Smith sacked Walker after two straight 5 nil wins........

[First Wizard 0]

So how come that Jock loser Grant is still here?.

Don''t anyone dare tell me Hamish is anywhere near Mike''s class in managment terms............because I''ll never except that. And if you think Grunt is, then you''ve been away with the ruddy fairies too long.

Like many on here, I watched both those games, and City at the moment are a stella galaxy away from ever playing like that.

The one common link to this current mess up is our own potty cook. If only Mike had been afforded such leeway!.

Breaks your heart doesn''t it?[:''(]

[Cluck 0]

[quote user="1st Wizard"]

So how come that Jock loser Grant is still here?.

Don''t anyone dare tell me Hamish is anywhere near Mike''s class in managment terms............because I''ll never except that. And if you think Grunt is, then you''ve been away with the ruddy fairies too long.

Like many on here, I watched both those games, and City at the moment are a stella galaxy away from ever playing like that.

The one common link to this current mess up is our own potty cook. If only Mike had been afforded such leeway!.

Breaks your heart doesn''t it?[:''(]

[/quote]

I fear it may simply be that Grant is her man...whereas Walker was Chases''. It is possession thing.....

Sadly her succession of men have have not been fit to lick Mike''s boots....

[All dots 0]

[quote user="1st Wizard"]

So how come that Jock loser Grant is still here?.

Don''t anyone dare tell me Hamish is anywhere near Mike''s class in managment terms............because I''ll never except that. And if you think Grunt is, then you''ve been away with the ruddy fairies too long.

Like many on here, I watched both those games, and City at the moment are a stella galaxy away from ever playing like that.

The one common link to this current mess up is our own potty cook. If only Mike had been afforded such leeway!.

Breaks your heart doesn''t it?[:''(]

[/quote]

 

You shouldn''t have reminded me. That was one of Norwich''s most shameful episodes. MW''s wife with terminal cancer must have obviously affected him but he stuck to his task, his wife passes away and instead of giving him 3 months of the new season they sacked him. What compassion, what loyalty ! I will always remember his first tenure as Norwich manager, being at the Arsenal Norwich game at Highbury, the opening game of the season I think. I was with my brother-in-law, a passionate Arsenal supporter from North London, and at half time we were losing 2-0. My brother-in-law was being duly magnaminous during the half-time break and I was feeling pretty low and apprehensive about the 2^nd half. Norwich came out a different team, Ruel Fox had an absolute belter and unbelievably we went 4-0 up. My turn for magnaminity ! What I also remember was seeing for the first time a Norwich manager indulge in brinkmanship and time wasting as MW made substitutions in the 89^th minute   !  Clearly a genuine competitor I thought……………. And the rest is history !

[First Wizard 0]

Thanks for bringing that up again  Old Salt

Thats why I hate Smith and whole rotten board so intensley. I spoke with Munby on three occassions before their gutless treatment of Mike, and each time he said to my face that MW had their total backing....7 days later,  the bloody cowards sacked him!.

 Many new supporters believe Delia and Co are spotless............whereas us older fans know the real truth.[:@]

[ricky knight 0]

just shows they can be ruthless when it suits them, muppets.

[canary cherub 1]

I remember it well - when I heard the news I took her cookery book off the shelf and slung it in the bin . . . [:@]

 

[Michael Starr 519]

[quote] You shouldn''t have reminded me. That was one of Norwich''s most shameful episodes. MW''s wife with terminal cancer must have obviously affected him but he stuck to his task, his wife passes away and instead of giving him 3 months of the new season they sacked him. What compassion, what loyalty ! I will always remember his first tenure as Norwich manager, being at the Arsenal Norwich game at Highbury, the opening game of the season I think. I was with my brother-in-law, a passionate Arsenal supporter from North London, and at half time we were losing 2-0. My brother-in-law was being duly magnaminous during the half-time break and I was feeling pretty low and apprehensive about the 2^nd half. Norwich came out a different team, Ruel Fox had an absolute belter and unbelievably we went 4-0 up. My turn for magnaminity ! What I also remember was seeing for the first time a Norwich manager indulge in brinkmanship and time wasting as MW made substitutions in the 89^th minute   !  Clearly a genuine competitor I thought……………. And the rest is history !

[/quote]

OMG... Mark Robins hat trick on his debut... i remember that well... omg what wonderful times!!!

