As a Norwich fan who lives in Manchester, yesterday was my annual commute for a home game, and while you could certainly say I got my money’s worth, the spectacle that unfolded left most with sore eyes, wincing in disappointment.
It was another instalment in the well documented book of games Norwich ‘should have won’. Yet the eery lack of atmosphere that encapsulated Carrow Road was testament to the current run the team is on, and how high expectations aren’t being met. One lad in front of me even had his iPad out, with Football Manager being a more attractive pass-time than the laborious football on show just 40 metres ahead of him. Perhaps he felt his managerial skills were superior to the evidently struggling Adams. Either way, the passion and belief around Carrow Road has subsided significantly, and even the three goals that we did score were celebrated with limited excitement. I’m probably talking from an away fan’s perspective – I feel the best way to support your team is to stand, sing and chant your team on (although I understand that’s not always possible), rather than just vocalising a sweeping judgement from time-to-time. It’s as if people don’t believe we can hold onto victories (which they have good reason for), and ultimately get promoted. Most would prefer a little trip in a time machine back to the Lambert days where promotion prospects were all fine and dandy. Unfortunately, time machines don’t exist, neither does Martin Olsson’s right foot, and the problems at hand are very real.
Yesterday’s game basically summed up our season so far; the fact we can score goals when the tempo is high enough (however it rarely is), the notorious frailties at the back which continue to result in avoidable goals conceded, and our tragic ability to throw a game away. It’s like taking all the ingredients of a tasty meal, putting them together in a rather nonsensical way, and hoping the end product still pleases your taste buds – like most episodes of Come Dine With Me, then.
The rain plodded down as two pretty average sides played out a very average game of football. In fact, 3-3 is very unfitting for the quality that was on show, albeit barring Russell Martin’s wonder strike. The few moments of quality for us were movements which led to goals – Redmond’s cross for Howson’s goal was about the only threatening one he put in all day, and it was the same story for Brighton – except we handed them two of theirs. The wonder strike’s element of luck should have been capitalised on, given it drew Brighton out, and more chances were created. But of course, we managed to waste any opportunity to kill the game off – a saying which is having to be used a lot recently.
Our discipline was poor, and you’ve got to think that stems from the top down. Bradley Johnson received a second yellow card, while midfield partner Howson was also lucky not to have been sent off for a very similar foul. Just another problem piling up; a general indication of our lack of togetherness.
Momentum in football is often a defining factor; for us, it’s having a domino effect where we move not from strength to strength, but from “bitterly disappointed” press conference to the next. The least encouraging thing is that Adams very clearly doesn’t know the answer to the current issues. One winger? Two wingers? The diamond? Perhaps his trial-and-error approach of changing the personnel each week will eventually produce a winning formula, but when/if that happens we may already be past the point of no-return (literally). At the moment, there is still ample time to turn the situation around, but the change in mentality, collectivity and application of ability has to occur soon. The next two games are must-wins, especially with the claustrophobic fixture layout of the Christmas period, where a running spree can either make or break a team’s season.
If the misery continues at home, things won’t improve on the road either. The prospect of Derby away in just a month’s time is rather frightening, if this form continues. A team who could really put us in our place if we’re not up for it. We mustn’t continue this spiralling descent down the Premier League-reject plughole, or our best players will be duly picked off by bigger clubs in January, and our problems doubled.
