'Concerning' - City fans hope for improvement after Cardiff loss

Norwich City's supporters have expressed concerns following their 1-0 opening day defeat to Cardiff.

The Canaries mustered up just one shot on target during the encounter, with Kenny McLean hitting the bar from Todd Cantwell's corner in the second half.

The obvious caveat here is that opening day results are nothing to read into, but that was a failure to stand up to what will be a regular test for us in the Champ

A team wanting to break up play and not allow us time on the ball and we just didn't have the quality to combat it
— Jon Punt (@puntino) July 30, 2022

We simply have to create more and carry more of a threat. It was our Achilles heel last season and today's performance suggests there is still plenty of work to do in terms of how we get the ball forward into dangerous positions #NCFC #norwich
— Richard Balls (@RichardBalls) July 30, 2022

I thought Max, Todd and AndyO looked fit, firing and keen to be 'here'. 3 CM reinforcements are (in theory) soon to be available/signing. Big issue was mentality management when a poor team played spoiler, kicking the ball away, kicking lumps out of us etc. too easily ruffled.
— Tom Parsley (@mrtomparsley) July 30, 2022

Well at least that’ll be the last game in July for a while…

Norwich City’s record in July matches: Played 8, Lost 8 #ncfc
— NCFC Numbers (@ncfcnumbers) July 30, 2022

Before casting such extreme judgement

I’d quite like to see Dean Smith manage a competitive game of football for Norwich City Football Club with players he’s actually signed #NCFC are definitely back… 😆🤣
— Chris Reeve (@ChrisReevo) July 30, 2022

Post match warm down over a pint. First half promising, signs of better to come. Second half, a shambles. Heads dropped after the goal and that's shocking! #ncfc
— Ian 🔰 (@Ian_M1) July 30, 2022

I’m afraid we played exactly how I thought we would. #ncfc
— van der Finz 🐥going 🆙 going ⬇️ (@JamesFinbow) July 30, 2022

What is really concerning is that Cardiff will be a lot nearer the bottom than the top and their goalkeeper had one proper save to make!! We have too many players who are used to losing unfortunately. #canarycall #ncfc
— Mike Ward 🐟 (@mjtward19) July 30, 2022

I thought Max, Todd and AndyO looked fit, firing and keen to be 'here'. 3 CM reinforcements are (in theory) soon to be available/signing. Big issue was mentality management when a poor team played spoiler, kicking the ball away, kicking lumps out of us etc. too easily ruffled.
— Tom Parsley (@mrtomparsley) July 30, 2022

A team that lacked power and dynamism last season with no additions is still going to lack power and dynamism.

And it does... horribly
— Gary Gowers (@Gary_Gowers) July 30, 2022

But those concerns after City's void of creativity in pre-season have bled into the beginning of their Championship campaign, with Norwich amassing an expected goals rate of just 0.27 according to Infogol.

Sourcing a remedy for that will top Dean Smith's priorities after bemoaning his side's 'lack of quality' in the final third during his post-match press conference.

Romaine Sawyers' strike shortly after the interval proved decisive as Norwich failed to find a reply in the second period.

The Canaries have now won just two of their last 20 fixtures on the opening day and will face newly promoted side Wigan Athletic at Carrow Road next weekend.

- Read the thoughts of Norwich City supporters via social media above and below

Let’s say I’m less positive about the season right now. #NCFC
— Nigel Mayes (@mickymaguire) July 30, 2022

The WHOLE POINT of having a sporting director was that we could sack the manager and the footballing philosophy wouldn’t change. That’s why the ‘it’s not his squad’ argument has holes, because under our current set up it shouldn’t matter #ncfc
— Maddie (@mmackenzie26) July 30, 2022

Watched Burnley last night, first competitive game under Kompany. Clear style that he’s implemented in one pre-Season. We can’t use the “Smith needs time” and “it’s not his squad” argument. He’s had enough time to at least demonstrate what he’s trying to do #ncfc
— Will Bunn (@wbunny) July 30, 2022

Disappointing start, only listened to it on Radio , still don't create enough quality chances even at this level! 😡 #Ncfc
— Darren Huckerby (@hucks6dh6) July 30, 2022

Basically the main hope is that our first choice midfield won't be anything like that hopefully come September. Let Cantwell operate further up. Get Sara and hopefully Núñez behind the front 3. Hayden, Gibbs and Lungi holding options, and in that order is my feeling. #ncfc
— Adam Brandon (@AdamBrandon84) July 30, 2022

I’m not too fussed about a lack of Plan B, I’d just love to see a Plan A. #ncfc
— Michael Dilley (@michaeldilley) July 30, 2022

That sounded like it was a mess. I’m worried squad hasn’t been given enough of a fresh look.

It was clear Morison would have Cardiff pumped and physically competitive. Clear there will be little patience for Smith, like with Neil in 2016.

Only one game in but concerning #NCFC https://t.co/Wdsk9XrFv6
— David Freezer (@davefreezer) July 30, 2022

Still sounds like we have no identity or quality against a team that we should on paper be beating.
Poor start to the season, but it's only one game. I'm not going to lose my head yet...
But we need to learn from this! #ncfc #canarycall
— NCFC 💚💛 ANITA💛💚 (@Anita_NCFC) July 30, 2022

Can’t really fault the team selection today. What is worrying though is the sheer lack of creativity - has been an issue ever since losing Buendia. Let’s hope Sara or someone else lined up can bring that much needed magic. Otherwise could be a long season #ncfc
— Ryan Mason 📷🎞 (@ryanmasonphoto) July 30, 2022

I’ve calmed down a bit now.

Hopefully with Gibson, Sara, Nunez maybe, and Dowell in we will start seeing a much better team.

We were an inch away from McLean equalising and a draw wouldn’t have been a disaster. #ncfc
— Daniel Emery (@DanieIEmery) July 30, 2022

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