[Syteanric 1]

[quote user="mystic megson"]

I remember it well - when I heard the news I took her cookery book off the shelf and slung it in the bin . . . [:@]

 

[/quote]

 

i remember it too.. i was in the 6th form at the time at school and we heard it on my mates portable radio when playing footy on the field... i then Proceeded to hack anyone that came near me in Anger... even Vinnie Jones would of wet himself with fright that day! lol!

 if he had given the time and money that worthy had we would of gone up and stayed there!

and cluck, slight mistake in your post i think... the Smiths re employed Walker the 2nd time round....

jas :)

[All dots 0]

[quote user="Michael Starr"]

[quote] You shouldn''t have reminded me. That was one of Norwich''s most shameful episodes. MW''s wife with terminal cancer must have obviously affected him but he stuck to his task, his wife passes away and instead of giving him 3 months of the new season they sacked him. What compassion, what loyalty ! I will always remember his first tenure as Norwich manager, being at the Arsenal Norwich game at Highbury, the opening game of the season I think. I was with my brother-in-law, a passionate Arsenal supporter from North London, and at half time we were losing 2-0. My brother-in-law was being duly magnaminous during the half-time break and I was feeling pretty low and apprehensive about the 2^nd half. Norwich came out a different team, Ruel Fox had an absolute belter and unbelievably we went 4-0 up. My turn for magnaminity ! What I also remember was seeing for the first time a Norwich manager indulge in brinkmanship and time wasting as MW made substitutions in the 89^th minute   !  Clearly a genuine competitor I thought……………. And the rest is history !

[/quote]

OMG... Mark Robins hat trick on his debut... i remember that well... omg what wonderful times!!!

[/quote]

 

They were indeed. We were standing in the Clock End surrounded by ardent Arsenal fans who sheered like hell when they scored both their goals. Then in the 2nd half of course we scored 4 goals and each time I had to suppress my desire to cheer and go wild when the third and then, unbeliveably, the fourth went in. Each time that Ruel Fox got hold of the ball the whole of the Clock End groaned in unison. The two of us drove back to Hampshire in two very different states of mind ! One sad reflection is that the game has changed so much since those days that there is no doubt in my mind that never again will we or clubs such as ours be able to compete with the likes of Arsenal.

[nutty nigel 7,534]

[quote user="jas the barclay king"][quote user="mystic megson"]

I remember it well - when I heard the news I took her cookery book off the shelf and slung it in the bin . . . [:@]

 

[/quote]

 

i remember it too.. i was in the 6th form at the time at school and we heard it on my mates portable radio when playing footy on the field... i then Proceeded to hack anyone that came near me in Anger... even Vinnie Jones would of wet himself with fright that day! lol!

 if he had given the time and money that worthy had we would of gone up and stayed there!

and cluck, slight mistake in your post i think... the Smiths re employed Walker the 2nd time round....

jas :)

[/quote]

I don''t think they did Jas. I think it was the people in control when Geoffrey Watling had bought out Chase. Names like Lockwood, Armstrong and Gordon Bennett stick in my mind. DS &MWJ didn''t get control until much later.. I think.

 

 

[All dots 0]

[quote user="nutty nigel"][quote user="jas the barclay king"][quote user="mystic megson"]

I remember it well - when I heard the news I took her cookery book off the shelf and slung it in the bin . . . [:@]

 

[/quote]

 

i remember it too.. i was in the 6th form at the time at school and we heard it on my mates portable radio when playing footy on the field... i then Proceeded to hack anyone that came near me in Anger... even Vinnie Jones would of wet himself with fright that day! lol!

 if he had given the time and money that worthy had we would of gone up and stayed there!

and cluck, slight mistake in your post i think... the Smiths re employed Walker the 2nd time round....

jas :)

[/quote]

I don''t think they did Jas. I think it was the people in control when Geoffrey Watling had bought out Chase. Names like Lockwood, Armstrong and Gordon Bennett stick in my mind. DS &MWJ didn''t get control until much later.. I think.

 

Nope Nutty you are incorrect. DS et all were in control at the time.

 

 

[/quote]

[nutty nigel 7,534]

Old Salt  ... I am sure that Walker was already manager when DS & MWJ were first invited onto the board and what is more surely when they first came on the board it was similar to the situation we have now with the Turners. It was sometime after that when Geoffrey Watling relinquished his controling interest. So it could be said Watling employed Walker2 but I''m sure the people making those decisions were Lockwood, Armstrong and Bennett.

 

[All dots 0]

[quote user="nutty nigel"]

Old Salt  ... I am sure that Walker was already manager when DS & MWJ were first invited onto the board and what is more surely when they first came on the board it was similar to the situation we have now with the Turners. It was sometime after that when Geoffrey Watling relinquished his controling interest. So it could be said Watling employed Walker2 but I''m sure the people making those decisions were Lockwood, Armstrong and Bennett.

 

[/quote]

 

Ah.... now you''ve stopped me in my tracks. I was certain that DS and MWJ were in control at the time but now I''m not so sure. They may not have been Directors at the time but if they had a controlling interest then they would have had to have been privy to and consulted by the Directors before it was decided to sack Walker.

