BlyBlyBabes 0 Posted November 14, 2008 There''s a great deal of truth in this analysis one suspects.“We look good on paper. But football isn''t played on paper, it''s played on grass.” It''s one of those old clichés trotted out every now and then by fans, television pundits and columnists. But if ever there was a phrase to sum up the current on-the-field state of Norwich City FC, surely it''s this one? I don''t mind admitting it, I have been genuinely baffled by the more often than not below par, and downright shocking, results this season. In the weeks prior to the first ball being kicked in anger I truly felt we had a squad strong enough to at least make a decent stab of reaching the play-offs. I certainly never imagined that a squad consisting of players of the calibre of Marshall, Bertrand, Kennedy, Stefanovic, Russell, Clingan, Hoolahan, Bell, Croft, Lita, Lupoli, Cureton and Sibierski, to name but a few, would struggle to win more than a handful of games in the first third of the season. But they have, and I think on Saturday against Preston it suddenly dawned upon me a possible reason why. Let me explain. Twice this season at Carrow Road we have seen teams reduced to 10 men. Firstly against QPR and then a few weeks later Derby. In both games the opposition responded to the sending-off in fantastic fashion, rolling up their sleeves and going on to win, 1-0 and 2-1 respectively. Norwich''s reaction to Russell''s sending-off on Saturday could not have been more different. Instantly, and visibly, heads dropped and you sensed panic and fear. Minutes later Preston equalised and in the end we were lucky to escape with a draw. No one looked prepared to dig in and fight when the chips were down. What it highlighted to me was that football might be played on grass, but it''s also played in the mind. And at the minute Norwich''s players might have the ability but they don''t appear to have the mental toughness needed to get to the top of the league, to extend early leads, win when not playing well and battle on when the going gets tough. This was proved by Russell''s petulant sending-off, numerous needless bookings so far this season, several pointless penalties and an inability to recover from going behind, especially away from home. We''re losing the mind game and I think that''s the key to why we''re currently sitting at the wrong end of the table.It''s up to Roeder, I guess.What are the odds on him being able to solve this problem?[:''(]OTBC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlyBlyBabes 0 Posted November 14, 2008 To summarise, as I know some of you don''t fancy reading too much [;)], he say''s that the players heads and hearts are not in the right place.The squad has psychological shortcomings rather than a lack of footballing ability.The question is as to whether or not Roeder can solve this critical failure.I''m beginning to think not, although I''d be happy to be pleasantly surprised.One love.OTBC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blahblahblah 2 Posted November 14, 2008 Are we employing the bloke who worked with Johnny Wilkinson ? If so, he doesn''t appear to be helping so far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlyBlyBabes 0 Posted November 14, 2008 [quote user="blahblahblah"]Are we employing the bloke who worked with Johnny Wilkinson ? If so, he doesn''t appear to be helping so far.[/quote]Can''t remember blah, there''''ve been so many comings and goings. Bit like Liverpool Street on a Friday afternoon.OTBC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blahblahblah 2 Posted November 14, 2008 Are you in Lima or Bogota ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
First Wazzock 1,003 Posted November 14, 2008 [quote user="blahblahblah"]Are you in Lima or Bogota ?[/quote]Is this ''Twenty questions''?Lady Isobel Barnet says can you eat it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mello Yello 2,553 Posted November 14, 2008 [quote user="blahblahblah"]Are we employing the bloke who worked with Johnny Wilkinson ? If so, he doesn''t appear to be helping so far.[/quote]Apparently, he ate Johnny.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blahblahblah 2 Posted November 14, 2008 [quote user="Mello Yello"][quote user="blahblahblah"]Are we employing the bloke who worked with Johnny Wilkinson ? If so, he doesn''t appear to be helping so far.[/quote]Apparently, he ate Johnny....[/quote]Isn''t that illegal ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mello Yello 2,553 Posted November 14, 2008 [quote user="blahblahblah"][quote user="Mello Yello"] [quote user="blahblahblah"]Are we employing the bloke who worked with Johnny Wilkinson ? If so, he doesn''t appear to be helping so far.[/quote]Apparently, he ate Johnny....[/quote]Isn''t that illegal ?[/quote]Regurtitating him in pubic is...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mello Yello 2,553 Posted November 14, 2008 There, I''ve deliberattely put in a spellun mistake in my above post.....See if you can spot it....Bleurgh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mister Chops 7 Posted November 14, 2008 tee hee, you said "pubic". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mello Yello 2,553 Posted November 14, 2008 [quote user="Mister Chops"]tee hee, you said "pubic".[/quote]Good spot.....now squeeze it! What about ''regurgitate''.....I''m sick of typing it.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mister Chops 7 Posted November 14, 2008 [quote user="Mello Yello"][quote user="Mister Chops"]tee hee, you said "pubic".[/quote]Good spot.....now squeeze it! What about ''regurgitate''.....I''m sick of typing it....[/quote]Oh, stop bringing it up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mello Yello 2,553 Posted November 14, 2008 [quote user="Mister Chops"][quote user="Mello Yello"][quote user="Mister Chops"]tee hee, you said "pubic".[/quote]Good spot.....now squeeze it! What about ''regurgitate''.....I''m sick of typing it....[/quote]Oh, stop bringing it up.[/quote]Bile try my best.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mister Chops 7 Posted November 14, 2008 [quote user="Mello Yello"][quote user="Mister Chops"][quote user="Mello Yello"][quote user="Mister Chops"]tee hee, you said "pubic".[/quote]Good spot.....now squeeze it! What about ''regurgitate''.....I''m sick of typing it....[/quote]Oh, stop bringing it up.[/quote]Bile try my best....[/quote]Spew and me both. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mello Yello 2,553 Posted November 14, 2008 [quote user="Mister Chops"][quote user="Mello Yello"][quote user="Mister Chops"][quote user="Mello Yello"] [quote user="Mister Chops"]tee hee, you said "pubic".[/quote]Good spot.....now squeeze it! What about ''regurgitate''.....I''m sick of typing it....[/quote]Oh, stop bringing it up.[/quote]Bile try my best....[/quote]Spew and me both.[/quote]Fancy a pavement pizza? There''s a lovely choice on Prince of Wales Road?[pi]....(Thin crust). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlyBlyBabes 0 Posted November 15, 2008 There now, that''s much better.Cheating is not such a good idea.................OTBC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
