channels'', ''hold the ball up'' etc. As soon as he can he will get out and who can blame him. The fault for that (when it happens) rests squarely with this manager and with the spineless Board for lavishing him with such a generous and open ended contract.    

I do not have the knowledge (or time) to trawl through the employee listing of virtually every league club (English and Scottish) let alone think of all the ex managers, coaches, players out there who could be suitable. No 9 Bly - this is exactly what the Board should have been doing for sometime now, they are in the business day in and day out. Alternatively they should be using a headhunter who knows the ''football world'' much better than they and who has the contacts and knowledge to draw up a list of candidates. Why do we need someone ''experienced''? Look at Watford. When they appointed Adie Boothroyd, their fans went mad because no-one had heard of him. Now AB is the hero. There MUST be other AB type coaches out there who would jump at the chance to manage Norwich. You also imply that there would be few takers for the Norwich job. I beg to differ. I am 100% convinced that the club would be inundated with many high calibre candidates if the vacancy was open. Despite what we think of oursleves now, Norwich have a much higher reputation ''in the game'' than many of us believe. It is also a fallacy to suggest that an out of work manager is ''no good'' as many fans seem to suggest. Look at Steve Cotterill now back in work at Burnley after a long time out of the spotlight since he left Sunderland. Joe Royle was out of work for over a year I think before ending up at Ipswich. Say what you like about Royle but he has done a fantastic job with NO MONEY and selling the best players he inherited! Worthy by comparison has spent an absolute fortune and look at what he''s done with it!          Why do people rave about Burley? Weren''t the Binners in a very similar situation to us when they sacked him? They had just lost 3-0 at Grimsby. He did well at Derby but mysteriously left when building a good side. He is 100% Ipswich mad (even when he was at Derby) and I am convinced that his heart would not be in it if he came here. He would live down the road and spend all his spare time there. Leave him alone, there are others who could do the job.

Brilliant post Tumbleweed - one of the best I''ve read in ages in terms of wit, humour and a lot of truth! The Board are burying their collective heads in the sand and are accepting mediocrity (provided Worthy is at the helm). I am damn sure that in their own individual bussineses they would be trying creative and imaginative ways of rebuilding things. If Delia Smiths booksales collapsed over an 18 month period and her sales ratio was down to ''20%'' (which is our league record since August 2004), would she still be saying things like ...''it will all work out ok, we have to be patient'' NO OF COURSE NOT! So why the heck is she doing just that in her Norwich City Football Club business? The overriding message coming out of the AGM was.....''we hope that things will turn round''. Smith said it, Foley said it, Worthy said it (of course), God help us Captain Mainwaring Sir!!!

Why this continued obsession with the finances of Binmen? IF they are £60M in debt that has not stopped them handing out contract extensions to the likes of Richard Naylor. I have not seen the report in The Sun but have seen no independent corrobaration elsewhere either. Anyway, if you immediately believe eveything you read in that ''paper'', then I suggest you lead quite shallow lives. IF our finances were 100% secure then the story (if true) may well, I agree, be a source of amusement but is our history of ''money management'' anything to be proud of?? In 1957, 1984 and 1996 our club has been in very deep financial trouble. Oh yes and we still carry an £18M debt ourselves. Hardly something to be proud of is it? Fall for the party line if you like that this debt is ...''long term, structured, well managed and affordable'' etc.etc. and indeed that may turn out to be the case but only time will tell! What happens to our ''debt repayment plans'' once the parachute money runs out with us stuck in mid table (which is what I predict with our management team still in place). We ought to focus our efforts on finishing above the Binmen in the table (after all that is what really matters out there on the pitch). For all their ''problems'' I see little real evidence that we can do that (''at this moment in time'' - to use a well worn phrase!).           

Back in December 2000 I wanted us to appoint DJ who was a proven winner and a great fighter (in clearing his name from unfounded allegations). Since then the careers of him and NW have been similar, a promotion followed by immediate relegation. Wolves ditched DJ but look at the mess he inherited at Cardiff in the summer and where they are now!! How much money has he had to spend v our guy? I remember when Wolves thrashed us 3-0 here at the end of the 2003-2003 seaon. They gave a scintillating display of attacking football in the second half. Make no mistake, DJ is a damn good manager and tonight we may just see how good he is. I''m looking forward to seeing him at Carrow Road again and this new look Cardiff side.