[charlies dad 0]

[quote user="Michael Starr"]

[quote] You shouldn''t have reminded me. That was one of Norwich''s most shameful episodes. MW''s wife with terminal cancer must have obviously affected him but he stuck to his task, his wife passes away and instead of giving him 3 months of the new season they sacked him. What compassion, what loyalty ! I will always remember his first tenure as Norwich manager, being at the Arsenal Norwich game at Highbury, the opening game of the season I think. I was with my brother-in-law, a passionate Arsenal supporter from North London, and at half time we were losing 2-0. My brother-in-law was being duly magnaminous during the half-time break and I was feeling pretty low and apprehensive about the 2^nd half. Norwich came out a different team, Ruel Fox had an absolute belter and unbelievably we went 4-0 up. My turn for magnaminity ! What I also remember was seeing for the first time a Norwich manager indulge in brinkmanship and time wasting as MW made substitutions in the 89^th minute   !  Clearly a genuine competitor I thought……………. And the rest is history !

[/quote]

OMG... Mark Robins hat trick on his debut... i remember that well... omg what wonderful times!!!

[/quote] I was there, Robins only got two, Philips and Fox got the others. 

[charlies dad 0]

[quote user="Michael Starr"]

[quote] You shouldn''t have reminded me. That was one of Norwich''s most shameful episodes. MW''s wife with terminal cancer must have obviously affected him but he stuck to his task, his wife passes away and instead of giving him 3 months of the new season they sacked him. What compassion, what loyalty ! I will always remember his first tenure as Norwich manager, being at the Arsenal Norwich game at Highbury, the opening game of the season I think. I was with my brother-in-law, a passionate Arsenal supporter from North London, and at half time we were losing 2-0. My brother-in-law was being duly magnaminous during the half-time break and I was feeling pretty low and apprehensive about the 2^nd half. Norwich came out a different team, Ruel Fox had an absolute belter and unbelievably we went 4-0 up. My turn for magnaminity ! What I also remember was seeing for the first time a Norwich manager indulge in brinkmanship and time wasting as MW made substitutions in the 89^th minute   !  Clearly a genuine competitor I thought……………. And the rest is history !

[/quote]

OMG... Mark Robins hat trick on his debut... i remember that well... omg what wonderful times!!!

[/quote] I was there, Robins only got two, Philips and Fox got the others. 

[Mazy Run 0]

They got rid of Bryan Hamilton fairly promptly, didn''t they? - and he was most definitely Delia''s choice. In those days they recongised when they''d made a mistake and sorted it out...

[nutty nigel 7,534]

Old Salt - I am pretty sure they had a controlling interest by the time Walker was sacked.

 

[All dots 0]

[quote user="nutty nigel"]

Old Salt - I am pretty sure they had a controlling interest by the time Walker was sacked.

 

[/quote]

 

That''s what I thought,  so I can still blame them for what I thought and still think was a deplorable action !

[alex_ncfc 662]

[quote user="Mazy Run"]They got rid of Bryan Hamilton fairly promptly, didn''t they? - and he was most definitely Delia''s choice. In those days they recongised when they''d made a mistake and sorted it out...[/quote]

No.

Hamilton promptly resigned after 5 consecutive defeats in late 2000 - I also remember him not being under any pressure even after these losses, and this was confirmed when Delia was actually upset and crying over his resignation. That sums up the club and the people who run it. They wanted to keep the bloke on. Can you imagine what would have happened if we had?

[nutty nigel 7,534]

[quote user="Old Salt"][quote user="nutty nigel"]

Old Salt - I am pretty sure they had a controlling interest by the time Walker was sacked.

 

[/quote]

 

That''s what I thought,  so I can still blame them for what I thought and still think was a deplorable action !

[/quote]

On the face of it you are right. Seems strange how he was sacked, especially how others were treated since. We probably don''t know the whole story, I remember loads of rumours at the time. He was replaced by the "dream team" of Rioch and hamilton. They were DS&MWJ''s first appointments.

 

[First Wizard 0]

Back stabber Smith joined after Walker was manager, fact. No doubt the web team can confirm this. But whichever way you cut it................it was still bloody deplorable![:@]

[Pete Raven 276]

From the EDP in June 1996...

Delia Smith last night pledged her backing to Norwich City ° provided the club commits itself to ªa completely new directionº at boardroom level. The television cook and best- selling writer will consider financial support or offering herself as a household name to promote the club. But first the club must be prepared to sever its ties with the Robert Chase era, her husband Michael Wynn Jones indicated last night as he outlined the terms for the couple''s involvement. The development came as it emerged that the cash-crisis club has secured a £3 million loan from the US telecommunication giant AT& T which is believed to have helped fund last week''s return of manager Mike Walker.

