Norwich City vs Wrexham ( Home) Saturday 20th September.

[morty]

Kvistgarden and Chrisene both missing, shame on the former as I thought he did well at Coventry. Marcondes back I think, so he will probably take his place.

Talk of Stephen Gerrard being appointed, hopefully not before Saturday. We could do with a home win to settle folk down a bit, but also am not a fan of this Hollywood circus, so would like to see them put in their place.

 

[Fen Canary]

I’ve actually got no real animosity towards Wrexham. The owners there have done a good job getting them up leagues, have invested money into the local area and seem to genuinely enjoy themselves when they’re at the matches. Although now the money needed starts to increase quite dramatically so we’ll see how long the interest holds if they’re sitting in mid table for a few years.
Compare them to our yanks who have flogged all the family silver bar Sargent though and charged us a high interest rate on loans they essentially used to buy the club and I know which ones I’d rather have.
Prediction wise I’m genuinely stumped by this one. Sargent apart we just look so devoid of an attacking threat the result is largely dependent on whether our 9-0-1 formation can keep a clean sheet

 

[Sonyc]

A few thoughts after an hour reflecting...

The worries about Manning continue. Shocking set up and as lacklustre a performance I can recall in recent times. Can't even say we deserved a draw (same at Coventry) and I think it increasingly looks likely to be a tough season ahead. Whether we get pulled into the relegation mix might be too early to say. For me though, even now, the die looks cast. There is so little creativity and I don't recognise this team as a "Norwich City" team.

The brighter spots were Makama (worth a start?),Gibbs and there was a good assist from Jurasek. And I wish we had signed Windass. He was a bargain for Wrexham.

I've watched many Parkinson teams over many years. He is an intelligent coach. He worked us out right at the start of the second half. He showed up Manning that's for sure.

Got to give criticism to Knapper too. He recruited this current manager. And ultimately he carries the can.

Not been enjoying watching us this season. Far too negative, ponderous, slow. That has to be the product of the manager's set up and tactics.

I hope he leaves soon because I just can't expect any change in our play.

Still, I suppose it's worth seeing how we are once October is through?... because as at today it's only 6 games in. But...I'm not feeling this appointment has done us any good.

 

[Pinkie]

Mr Manning rightly or wrongly only plays one way.

The players will have to adapt to keep the ball at all costs football, which will eventually claw at your souls.

However he can make it work. It will be a matter of how much time he gets/is given.

The crowd reaction today was not good.

 

[Fen Canary]

A few thoughts after an hour reflecting...

The worries about Manning continue. Shocking set up and as lacklustre a performance I can recall in recent times. Can't even say we deserved a draw (same at Coventry) and I think it increasingly looks likely to be a tough season ahead. Whether we get pulled into the relegation mix might be too early to say. For me though, even now, the die looks cast. There is so little creativity and I don't recognise this team as a "Norwich City" team.

The brighter spots were Makama (worth a start?),Gibbs and there was a good assist from Jurasek. And I wish we had signed Windass. He was a bargain for Wrexham.

I've watched many Parkinson teams over many years. He is an intelligent coach. He worked us out right at the start of the second half. He showed up Manning that's for sure.

Got to give criticism to Knapper too. He recruited this current manager. And ultimately he carries the can.

Not been enjoying watching us this season. Far too negative, ponderous, slow. That has to be the product of the manager's set up and tactics.

I hope he leaves soon because I just can't expect any change in our play.

Still, I suppose it's worth seeing how we are once October is through?... because as at today it's only 6 games in. But...I'm not feeling this appointment has done us any good.

