Glenn Roeder's final Norwich team vs Paul Lambert's team from last night

Would it be 5-0?

Norwich: Marshall ,Otsemobor ,Omozusi ,Doherty ,Drury (Bertrand ,46 ) ,Croft ,Fotheringham (Russell ,76 ) ,Clingan ,Bell ,Cort (Hoolahan ,67 ) ,Lupoli
Subs not used: Nelson,Pattison,Lappin,Smith,

vs

Norwich: Forster ,Nelson (Spillane ,60 ) ,Otsemobor ,Drury (Adeyemi ,25 ) ,Berthel Askou ,Lappin ,Smith ,Hughes (McVeigh ,19 ) ,Martin ,Daley ,Holt
Subs not used Whaley,Cureton,Rudd,McDonald

In a compelling but dreadful game, GR's Norwich started brightly, passing it around neatly in triangles in the middle of the pitch before passing it back to the goalkeeper due to lack of movement from the striker. This was to happen over and over again, the crowd's frustration becoming clear on 12 minutes when Mark Fotheringham's forward pass went off for a throw in. PL's Norwich were defending well. Berthel Askou dealt with every long ball up to Cort with powerful headers away for a throw in.

Despite 65% possession, GR's Norwich failed to get anywhere near having a shot and against the run of play conceded when a hopeful long pass was mis controlled by GR's Otsemobor, letting in the lumbering Holt for a goal. The crowd both booed and celebrated at the same time. David Marshall received abuse and Otsemobor's head dropped. The half time whistle was met by a chorus of boos.

HT GR 0 PL 1

In the second half Lee Croft ran his heart out for GR's Norwich, beating Drury time after time before crossing for a goal kick. On one occasion Croft's cross went straight towards centre back Nelson who missed the ball entirely, nearly letting in the onwalking Bell who just couldn't get to it in time. GR's Norwich continued to pile on the pressure with corner after corner but failed to get a head on a single delivery, most landing in Foster's hands. Sensing yet another loss, Roeder looked to his bench for a striker and chose the prolific Daryl Russell. With time running out, Gary Doherty attempted a long ball to Hoolahan but shanked it straight to the pacey Daley. Daley's first touch took the ball out for a goal kick and he injured himself chasing it, colliding with the advertising hoardings behind the goal.

With 4 minutes of injury time remaining, Arturo Lupoli, who everybody had forgotten was playing, received the ball for the first time in the half. With 3 team mates in space, Lupoli put his head down and proceeded to take on the entire PL Norwich team. Beating Nelson easily, Lupoli then beat Drury before turning back on himself and falling over in a heap on the floor next to Nelson. No free kick was given so the little Italian walked down the tunnel in a rage, toys all over the floor.

In the final minute Paul Mcveigh watched as the ball clearly hit his team mate's head, but knowing this would involve less running put his hand up in the hope that this would convince the ref it was his throw in. It was not. Showing no urgency whatsoever Omozusi took 20 seconds to take the throw in. A long throw towards Gary Doherty was miscontrolled but caused panic in the box. Seeing his chance to get the ball Chris Martin jumped in 2 footed cutting Pele in half. Penalty! Martin looked brain dead and confused. For the first time in the match Sammy Clingan entered the final third of the pitch to take the penalty, slotting it away nicely. Goal! 1-1.

The final whistle was met by more boos. Glenn Roeder stood motionless on the side, with his finger covering his lips while he contemplated how well his side had performed. "What the crowd have to realise that that's just football. We hu hu played better than them hu hu but the fans just look at the result in the morning" he said after the match. He was sacked the next morning. "I dannea care, aask sone else" was Lambert's response.

Both the teams met up in Mercury that night and proceeded to get completely wasted before Chris Martin was arrested for assault after someone looked in his direction. Everyone went home.

Posted By: Charles21 on September 15th 2009 at 16:17:19

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