[0ridgemanddMMyyyy0Falseen-USTrue 0]

Perhaps she is waiting for PG to have two 5- 0 wins before sacking him - could be a long time coming.

[Shaun Lawson 0]

The whole thing is very, very bizarre. Walker, who it''s correct to say

wasn''t appointed by Smith and Wynne Jones (they didn''t join the board

until Nov ''96, and didn''t play a leading role on it for a good year or

so more), actually did us an enormous favour by returning to the club

at all. He was very reluctant, as he knew it''d be impossible to

recreate his previous success, and realised what a horribly difficult

job it was bound to be - and only the fact that season ticket sales

were in three figures because Megson seemed to be remaining persuaded

him to come back (in short, the club would''ve been at death''s door if

he hadn''t). Then, an at times encouraging first season in charge was

followed by a disappointing second - but we spent 97/8 ravaged by

injuries, with no money to spend, and really, were just paying the

price for the shambles Chase had left us in.

Whether MW could''ve taken us back to success, I''m not too sure; but at

the very least, he deserved until Xmas of the following season to turn

it around. Then, if we were still struggling, a calm, fair judgement

could''ve been reached - but to sack him when we did, especially after

what he''d gone through all season following the death of his poor wife,

was absolutely despicable. Following that appallingly shoddy episode,

we at least appointed a proven manager in Bruce Rioch - but he too was

utterly hamstrung by lack of funds, and also by the shameful plotting

behind his back which went on between Hamilton and the two majority

shareholders. As a result, for my money our best manager since O''Neill

was effectively the victim of constructive dismissal, and following his

departure, was notoriously described as a "square peg in a round hole"

by Ms Smith.

To prove to the world our marvellous ambition, Hamilton then

immediately signed a bunch of nomarks, who were paraded by a beaming

board. How come Hamilon had been immediately granted resources denied

to Rioch? And to make matters worse, Smith and Jones became so close to

the Blarneymeister that he still enjoyed their full confidence

even when he left. He only quit because he''d asked his players whether

they still had faith in him, and praise be, very few raised their

hands. But that the club would not sack arguably the worst manager in

its entire history beggared belief; and still more ludicrous was their

pathetic blaming of probably the most docile local media in the whole

country for his downfall.

There was, at least, a spell under Worthington where we finally had the

right balance. Unlike his lamentable predecessor, he wasn''t too close

to the board - and was extremely shrewd in challenging them and facing

them down: first when demanding they either made him permanent manager,

or chose somebody else, in early January ''01; then in calling for funds

for real quality while being courted by Crystal Palace in Summer ''03.

The underlying threat was clear - and the board had been so burned by

the Blarneymeister episode that they had little choice other than to

give in. Sadly though, following promotion, they started blindly

backing him whatever (Delia telling the Guardian that our Nigel was the

"next Wenger"), all the while Worthington began losing the drive,

desire and refusal to stand for the complacency which had previously

characterised the club which he demonstrated in spades when first

taking over. As he went stale, so the board''s myopia became ever more

ludicrous: all it would''ve taken was a "thanks for the memories Nigel,

but things change, and it''s time to move on" - instead, they dug their

heels in more and more.

And now, unbelievably, it may be happening with Grant too. A board so

utterly devoid of real footballing expertise that they sack good

managers prematurely, and maintain failing ones seemingly until kingdom

come, might well continue to back him even if we lose at Loftus Road:

otherwise, why are we suddenly back in the loan market for a centre

back? Previously, they claimed we were being priced out: now, our

interest in Andrew Davies suggests dismissing PG isn''t even on the

board''s radar. I''ll be absolutely explicit here: lose on Monday, and he

must go: failure to dismiss someone so clearly in over his head

would be tantamount to pure negligence. The international break

provides the perfect chance to scout around for someone new and proven

(can you believe Rioch a full nine years ago was the last time we

appointed someone with a successful track record? Incredible!) - but if

they sit on their hands, then we''ll have to put up with this nonsense

for at least another month, by which point heaven only knows what our

league position will be.

I''m sick of the excuses, which our beloved Chief Executive will

doubtless provide yet more of in his much-trailed column later this

morning; I''m sick of the negativity; I''m sick of the absolutely

shocking myopia. Action is needed now if a calamitous drop into

League One isn''t to become a frightening reality; and if the board fail

to act, then their time, too, is very clearly up.

