For those left who say Manning is not responsible…

Bear with… this could be a bit lengthy, but it needs to be pointed out.

For the few that still feel some empathy for Manning and believe he’s not necessarily part of the problem, I just want to highlight some recent decisions he has made that I find inexcusable.

1. Wrexham H - plays Cordoba as a left back. Somehow at half time we were winning but we spent the whole half totally exposed on that side. He didn’t change it and then we know what happened next. 2-1, goal from left back, 2-2 goal from left back. 2-3. Kellen Kisher sat twiddling his thumbs on the bench while Cordoba repeatedly left out to dry. I feel some sympathy for Cordoba here, he’s not a left back yet his manager couldn’t see the danger, the difficultly he was having containing Kabore. Ultimately Liam Manning cost us that game.

2. Speaking of Fisher, what has the kid done wrong to be repeatedly benched when we have a left back crisis. He talks of players he would go to war with, I’d go to war with Kellen any day of the week. This kid ooses passion, physical and mental toughness, and quality. Yes he’s rotting under Manning.

3. Yesterday, he plays 5 at back the entire game, when it’s clear second half we need to change shape to add another body further forwards. I kept thinking he will take McConville off shortly to move another body forwards. Clock ticks 90, no we still have 5 at the back defending a 2-0 defeat. Inexcusable. This has been repeated in other games as well, not a one off. Solely on Liam Manning.

4. Fisher related again ironically. He takes Fisher off yesterday (when he was playing well) and he gives a 19 year forward his 1st team home debut…. At right back / wing back. Firstly, any kid deserves to remember his home league debut fondly, in safe surroundings. Secondly he deserves to be played in a position where he can at least have an opportunity to show his ability. Liam Manning threw this poor kid into a couldron of toxicity, OUT OF POSITION. this is unforgivable. That poor kid will remember this hideous moment for the rest of his life…. Shameful man management. This is on Liam Manning.

5. Pelle Mattson yesterday, showed he has passion, he’s up for this fight. He didn’t treat the ball like a hot potato. He took ownership of it and tried things. They didn’t all come off but a lot did. He worked his socks off and brought something to that midfield. He had gas in the tank still, so what did Liam do, he took him off. There were players blowing out there, Makama, I like him, but he was blowing. Schwartau, I’m still undecided on him, but second half, anonymous and doesn’t tackle at all, just runs around shadows. But he took a player off giving his all. That’s on Liam Manning.

6. Walking down the tunnel, not facing the music. Cowardly. I get why, but you sent your players to do it and they took the heat. You are the leader but you didn’t act like one. You would have got an absolute earful, and to be fair you would have deserved it. Your decision making was atrocious. You have to do the tough stuff sometimes. If you take the same approach in house at Colney, that would explain a lot of what we are seeing.

I could go on…. But I’m afraid there’s so so much on Liam Manning that is simply indefensible.

A nice guy, yes, undeniably, We went to the same school, and still have friends who know him well now, everyone knows he’s a decent bloke. But sadly right here, right now, he’s making rookie decisions and unforgivable tactical errors. There is an awful lot, solely on Liam Manning that a more able / experienced manager / coach could correct, which would at least give us a fighting chance of swinging what have arguably been some quite tight defeats.

This is a game of fine margins and every bit helps. Liam Manning is not helping himself, or Norwich City.

Posted By: Canary147, Nov 2, 09:49:15