I don’t want to turn in to Watford sacking managers every season, but so also don’t think I can stomach too much more of watching this. I thought my Bristol mate was being overly dramatic (and a touch ungrateful) when he complained about Mannings style of football, now I can see exactly what he means

 

[Sonyc]

I don’t want to turn in to Watford sacking managers every season, but so also don’t think I can stomach too much more of watching this. I thought my Bristol mate was being overly dramatic (and a touch ungrateful) when he complained about Mannings style of football, now I can see exactly what he means

A lot of Bristol City fans were saying the same. I thought it weird when Manning got them into a play off place - only then to read their many opinions and spending quite a bit of time on another club's forum to say how bad he was (is). He clearly created quite some antagonism in their fanbase. And maybe it wasn't sour grapes but maybe there was an element of truth in their views of his set ups and tactics.

When I watch him in his press stuff he easily slips into management speak and cliche to the point I no longer watch him or wish to. Thorup and Farke were far more interesting. I haven't warmed to him even though I think he has a determination in him. Determination though doesn't make up for his tactics or his stubbornness.

It's too early still to predict a relegation battle but so far in every game we've looked very average (some short spells of good play) and too slow. There is very little connection from midfield to attack. And when it happens it's somehow easily telegraphed by the other team. There is no creativity or personality in the play. And it sort of feels like it mirrors Manning himself (and Knapper for that matter). I think the style of play lacks character, lacks risk.

Saying all that I've liked what I've seen from Darling, Topic, Vlad plus the early signs from Kvistgaarden. As a team though we are far from it.

 

[Fen Canary]

A lot of Bristol City fans were saying the same. I thought it weird when Manning got them into a play off place - only then to read their many opinions and spending quite a bit of time on another club's forum to say how bad he was (is). He clearly created quite some antagonism in their fanbase. And maybe it wasn't sour grapes but maybe there was an element of truth in their views of his set ups and tactics.

When I watch him in his press stuff he easily slips into management speak and cliche to the point I no longer watch him or wish to. Thorup and Farke were far more interesting. I haven't warmed to him even though I think he has a determination in him. Determination though doesn't make up for his tactics or his stubbornness.

It's too early still to predict a relegation battle but so far in every game we've looked very average (some short spells of good play) and too slow. There is very little connection from midfield to attack. And when it happens it's somehow easily telegraphed by the other team. There is no creativity or personality in the play. And it sort of feels like it mirrors Manning himself (and Knapper for that matter). I think the style of play lacks character, lacks risk.

Saying all that I've liked what I've seen from Darling, Topic, Vlad plus the early signs from Kvistgaarden. As a team though we are far from it.

This is the problem for me. We’ve lost all 4 home matches, got a (in my opinion) rather fortunate point against Coventry and on another day could have drawn with 10 man Blackburn. You’d think playing 5 at the back would improve our defence but even now we’re conceding a few and it would be a lot more if not for Vlad pulling off some decent saves.
I’m really not convinced with Knapper. People moaned about Webber but I think that side that failed in the top flight probably cost less than the one currently struggling in the league below.
Vlad looks decent and Darling is a great signing, although I could have picked that one. For the money our first team has cost us though we should be expecting more than just being happy to avoid a relegation battle

 

[Sonyc]

We've spent a lot but a poor pre season (insufficient games) and 6 games into this season and he hasn't made us a team yet. Worrying for all the talk.

 

[GJP]

Vlad looks decent and Darling is a great signing, although I could have picked that one.

Exactly. Anyone can see Haaland is a phenomenal goalscorer.
Where Knapper (and team) earn their money is finding the hidden gems. I don't think we've had a better example than Buendia, unbelievably good but cost very little.
By comparison, we've spent a fair amount of money on Crnac.

For the money our first team has cost us though we should be expecting more than just being happy to avoid a relegation battle

Absolutely. We should not be on this kind of run. It is not good enough.

For me, at this early stage, I'm thinking, would I have fancied Farke/Smith/Wagner to do better?
Yup.
Would JHT have done better?
Hmm, quite possibly.

