Webber to Leave

[DHCanary]

Just because they’ve got our badge, you can’t compare. That game (against Ashford Town in the domestic fourth tier), we can say it was exciting but if we want to talk about quality, it was really poor. That’s not being unfair, it’s just factually correct. We’ve got to organically build it. We don’t want to go too fast then people get turned off, just to try to win a popularity contest on Twitter.

That was the first women’s game I’ve been to, because it’s not an interest to me. I don’t mind admitting that. I love working with Flo and helping her, but that’s because it’s Flo. Women’s football, I do not watch it. It’s of zero interest to me in terms of on the telly because I watch enough men’s football and if I’m not watching that, I want to watch other sports. It’s a choice, which I think should be OK.

Is it really helpful to "other" a part of your organisation, and is any of the rest of that quote in any way helpful to the club to say? I don't think the women's game needs anyone else pointing out it's not as developed as the men's game.

This is whataboutery, regardless, the thrust of my argument was not the women's game, I could have picked up on his comments about divorcee fans in the Barclay, etc, instead. If you say things that irritate the fanbase and get nothing in return, that's not smart management.

 

[GozoCanary]

Is it really helpful to "other" a part of your organisation, and is any of the rest of that quote in any way helpful to the club to say? I don't think the women's game needs anyone else pointing out it's not as developed as the men's game.

This is whataboutery, regardless, the thrust of my argument was not the women's game, I could have picked up on his comments about divorcee fans in the Barclay, etc, instead. If you say things that irritate the fanbase and get nothing in return, that's not smart management.

This was yet another example of Webber making no effort to be careful about what he says. It can be argued that this directness is an admirable quality. It can equally be argued that it is unprofessional behaviour because he prefers to bolster his self-image as a tough-talking, tell-it-like-it-is kind of bloke than modify his behaviour for the good of the organisation that employs him. He's done great things for our club, but IMO he's well past his sell-by date and has become a drag on our future. I wish he had gone in March, we had brought in a new SD, and the club could have a completely new start next season. As it is, it's going to be Webber's recruitment and any new SD will be stuck with it.

 

[zogean_king]

This is the bit of Webber's end of season interview with Michael Bailey of The Athletic in which, in response to MB's opening question (in bold), he (SW) talks about Norwich City Women and women's football:

"Norwich City Women played at Carrow Road for the first time last month. They won 5-3 in front of 7,500 supporters and it was probably the stadium’s highlight this year. How will the club build on that?

I thought it was great because it brought a completely new fanbase to the stadium to see what this business offers. There are plans to maybe have two games here next year. But we also have to remember it’s like a new club being formed and it costs a lot of money to put a game on here. We have to keep the demand because it doesn’t work if we have 1,500 people (at Carrow Road). That’s not good for the pitch to be used. Flo Allen (general manager) has done some incredible work and she’s a real rising star.

It’s like taking a Sunday League team and trying to make them a Premier League team. It’s a really slow journey. Just because they’ve got our badge, you can’t compare. That game (against Ashford Town in the domestic fourth tier), we can say it was exciting but if we want to talk about quality, it was really poor. That’s not being unfair, it’s just factually correct. We’ve got to organically build it. We don’t want to go too fast then people get turned off, just to try to win a popularity contest on Twitter.

That was the first women’s game I’ve been to, because it’s not an interest to me. I don’t mind admitting that. I love working with Flo and helping her, but that’s because it’s Flo. Women’s football, I do not watch it. It’s of zero interest to me in terms of on the telly because I watch enough men’s football and if I’m not watching that, I want to watch other sports. It’s a choice, which I think should be OK.

We’re not going to get Carrow Road full for the women’s team with 40-to-60-year-old drunk men. It’s about recognising that and going after who it is for. My son loved it — the atmosphere, music being on during the game — but that’s not for everyone; I wouldn’t want to watch a Premier League game and there’s music playing during a throw-in.

For the girls, it was amazing. They were living their dream. They aren’t professionals. They were maybe working in the police that morning, and then running out like a hero to that crowd. Those are pictures and memories they’ll take to their grave."

Please can someone tell me what exactly in this constitutes Stuart Webber "slagging off women's football"?

This is a bit off topic....