[All dots 0]

[quote user="Shaun Lawson"]The whole thing is very, very bizarre. Walker, who it''s correct to say wasn''t appointed by Smith and Wynne Jones (they didn''t join the board until Nov ''96, and didn''t play a leading role on it for a good year or so more), actually did us an enormous favour by returning to the club at all. He was very reluctant, as he knew it''d be impossible to recreate his previous success, and realised what a horribly difficult job it was bound to be - and only the fact that season ticket sales were in three figures because Megson seemed to be remaining persuaded him to come back (in short, the club would''ve been at death''s door if he hadn''t). Then, an at times encouraging first season in charge was followed by a disappointing second - but we spent 97/8 ravaged by injuries, with no money to spend, and really, were just paying the price for the shambles Chase had left us in.

Whether MW could''ve taken us back to success, I''m not too sure; but at the very least, he deserved until Xmas of the following season to turn it around. Then, if we were still struggling, a calm, fair judgement could''ve been reached - but to sack him when we did, especially after what he''d gone through all season following the death of his poor wife, was absolutely despicable. Following that appallingly shoddy episode, we at least appointed a proven manager in Bruce Rioch - but he too was utterly hamstrung by lack of funds, and also by the shameful plotting behind his back which went on between Hamilton and the two majority shareholders. As a result, for my money our best manager since O''Neill was effectively the victim of constructive dismissal, and following his departure, was notoriously described as a "square peg in a round hole" by Ms Smith.

To prove to the world our marvellous ambition, Hamilton then immediately signed a bunch of nomarks, who were paraded by a beaming board. How come Hamilon had been immediately granted resources denied to Rioch? And to make matters worse, Smith and Jones became so close to the Blarneymeister that he still enjoyed their full confidence even when he left. He only quit because he''d asked his players whether they still had faith in him, and praise be, very few raised their hands. But that the club would not sack arguably the worst manager in its entire history beggared belief; and still more ludicrous was their pathetic blaming of probably the most docile local media in the whole country for his downfall.

There was, at least, a spell under Worthington where we finally had the right balance. Unlike his lamentable predecessor, he wasn''t too close to the board - and was extremely shrewd in challenging them and facing them down: first when demanding they either made him permanent manager, or chose somebody else, in early January ''01; then in calling for funds for real quality while being courted by Crystal Palace in Summer ''03. The underlying threat was clear - and the board had been so burned by the Blarneymeister episode that they had little choice other than to give in. Sadly though, following promotion, they started blindly backing him whatever (Delia telling the Guardian that our Nigel was the "next Wenger"), all the while Worthington began losing the drive, desire and refusal to stand for the complacency which had previously characterised the club which he demonstrated in spades when first taking over. As he went stale, so the board''s myopia became ever more ludicrous: all it would''ve taken was a "thanks for the memories Nigel, but things change, and it''s time to move on" - instead, they dug their heels in more and more.

And now, unbelievably, it may be happening with Grant too. A board so utterly devoid of real footballing expertise that they sack good managers prematurely, and maintain failing ones seemingly until kingdom come, might well continue to back him even if we lose at Loftus Road: otherwise, why are we suddenly back in the loan market for a centre back? Previously, they claimed we were being priced out: now, our interest in Andrew Davies suggests dismissing PG isn''t even on the board''s radar. I''ll be absolutely explicit here: lose on Monday, and he must go: failure to dismiss someone so clearly in over his head would be tantamount to pure negligence. The international break provides the perfect chance to scout around for someone new and proven (can you believe Rioch a full nine years ago was the last time we appointed someone with a successful track record? Incredible!) - but if they sit on their hands, then we''ll have to put up with this nonsense for at least another month, by which point heaven only knows what our league position will be.

I''m sick of the excuses, which our beloved Chief Executive will doubtless provide yet more of in his much-trailed column later this morning; I''m sick of the negativity; I''m sick of the absolutely shocking myopia. Action is needed now if a calamitous drop into League One isn''t to become a frightening reality; and if the board fail to act, then their time, too, is very clearly up.

[/quote]

 

Good post and sorry to respond with a quickfire question ......... and, what do we do if Grant manages a win against bottom of the table QPR on Monday ? My view is that, change is needed and needed fast and hanging onto a manager  however hard-working and sincere but who as you say is so clearly out of his depth wikll get us deeper into trouble. The club should sack him now and given the absence of funds the only option will be to put Gunn in charge with Dublin to assist him.

[Robert N. LiM 4,350]

[quote user="Shaun Lawson"]The whole thing is very, very bizarre. Walker, who it''s correct to say wasn''t appointed by Smith and Wynne Jones (they didn''t join the board until Nov ''96, and didn''t play a leading role on it for a good year or so more), actually did us an enormous favour by returning to the club at all. He was very reluctant, as he knew it''d be impossible to recreate his previous success, and realised what a horribly difficult job it was bound to be - and only the fact that season ticket sales were in three figures because Megson seemed to be remaining persuaded him to come back (in short, the club would''ve been at death''s door if he hadn''t). Then, an at times encouraging first season in charge was followed by a disappointing second - but we spent 97/8 ravaged by injuries, with no money to spend, and really, were just paying the price for the shambles Chase had left us in.

