Roeder looking for strong characters away from home
At last nights AGM Glenn Roeder was quizzed on City’s poor away form. His answer was straightforward enough pointing out that away games are also played on a grass pitch with a goal at either end with the object being to put the ball between the posts whilst stopping the opposition doing the same. No, the only difference between a home and away game as far as he could see was having the majority of fans either for or against you. This observation led him to the conclusion that our strength of character was not what it should be when playing away from the relative comfort of Carrow Road.
He was quick to point out that although he didn’t feel it was affecting the whole team it was certainly a problem affecting more than one individual. Throughout the evening Roeder made several references to every generation being weaker than the preceding one and told us how he admired Rugby players and their ability to handle situations “like a man”.
For me, personally, this was the highlight of the evening, a Norwich manager being asked why his team continually couldn’t cut the mustard away from home and giving an answer that previous managers have either not had the bottle or the honesty to give themselves.
It remains to be seen how he will attempt to resolve the situation but I am hoping the next time we have a break from action that instead of a cosy get together in the sun the squad is assembled somewhere altogether more foreign for a true test of character! A stint in the jungle didn’t do the Aussie cricket team any harm prior to the last Ashes series and several Championship teams followed their example in mid season breaks last year and their results picked up as a result.
Meanwhile the next away game is at Forest - not the happiest of hunting grounds for us in the past and coupled with that the fact the game is being televised live should already be sending a shiver down Canary fans’ spines. Yes, strong characters will certainly be needed here - may I suggest Matty Pattison starts the game along with a certain Mr Lupoli whose two goals away at Cardiff (not the friendliest of venues) when the team was two-nil down suggest to me he is one who is certainly made of the right stuff!
