Daniel Brigham 0 Posted April 11, 2014 Neil Adams'' appointment has lifted the mood around Carrow Road. A new sense of adventure can lead them to victory over Fulham, but history is against them. By Daniel BrighamWelcome back, fun. It''s good to see you again. In a season of Chinese water torture, each dropped point needling into our consciousness and fuelling our frustration, what a wonderful sense of release this week has brought. That horrible atmosphere of footballing constipation has been lifted, allowing us to have fun again while following Norwich. Finally David McNally, sat in his mountain lair, stroking his cat and staring at the banks of CCTV cameras in front of him displaying every hidden corner of Carrow Road, decided to press the big red panic button. It''s had an immediately positive affect, bringing in a new manager liked by the majority, a hero last year who possesses a winning sense of adventure. Like the start of the summer holidays everyone is giddy, talking about their plans for the future, about Norwich''s starting XI* on Saturday. But a trace element of fear remains. There are still bad things on the horizon: the caravanning holiday in Morecombe Bay, being forced to play with that weird kid next door with the braces; the huge six-pointer versus Fulham; the very real threat of relegation. Because it''s still there, isn''t it. The facts haven''t changed since the full-time whistle on Saturday sent clappers flying and supporters crying. However much the mood has been lifted, Norwich still have 450 minutes to save their season. Or, more realistically, they have 90 minutes. Jack Bauer has nothing on this. Norwich have to win against a team they haven''t won against since 1986; a team we''ve lost to 11 times out of our last 15 meetings, who have scored 23 goals past us in our last 10 matches. Let’s not forget this is Fulham we''re talking about, the friendliest of friendly clubs. We are the animal equivalent of a Jack Russell getting its ass repeatedly kicked by a cat.It isn''t just Fulham Norwich are immune to, though. Oh no. It''s the whole of London. In the league, Norwich haven''t won in the capital for 11 matches. Seven of those have been defeats. Oh, and if you didn''t feel like sticking forks in your eyes just yet, Norwich have failed to beat any bottom-six side away from home since the beginning of last season.So Neil Adams has rather a lot of history to lift if he is to make a winning start to his managerial career. But maybe, just maybe, things are in Norwich''s favour this time. It is a huge match for both sides, one that will probably determine their fate. Both sides will be on edge. Fulham, drilled by part-man, part-Paddington Bear Felix Magath, will have the advantage of knowing their roles, of knowing their system. Frighteningly they look a tougher side than earlier in the season, when they managed to win at Carrow Road and roll us over in the FA Cup replay. But Norwich have an extra, crucial element: freedom. The players have spent the season with a ball and chain strapped to their feet. They have been terrified of making mistakes. The change of manager will have removed those chains, will encourage them to play with a bit more freedom. They will be trying to win the match rather than settling for not losing it. While the home fans at Craven Cottage seem to prefer supping G&Ts and discussing their next tennis meet-up, Norwich will be roared on by fans who have also had the ball and chain unlocked, finally travelling to an away game hopeful of a positive display and a positive result. The dread has turned to nervous, excited anticipation. When was the last time that happened? That mix of fun, freedom and adventure might just be enough to win on Saturday. It has to be. * Here’s my XI, for what it’s worth: 4-2-3-1: Ruddy; Whittaker, Bassong, Turner, Olsson; Tettey, Howson; Redmond, Hoolahan, Pilkington; Wolfswinkel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 274 Posted April 11, 2014 Excellent again; love the gecko-esque allusion of "Panic is Good" message and illusion of pre season hope - a 5 game season where we need a good start a must. Beach party in the stand anyone? That first goal (if one happens) will determine the result so we must keep things tight in midfied, I would be happy with that line up, more so with martin in place of whit, but can''t see snoddy being dropped. Hoping the future is yellow... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonzey 0 Posted April 11, 2014 I like how you write Daniel, very enjoyable.However your starting XI is bizarre to say the least! Turner straight back in after injury?! Whittaker for Martin? Redmond AND Hoolahan starting away from home?! No Johnson?! Ricky up front! Blimey. Anyway, keep up these posts. You have a flair for writing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel Brigham 0 Posted April 11, 2014 Ha, thanks Jonzey. Martin''s been consistently awful this season, Johnson awful against Fulham at Carrow Road and in the Cup replay, hoping Adams will get the best out of Ricky and Redmond and Wes will put Fulham on the back foot. 2 holding midfielders give plenty of protection ... hopefully! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bury Yellow 2 Posted April 11, 2014 Another good ''un Daniel and always appreciate a bit of gallows humour although I might not need any gallows if we stay up.I feel sorry for you if your shoulders rub too closely to some of your national football journalists in the smoke.This last week has shown most of them to be what we have always thought.Your skills and intelligence must shine like a beacon amongst the smog emanating form their ignorant mouths!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TCCANARY 263 Posted April 11, 2014 Lets not forget that RVW''s goal this season came from a Whittaker ''cross''. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
a1canary 0 Posted April 11, 2014 Daniel, your blog has done absolutely nothing to restrain the unbridled giddy excitement that you just know is going to get well and truly extinguished at some point, maybe in about 27 hours. It serves only to pump us up even more and raise the expectation levels! I don''t know whether to thank you or tell you to shut it! Love the Magath/ Paddington analogy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Morph 19 Posted April 11, 2014 Brilliant once again Daniel. Such a relief from the "inner", "outer", "shake it all abouter" stuff that this forum has become a rest home for in the past 6 months. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites