It is all over people, we don't have a prayer

[Steve Mortlock 0]

taking a night off from watching world cup (Boring Switzerland Ukraine) I thought I would voice my concerns as to current plight of our once fine football club.  Going into the new season I have never felt so unexcited as this year and hope the club can do something to arrest the slump we are heading for.  Reading several news stories over the past few weeks, I can conclude the people who are in charge of this fine club, are quite happy being a Nice Team from Norfolk, and are lacking ambition. 

I read in disgust as Neil Doncaster was placed on the coard of NCFC and the football league.   He is a fine spin doctor I give him that, but I envisage the purse strings tightening with this guy on the board.

roger Munby interview was also alarming, in that he claims we have a good enough squad to fight for promotion next season.  Total trash.  He also motioned that the spending will ease, having spent big on Ashton and Earnsahw in recent times.   The Ashton money we received was grossly mis invested and we finished last season with Fleming and Hughes as our right flank threat.  The squad we have at present would be lucky to finish as high as twelth.    We have no depth and we have an abundance of defensive midfielders who can trot out up front or in defence.  We also play hoofball at every opportunity and only have perhaps 2 players who have a passing brain (Mcveigh and Saf)

I am also growing sick and tired of seeing us linked with players like Clive Clark, Donovan Ricketts, Rob Hulse.  They are not the type of players we require.  We need another Huckerby sized card up our sleeve for the coming season, or we will be in squit from the off.  We needed to bring in younger and hungrier players to compliment Dean Ashton, Safri, Shackell and green (We had a brilliant backbone).  I cannot blame Ashton for one second for swapping Carrow for Upton. 

This season is an important one for most championship clubs, as the prize money has risen and figures suggest promotion could be worth double that of recent years, with extra TV revenue.  Earnshaw is being linked with Blackburn and Huckerby is talking about retiring at the end of the season.  Unless positive steps are taken sooner rather than later, we risk being left behind and perhaps facing another 10 year struggle to get back to top flight.  If we lose Hucks and Earnie, what are we left with and who will want to come here.  While we have Earnie, shall we not be trying to add some quality in to compliment him, not Rob Carthorse from Leeds. 

Please can someone try to put some positive thoughts onto my head.   

[Mook 0]

Three or four years ago, this club was signing Rivers, Easton, Briggs, Heckingbottom, Abbey, Emblem and such like. And yet we made a good promotion push with these guys.

Just because we had a great championship winning team and one season in the prem, doesn''t give us the divine right to turn our noses up at players such as Rob Hulse, who is a good player and could be just the "Iwan Roberts" that we''re looking for in attack.

Ok - we''re not in the prem BUT we are as close as is possible. We are a financially sound, solvent club with a big fan base,  and no money worries on the horizon.

We have a great defence (Doc, Shack, Drury, Green/Gallagher), and great attack (McVeigh, Hucks, Earnshaw, McKenzie) and in my opinion a useful central midfield with Safri as a passer and Hughes as a breaker. We have some useful squad players such as Flem, Jarrett, Louis-Jean and Robinson and some talented youngsters in Jarvis (Rossi and Ryan), Spillane and Henderson (possibly).

I am worried about our coaching and scouting, but am giving the current regime one more chance. And regarding HOOFBALL, just watch England. This is the countries finest players, and the amount of long ball football has been disgusting. And don''t tell me Sven (who is swedish and coached in Portugal and Italy) tells them to play long balls all day. It''s the players, and they need to step up to the plate too.

[mystic megson 0]

Steve, you have woken up to the reality of the situation, horrible as it is, and that''s positive.  One by one, other fans are doing the same.  ND''s appointment to the board smacks of circling the wagons to me.  We''ve rumbled them, and I think they know it. 

IMO this season will be pretty much a repetition of the last one, unless we start with a squad of at least 26 senior players, excluding 18 year olds and loanees.  Quantity is an issue as much as quality, and currently we''re about four senior players short of what we need.  Various other posters have pointed this out by analysing the squad position by position.

