Norwich went into this game knowing that a win was crucial. The Canaries lay only two points off the relegation zone, and after a disappointing Christmas period, this game now meant more than ever. Successive league losses to Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest were disappointing, particularly the game to Forest. Earlier in the season a ten-man Norwich had beaten them away from home, so to lose at home to the same team was very worrying.
There had also been the distraction of the FA Cup, with an away day one-all draw to Charlton. The replay comes this Tuesday, and a cup-run would really cheer the long-suffering fans up. However, Norwich are not well known for their cup successes, and it was as long ago as 1959 that the team reached the semi-final stage. In a nod to this feat, today’s team wore replica 1959 kits against Charlton, but their performance was certainly not vintage. One bright spot however, was Arturo Lupoli’s goal. The Italian striker had made it clear that he was unhappy at being left on the bench, and perhaps now he will be given more chances to impress.
In terms of Saturday’s game, the freezing cold temperatures at Bramall Lane made for uncomfortable viewing, and the football on offer did not make the Norwich fans feel any better. The Home side started the game brightly, with Norwich failing to put enough pressure on the ball, and as a result United produced several chances. The best chance fell to Stephen Quinn, who hit the bar with a rasping effort. Norwich were looking shaky, leaving the Norwich supporters to look on helplessly.
Things were looking ominous for City, and on 17 minutes Darius Henderson had put the home side into the lead. The goal came from a Danny Webber cross, and was once again a free header. Norwich’s marking on crosses has been very poor this season, and with Jonathan Grounds playing in his first game back on loan from Middlesborough, he perhaps should have done better. There needs to be better communication at the back, but injuries have meant that it has been difficult to get any kind of settled partnerships. When half-time came, Norwich were lucky to go in only one nil behind, and a massive improvement was needed in order to get anything from the game.
The second half again started badly for Norwich, but things began to look better when the team began putting together some passes and holding on to some possession. Norwich almost equalised through Wes Hoolahan, but the diminuitive winger put his header onto the bar. Lupoli was also beginning to look sharper and had a couple of good chances to equalise. Things were starting to improve, but on the hour mark there came a setback. Sibierski went down just outside the area, and it was clear that he would not be able to continue. As a result Roeder brought on David Bell, when many thought that a striker such as Carl Cort would have come on. It’s safe to say that Norwich fans haven’t bee impressed with Cort so far, but if he is on the bench and under contract until the end of the season, then it seems puzzling that the manager refuses to use him.
The last fifteen minutes of the game were all Norwich, and had the team played like this for the rest of the game, they may have come away with a point. However, they didn’t and it was yet again a case of too little, too late from the Canaries. The team had clearly become more desperate, and as a result had forced Gary Doherty up front. The game ended 1-0 to Sheffield United, and Roeder once again expressed his disbelief that his team hadn’t got a point from the game. Roeder needs to stop putting results down to luck, and take responsbility for the team’s failings. The supporters are beginning to lose patience with the manager, and the chants of “Roeder out” can already be heard from the stands.
Norwich are not too good to go down, and the sooner the manager recognises this, the sooner the team can move on. Roeder needs to get real or get out as far as many supporters are concerned. Up next in the league is a home game against Barnsley where three points are essential. If Norwich lose, expect Roeder’s job to be under significant pressure.
Will Sargent.