But rooferman, did''nt a certain D Huckerby say exactly the same as you way back in August along the lines of ...''someones'' going to get a hammering''? Check the local press for exact date. Truth is of course it ain''t happened and is very unlikely to. If we stood off Hull in the 2nd half and scraped through 2-1 against an awful side how the hell are we ever ''going to hammer anyone'' I ask you? Apart from 2 games in the promotion season (Walsall and Derby) have we EVER hammered anyone under NW reign?? If you are looking for a ''hammering'' you are far more likely to see us on the receiving end of one surely!

You''re absolutely right Saint! I posted on this subject in the early summer under heading ''Too much back slapping''. My view is that no such meeting ever took place or, at least if it did, was an eulogy of self congratulation and mutual appreciation. If any ''planning'' was mentioned at all it was probabably limited to Roger Munby asking Worthy to let him know of any likely transfer targets and the Board ...''would see what they could do''. Worthy should have been left under no illusions that MANY fans were furious at the exclusion of Helveg, Shackell and Safri until it was too late, to say nothing of the humiliation at The Cottage. I have said before that whilst all this ''togetherness'' is admirable, the Board are ''too close'' to ''Nigel, Steve and Doug''. This is a particularly fine line to tread but I believe the Board are far too blinkered and now have themselves blocked in a cul de sac due to the contract(s) they bestowed on these gentlemen.    My observations last night were that despite our poor performances this season, the Board are just as much in bed with Worthy as previously. Everything is someone elses fault be it ''inuries, rub of the green or difficulty in motivating a relegated team''!! 

This is my brief report from the AGM. 1. NO protests at all outside 2. Huge turnout - almost 600 shareholders 3. Worthy had almost overwhelming support (as did the Board). There were some slightly more probing questions but by and large any ''anti Worthy'' comment was muted and very restrained. 4. Although I would not say that the meeting was ''stage managed'', I am very much of the opinion that Peter Wolsey was ''given'' the floor first. He is a very loyal supporter going back to 1947 and is NCFC 100%. BUT, he is also Smith and Worthy 100%. His speech was eloquent and powerful. I felt it ''intimidated'' any opposition - not in a nasty or underhand manner but if someone leads the debate with his fervour and ability to command the audience, I for one felt almost in a minority of 1 if I then was to stick my hand up. He received large applause and that set the tone for the evening. 5. Worthy - he looked strangely uneasy throughout, his answers were quite vague to some questions and the underlying message was the usual ...''got to pull together, got to work hard, hopefully it will turn around, we''re not having the rub of the green'' etc. The only time he got worked up was in a withering attack on people like us on message boards who spread ''damaging and personal rumours'' about individual players. Again, I must have missed something here becuase I am unaware of this sort of rumour on this board but I don''t have the time to religiously trawl through every post!  the only thing I can think of is the Leon v Damo thing. 6. At the end the Board were clearly relieved to have received ''tremendous suppot''   

I 100% agree with the pro Hendo lobby here. He should be given a run UP FRONT as Ashton''s partner. The reason he got a lot of stick in the promotion season was because Worthy palyed him out of position (as most fans know). Can Worthy bring himself to give the boy a proper chance in the next 2 league games at least? Don''t hold your breath. We all know how reluctant Worthy is to play youngsters, I bet it will be Huckerby (again) tomorrow. That will go down well with Ashton! I have no doubts at all that he doesn''t like having Hucks as a striker partner and I don''t blame him. Hucks is greedy and you never know what he is going to do or where he is likely to pop up (even when he is supposed to be down the middle!). He does not have the discipline to play as a conventional striker.

Good post Saint and well done for changing the current debate. That ''little Norwich'' jibe from Delia Smith infuriated me. I think the rot set in for Worthy the moment the players got back in the dresing room after the Crewe match in May 2004. From that moment on the whole attitude about the Premiership was....''lets enjoy it'', ''what a stadium to play football in'', ''who would have thought it, little Norwich this and little Norwich that''. I never ONCE heard the Board, manager or team make any comment that suggested real ambition to do everything possible to survive and progress. I''m not saying at all they they did not try but simply that the expectation and ambition level was set far too low and I feel that that ''ethos'', if you like, permeated through to the players mindset. Worthy was caught out in a major way last season: 1. Failure to replace Malky with a similar leader / character and out and out ''stopper'' type centre back. 2. Undue exclusion of Shacks, Safri and Helveg until it was too late. That has carried on this season with: 1. Failure to replace Fleming (and find a partner for Shacks) 2. Failure to secure some ''quality'' in midfield to partner Safri, particularly in terms of reacing Francis''s goals.       I think (as you say) that most of us enjoy the underdog role but this was decidedly overplayed by the club last season. I do not believe that Wigan and West Ham have significantly better squads than we had but their approach is entirely different and, so far, you can see for yourselves how that has reaped rewards. 