Whether MW could''ve taken us back to success, I''m not too sure; but at the very least, he deserved until Xmas of the following season to turn it around. Then, if we were still struggling, a calm, fair judgement could''ve been reached - but to sack him when we did, especially after what he''d gone through all season following the death of his poor wife, was absolutely despicable. Following that appallingly shoddy episode, we at least appointed a proven manager in Bruce Rioch - but he too was utterly hamstrung by lack of funds, and also by the shameful plotting behind his back which went on between Hamilton and the two majority shareholders. As a result, for my money our best manager since O''Neill was effectively the victim of constructive dismissal, and following his departure, was notoriously described as a "square peg in a round hole" by Ms Smith.

To prove to the world our marvellous ambition, Hamilton then immediately signed a bunch of nomarks, who were paraded by a beaming board. How come Hamilon had been immediately granted resources denied to Rioch? And to make matters worse, Smith and Jones became so close to the Blarneymeister that he still enjoyed their full confidence even when he left. He only quit because he''d asked his players whether they still had faith in him, and praise be, very few raised their hands. But that the club would not sack arguably the worst manager in its entire history beggared belief; and still more ludicrous was their pathetic blaming of probably the most docile local media in the whole country for his downfall.

There was, at least, a spell under Worthington where we finally had the right balance. Unlike his lamentable predecessor, he wasn''t too close to the board - and was extremely shrewd in challenging them and facing them down: first when demanding they either made him permanent manager, or chose somebody else, in early January ''01; then in calling for funds for real quality while being courted by Crystal Palace in Summer ''03. The underlying threat was clear - and the board had been so burned by the Blarneymeister episode that they had little choice other than to give in. Sadly though, following promotion, they started blindly backing him whatever (Delia telling the Guardian that our Nigel was the "next Wenger"), all the while Worthington began losing the drive, desire and refusal to stand for the complacency which had previously characterised the club which he demonstrated in spades when first taking over. As he went stale, so the board''s myopia became ever more ludicrous: all it would''ve taken was a "thanks for the memories Nigel, but things change, and it''s time to move on" - instead, they dug their heels in more and more.

And now, unbelievably, it may be happening with Grant too. A board so utterly devoid of real footballing expertise that they sack good managers prematurely, and maintain failing ones seemingly until kingdom come, might well continue to back him even if we lose at Loftus Road: otherwise, why are we suddenly back in the loan market for a centre back? Previously, they claimed we were being priced out: now, our interest in Andrew Davies suggests dismissing PG isn''t even on the board''s radar. I''ll be absolutely explicit here: lose on Monday, and he must go: failure to dismiss someone so clearly in over his head would be tantamount to pure negligence. The international break provides the perfect chance to scout around for someone new and proven (can you believe Rioch a full nine years ago was the last time we appointed someone with a successful track record? Incredible!) - but if they sit on their hands, then we''ll have to put up with this nonsense for at least another month, by which point heaven only knows what our league position will be.

I''m sick of the excuses, which our beloved Chief Executive will doubtless provide yet more of in his much-trailed column later this morning; I''m sick of the negativity; I''m sick of the absolutely shocking myopia. Action is needed now if a calamitous drop into League One isn''t to become a frightening reality; and if the board fail to act, then their time, too, is very clearly up.

[/quote]

Sensational post. Read it and weep. Cool, clear analysis which has done more to persuade me of the board''s mistakes than the thousands of patronising, insulting and nonsensical posts "written" by Smudger and Cluck over the last year.

I still don''t see what the alternative to this board is, though.

[First Wizard 0]

A simply stunning post and a superb summing up Shaun.

[BCanary 0]

[quote user="Shaun Lawson"]The whole thing is very, very bizarre. Walker, who it''s correct to say

wasn''t appointed by Smith and Wynne Jones (they didn''t join the board

until Nov ''96, and didn''t play a leading role on it for a good year or

so more), actually did us an enormous favour by returning to the club

at all. He was very reluctant, as he knew it''d be impossible to

recreate his previous success, and realised what a horribly difficult

job it was bound to be - and only the fact that season ticket sales

were in three figures because Megson seemed to be remaining persuaded

him to come back (in short, the club would''ve been at death''s door if

he hadn''t). Then, an at times encouraging first season in charge was

followed by a disappointing second - but we spent 97/8 ravaged by

injuries, with no money to spend, and really, were just paying the

price for the shambles Chase had left us in.