If nothing changes, I predict a pattern whereby we put together a good run of five or six games, then go back to square one time and time again.  Without strength in depth it will not be humanly possible to push on to the next level and make a sustained challenge.  Inconsistency will be the watchword yet again. 

Player morale is also an issue.  If we the fans realise that the squad is not strong enough, you can be pretty certain that the players realise it too.  They want promotion as much as we do.  Anyone who has been in a workplace where you are expected to do the impossible and get the blame when you can''t, knows what that feels like.  In terms of motivating the team, it makes the manager''s job extremely challenging.

 

[0ridgemanddMMyyyy0Falseen-USTrue 0]

There is little positive coming out of Carrow Road at present Hunters comment - Nigel has a way of playing and I will fit into that - suggests that perhaps a second tier on Carrow Road would enable supporters to see more of the ball.

Earlier Mumby said they had looked at what needed strengthening last season but pre season training starts still no new faces.  How long before we are told it takes time for new players to settle in.

What a nice cosy club.

[nh_ncfc 0]

I totally agree with you mate, well said! :)

[Citizen Journalist Foghorn 0]

[quote user="Mook"]

We have a great defence (Doc, Shack, Drury, Green/Gallagher), and great attack (McVeigh, Hucks, Earnshaw, McKenzie) and in my opinion a useful central midfield with Safri as a passer and Hughes as a breaker. We have some useful squad players such as Flem, Jarrett, Louis-Jean and Robinson and some talented youngsters in Jarvis (Rossi and Ryan), Spillane and Henderson (possibly).

[/quote]

I have nothing against optomism Mook but please...  Our defensive record last season was the worst we have had in this division since 1997/1998.  In fact the worst since one Malcolm Mackay arrived at the club.

Hughes is totally utterly useless, if you can''t see that then heaven help you.  Jarrett has been sold. Lets hope Safri stays fit and is picked, not left on the bench while a left back plays.

One of your strikers is the clubs only left winger, another is the clubs only supposed right winger (unless you count striker henderson or the awful Hooze) and is reguarly dropped for no reason by the muppet in charge.

positives - Spillane looks like he will make the grade - given a chance, and Erny will get goals in the worst team in the division.

[nh_ncfc 0]

My last post was ment to Mook by the way, i ''''replyed'''' instead of ''''qoute'''' lmao

[Citizen Journalist Foghorn 0]

[quote user="Mook"]

And regarding HOOFBALL, just watch England. This is the countries finest players, and the amount of long ball football has been disgusting. And don''t tell me Sven (who is swedish and coached in Portugal and Italy) tells them to play long balls all day. It''s the players, and they need to step up to the plate too.

[/quote]

Hoofball is all well and good, but when your strikers are 5 ft 4 and 3 ft 10 it aint much use.....  then again if you are hoofing it to bypass Hooze, Etuhu and the invisible man, perhaps it is understandable.

[alex_ncfc 686]

I totally agree with the gist of this post, I for one am sick of this "nice family club" image that we have. No wonder no one takes us seriously. We need new blood in the boardroom (ND doesn''t count, just another yes man) and someone with a bit of ambition. Bloody hell, they seem quite prepared to just be in this division, and I get the impression a lot of the fans are tool.

[Ken Aries 0]

I think the board may well have underestimated the level of discontent amongst the majority of the supporters now. They seem to be cacooned from the real world. They really should have dismissed Worthy, whether they wanted to or not. The fact that they haven''t, could cause dire consequences for the club. Next season could turn out to be a nightmare for all concerned, whether you''re the manager, a player, a director and particularly if you''re a fan. Norwich City have a very slim hope of winning promotion next season; especially when you read that people are prepared to call for Worthy''s head from the very 1st game. Some are even ready to demonstrate at some of the friendly games. How on earth are the team going to perform to their best without 100% support from the fans?

[Mook 0]

No, Hoofball isn''t all well and good. It''s kack. But it is the players that boot the ball up, not the manager. Even if my manager INSTRUCTED me to kick it long the whole time, I wouldn''t. Because I would see that the man up front ain''t gettin it.