[quote]I want Worthy to turn it round. He''s done a lot for the club and has always struck me as a decent man. It IS NOT just 2-3 bad months its been 15 abject months. Broken only by 2-3 months at best when...[/quote] Absolutely right Mat. Unfortunately Delia Smith cannot see this (personally I have always felt that her knowledge of football is, how can I put it, ''thin'') and refers to ''knee jerk reactions'' and the tired old cliche of ''a good manager doesn''t become a bad one overnight''! That ''overnight'' period has now extended to some 15 months as you rightly point out. Still we must NEVER criticise or challenge anything Delia says or does and accept that ''it''s difficult to motivate a relegated team'' (honestly I have never heard such stupidity in all my life!) and ''it''s all down to injuries''.   I fear that we will simply tread water for the rest of the season (at best) and fall away further if Ashton goes in January. Worthy will soon (has already actually) reinstate Fleming - I don''t think you''ll see Shacks again. As you imply, I have never been convinced that Worthy WANTED to play him anyway. As for our much vaunted ''youngsters'' - forget it with this manager in charge. I have gone on and on about this for ages on this board but very few people really pick it up. Yes, there will be the odd appearance for Hendo and a brief substitute cameo or so for the Jarvis brothers and that''s it. Next summer we will be told ....''they weren''t up to it'' as Hendo and Ryan are probably shipped out.

Agreed Fat Man. If the will is really there on the subject of Worthy or anything else come to that matter, the fans can prevail. I do not think it has reached the stage of sit down protests or the like and I do personally admire the brave stance Worthy is making since Saturday but fans and media pressure CAN make the difference. A number of people have said (effectively)....''forget it, the Board wont'' sack him and can''t afford to anyway''. Not true. Everyone knows that we could not actually afford to buy Huckerby and took the ''calculated gamble'' instead. No difference as far as I can see to this situation. The gamble paid off as we got promoted, this time the gamble might pay off and we stay up (it is that bad!). Weren''t Forest....''too good to go down''?   It might soon be the case that ''can we afford NOT to sack him (and the other two jokers as well, it would be absolutely NO answer to ditch Worthy and simply promote Foley and Livermore. They are both guilty ''by association'').

So Smith ''has isued a statement'' (at last!). Predictably bland and supportive of NW of course but if this really DOES represent the true feelings of the Board then we are in deep trouble. Consider this amazing quote....''It''s difficult to motivate a relegated team'' - and there was me and most fans I should think, assuming that this was one of the most fundamental parts of Worthy''s job! Apparently this is ''difficult'' - so why then has Worthy not got players in who ARE motivated? Then, the old easy excuse of ''injuries''! To his credit even Worthy does not hide behind this one. Reading the Smith statement you would think that we were having to field 3 or 4 youth players every week because no-one else was available. We are now told that .....''several (of the injuries) are absolutely essential (to the team)''. Er, NO!!!!!!!!!!!  Safri - Yes - we have felt his absence significantly. Thorne - was only signed as a bit part player anyway and was very much 3rd or 4th choice for the strikers role. Leon - was probably on the verge of being dropped anyway when he was injured. Shacks - had been dropped for Davenport. Jarrett - hardly made a promising start to his City career has he?  And THATS IT - ALL OTHER INJURIES HAD CLEARED UP FOR QPR Worthy was Smith''s choice and she is well and truly burying her head in the sand. Never mind, if we go down but have always had some players out injured, then Worthy is blameless (or should that be ''Worthless''!).

I assume Trent that by your name you must have associations with the Nottingham area? If so then you should know better than to blindly assume that ''it (relegation) CAN''T happen''. The football world all thought that right until the very end last season and looked what happened to Forest. If it can happen to them, it can most certainly happen to us with Worthless and the ''head in the sand'' Smith at the helm.    My message to Smith is blunt - stop dreaming about the last 12 months you spent hob nobbing with the Premiership ''elite'' and wake up - FAST!!

