Post from a PNE fan re yesterday's game...

This may not be a response that you welcome and it is not intended to wind anyone up.

I went to the game although I watched the game through the eyes of a Preston supporter and I was shocked at the standard that Norwich have plummeted too. I confess that my own team had an off day and our own manager, Billy Davies, conceded that our approach today was not very pretty due in large to the conditions and also the approach that Nigel Worthington appraoched the game. Another reason why the football was so poor was due to the pitch, although we haven't seen a long ball style of game as much as we witnessed yesterday.

The one thing that stood out to me is that the Norwich midfield managed to pass the ball to a white shirt when it was easier to find a yellow and this didn't just happen once or twice it happened on countless occasions and spec-savers could have made a killing yesterday! (apologies for the advertisement, it wasn't meant in that way).

From the kick off your players showed tremendous unity in gathering in the centre circle and joining in a tight huddle which always makes me smile because every team who has adapted that appoach this season has lost and played badly - why do they do it??? (slight swipe at the common trend in football - apologies). The Preston players don't need to show any fake show of solidarity because they show it in their approach on the field and when they celebrate goals.

Many of us felt that Dickson Etuhu would show a display of aggression and commitment, like so many ex-players do on their one-off return, however his display was thankfully (for us) apathetic and meant that we took a firm grip on midfield, although Dickson wasn't alone in a weak Norwich midfield.

Huckerby was kept very quiet, chiefly becase he had the fastest full back in the country marking him and snuffed out the pace that Huckerby possesses. Our two central defenders had Earnshaw in their pockets and at half time I was shocked when my brother spoke of Earnshaw because I didn't even realise that this renowned striker was even playing!! His only chance was a mis-placed lob that screwed well wide.

Our goals had a large level of luck, although thats the first own goals in our favour for nigh on 2 years and the second goal was hard on the lad because it was wicked cross, although the first goal was strange in the least.

All in all it was a poor game and thankfully 'The Championship' didn't cover it because the adverts would have been the highlights.

A final note - I have always respected good passing football teams and thankfully my team generally does this in a stylish way and the Norwich that I always knew played the game in the right way and when I used to watch 'Sky', Norwich City were always a team I enjoyed watching right back to the days of Crook and Sutton and the likes and I am sure it is a difficult time for football loving people such as yourselves.

Before anyone says it, this write up isn't meant to be patronising and if it is seen as that then I apologise - it is more of a frank and open opinion on what I saw yesterday and what I have seen over the last couple of years.

Cheers.

PNE fan.

Posted By: bobble, Apr 9, 16:45:06