Now - if the full backs show for the ball, the central midfield show feet, the wingers (I''m looking at you, Hucks) make a run, then we have OPTIONS. And options are what good football is all about.

And if you knew you were going to get booed at every opportunity, would you have the guts to want that ball? Would you have the balls to ask for the ball, and try something that might not come off? I bet you wouldn''t.

Hughes isn''t useless. I bet you were a Hargreaves hater too, until you actually see the use of a defensive midfielder. He shouldn''t be on the wing, granted. But Hughes is a better footballer than Holt, and he served this club with distinction, playing to his strengths.

Our defence IS good, but they get no protection from the wingers who always leave their fullback exposed. See my next point:

I know that Hucks is now (apparently) a winger, and McVeigh too, but they are good attackers. With two positions filled - left and right midfield - we can beat any team in this league and if you can''t see that then heaven help you.

[Salopian 1]

Sadly, I suspect that you are right. Unless suddenly we can find one or two better than average players, and one or two merely for the squad, and unless the standard in the Championship falls below even last''s poor standard it is diffcult to see us above mid table.We missed an opportunity last year by some poor signings, like they year before that. Our Good players are getting older and fewer.Perhaps were are in some kind of transition period, but under the present management I think it is downwards. There is little emerging from youth development, we seem disinclined to sign relatively cheap unproven players, and we seem to be aiming for cheaper players who have not set the world alight and who in one or two cases, no names, clearly are not up to it!The only hope for the medium term I can see is a new emphasis on youth development, a new willingness to risk signing young and unproven players, as well as a change in tactics, team selection, etc. I can''t see this happening, and I am rapidly losing interest after being a fervent supporter for over half a century.

[Saint Canary 0]

I''m not saying there is not a lot of work to be done before next season kicks off but I think we are all a little guilty of seeing every little negative without seeing some big positives.  As Mook points out the signing of two specialist wingers could be the difference for us next season.  You cannot underestimate the impact of protecting your full backs and having the right shape in midfield.

We do have some good players at this club, some of the best in this league in fact and with the right tinkering it could all come together.

What we must not do however is fall into the trap of last season by believing that couple of quality players up front can get us up without something solid behind them.  I think a lot depends on the new coach as much new players.

[komakino 281]

Hughes has brought the criticism on him largely by himself. If was playing well, the fans wouldn''t be on his case. How many good games did he play last season? Exactly.

Gary Holt was no master craftsman, but for £100K he gave his all and had many good games in a Norwich shirt. Hughes cost £500K, and on much higher wages, has done nothing of note and personifies Worthy''s ''Hard-Work, No skill'' ethic.

Dean Coney anyone?

[Citizen Journalist Foghorn 0]

[quote user="Mook"]

No, Hoofball isn''t all well and good. It''s kack. But it is the players that boot the ball up, not the manager. Even if my manager INSTRUCTED me to kick it long the whole time, I wouldn''t. Because I would see that the man up front ain''t gettin it.

Now - if the full backs show for the ball, the central midfield show feet, the wingers (I''m looking at you, Hucks) make a run, then we have OPTIONS. And options are what good football is all about.

And if you knew you were going to get booed at every opportunity, would you have the guts to want that ball? Would you have the balls to ask for the ball, and try something that might not come off? I bet you wouldn''t.

Hughes isn''t useless. I bet you were a Hargreaves hater too, until you actually see the use of a defensive midfielder. He shouldn''t be on the wing, granted. But Hughes is a better footballer than Holt, and he served this club with distinction, playing to his strengths.

Our defence IS good, but they get no protection from the wingers who always leave their fullback exposed. See my next point:

I know that Hucks is now (apparently) a winger, and McVeigh too, but they are good attackers. With two positions filled - left and right midfield - we can beat any team in this league and if you can''t see that then heaven help you.

[/quote]

I see your point about wingers - suffice to say we have all seen this problem for years but nothing has been done about it (apart from our promotion season Cooper and Harper- surprise surprise). 