 

[Fimbo]

Very sad to have the booing back at Carrow road already. It's a bit of a mess really. I can see our defence improving and Topic can do CDM well enough. but in front of that Sargent is the standout performer. I even found myself nostalgic for seeing a swashbuckling prime Cantwell trying something new to create something (I know, what a confession). We just seem to miss that spirit. And all these attacking newbies - Forson,bcrnac, Schwartau, Diallo, jurasek, - all seem limited right now. E.g Diallo gets in good positions but his final balls were awful yesterday. They might need time for bedding in. Fine, who can argue with that right now. But that will be at least three seasons in a row that our strategy has been to start the season unready to perform. Is that how Knapper wants it? In order to focus on future sales? I'm confused!

 

[Sonyc]

But that will be at least three seasons in a row that our strategy has been to start the season unready to perform. Is that how Knapper wants it? In order to focus on future sales? I'm confused!


That's a good point you've made. We don't seem 'ready' and it often seems to take time to get up to speed. It doesn't look like a great Championship either. If only we were capable of playing up to another gear (even third gear). We look slow on the ball and such a lack of movement off the ball. The whole thing looks so stilted to the eye. It surprised me yesterday that out of the blue Jack Stacey actually made a run and Jurasek had the vision to find him. That's how bad yesterday was overall - that this incident stood out. It's costing us points. Must be easy to play against when our team take an age. It reminds me of early Roeder when we were trying to find an established team with many new faces.

As for your last point I actually do think Knapper is focussed on future sales. On what value he can create. I think that might be the first thing he considers - clearly if we are doing okay in the league the individual value of each signing improves. Maybe all SDs have that as their main focus. Imagine so. In which case it's his manager that has to prepare and create the team. And on that score Manning is failing so far.

As we've mentioned before too you never sell a player like Nunez to your main rival. That's squarely on Knapper, whatever the ifs and buts for me.

 

[nwcanary]

A few thoughts after an hour reflecting...

The worries about Manning continue. Shocking set up and as lacklustre a performance I can recall in recent times. Can't even say we deserved a draw (same at Coventry) and I think it increasingly looks likely to be a tough season ahead. Whether we get pulled into the relegation mix might be too early to say. For me though, even now, the die looks cast. There is so little creativity and I don't recognise this team as a "Norwich City" team.

The brighter spots were Makama (worth a start?),Gibbs and there was a good assist from Jurasek. And I wish we had signed Windass. He was a bargain for Wrexham.

I've watched many Parkinson teams over many years. He is an intelligent coach. He worked us out right at the start of the second half. He showed up Manning that's for sure.

Got to give criticism to Knapper too. He recruited this current manager. And ultimately he carries the can.

Not been enjoying watching us this season. Far too negative, ponderous, slow. That has to be the product of the manager's set up and tactics.

I hope he leaves soon because I just can't expect any change in our play.

Still, I suppose it's worth seeing how we are once October is through?... because as at today it's only 6 games in. But...I'm not feeling this appointment has done us any good.

 

[nwcanary]

All deeply depressing. We are all running out of patience and Saturday was dire. Poor selection with Cordoba who is just not up to it and Crnac who is too invisible. Gibbs was good when he came on and at least showed some fight.
Manning looked out of his depth and looks like the BC fans who were pleased he left were right!

 

[GJP]

I would suggest Manning needs a win out of the next two. Otherwise, the derby surely becomes a must win for him.

If he can't win any of the next three the international break is probably the time to make a change.

I wouldn't be surprised if he's gone sooner.

 

[Sonyc]

I would suggest Manning needs a win out of the next two. Otherwise, the derby surely becomes a must win for him.

If he can't win any of the next three the international break is probably the time to make a change.

I wouldn't be surprised if he's gone sooner.

I would be completely surprised. I can't see him being dismissed before Christmas but could see a change pre transfer window if we are among the bottom 6 clubs. That's because by then a top 6 spot would be out of the question. And top 6 seems to be the benchmark for success (and failure). Whatever we may think of recruitment we have spent good money. And NH will expect some possibility of a return.

I guess there could be other factors like significant unrest amongst fans which could put the squeeze on either Manning or Knapper. It's not impossible.

My best guess is that we continue to win a game here and there and we are a mid-table team this season. No further on than the last season.