Whether MW could''ve taken us back to success, I''m not too sure; but at

the very least, he deserved until Xmas of the following season to turn

it around. Then, if we were still struggling, a calm, fair judgement

could''ve been reached - but to sack him when we did, especially after

what he''d gone through all season following the death of his poor wife,

was absolutely despicable. Following that appallingly shoddy episode,

we at least appointed a proven manager in Bruce Rioch - but he too was

utterly hamstrung by lack of funds, and also by the shameful plotting

behind his back which went on between Hamilton and the two majority

shareholders. As a result, for my money our best manager since O''Neill

was effectively the victim of constructive dismissal, and following his

departure, was notoriously described as a "square peg in a round hole"

by Ms Smith.

To prove to the world our marvellous ambition, Hamilton then

immediately signed a bunch of nomarks, who were paraded by a beaming

board. How come Hamilon had been immediately granted resources denied

to Rioch? And to make matters worse, Smith and Jones became so close to

the Blarneymeister that he still enjoyed their full confidence

even when he left. He only quit because he''d asked his players whether

they still had faith in him, and praise be, very few raised their

hands. But that the club would not sack arguably the worst manager in

its entire history beggared belief; and still more ludicrous was their

pathetic blaming of probably the most docile local media in the whole

country for his downfall.

There was, at least, a spell under Worthington where we finally had the

right balance. Unlike his lamentable predecessor, he wasn''t too close

to the board - and was extremely shrewd in challenging them and facing

them down: first when demanding they either made him permanent manager,

or chose somebody else, in early January ''01; then in calling for funds

for real quality while being courted by Crystal Palace in Summer ''03.

The underlying threat was clear - and the board had been so burned by

the Blarneymeister episode that they had little choice other than to

give in. Sadly though, following promotion, they started blindly

backing him whatever (Delia telling the Guardian that our Nigel was the

"next Wenger"), all the while Worthington began losing the drive,

desire and refusal to stand for the complacency which had previously

characterised the club which he demonstrated in spades when first

taking over. As he went stale, so the board''s myopia became ever more

ludicrous: all it would''ve taken was a "thanks for the memories Nigel,

but things change, and it''s time to move on" - instead, they dug their

heels in more and more.

And now, unbelievably, it may be happening with Grant too. A board so

utterly devoid of real footballing expertise that they sack good

managers prematurely, and maintain failing ones seemingly until kingdom

come, might well continue to back him even if we lose at Loftus Road:

otherwise, why are we suddenly back in the loan market for a centre

back? Previously, they claimed we were being priced out: now, our

interest in Andrew Davies suggests dismissing PG isn''t even on the

board''s radar. I''ll be absolutely explicit here: lose on Monday, and he

must go: failure to dismiss someone so clearly in over his head

would be tantamount to pure negligence. The international break

provides the perfect chance to scout around for someone new and proven

(can you believe Rioch a full nine years ago was the last time we

appointed someone with a successful track record? Incredible!) - but if

they sit on their hands, then we''ll have to put up with this nonsense

for at least another month, by which point heaven only knows what our

league position will be.

I''m sick of the excuses, which our beloved Chief Executive will

doubtless provide yet more of in his much-trailed column later this

morning; I''m sick of the negativity; I''m sick of the absolutely

shocking myopia. Action is needed now if a calamitous drop into

League One isn''t to become a frightening reality; and if the board fail

to act, then their time, too, is very clearly up.

[/quote]Quality post. I would however, argue that Worthington''s downfall wasn''t necessarily his own doing - more down to the fact that the board refused him the cash to go out and by Peter Crouch or Dean Ashton until our Premiership fate had already been sealed. Then, whatever happened at Fulham seemed to destroy whatever Worthington "had" and he never got it back... or never wanted it back.

[nobbyg 0]

Ah how the mists of time cloud....

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/norwich/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/04/13/SOCCER_Norwich.html&TEAMHD=norwich

To save you reading I wll give you some highlights:

Norwich went a long way towards securing their Division One future by ending their miserable 14-match run without a victory with their biggest win of the season.

and it came as no surprise when Roberts wrapped up the points with only his third League goal of the season after 57 minutes. (this game was in April)

Subs:  Scott, Segura, Grant

We finished the season with 63 points from 46 games.

 

No I am not saying I wanted hime to go, infact quite the opposite.  I am simply fed up with facts being ignored because of misty eyed sentiment or rage.

I remember the Radio Norfolk phone in the night he got sacked...outraged caller after caller. 

I remeber the phone in poll on the local TV news where 99% thought it was tyhe wrong thing to sack him.