As for Hargreaves I have actually defended the guy due to the fact I had no idea how good he was - a first team regular for Bayern can''t be too bad and as a defensive midfielder, the odd sub appearance is not enough to judge him - he is proving his doubters wrong.

Holty was positionally aware and defensively strong, he covered spaces at the back, hassled harried in the right areas of the pitch and helped us acheive a solid formation and setup - he protected the defense.

As for Hughes I think his running does more harm than good, we have no formation, he doesn''t offer any protection to the defense and he is never in his position to receive the ball.  He just isnt very good.

Again talking about formation, again this is a real problem with the side, there is no solidity due to Hughes and Hucks.  No organisation, we have no leader at the back pushing the defense up and we look weak, even with some good players in there. 

Also who is the team captain and leader?  Someone has to take hold of this job and grow into the role.  I can''t even tell you now whom are captain actually is!?!?!?!?!

[Pete Raven 276]

Fleming isn''t it? No wait, maybe Drury? Or possibly Hughes...

I''d give the armband to the Doc personally.

[mystic megson 0]

[quote user="stephen nobbs"]I think the board may well have underestimated the level of discontent amongst the majority of the supporters now. They seem to be cacooned from the real world. They really should have dismissed Worthy, whether they wanted to or not. The fact that they haven''t, could cause dire consequences for the club. Next season could turn out to be a nightmare for all concerned, whether you''re the manager, a player, a director and particularly if you''re a fan. Norwich City have a very slim hope of winning promotion next season; especially when you read that people are prepared to call for Worthy''s head from the very 1st game. Some are even ready to demonstrate at some of the friendly games. How on earth are the team going to perform to their best without 100% support from the fans?[/quote]

 

IMO the board would probably feel that continuation of the WO campaign is a price worth paying, as long as they escape the flak they so richly deserve.  

Please get wise, stop and think before you fall for it again.  If you need to vent your frustration (and who doesn''t?), there''s always the tried and trusted "Where''s The Money Gone?"  There lies the root of the problem.

[lucky green trainers 0]

read you comments with interest steve m.it comes down to dosh - and i posted what a disaster greeno''s injury was for city and the player himself.  he looked to be on his way, now its a lose/lose situation for all concerned - he can''t move on until jan on a bosman, and city suffers a double whammy of being deprived of a transfer fee and paying his wages.i''m hopeful some ambition with prudence will follow between now and the end of the season, but the transfer inactivity to date doesn''t exactly fill me with optimism, especially given the obvious squad deficiencies present from last season.  watford have gone up on a shoe-string, so it is possible, so lets hunter and worthy can pull some long-overdue rabbits from a sickly looking hat.

[Citizen Journalist Foghorn 0]

[quote user="mystic megson"]

[quote user="stephen nobbs"]I think the board may well have underestimated the level of discontent amongst the majority of the supporters now. They seem to be cacooned from the real world. They really should have dismissed Worthy, whether they wanted to or not. The fact that they haven''t, could cause dire consequences for the club. Next season could turn out to be a nightmare for all concerned, whether you''re the manager, a player, a director and particularly if you''re a fan. Norwich City have a very slim hope of winning promotion next season; especially when you read that people are prepared to call for Worthy''s head from the very 1st game. Some are even ready to demonstrate at some of the friendly games. How on earth are the team going to perform to their best without 100% support from the fans?[/quote]

 

IMO the board would probably feel that continuation of the WO campaign is a price worth paying, as long as they escape the flak they so richly deserve.  

Please get wise, stop and think before you fall for it again.  If you need to vent your frustration (and who doesn''t?), there''s always the tried and trusted "Where''s The Money Gone?"  There lies the root of the problem.

[/quote]

The problem is mystic - we know where the money has gone it went on signing Ashton initially (including money from both parachute payments), Ashton''s wages, innumerable loan deals, the high wages we are paying many of our new signings like Hughes and Etuhu.  Any money made from the ashton deal was reinvested in Rob Earnshaw and his now high wages.

The parachute payment of around 6 million probably for the most part covers high wages and maybe a million to ashton''s original fee.

I see perhaps 1.5 million available for spending this summer max.