I’ve discussed the ridiculousness of the football fixture scheduling procedure numerous times in this column.
We’ve been informed that a sophisticated computer system is meant to generate a balanced schedule of games for teams throughout the season.
Call me a pessimist, but something has gone horribly wrong.
There is an absurd imbalance in the matches, even when you include the interruption produced by the two international breaks that have already occurred this term and the one that will occur in November.
City played twice at Carrow Road in four days prior to the most recent forced break in domestic football.
We enjoyed back-to-back Saturdays of NR1 action early in the campaign.
However, Johannes Hoff Thorup’s team only performs twice in front of the home crowd between early October and late November.
Additionally, five of the Canaries’ upcoming seven games will be away from home, which adds an even more strange element to the mix.
Although I am not a mathematician, I have estimated that over the course of the next month and a half, City and their devoted supporters will travel over 2000 miles to and from games.
This Saturday marks the start of the country’s grand tour in Stoke.
On Tuesday night, there’s the tantalising possibility of making the 520-mile round drive to Preston.
The voyage across the border to Cardiff on November 2 is the longest journey of the autumn season, following the home match against Middlesbrough.
City will host Sheffield Wednesday on Bonfire Night. After Bristol City’s visit, the Canaries will return to the West Midlands to play West Brom.
The “you play everyone twice in the season so get on with it” school of thought might be held by some people.
However, isn’t it possible to manage things far better for teams and supporters with just a pen and the back of a cigarette packet?
In any case, Thorup and his guys will simply have to get on with it as my grousing won’t make any difference.
This season, the team’s away record has been as follows: they have won at Coventry, lost at Oxford, and won at Derby.
As the saying goes, you’re in a good position if you win away and draw at home.
Therefore, the total of six points from four away games thus far is quite respectable.
Maintaining the boys’ long-term unbeaten streak at Carrow Road is crucial if they want to pose a real threat for promotion.
A successful team relies heavily on having a stronghold in your backyard.
Can the city, then, add joy to the journey?
Things were mediocre away from home last year.
Norwich finished sixth in the regular season, which was identical to their home table standings of 15 wins, 4 victories, and 4 losses.
However, with only six victories, six ties, and eleven losses, the Canaries were a pitiful 19th in the away standings. Add to that the catastrophic 4-0 defeat of the second leg at Leeds in the play-off semi-final.
That needs to get better.
On paper, City should expect a respectable number of points, even though the outposts will be far away throughout the next term.
Both Preston and Stoke have won two of their first four home games and are ranked 17th and 19th in the Championship standings, respectively.
With three home losses and one victory thus far, Cardiff is at the bottom of the table.
Additionally, Sheffield Wednesday’s inconsistent start to the season has put them in 15th place.
With West Brom securely in the play-off spots, the final of the five games remaining in November appears to be considerably more difficult.
Football, as we all know, isn’t played on paper, and form might be completely irrelevant.
Thorup is demonstrating his ability to adjust to various opponents and situations.
We will have a good notion of how this campaign is likely to unfold by the time his squad departs The Hawthorns at the end of the autumn.
Additionally, the fixture compilers might eventually grow up.
OTBC.
Double acts in the city
Earlier this week, my colleague Samuel Seaman wrote a fantastic piece that examined notable City duo performances throughout the years.
Josh Sargent and Borja Sainz’s strong chemistry thus far this season served as the impetus.
He glanced at Adam Drury and Darren Huckerby, Grant Holt and Wes Hoolahan, and Emi Buendia and Teemu Pukki.
It made me reflect on my fave Canary duos over the course of my forty-five years or so.
When I initially started going to Carrow Road, Dave Stringer and Duncan Forbes were a powerful force at the back.
One of my all-time favourite City strikers is Robert Fleck, and his relationship with Robert Rosario was unique.
According to an interview I came across, Fleck stated: “Robert Rosario was up front with me. He was the most selfless player I have ever played with, yet he never received recognition for his efforts.
And that’s the main reason why collaborations are so important in football.
I may also include Craig Fleming and Malky Mackay.
I’d want to know what you decide.
Interesting realisation
Our team of Norwich City correspondents has produced some excellent stuff throughout the international break.
In addition to the lengthy reads on Christian Fassnacht, Ryan Bennett, Aaron Wilbraham, Alfie Hewett, and Steve Aris, the previous coach of Kellen Fisher, I have already noted the essay on the partnerships.
Additionally, Paddy Davitt, our football editor, had a rare meeting with Lee Dunn, the club’s head of recruitment.
I highly recommend it if you haven’t read or listened to it previously.
My understanding of the meticulous planning that goes into finding players and bringing them in was greatly expanded by the interview.
We could all pick players who haven’t exactly blown the world away, and the club hasn’t always gotten things right.
However, we must have faith in the system because players like Callum Doyle and Jose Cordoba are truly stoking the desire.
Additionally, Dunn ought to thrill us about the future intentions to search the globe for even more brilliance.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE
