I have to say it almost makes me laugh how childish some of our supporters are
the speed in which some fan's opinions have changed is just astonishing.
The fact is we went on a 9 match unbeaten run, where our form in the league was as good, if not better than any other side in the division. On top of that we won 5 consecutive away games, an achievement no Norwich side has managed in God knows how many years, and won the East-Anglian derby convincingly. That shows what our squad is capable of doing. We have a team that can challenge for promotion, there is no doubt about that.
Whilst it's practically impossible to claim that the sole reason we're not looking like promotion candidates is simply because we've been unlucky, it has to be said we really haven't had the rub of the green. Pritchard getting ruled out for 6 months before a ball had even been kicked was obviously a big blow, but even without arguably our best player we managed to put that superb run together. However, whilst on that run we had Tettey get injured and out of action for 2 months, our number 9 not at full fitness for weeks, and half the time not even able to make an appearance because of a lingering problem. We then had to travel to one of the best team's in the country for a cup game, with only one day's break after the Ipswich game, in which we outplayed them, had major refereeing decisions go against us, and were taken to extra-time before being unjustly beaten. We were then unfortunate to come up against two very good sides, Derby and Wolves, who took advantage of how fatigued we were. I didn't watch or even really listen to the Bolton game, but from what I've read it sounds like we were simply trying to limp to the international break.
I just find it odd how three losses and suddenly everyone forgets about our fantastic efforts in the previous 10 games, and resorts back to "the players aren't good enough", "Farke's out of his depth" etc. Admittedly we were poor in all 3 games but some fans almost don't seem to look at the context surrounding the games at all.
We have a good squad of players here, and more importantly we have a squad of players and coaching staff that clearly really care about the team succeeding, which with the exception of half a season under Alex Neil, is something I don't think we've seen at this level since the Lambert days. At the moment though it's almost like one game changes everything. If we lose then we're clearly not good enough and will be mid-table, if we win then we're dark horses and good enough for promotion. That's not the way football works, particularly in the Championship which is arguably the craziest league of them all. We're now 13th, 3 games before this we were 6th, and 8 games before that we were in the bottom 3! I know that we're not too far off the half-way point in the season, but there is still a hell of a lot that will happen to the league table between now and May, and I think that it's a bit ridiculous that some fans are getting so depressed when we lose and so high when we win. You just can't do that as a football fan, and in all honesty I don't think it's that hard to look at the bigger picture. It is almost like at times that certain 'fans' are wanting us to do poorly just so they can have a moan, rather than actually getting behind the team.
Same goes with the players. Jerome has a good game and it's all about how he works so hard and is a great option to have, next week he doesn't have as good a game and it's not good enough that he works hard and he should've been sold ages ago. The same rough argument goes for so many players; Murphy, Vrancic, Watkins, Husband even Naismith and Klose. I just think it's really childish that grown men's opinions on these players can change so quickly. Don't get me wrong, as much as I do like Jerome I am getting tired of the fact that he does miss so many chances. I straight up think Naismith is sh*t, Murphy blows hot and cold but is definitely a good player to have, Vrancic has shown glimpses of a talented player but needs to do more than that to warrant a place in the side, Watkins, in all honest, I haven't seen had a good game for us yet, though as mentioned above he was doing the right things against Wolves but just wasn't getting the service, and Husband I wasn't sold on at first but has gradually got more solid. I'm not saying it's wrong to ever criticise these players, or even think that certain players are simply nowhere near good enough. Just don't change your opinion on them as frequently as the weather is all I would ask of some supporters.
It's important to remember Farke is still very much learning on the job. I think the vast majority of decisions he's made so far have been good ones, and certain things he's handled very well (the Oliveira situation at the start of the season most notably). He has made mistakes definitely but his approach so far gives me cause for optimism. If he continues to learn about the league and this team, and the players also continue to gel with each other, as well as the likes of Pritchard and Lewis returning, and hopefully Nelson and Tettey much more imminently, then I will have faith that this side can finish in a play-off spot.
The games following this international break are a real chance to show that we are capable of that top 6 finish. I wouldn't say it's the easiest run, however, at home in particular we have the opportunity to pick up a lot of points. If we take 7-9 points from the home games against Barnsley and Preston, and the trip to Nottingham Forest, then suddenly the majority of fans are content again.
Just a side-note as well to say that none of that was aimed at anybody on here, even those who aren't exactly optimistic at the moment. It was aimed at some of the mongs who moan on Canary Call, Twitter, and the other place.
