1983 - A Visit to the New Champions at Anfield

The very first match highlights I recorded on my brand new Betamax video was the home match with Liverpool in December 1982 (I haven't converted that tape yet). We were rock bottom of the First Division and they were top. Of course, that meant we won 1-0.

In March, Norwich went on an eight game unbeaten run which lifted them well above the relegation zone and by the time they were due to visit Anfield on 23rd April were safe from the threat of the drop. That week, Liverpool had been crowned Champions and this was the first match at home to celebrate. As it turns out, Norwich were the party-poopers and went on to a well-deserved 2-0 win.

There's a great interview at the end of Part 2 with Norwich's captain, Dave Watson, about his thoughts on clapping Liverpool onto the pitch at the start of the game.

Enjoy!

Part 1

Part 2

I never touched it, Ref!

I'm not sure how the referee missed this.

Japanese Binocular Soccer

As recommended by James Richardson on the Football Weekly Podcast (highly recommended). This is hilarious.

Flickr Of The Day

Barnsley v Norwich
Originally uploaded by Miles Seecharan

It's a long way from Norwich to Barnsley and it's great to see families making the trip.

Not a great game apparently, but 0-0 and a point means it wasn't a too depressing trip home (unlike tonight's 2-0 defeat at Southampton)

This Guy's Good

But it must be expensive in balls.

FOOT 2008 (REMI GAILLARD)
Uploaded by nqtv

Disappointment No 2

Norwich City's start to the season could hardly have been worse in terms on results - an opening day defeat at Coventry, a defeat to League One's MK Dons in the first round of the League Cup, followed by a draw at home to Blackpool last Saturday.

But reading between the lines, which is about all I can do from 12,000 miles away, the picture doesn't look quite so bad. The new signings seem to have settled in well, the two league games should and could have been wins. We seem to have dominated the possession and had great chances to score in both but not taken them only to concede a penalty in each game.

Yes, we need a new striker, I've still got hopes that we might sign Sheola Ameobi from Newcastle, but while the chances are being created, we're bound to start converting them. So, I'm not too disappointed and think that midtable or better is on the cards for this season. We can start with a win at Cardiff tomorrow though we'll have to make do without a Ched Evans wonder goal this year.

Norwich City's Greatest Moment?

I think so.




Just in case you think the first goal was a fluke...

The Norwich City Revival

I haven't said much about the recent fortunes of Norwich City but it's worth mentioning the impact that Glenn Roeder has had on the club.

6 points adrift at the bottom of the table in November, the transformation has been remarkable. But the highlight for me is the way he speaks. In his time at Norwich, I don't think I've heard a thing I disagree with or that I've thought should have been expressed differently.

This is an interesting article which highlights how deeply Glenn has become engrained in the Norwich way. And it gives you a bit of pride in your club. It's not surprising that season ticket sales are well up on last year. I think the Playoffs were always a step too far this season, but we can look forward to the next campaign with some confidence.

Is Chris Brown the New Dean Coney?

I had the opportunity to watch Norwich this season as their home game with Sheffield Wednesday was shown in full here in Australia.

It was a lamentable performance from most of the players. I know we had three players suspended, but my big question is... what is Chris Brown for? He looked like a reincarnation of one of Norwich's worst ever signings, Dean Coney. Yes, he won a couple of headers, but he never looked like a threat in the game. With David Strihavka on the bench and Chris Martin also available, why play him at all?

With Norwich now in the bottom three of the championship, we need to start playing some football, preferably without Brown in the team. Up early tomorrow morning as the QPR-Norwich game is being shown live here at 4.45am.

An acceptable start

Well, Norwich City got their campaign underway on Saturday with a 0-0 draw at Preston.
It has looked promising the the eight new signings that have arrived during the summer. With the return of Jamie Cureton, there's now a player there that I've seen play. However, with Darren Huckerby still not ready and the virus that affected several players during the week, a battling draw away at Preston, where we traditionally struggle, has to be seen as a good result.

Here's the match report, the Radio Norfolk report, and Radio Norfolk post-match interview with the manager, Peter Grant (Realplayer req'd).

Colchester 3 Norwich 0

After a good run in the last few weeks, a bad defeat at the hands of Colchester. It;s these sort of results that Norwich need to avoid next season if they're going to challenge for promotion.

Peter Grant is making it clear that some of the players are playing for their future at the club. The future is looking bright with youngsters pushing for places from the academy.

Post match report and interviews with Peter Grant and ex-Canary Colchester striker Jamie Cureton (Realplayer required).