Most managers are slated when things don''t go well for ''players being played out of position''. It''s even happened to the likes of Benitez so what chance has Worthy got? Although I am no out and out Worthy fan (far from it in fact), this argument is often overused and I''m not sure if it always stands up to scrutiny. Example 1 If Hucks has a poor game on the left side, it is because....''he is played out of postion and is really a striker'' (according to many fans). Then when Worthy does play him down the middle the reverse gets said! Example 2 Jonson - IMO he was one of the worst players to pull on the yellow jersey but lets try to be objective. Jonson was described as ''a wide man who has pace, can cross well and can also play doewn the middle''. Even Svensson said that ''he can give me a steady stream of crosses'' -no mention there of playing him as a striker! Problem was that Jonson failed dismally to deliver. Now I have no knowledge of what positions he regularly played for his clubs and country but if he was truly an out and out stiker who always played there would Worthy really have tried to convert him to a winger? I don''t think even Worthy is that stupid!        Example 3 Marney - when he signed, many fans went overboard in praise as ''the final piece in the jigsaw'', and ''we''ve finally got our right sided player''. Marney has failed to deliver in terms of actually taking on fullbacks and getting to the bye line, so suddenly...''he''s played out of position''! Where is the evidence? I''m sure he can do a resonable job in the middle but many fans simply remember those goals against Everton on TV when he burst through the centre of the park. But is that his TRUE position? I don''t know. I do agree though that with Charlie in midfield, that is the case of a player well and truly ''out of position'' and I believe Joker Jarrett should have started on Tuesday to try and build his confidence and fitness. Worthy may be (and often is) many things but I just don''t buy this idea of always playing players out of position. That is often a convenient get out option for fans to direct blame at him rather than the player(s) concerned who often fail to deliver.  

[quote]You know what she''d say though don''t you YC? "Back Worthington". However, didn''t she want to back Hamilton before he was sacked?[/quote] You''re quite right DD, truth is though that it runs deeper than that. It was Smith who drove through the decision in the summer of ''98 to appoint Rioch and Hamilton. Rioch I could understand as the guy had a great track record at Millwall, Middlesboro and then particularly at Bolton. Hamilton was very much Smith''s own very personal choice and we had the ridiculous saga of trying to find a manager who would agree to work with a coach appointed (albeit not publicly announced) by the Board! It later transpired and is now pretty common knowledge that a certain S Bruce and J Deehan COULD have been the managerial team at Carrow Road only for Bruce to be told ......''you can''t bring him, we have our own coach in place''. I''ll leave you all to judge who you would rather have had. I have always believed that Smith and the Chairman at the time a certain B Cooper, then forced Rioch out when he became frustrated at being deprived of funds. Days later in Hamiltons first game in charge we had that bizarre scene of SIX new signings being paraded on the pitch - sudddenly money was no object. Talk about New Labour spin, even Alistair Campbell would have been proud of that!  I know this sounds like the ultimate sacrilege to actually publicly voice any ''criticism'' of ''our Deals''  and no doubt I will get slaughtered for suggesting this but I always believe in trying to give as objective a view as possible on anyone. A number of fans voiced concerns that our whole approach to last season was flawed in that our ambitions were set far too low and people like Smith were viewing the thing as a ''bit of a laugh'' - she made that comment in an interview this summer. That plus her infuriating comments last season about ...''little Norwich this'' and ''little Norwich that'', ''who would have thought it, isn''t it wonderful'' etc. etc. only serve to confirm this impression. Take for example, Munby''s comments after that Fulham debacle. ''I wanted to give Nigel a big hug'' and ''I would like to be able to offer him a job for life'' and you can see how blinkered the Board were in their strategy. Now of course Smith and her husband have done much great work at Norwich, particularly in terms of generous cash input without which it is highly unlikely we would have got promotion. They also played a significant role in that fateful early summer of ''96 when Chase had finally quit although I remain unconvinced of the truth behind a lot of the stories of ''within 24 hours of liquidation'' etc. As far as Smith is concerned, lets have a little bit of objectivity in the debate.

