Folks, first and foremost I fully appreciate that the position we are in now is down to us and no bugger else and our fate is of our own doing. However what has been apparant go me in recent weeks has been the WBA policy of simply going through the motions particularly in their last two fixtures, so bad infact that their own supporters are up in arms about it. Whilst its not their responibility to be aware of the fate of other teams surely they have a responsibility to be professional and do their best. Reports from both the Wigan and Norwich fixtures suggested a total attitude of apathy (reports of Olsson laughing after losing tackles and the ball) against Norwich. As the auld saying goes, they are already on the beach may be the case but as for me ive lost all respect for the club and hope to god they get their comeuppence next season.
I agree - no game in the EPL should ever be taken for granted, lest you find yourself in the wilderness for decades. It's just a shame that this issue is of more significance to us at the moment because of our own poor showing this year. I still can't believe that we were lucky to scrape 2 draws at home against Stoke and Southampton.
Get what you are saying mate but, if we were safe and the nags or Villa were in the clarts would you be too bothered about them doing this? WBA have zip to play for so are resting players and putting young uns in for a bit of experience nothing in the rules against that. The thing is we have been gipped by teams before going through the motions mainly on the last day which is probably why this narks you however, for me at least it just one of those things mate let it go and you'll be feeling a lot better after Tuesdays game.
If we were in their position we would probably have been calling for the likes of Mandron, Marrs and Mangane to get starts so that they can gain experience so whilst I would hope we would never be as bad as the Baggies we might have ended up in the same place
We were 'on the beach' last season. No excuses if we go down and I still have absolutely nothing against WBA.
These are the players that lined up at the start of the game yesterday along with appearances this season Foster - 30 games Reid - 12 games Olsson - 36 games Popov - 13 games McAuley - 37 games Yacob - 29 games Morrison - 36 games Mulumbu - 29 games Rosenberg - 26 games Long - 36 games Lukaku - 37 games They can hardly be accused of fielding any "kids" for trying out as it was close to their full strength side. What they could be accused of is not being in the right frame of mind for the game but they didn't just roll over and die. Norwich still had to take the game to them, wear them down and create good chances of their own and in the 2nd half became so dominant that the Baggies defence visibly started to creak as the pressure mounted. To say WBA were just awful goes some way to taking away the performance by norwich City, who on the day were actually very good and would in all probability beaten most teams in the PL playing the way they did
So did we, but it's what happened - totally out of character compared to the last 4 months. For the first time in ages the starting line up was an attacking midfield - not a defensive one and what a difference it made. Will CH remember this for next season? Only time will tell but I hope so.
On a different note: how bad was our vocal support yesterday for such a vital game? The Southampton chants of 'sing when you're winning' and you're support is ****ing ****' has never been more appropriate...What the hell has happened to our support in recent years?
Thai, no one here doubts Norwich,s integrity as you quite rightly point out, you can only defeat whats put infront of you. I for one am pleased that Norwich are safe. The origional point I was trying to make was in relation to the proffessionalism of your opponants on Sunday. Its been clear to all that they have been merely going through the motions the last couple of weeks. Listen mate ive already made it clear in this post that our position is entirely of our own doing,jusy expected more integrity,professionalsm and effort from WBA, thats all
I think they just had a bad day and we had a good one.I take your point but they did go to Southampton and win 0-3.The only really bad bit was Foster's gaffe but while that looked farcical these things happen to the best goalies.I remember a Gunn one against fecking Ipswich of all people.The Pilkington and Howson goals were good and the OG just one of those things that happen when you are under pressure.Anyway you will survive ok.
Hey it's no problem fella, just adding some perspective to balance things out a bit. Had we lost then as with you "Cats", it would have been our own doing to be below you in the table. I wish all you Sunderland fans well and trust you can get what you need to stay up (or at least Wigan don't get enough to send you down