I was at the Reading away game two days after these.  I even took black balloons as a sign of mourning. Howvere I obviously read the situation wrong as nobody in the crowd uttered a word in support of him or against the club. NOBODY said anything.

[Old Shuck 183]

[quote user="MK Canary"][quote user="Shaun Lawson"]The whole thing is very, very bizarre. Walker, who it''s correct to say wasn''t appointed by Smith and Wynne Jones (they didn''t join the board until Nov ''96, and didn''t play a leading role on it for a good year or so more), actually did us an enormous favour by returning to the club at all. He was very reluctant, as he knew it''d be impossible to recreate his previous success, and realised what a horribly difficult job it was bound to be - and only the fact that season ticket sales were in three figures because Megson seemed to be remaining persuaded him to come back (in short, the club would''ve been at death''s door if he hadn''t). Then, an at times encouraging first season in charge was followed by a disappointing second - but we spent 97/8 ravaged by injuries, with no money to spend, and really, were just paying the price for the shambles Chase had left us in.

Whether MW could''ve taken us back to success, I''m not too sure; but at the very least, he deserved until Xmas of the following season to turn it around. Then, if we were still struggling, a calm, fair judgement could''ve been reached - but to sack him when we did, especially after what he''d gone through all season following the death of his poor wife, was absolutely despicable. Following that appallingly shoddy episode, we at least appointed a proven manager in Bruce Rioch - but he too was utterly hamstrung by lack of funds, and also by the shameful plotting behind his back which went on between Hamilton and the two majority shareholders. As a result, for my money our best manager since O''Neill was effectively the victim of constructive dismissal, and following his departure, was notoriously described as a "square peg in a round hole" by Ms Smith.

To prove to the world our marvellous ambition, Hamilton then immediately signed a bunch of nomarks, who were paraded by a beaming board. How come Hamilon had been immediately granted resources denied to Rioch? And to make matters worse, Smith and Jones became so close to the Blarneymeister that he still enjoyed their full confidence even when he left. He only quit because he''d asked his players whether they still had faith in him, and praise be, very few raised their hands. But that the club would not sack arguably the worst manager in its entire history beggared belief; and still more ludicrous was their pathetic blaming of probably the most docile local media in the whole country for his downfall.

There was, at least, a spell under Worthington where we finally had the right balance. Unlike his lamentable predecessor, he wasn''t too close to the board - and was extremely shrewd in challenging them and facing them down: first when demanding they either made him permanent manager, or chose somebody else, in early January ''01; then in calling for funds for real quality while being courted by Crystal Palace in Summer ''03. The underlying threat was clear - and the board had been so burned by the Blarneymeister episode that they had little choice other than to give in. Sadly though, following promotion, they started blindly backing him whatever (Delia telling the Guardian that our Nigel was the "next Wenger"), all the while Worthington began losing the drive, desire and refusal to stand for the complacency which had previously characterised the club which he demonstrated in spades when first taking over. As he went stale, so the board''s myopia became ever more ludicrous: all it would''ve taken was a "thanks for the memories Nigel, but things change, and it''s time to move on" - instead, they dug their heels in more and more.

And now, unbelievably, it may be happening with Grant too. A board so utterly devoid of real footballing expertise that they sack good managers prematurely, and maintain failing ones seemingly until kingdom come, might well continue to back him even if we lose at Loftus Road: otherwise, why are we suddenly back in the loan market for a centre back? Previously, they claimed we were being priced out: now, our interest in Andrew Davies suggests dismissing PG isn''t even on the board''s radar. I''ll be absolutely explicit here: lose on Monday, and he must go: failure to dismiss someone so clearly in over his head would be tantamount to pure negligence. The international break provides the perfect chance to scout around for someone new and proven (can you believe Rioch a full nine years ago was the last time we appointed someone with a successful track record? Incredible!) - but if they sit on their hands, then we''ll have to put up with this nonsense for at least another month, by which point heaven only knows what our league position will be.

I''m sick of the excuses, which our beloved Chief Executive will doubtless provide yet more of in his much-trailed column later this morning; I''m sick of the negativity; I''m sick of the absolutely shocking myopia. Action is needed now if a calamitous drop into League One isn''t to become a frightening reality; and if the board fail to act, then their time, too, is very clearly up.

[/quote]

Quality post. I would however, argue that Worthington''s downfall wasn''t necessarily his own doing - more down to the fact that the board refused him the cash to go out and by Peter Crouch or Dean Ashton until our Premiership fate had already been sealed. Then, whatever happened at Fulham seemed to destroy whatever Worthington "had" and he never got it back... or never wanted it back.
[/quote]

Fantastic post. Can''t argue with it, you certainly echo my thoughts. Nice one.