WHO CARES?

[Rudolph Hucker 0]

Who, out of our team is going to care enough to burst a gut for Glenn Roeder and ensure he doesn''t end up snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and probably confine himself to the managerial scrap heap?

Huckerby.  Might want to do it for the fans, but for a manager who has him wondering what his future is: I don''t think so.

Dublin. Great pro but looks like he has given all he has already and needs a rest.

Russell. Yes.

Pattison. Yes.

Fotheringham. I cannot say a resounding yes because of his comments about investment, he seems to think he can go elsewhere.

Marshall. Yes.

Camara. Good pro but he will have Derby to play for in the championship next year.

Pearce. As good as any CB we have and has a future at a higher level.

Shackell. Yes.

Doc. Yes.

Otsemobor. Yes.

Croft. Yes, but like the other yesses doesn''t have the quality to go with the desire, in any event he is being looked at by others, apparently.

Bertrand. Good left back but Premiership bound anyway.

Cureton. Yes, if only for the fans, but may feel he doesn''t owe Roeder too much loyalty.

Evans. I think he would always give 100% but again has a future elsewhere and that safety net is the thing which stops players running through brick walls.

I''m not going to run through the other loanees as I am already answered the point there. The fact is, many of our players know they will be fine whatever so have no personal fear of failure while others will retire anyway. One or two may feel no burning desire to burst a gut for a manager who has made comments about clear outs and lack of quality etc which leaves only a handful with the genuine desire and reason to give absolutely anything. Two of those are suspended for next week and none of those are players who can change games.

Not only did Roeder take his eye off the ball and become complacent before getting home and dry first but he also disenfranchised too many players too soon and now needs many of those players more than they need him which begs the question....who cares enough to do it for him?

There was no lack of effort last night and all the players seemed to be committed to the cause, but as we all know, when it comes to the crunch a close team with committed and united players find that something extra. Where was that something at home to Blackpool and away to Coventry? Which side will turn up at Sheffield Utd on Saturday.

We have seen Norwich players effectively dismiss the last two managers and Roeder knew that when he came here so took on the shop-stewards and brought in fresh faces to diminish their clout. Never mind the Club, players play for their manager........and out of our lot: who cares?

[lucky green trainers 0]

personally rude old, i saw every player giving their all last night, but they simply met a  stoke wall comprised of muscle  that our boys couldn''t penetrate.  all our crosses were from areas  that  didn''t harm stoke, cos their squad was too big - our boys couldn''t physically claim the ball in the 50/50 challenges.  this told in our box also, where stronger, taller stoke players simply got ahead of our boys to win untold flick-ons and free headers - time after time.  aside from that, i didn''t think stoke were much to worry about in open play.  but, sure, we are back in a scrap now - although its so tight another win would hoist us neck high outa the cess pit to breathe clean air - so you''re right, where are the big players roeder needs to inspire the younguns to fight for the cause???one thing is clear - we''ve lost form badly during the squad rotation fiasco - and roeder has admitted senior pro''s were frustrated at being left out.   this is only a problem if relationships at the club have been undermined.  for instance, how happy is russell - the boy recklessly lunged out at leicester - and stupidly got sent off on saturday???  is his head straight at the mo - cos his actions speak otherswise.