I don't have much interest in the women's game in football or cricket, but in the T20 they have the women's game before the men's game and when I went to see Perth win the final one year I thought, ah what the hell it's a nice day lets go early watch the second half of the women's game and then stay on for the men's game. They do the same with the aussie rules. Now it can be argued that with football we wouldn't want the pitch cut up after a game of women's football, but is it possible to have a women's game afterwards so fans stay on to build a fan base for the women?

 

[carrowcanario]

This is the bit of Webber's end of season interview with Michael Bailey of The Athletic in which, in response to MB's opening question (in bold), he (SW) talks about Norwich City Women and women's football:

"Norwich City Women played at Carrow Road for the first time last month. They won 5-3 in front of 7,500 supporters and it was probably the stadium’s highlight this year. How will the club build on that?

I thought it was great because it brought a completely new fanbase to the stadium to see what this business offers. There are plans to maybe have two games here next year. But we also have to remember it’s like a new club being formed and it costs a lot of money to put a game on here. We have to keep the demand because it doesn’t work if we have 1,500 people (at Carrow Road). That’s not good for the pitch to be used. Flo Allen (general manager) has done some incredible work and she’s a real rising star.

It’s like taking a Sunday League team and trying to make them a Premier League team. It’s a really slow journey. Just because they’ve got our badge, you can’t compare. That game (against Ashford Town in the domestic fourth tier), we can say it was exciting but if we want to talk about quality, it was really poor. That’s not being unfair, it’s just factually correct. We’ve got to organically build it. We don’t want to go too fast then people get turned off, just to try to win a popularity contest on Twitter.

That was the first women’s game I’ve been to, because it’s not an interest to me. I don’t mind admitting that. I love working with Flo and helping her, but that’s because it’s Flo. Women’s football, I do not watch it. It’s of zero interest to me in terms of on the telly because I watch enough men’s football and if I’m not watching that, I want to watch other sports. It’s a choice, which I think should be OK.

We’re not going to get Carrow Road full for the women’s team with 40-to-60-year-old drunk men. It’s about recognising that and going after who it is for. My son loved it — the atmosphere, music being on during the game — but that’s not for everyone; I wouldn’t want to watch a Premier League game and there’s music playing during a throw-in.

For the girls, it was amazing. They were living their dream. They aren’t professionals. They were maybe working in the police that morning, and then running out like a hero to that crowd. Those are pictures and memories they’ll take to their grave."

Please can someone tell me what exactly in this constitutes Stuart Webber "slagging off women's football"?

He doesn't but like so many things now days why let the facts get in the way of people's agenda's. Personally I quiet like it that he answers question honestly rather then saying what people want to hear.

 

[Robbie BB]

Is it really helpful to "other" a part of your organisation ..................

OK, so he didn't "slag off women's football" after all. Thank you. Good to get that straight.
Regarding your new accusation of "othering" a part of the organisation he works for, do you really think that holds any water when set against the stream of positive developments Stuart Webber has overseen in regards to NCW since he took over as Sporting Director? Indeed, can you actually identify anything negative at all to do with our NCW team which can be laid at the door of less than full commitment to the project on SW's part? Isn't the truth of the matter, rather, that, under his watch, NCW have gone from strength to strength, as has the club as a whole?

 

[GozoCanary]

OK, so he didn't "slag off women's football" after all. Thank you. Good to get that straight.
Regarding your new accusation of "othering" a part of the organisation he works for, do you really think that holds any water when set against the stream of positive developments Stuart Webber has overseen in regards to NCW since he took over as Sporting Director? Indeed, can you actually identify anything negative at all to do with our NCW team which can be laid at the door of less than full commitment to the project on SW's part? Isn't the truth of the matter, rather, that, under his watch, NCW have gone from strength to strength, as has the club as a whole?

Many people would question whether the club as a whole has gone from strength to strength. In terms of infrastructure, yes. In terms of what happens on the pitch, I believe we had just finished 8th in the Champs when he arrived and we have recently finished 13th. We've had two great seasons, one 'transitional' season, one honourable failure until Covid and lockdown, and two abject seasons. Very much a mixed bag.

 

[Robbie BB]

........he prefers to bolster his self-image as a tough-talking, tell-it-like-it-is kind of bloke than modify his behaviour for the good of the organisation that employs him.

Why do you simply assume that it would be to the benefit of NCFC if SW "modified his behaviour" in the ways you think he should? Is it so obvious?

