The allocation of the latest share issue to Norfolk FB Holdings, Mark Attanasio’s company, has been a lengthy and exhausting process for the club. This has consumed a significant amount of time and energy, potentially at the expense of other important decision-making. On the footballing front, the club is currently in a state of limbo, with uncertainty surrounding who has the authority or willingness to make a decision on David Wagner’s position as manager. As the team continues to perform poorly and slide towards the relegation zone, mistakes and questionable selections and tactics on the pitch are only getting worse.
The patience of fans is being tested as they observe a squad that should be capable of performing better than it currently is. Injuries to key players have had an impact, but the decline in performances is evident from game to game. If this downward trajectory continues, there is a genuine risk that the club could find itself in the bottom three by the time the new sporting director takes charge.
While it is known that Wagner is capable of producing exciting attacking football, recent performances have been far from inspiring. The match against Sunderland was particularly lackluster, with City barely crossing the halfway line before taking an unexpected lead. The team’s lineup was questionable, with a natural holding midfielder playing in an advanced position and a creative player being asked to sit deep. This lack of creativity in advanced areas and defensive discipline ultimately led to a shambolic performance.
The lack of desire among the players to fight for a result was evident as heads dropped and the game slipped away. This should raise concerns among the decision-makers at the club. While there is respect for David Wagner as a person, his suggestion that the performance was “okay” is perceived as lacking self-awareness. It is acknowledged that some experienced players have made crucial errors, but it is argued that defensive changes should have been made sooner. The decision to substitute Ben Gibson and move Kenny McLean into defense baffled many.
It remains to be seen if Wagner can turn the situation around, but there is hope that the televised match at Carrow Road will generate a charged atmosphere and potentially inspire a better performance from the team. Overall, the club is facing a challenging situation on multiple fronts, both off and on the pitch. Decisions need to be made regarding the new sporting director and the future of the manager, and improvements must be made to halt the team’s decline.