I agree Stevenage. JJ has barely been given a decent chance in the starting lineup to judge him by. His confidence is low and on Saturday he looked poor in the first half (but who didn''t??). Fact is that the guy IS a midfielder and Charlie is NOT. More to the point he was ALSO CARRYING THE REMNANTS OF THE HAMSTRING STRAIN HE PICKED UP SATURDAY BUT WAS STILL PREFERRED TO JJ!     It may have made no difference whatsoever of course but I believe it was a fundamentally wrong decision by Worthy. It shows his overriding empahsis as a manager to send sides out away from home to defend and then just hope to nick something. To be fair though, based on the commentary, I think it was that 10 or 15 minute spell after the 2nd goal that killed us. If we could have kept it tight to halftime and prevented more goals (which is the immediate priority when you go 2 behind), we MIGHT have been able to play our way back. At 4-0, it was all over. We created a lot of chances and should have been ahead when Luton scored their first, then suddenly a freak goes in and you''re 2-0 down. That is the time when you MUST dig in at all costs and stop the rot. I hope that Worthy will now (finally) give Jarvis the first team run he has deserved for two years now. Did you hear Ashton''s comments re Jarvis last night? Interesting.  

The Hughes debate is pretty predictable with a wide spread of opinions. I love his relationship with the fans and as i have said before what he does at the end of each game takes some bottle (when the fans have been critical during the game). He is limited in ability going forward but I would love to see him score and see what that does for his confidence. As Link says we desperately need a creative and postive player going forward in midfield after Safri has won the ball. Hughes does not supply that.     Jonny''s comment re Holt has been savaged but I would stick up for him (to some extent). I disagree that he was ''the worst Norwich player'' but I have always said that Holt was massively overrated. Why did he win the Player of Year in 2002? For his passing creativity? Er, No. For his ability at deadball situations (corners, freekicks)? Er, No, he never took any! For his goalscoring from midfield!!!? Er, NO! For his ''winning the ball in midfield''? Er, again, No. His tackling ability was overrated. Only rarely did you see him actually crunch into a tackle. He simply ran around following the ball in midfield and sometimes nicked the ball off someone or picked up some scraps.  What Holt DID show in that season was an unbelievable level of physical energy and running power to track players all day long and go on surging runs. We used to see it a number of times every match, it was awesome really. Trouble is he had NO OTHER ABILITY. Once that energy level started to fall away he was lost. In the 2002-2003 season Worthy persisted in playing him when he carried a pelvic strain for months. In the promotion season he produced the occasional performance of the 2002 type (away at Derbyand Rotherham) but never anything remotely like that consistency. Last season - I sympathised with him - he carried that illness for weeks which showed great courage and when he did play we coud see that the decline had continued. Lots of you are saying that ''he only got found out in The Premier''. I disagree. If that were the case why did Worthy get rid of his favourite when we were relegated may I ask?  Surely he would have been ideal for The Championship?     

I''m no expert on Ramadan, but if Safri thinks he can play then he should be allowed to do so. He is so important to us that unless it is a physical impossibility (or a dangerous risk) he must play. Anyone know whether he played for Coventry during this period? Our next 4 games could reveal a lot about the likely way this season will map out. Away at Brighton (we must win there if we want to be serious contenders), Millwall at home (same), then Luton away (very difficult game and a draw would probably be welcome) and QPR away (again, a harder game but the sort we need to win). Safri will be essential for those results. If Worthy ''leaves it up to the lad'' (Ashton), then he should do the same for Safri surely?

Agreed - the Doc was outstanding last night, had one of those so called ''England defenders'' played anything like that (ok so standard of opponent may be different, arguably) the national media would be going crazy in adoration. The Doc - Norwich''s Beckenbauer may be? You were''nt dreaming, it did happen last season. I mentioned the same thing to my friend at the match last night. Be careful though Ayrton, your comment could be interpreted as a ''criticism'' or worse still ''a moan''! Heaven forbid, some posters on this board may even begin to think that your true allegiance lies down the A140! Seriously I honestly can''t believe the obsession that these people have about anyone who ''moans''. Have they never heard a crowd that REALLY gets on the backs of club, team or manager? Why don''t they try Wolves or West Ham for size, now those crowds DO know how to moan. What has happened at Norwich this season is a walk in the park compared to that.  Even I have been accused of being ''a Binner'' and ''having true allegiances down the road'' due to an attempt I made to bring some balance to the ''Ipswich Debt'' post a week or so back. A quick look at my car, the inside of my house, my desk here at work etc. will prove otherwise of course but in the increasingly Stalinist regime that is this great message board of ours, remember to look over your shoulder if you dare ''moan''! King Juan and co. may pay you a visit!     

