Why Norwich City Are Destined to Get Relegated This Season
Oh the Premier League. It offers hope and joy, only to extinguish it so quickly.
Norwich fans understand this better than just about anyone, given just how quickly things have gotten out of control for them this season.
August arrives for those who have felt the pure ecstasy of promotion from the gloom of the Championship, and whilst some take to it like a duck to water, some are swept out to sea. For the Canaries, they are well and truly out of their depth, sinking to the seafloor like a rather large and useless rock.
The Canaries lie at the foot of the Premier League table, having won only two of their 12 Premier League matches, and there are few signs to suggest that they are capable of rectifying their early-season shortcomings.
It began relatively well for Daniel Farke's side, winning two of their first five league outings, including a historic victory over an astonishing treble-winning Manchester City in a match that will live long in the memory. But it may have been a gift and a curse.
Since that day on 14 September, Norwich have picked up one Premier League point, losing six of their last seven matches. The goals that offered them hope have since ceased to exist, and the defensive cracks that were papered over by their stupendous victory over the champions were well and truly exposed.
The kamikaze style of play introduced by Farke earned Norwich promotion back to the big time, and the German saw no need to change - after all, if it ain't broke, then don't fix it. Oh but it was broke. Very, very broke.
Their gung-ho system, in which defending is yet to be discovered, leaves the Canaries woefully open at the back and has seen them ship 28 goals in just 12 games. To put this in to perspective, Liverpool and Man City both conceded fewer goals in the entirety of last season in the league.
The injuries sustained this term sure haven't helped, but can only excuse so much. Norwich failed to adequately bolster their ranks in the summer, bringing in only one out-and-out defender in the form of substitute full-back Sam Byram. Their lack of investment is proving incredibly costly with the step up in quality appearing far too much for them.
I guess that's alright if you're scoring goals. But they're not.
The Canaries have scored only two goals in their last seven encounters, both of which were mere consolation strikes in substantial defeats to Aston Villa and Manchester United. Teemu Pukki - who scored six in his first five games and won August's player of the month - has failed to net in two months of Premier League football, in which he has started every game. Even the surprise of the early season Todd Cantwell has found himself dropped in recent matches.
However, perhaps more worryingly, is the points they have dropped in 'winnable games'. Their defeat in their last fixture against Watford, saw them officially hit bottom of the table, losing at home to a side who had failed to win a single league game all season. Oh, and Watford had a man sent off with half an hour still to play. When you add 2-0 away defeats to Brighton, Crystal Palace and Burnley, you begin to build a very depressing picture.
An upturn in form seems no nearer. In fact, it appears to be getting further and further away.
The next three matches for Norwich could be pivotal. They face three sides who themselves are struggling form - Everton, Arsenal and Southampton. It could potentially be the beginning of a fairy-tale resurgence, or more likely, three more nails in Norwich's coffin.
Norwich's gargantuan task of Premier League survival is a daunting one. Unless there is significant investment in January, or a rapid change in performance levels, it would appear that the Canaries may already be dead in the mine.