Opinion

‘Do not let this break become your Alex Neil moment...’ - City fans react to 3-0 Southampton defeat

Connor Southwell

Published: 1:04 AM June 20, 2020 Updated: 4:12 PM October 12, 2020

City head coach Daniel Farke watches his side slide to defeat Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd

Norwich City supporters have voiced their opinions on social media following the Canaries 3-0 defeat to Southampton on Friday evening.

Final thought, I expected to go down, have done for months, I also expected us to give it an impassioned go and continue to receive compliments for our attitude and style. 3 or 4 more outings like that in the last 9 and it's just yet another embarassing collapse from the prem.
— Tom Parsley (@mrtomparsley) June 19, 2020

Somewhat unsurprisingly, the stats don't make for pretty reading for Norwich City.

- Worst pass completion rate in any game this season (70%)

- Fewest interceptions made in any game since August (6)#ncfc
— NCFC Numbers (@ncfcnumbers) June 19, 2020

Can't think I've ever less enjoyed a match experience in my life. Awful result, awful performance, awful commentary, soulless lack of atmosphere. Just awful all round #ncfc
— Mike Ward (@mjtward19) June 19, 2020

First things first; I know Southampton were fitter and stronger but #NCFC looked exactly like a team who hadn't played in three months; slow on and off the ball, bad control with the ball and indecisive. There was always going to be a lethargy but...
— Sam Langan (@samuellangan) June 19, 2020

It was an unexpected promotion and an attempt at staying up spending relative pence and playing open, expansive, creative football. It was always massively odds-against, but bloody ballsy to try it. Lots to admire in a club that tried to do it their way. #NCFC
— Dan O'Hagan (@danohagan) June 19, 2020

My optimism, along with many others, was sincere before the game. I'm genuinely baffled how these lads, who we love, could to a man, Krul excepted, play so woefully!! Really sad to see #ncfc
— Mike Ward (@mjtward19) June 19, 2020

On this evidence, you have to say without any crowd advantage like we got in our home wins this season, we look miles off this level which given the cost of the squad is not a big surprise really. Wasn't sure how it would go, but this is among our worst games under Farke now.
— Adam Brandon (@AdamBrandon84) June 19, 2020

Totally and comprehensively outplayed. Weird selection. No response or changes. I was quite enjoying a world without football.
— Phil Harris (@kingswell) June 19, 2020

#NCFC things I expected:

??We'd play the same system we had all season (as we have against whatever opponent). Sometimes we were magnificently naive!
??We'd see a team grafting for for each other and desperate to at least have a go.

What I saw: pic.twitter.com/GQ5dgGSCc9
— Mark (@OldSchoolMarky) June 20, 2020

Tonight reminded me of Fulham (a) 2005... all hype with no return #NCFC
— Neil Austin (@naustin1975) June 19, 2020

Considering we hadn't had our full set of central defenders fit at any one time, got an unexpected three month break and still ended up down to the bare bones defensively, the writing was probably on the wall that it's just not meant to be for us this season. #ncfc
— Cory (@iwritethings23) June 20, 2020

Every time you think it'll be different. Every time you think Norwich will put up a fight and go for it.
And every time, it ends with the same outcome.

Utter rubbish. #NCFC ??
— Tom Chambers (@TomChambers1) June 19, 2020

Daniel Farke’s men returned to top-flight action after a three-month suspension of the division caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Supporters were forced to watch the game at home - with the Canaries playing behind closed doors for the first time in a competitive fixture.

Despite a positive start, City’s performance left plenty to be desired as Southampton dominated the transition and pressed City expertly.

Ralph Hassenhuttl’s side took the lead early in the second half - when Danny Ings profited from some questionable defending from City before curling his effort beyond Tim Krul and into the net.

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Just five minutes later, the Saints doubled their lead. Ings again was the protagonist, driving towards City’s exposed defence before offloading to Stuart Armstrong, who cut inside before dispatching his shot into the net.

City were looking beaten. Former Canaries winger Nathan Redmond added a third late on to rub salt into the wounds and ensuring City began the restart in a negative fashion.

- Read the thoughts of City supporters above and below

After some time to relax and calm down... #ncfc were poor. Please, Farke, you won us with Farkeball...... do not let this break become your Alex Neil, Newcastle away moment. Please. You're better than that.
— Carl Hood (@Dublinhood) June 19, 2020

Struggling to think of another game where each and every player had an absolute stinker. Maybe the 1-7 at home? Fulham 2005? This felt like one of them. Awful.
— Jon Punt (@puntino) June 19, 2020

Again. Lack of Tettey shows how lightweight our midfield is. Secondly you have to get your best creative player in the game. Buendia I barely see. Formation all wrong. Fitness levels shocking. Apart from that it was decent #ncfc
— Lee Jermyn (@LeeJermyn) June 19, 2020

Nice to see @ToddCantwell_10 truly caring.

He looked gutted in the earlier shot after he took his seat in the stand. These guys are doing their best, important to bear in mind before it all gets really toxic later on potentially on social media. #ncfc #OTBC pic.twitter.com/MRY2XwCSLX
— Stuart Hodge (@hodgeythehack) June 19, 2020

the one positive? i never know what hair onel will have when he comes on. exciting #ncfc
— Brooke Young (@Brookencfcx) June 19, 2020

Ok. #ncfc. Negative and positive:

Negative: A performance like that ruins the fans' weekend.

Positive: no one knows when the weekend is anymore.

OTBC
— Ivy NCFC (@AdcockIvy) June 19, 2020

Unfortunately, going 4.4.2, with two fairly immobile CM, pushed on full backs, a centre half who is well off match fitness, two strikers who are not physically able - and against a team who have better players was always going to be a recipe for disaster #NCFC
— Olly Willis (@OllyWillis7) June 20, 2020

Disappointing last night for #ncfc - another relegation likely where failure to improve a Championship squad has been our undoing. Byram the only plus. Not improving centre back or CDM the key failures. Let's beat Everton and see where we are then.
— Chris Elliott (@ChrisElliott66) June 20, 2020

Actually woken up so deflated this morning after last night's loss. Probably our worst performance of the season, I don't know what I expected us to get from the season restart but I was hoping for something a bit better than that #ncfc
— Tom Pauley (@tompauley8) June 20, 2020

Frustrating thing again is that we actually had chances, Josip and Pukki simply have to score those. Guilt edge chances. 3 goals (2 penalties?) in 9 games says everything. Then a real lack of plan B to change a game. feels damning! #ncfc
— Rob Pechey (@PecheyYellow) June 20, 2020