Many people would question whether the club as a whole has gone from strength to strength. In terms of infrastructure, yes. In terms of what happens on the pitch, I believe we had just finished 8th in the Champs when he arrived and we have recently finished 13th. We've had two great seasons, one 'transitional' season, one honourable failure until Covid and lockdown, and two abject seasons. Very much a mixed bag.

I don't think a season in which we had a good chance of finishing in the play off positions right up to game 40, and then fell away due to injuries to key players, can correctly be described as "abject". As for league position, personally I prefer to look beyond that when assessing the overall health of the club -- just as I prefer to look at the performance data after a game, not just the result.

 

[1950canary]

Many people would question whether the club as a whole has gone from strength to strength. In terms of infrastructure, yes. In terms of what happens on the pitch, I believe we had just finished 8th in the Champs when he arrived and we have recently finished 13th. We've had two great seasons, one 'transitional' season, one honourable failure until Covid and lockdown, and two abject seasons. Very much a mixed bag.

I think that most Clubs of our size and many bigger ones would be delighted to have had our record over the last few seasons. However you can say that playing in the Premier League is abject I do not know.

 

[DUNCAN DONUTS]

Webber dishes out abuse against "divorcees " "fans acting like 12 year olds that expect him to sign Mbappe " etc etc .

Then when the fans react he compares himself to a black manager that gets racially abused but no sympathy from the press towards him for being called a ****er , then compared himself to the Asda manager and complaining that the divorcees in the snake pit should be arrested.

Good riddance he's a cry bully with a ginormous ego

 

[DUNCAN DONUTS]

The woman othering nonsense Is like the C.E.O of Gillette telling us the lady shaves are crap.

Kids football is pretty crap in comparison he may as well have **** on them too, embarrassing

 

[SuffolkCanary]

I wondered where you’d been Dunc, thought it was unlike you to not be celebrating and commenting on this news

 

[DUNCAN DONUTS]

I wondered where you’d been Dunc, thought it was unlike you to not be celebrating and commenting on this news

I couldn't care less personally.
You asked for our opinions on him going , you probably don't like the replies .

It just goes to show other than the exceptional academy infrastructure which he improved on , most of his decisions weren't great.

Hiring Smith sealed his fate, if he stayed I wouldn't care either .

 

[SuffolkCanary]

I couldn't care less personally.
You asked for our opinions on him going , you probably don't like the replies .

It just goes to show other than the exceptional academy infrastructure which he improved on , most of his decisions weren't great.

Hiring Smith sealed his fate, if he stayed I wouldn't care either .

You're previous 2 responses would beg to differ on you not caring

Never asked for an opinion, just reported the facts, however everyone is entitled to their opinion, yours is just as valid as mine

 

[SuffolkCanary]

Lets all hope the next appointment is an improvement is something that we can all agree on.

What I would say is that with Webber announcing that he will be leaving, hopefully it can lift some of the negative energy around sections of the fan base, we can all unite behind the next appointment

 

[DUNCAN DONUTS]

Lets all hope the next appointment is an improvement is something that we can all agree on.

What I would say is that with Webber announcing that he will be leaving, hopefully it can lift some of the negative energy around sections of the fan base, we can all unite behind the next appointment

Results & goals are the only things creating a negative energy at Carrow Road the punters blindly turn up hoping to see good performances & feed off long winless goalless drab days out .

Blaming the fans for a lack of entertainment wrecked Smith & Webber unsurprisingly

 

[Robbie BB]

Blaming the fans for a lack of entertainment wrecked Smith & Webber unsurprisingly

Neither Smith nor Webber ever "blamed the fans for a lack of entertainment".

 

[GozoCanary]

I think the battle lines are already drawn for next season.

 

[GozoCanary]

The thing that really annoys me is that three months after resigning he is still here and making decisions that will define the future of our club for several years ahead, effectively tying the hands of his successor.

 

[DUNCAN DONUTS]

Neither Smith nor Webber ever "blamed the fans for a lack of entertainment".

Go & scream in a cupboard to yourself.

 

[DUNCAN DONUTS]

Dean Smith failed at Norwich & Leicester with his second relegation in 2 seasons , now the dust has settled we got to see how we cope without McLean & Handley.

I'm sure Robbie will be the first to eat humble pie & admit he was wrong.