Don't Let us Down Now

Like most City fans, I've tried to remain positive over the last 3 months. I've tried to accept that our previous manager was more 'right place right time', than genius. I've also tried to believe that our new manager could even be a step forward - after all he is older that Mr. Lambert and more experienced at managing in the higher echelons of football.

I've also tried to put to the back of my mind the fact that the squad is a little weaker than last year (it's getting there now Garrido has arrived granted), especially at the back. Pre-season did not provide much optimism, but it was pre-season, we know it doesn't work like that.

So, all in all I've been trying very hard to remain positive... my heart wants us to do well, thinks we will do well - push on for Europe. My head, my head says different.

Trouble is, 5-0 opening day defeats are not good for the soul and the effect of such humiliations is that all these inner worries start to surface once more.

I know this was a bit of a freak result - as was the QPR fixture. I can't help thinking the weather conditions aided the respective capitulations. However it doesn't help to go looking for excuses.

What matters is the reaction of the players, and the fans. You see Mr. Hughton, we've been used to certain standards over the last 3 seasons... attacking, entertaining football, late goals and success. Players who play like they are fans. Like fans who spend £300 travelling to see us not turn up at Craven Cottage for instance. We're not little old Norwich anymore. We are back in the big time and we are here to stay.

'Make no mistake, Chris Hughton, what we saw on Saturday was unacceptable.'

When manager of Newcastle, Hughton took the reigns for a pre-season friendly at Leyton Orient. The newly relegated side was packed full of household names including Joey Barton, Alan Smith, Jose Enrique, Obafemi Martins and Tim Krul. Newcastle were duly dispatched 6-1. Hughton described this as a 'blip', before subsequently going on to win the league with 101 points, whilst Leyton Orient headed to League One mediocrity.

Let's hope Saturday's game was a 'blip', and that Hughton was perhaps one preseason game short of working everything out.

We'll give him time, but losing gracefully is one thing, losing disgracefully is another.

OTBC