stolen from the pinkun - just beautiful

When things get as bad as they do, like when Roeder was at Norwich during his 2nd season, I try to take a step back and think of the bigger picture and perhaps even dare to speculate what the future could possibly hold.

I attended Reading v Norwich back in December 2008, one of the most awful away games I've had the 'pleasure' of watching (and believe me there have been a few!). The scoreline may not suggest it, but we lost 2-0 (a convincing 2-0 if ever there was one).

But looking at the scoreline alone does not begin to tell the story. Take a look at the team from that day (below):

Norwich
D Marshall, J Otsemobor, G Doherty, J Kennedy (E Omozusi, 89), R Bertrand , L Croft, S Clingan, M Pattison (C Cort, 54), D Bell, M Fotheringham, D Russell
Subs not used: S Nelson, A Lupoli, W Hoolahan

Not one striker in the starting line-up, it was clear to everyone that we would not have scored had we still be playing now. If Carl Cort coming on as sub was the answer, I dread to think what the question was. It was negative, unimaginative, boring, clueless, dull, predictable, one-dimensional.... and unsuccessful.

I cannot think of one song that us fans would sing about any one of these players in this line-up. This team had no heros, not one player to worship on a saturday afternoon. Oh how dull!

Without wishing to depress myself further by looking into it even more, I think it says everything about Roeder to look at the 2 unused substitutes from that day when those that played struggled to even get in the opponents half, let alone create an opportunity or, woe betide, score a goal. Those 2 names? Arturo Lupoli and somebody called Wesley Hoolahan. Nuff said. Hucks didn't stand a chance even if he had have been fit that season.

Sitting there at the Madejski that day, whilst still supporting Norwich to the full, it had become more of a chore than I ever wish it would have done. The fun had gone and I was worried where the club was going. Things in football do go in cycles however and I secretly wondered when our upward curve would come again. Was there anything in particular to cling to in hope that day? Nope. Not a jot.

Which is why the last 2 years have been so exciting under Sir Paul. The return of smiling faces to the terraces, both home and away. The return of heros that we can sing after. We attack with gusto, with a swagger. Everything about today puts the class of 2008 completely in the shade - it's like comparing chalk with cheese.

When you sit back and think how good we are today, how proud we are of our team right now and how despite losing 2-0 at Old Trafford were still able to create chance after chance with skillful incisive football, sit back also and remember how god damn awful and negative we were back in 2008/09.

Then you realise what such a bad and negative manager Glenn Roeder was and what such an inspired and positive one Paul Lambert is.

Huckerby was never a Roeder player. He would have been a Lambert player.

One of these managers has been, and will continue to be, successful, respected, positive, refreshing and highly rated.

The other is Glenn Roeder.

Posted By: 1 5CC on October 11th 2011 at 17:33:38

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