only parts I can agree with

Chris Hughton is a thoroughly nice bloke, and I really wanted him to be a success at Norwich. I remember reading an article in the Guardian at the time of his appointment arguing that Norwich and CH were a really good fit for each other and how he’d never been badly treated by Newcastle. I also have a soft spot for Brighton having seen them at the old Goldstone ground in the third division and also the only Wembley (again, old school Wembley) cup final I’ve seen was their draw with Man U. What subsequently happened at the hands of former owners, with their asset stripping and years in exile at Gillingham and the old athletic stadium in Withdean.... and through all that they regard Crystal Palace as we regard Ipswich. So, delighted for both parties and happy it’s working out for them.
BUT
The thoughts on that second season at Norwich are so wide of the mark for those of us who were actually at the games. It was dire, sucked the life out of you - in spite of the odd notable scalp that season, I saw more passion watching youth teams at Sloughbottom Park. At Christmas we’d already made the decision not to renew season tickets the next season - and at that point we were still expecting them to stay up. The only point I regretted the decision was with relegation and a new manager, I could see the championship might actually be fun. To be entertained at games you don’t need sexy football (whatever your view on that is), but you do need to see passion and to see players uninhibited and themselves appearing to enjoy the game. Sadly lacking in CH’s tenure.

There is the fact that after the Paul Lambert years, we were a bit like drug addicts going cold turkey. Those four seasons were always going to be a hard act to follow - a once in a lifetime period for a club like ours. That mitigates, but doesn’t excuse the timid Cromer crab tactics and the almost palpable fear a lot of players seemed to have when in possession. It’s that that sticks in my mind from CH’s tenure, not some wistful regret at his departure.

Posted By: Tressells Broadbrush on May 6th 2018 at 08:21:15

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