Norwich City slumped to an embarrassing 3-0 defeat at St. Andrews on Saturday afternoon, as the Canaries ended their first chapter of the season before the international break in utterly disappointing fashion.
From the first minute to the final whistle, Norwich failed to show any real signs of being able to win the game. Norwich had the same problems that have plagued them on their away days since they last escaped the Championship, as they had absolutely no presence in the attack as Steven Naismith failed to fill the boots of the injured Cameron Jerome.
It wasn’t just problems on the pitch that concerned the roughly 1’600 strong travelling fans. Questions are still being raised as to whether Alex Neil is getting the support needed from the club’s board, as they are yet to make any significant additions to the side since the season began. This is all while club chairman Ed Balls takes part on Strictly Come Dancing…
I’ve taken a look at five things we all learned from the defeat:
Whittaker is far too high up the pecking order
Ivo Pinto is the club’s main right back, that’s long established. But when he’s injured, the likes of experienced Russell Martin and hugely promising Ben Godfrey would undoubtedly fill the hole better than Steven Whittaker. How he got a new contract in the summer is beyond belief.
Naismith has offered nothing since joining
Since his eye-catching debut against Liverpool, Naismith has offered little more than nothing in a yellow shirt. Neil’s blind loyalty to his fellow countryman is baffling.
Brady looks a shadow of the player of last season
He was one of Norwich’s few stand-out players in their relegation season last year. But he’s failed to show any of his qualities, especially going forward, since filling in for Martin Olsson at left back.
Neil isn't getting the support to get Norwich promoted
While the team put out was easily capable of brushing Birmingham aside, it’s clear the squad needs serious investment to be capable of keeping up with the likes of Newcastle and Aston Villa. Neil has identified transfer targets that the club have repeatedly missed out on.
Players need to take responsibility
Fingers can be pointed at the board and the manager until the cows come home, which fans will always do after a heavy defeat. But when those players step out on to the pitch, they get paid huge amounts of money to do their job and play well. You can’t always win, but those players have the basic responsibility to put in a shift.