Hang on a minute you boys! Here''s the other view. Personally speaking I have NEVER EVER booed or jeered any individual Norwich player. I think that is out of order UNLESS it was 100% obvious that the payer in question was openly showing disrespect to the fans or club. However, I will fight to my last breath to have the right to shout criticism at the manager for a particular substitution or team tactic etc. if I feel that is justified.I also reserve the right to boo the TEAM off (although I have never done so) IF the performance warrants it. This ''booing'' that alledgedly takes place at home matches is, in my view. massively overrated. All I have heard from my seat right in the middle of The Jarrold is a chorus of boos IMMEDIATELY the final whistle sounds. it lasts for all of 2 or 3 seconds AND THATS IT! Unless I am stone deaf, I have not heard any storm of booing that many of you give the impression is happening, as all the players leave the field. If it IS happening it must just be a few individual lads in the Snakepit I should think? There has to be a balance in all this argument. Listening to most of you I am expected to do the following: PAY UP TURN UP SHOUT SUPPORT FOR THE YELLOWS NON STOP FOR 90 MINS. NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE MAKE ANY KIND OF CRITICAL COMMENT GO HOME (And go through this procedure for all 46 matches by the way). Er, does''nt that sound like some kind of Iron Curtain type of ''election'' rally? Whatever happened to ''free speech''! If the fans are now starting to voice public criticism of the manager (and that is what this so called ''booing'' is really aimed at), then perhaps King Juan and DD and cohorts might like to ask themselves why this should be!       Wiz - we have had our differences in the past but I''m with you on this one boy.

Good - I think he had to do that in order to restore some confidence. Everyone is entitled to apologise for what they may have done/ said and the incident should now be closed. However, it certainly hasn''t done Worthy''s credibility any good. Bring on Hull tomorrow and let''s try and kick start the season (again!)! I think the ''men in grey suits'' must have paid Worthy a visit over the weekend.   

Good case you make Saint (as usual). I agree that simply saying ''Sack Worthy'' is mindless UNLESS we have (or can) identify someone else who stands a very good chance of taking the club forward. As you say any change of a manager is a risk but then, conversely, so is keeping faith with a current manager who may have gone well past his sell by date. I have never been firmly in the ''Worthy Out'' camp but (like a lot of others) I find myself moving in that direction. His comment about the fans on Saturday was very poor and ill judged. As you say he is ''living very dangerously''. One of the problems though is that the Board are far too close to him in terms of emotional relationship and I talked about this several weeks ago under heading ''Too much backslapping''. Munby''s comments today simply cement that belief. They are in real danger of not being able to make a rational and objective judgement about things. Much of the goodwill that has surrounded the ''Wynn Joneses'' during their time here will get quickly eroded if the current malaise continues and the Board maintain their head in the sand approach. I think that much of the problem stems from that infuriating comment of Delia Smith last season about ...''little Norwich this and little Norwich that, who would have thought it''! We went through last season with that mindset and it is still prevailing. That sort of comment doesnt exactly inspire much in terms of ambition does it? And as for the Norwich spin doctor saying (after we had been humiliated at Fulham)  ........''I just wanted to give NW a big hug'' - that say''s it all really!    

This is an excellent post Canary Poirot even though I may disagree with the main sentiment, you put forward good arguments. All I would reiterate again is that the complaint against Worthy following ''that'' comment is NOT whether he was right or wrong to make the substitution or whether he is the ''man in charge'' or not BUT the remark that '' I''m not concerned with what the fans say''. I am as passionate as you in hating the political correctness, liberal type society that has grown up over several years now but this has absolutely nothing to do with that. It has everything to do with a manager point blank refusing to acknowledge that his customers were dissatisfied. Any manager (in any business) who starts going down that line will end up without a job. If Worthy wants to be blunt and say it ''how it is'', then fine but he can''t have it both ways. He ended the interview with Goreham by, once again,pleading for the fans to ''get behind the team again'' on Tuesday. So he wants full, unbridled support at all times but doesn''t give a damn what the fans may say!! How very strange!    

This SHOULD (and I hope WILL) be probably the most important topic we will discuss during the Worthy reign. I heard the quote plainly and he was blunt and clearly angry with the question. Make no mistake, this evening IS the beginning of the end of the Worthy reign. Once a manager openly says that kind of thing about the fans (his customers by the way), there is only one winner in that particular battle and that winner will NOT be Worthy. Any manager of any business who shows open disregard for what the customers of that business are saying is on his way out of the door. Worthy will be gone by Christmas.