- City supporters are incredible but occasionally deserve to be held accountable.
- Criticising managers and players is common while fan mistakes often go ignored.
- Five specific moments prove that even the best fans sometimes get it wrong.
First of all, it should be stressed that in many ways, Norwich City fans are amazing. Aside from regularly getting over 25,000 per match (even in League One), they are also raising money for food banks and generally providing a great, fun atmosphere to be a part of.
But often we all, as fans, go through phases of saying how clueless managers are, how players are overpaid, how the board isn’t putting enough money in, and are “overpaid” and “clueless”. While sometimes this is true, it’s also fair to say they, the fans, also make mistakes.
But what’s different is that when they do, they can just move on to the next statement. Unlike managers, boards and players, they are not held accountable. So here are five times I feel Norwich fans needed to be called out.
Not backing Farke
With his massive success in getting us promoted twice, it is easy to forget that Daniel Farke faced calls to be sacked with his underwhelming first season. Indeed, I remember throughout his tenure there were people who called for the delightful and charming German wizard to be removed.
While there were definitely issues during Farke’s time as City boss, I would mainly argue that those issues weren’t his fault. In subsequent years, other teams that have been promoted have been hamstrung by having their best players sold before the window opened.
While Delia Smith, Michael Wynn-Jones et al deserve immense credit for the work they put into running Norwich City, the sad fact is they couldn’t give him the resources needed to keep the team at the top level.
Getting rid of Gunn
To be fair to City fans, many high-profile pundits also criticised Norwich for dismissing Bryan Gunn in favour of Paul Lambert. While he would go on to manage the team over the border, it can’t be ignored how he not only got us to the Premier League but was one of the few to keep us there.
It is totally understandable that we want to protect “one of our own” and “give them a chance.” But at a certain point you do have to take a step back and think, “Is the right move or is this what we want?”
Ross McCormack
If you are wondering, “Who is Ross McCormack?”, he was a striker that fans were desperate to sign. Apparently, he was worth us breaking the bank for (he wasn’t!).
As an added bonus, I also remember a time when we signed a young striker on loan. Fans were angry because we didn’t manage to sign a “proper” striker and that this young oaf was not up to the standard that we required.
If you are thinking, “Yes, we know you are talking about Harry Kane”, that is right, I am talking about Harry Kane. It is also a good reminder that sometimes even the best players may not necessarily fit a team, arrive at the wrong time in their development and so forth.
As someone who often gets well-meaning (and sometimes less well-meaning) suggestions like this with other projects, sometimes the resources aren’t there. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s vital that managers are backed as much as possible, but there are limits.
Of course, the opposite is true, and sometimes the best Norwich City players are the ones people have never heard of or ones that fans of other teams don’t rate (I remember Celtic fans saying how Pukki “wasn’t worth it” because of his time there).
“SHOOT!”
Fans, I am begging you… Please learn how distances and the laws of physics work. This is especially true when a player has their back to goal or if the opposition has the ball.
I understand it can be frustrating (especially when you’re losing) but no amount of yelling will give players super elastic powers or activate the secret cheat code.
Before you even say it yes I am aware that Kenny McClean scored an absolute beauty from the half way line for Scotland and it pleased me. But this doesn’t mean that you should try to do it all the time.
Norwich boo boys
This is my least favourite part of going to a game. In general, the atmosphere is amazing, and I can’t stress enough how much I love going to see Norwich City, and I am grateful to the friends who get me there so I can watch.
But it’s never nice to see players get booed, especially if it’s at half-time or a player who doesn’t deserve it.
It has to be stressed most of the time our fans are incredible. But I am reminded of a Seinfeld episode where the heckled comedian takes revenge by bothering the heckler while working in an office. He continually yells “Boo!” while she is trying to work.
If this sounds ridiculous, then think about that before you yell, “Go forward!”
“What’s that?” The player realises, “ ‘Go forward’? I didn’t think of that, nor did the manager, coaches or fellow players think of that. Thank you, random yelling person in the crowd!”
Don’t get me wrong, if it’s a terrible result or something needs calling out, that’s fair enough. But I do think it is important that we do our bit as supporters as much as we can. The clue is in the name.
As stated before, none of this is to demean fans or the fan experience. Being a part of the atmosphere at Carrow Road is absolutely amazing and whatever the result it is great to be part of it. This is my team and I love it.
But I do also think, as City fans, that if we call out players, managers or boards to do better, then we have to look at what we do as well. Yes, we “pay their wages”, but it is important to remember that the people in front of you are still human.
