So we're in the bottom 3 after 7 games and

because we won at Stoke (thanks to what was actually only one good half) and played well for some of today everybody thinks all is well. I don't.
I expect to be called hysterical and unrealistic but I honestly think we're in big trouble.
We have spent big by our standards but I don't see genuine improvement. Our defending is not significantly better than it has been since our return to the top flight. The first and second goals today were caused by terrible defending and had Ba taken the easy chance just after the break - the result of an absolutely appalling pass straight to a Chelsea player by Turner, we might never have got back into the game at all.
We are still hamstrung by the coaching staff's lack of attacking intent - and yes, I was at the game today. Hoolahan has been sidelined. Hooper apparently cannot be in the same side as van Wolfswinkel. We continue to play the left footed Snodgrass on the right so that he always cuts back inside and never cuts the ball back from the byline.

How many real chances did we create? How many saves did Cech make? Why do our staff continue to ignore Snodgrass's terrible delivery from corners and free kicks?

We absolutely can never expect to produce a result such as West Ham managed today. Why? Because we simply ALWAYS set up a team based on fear of the opposition, never based on the premise of letting them worry about us.

All the sages tell us week after week that you cannot be reckless against top opponents. I agree. But there's a difference between recklessness and genuine attacking intent. For an hour today we offered almost nothing going forward. The first half was poor in my eyes. We were the home team but we played in awe of Chelsea. It was only when the referee's constant ineptitude so angered the crowd that the atmosphere really picked up and our players responded.

Then we produced a spirited period as a result of which everybody seems to think we were brilliant.

Yes Chelsea have superb players and their bench was unbelievable but that's the reality of the Premier League and if we are going to get results against such teams we have to see past that.

Is it simply impossible for a team like Norwich ever to get into the top eight? Yes, if we continue to believe that we have no right to compete with them.

Chris Hughton is an exception: a gentleman in a cut-throat profession and I think he is an admirable human being. However, as long as he continues to work with two assistants who seem equally as conservative as he is I can see no change coming.

What does the future hold? A relegation scrap, hoping once again that there are three teams worse than us. But this is our third season back up and aren't we supposed to be making progress?

Fer is undoubtedly a good addition. Olsen looked good today. Redmond is one of the best young prospects in the country. Tettey and Elmander are seasoned internationals. Van Wolfswinkel gets in the Dutch national squad. Ruddy is a top keeper.

The raw material seems to be there so haven't you got to ask questions about the coaches?

Posted By: BillySteele on October 6th 2013 at 18:56:46

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