“Norwich Fans Have Had Enough – And They Know Exactly Who’s to Blame”

“Norwich Fans Have Had Enough – And They Know Exactly Who’s to Blame”

Norwich City’s Season Under the Microscope: What’s Gone Wrong?

Norwich City reporters Connor Southwell and Paddy Davitt spoke with fans to understand their views on why the Canaries’ season has faltered so far.

You can listen to their full discussion on your preferred podcast platform or read key highlights below.

Connor Southwell (CS): Let’s start with how everyone’s feeling about the situation right now. I’m genuinely curious.

Tom Calton: I don’t really blame Liam Manning. I think he’s a very capable manager — Bristol City would have kept him if we hadn’t stepped in. He’s a solid all-round coach.
The problem lies higher up — with Ben Knapper and Neil Adams, and the squad they’ve built. It feels like a mix of players recruited under Johannes Hoff Thorup and those brought in for Manning’s system, like Harry Darling. There’s a lack of balance, and the group hasn’t gelled around Manning’s style of play.

CS: Yes, that’s something that’s puzzled me too. Someone recently told me that Norwich look like a club that says the right things but doesn’t do them effectively.

If Manning’s proven himself to be a good coach, then the problem must be within the environment — recruitment, the squad, or the club’s direction.
Chris, what’s your take?

Chris Jennings: People say Manning’s working with what he’s been given, but surely he had some input in this summer’s signings.

Yes, Knapper carries responsibility, but Manning must have approved or rejected players. He can’t be completely detached from the recruitment process.

Paddy Davitt (PD): That connects to Tom’s point. The transition from Thorup’s approach to Manning’s has been drastic.

For the recruitment team — Lee Dunn, his staff, Knapper, and Adams — it’s been a real challenge to navigate several transfer windows while constantly shifting between managerial styles.
It raises the obvious question: why did Knapper make that change?

If you abandon the Thorup project, the successor needs to deliver results quickly. The club made it clear that the target remains a top-six finish every season. Right now, Manning isn’t close to that.

I agree that he’s a good coach, but so far, this gamble hasn’t paid off.

CS: We’ve seen this pattern before — coaches with strong reputations elsewhere struggling when they arrive at Norwich.

Dean Smith, David Wagner, Johannes Hoff Thorup, and now Manning — all had proven records. If they all stumble here, the issue must run deeper than just the man in the dugout.

Tom: Exactly. We can’t keep cycling through managers. Maybe we should have given Thorup more time, the same way Stuart Webber stuck by Daniel Farke.

Perhaps with another transfer window, Thorup could’ve put things right. But hindsight’s a wonderful thing.

CS: George, what’s your assessment of the current team and the football we’re seeing?

George Hale: I can’t understand why Jacob Wright isn’t starting. He’s one of our most creative midfielders. Against Ipswich, Mirko Topic played further forward even though he’s naturally a defensive midfielder.

And Kellen Fisher, while talented, is struggling a bit at left-back. He’s right-footed and constantly has to cut inside. Getting Mahovo back in the lineup is crucial.

PD: Completely agree. The team desperately needs Mahovo — a natural, attack-minded left-back. Fisher’s doing his best, but it’s not his position. He was exposed against West Brom and Ipswich.

The positive is that Manning has started easing Mahovo back in with short cameos. With the international break, he’s got two weeks to prepare him. When Norwich face Bristol City, Mahovo should be starting.

James Graver: I think our tactical setup has been wrong for most of the season. We’ve been too negative and defensive. Manning was described as a pragmatist, but this feels overly cautious.

When you approach games like Stoke away aiming just for a point, you send a message to the players that they’re not good enough to go toe-to-toe with average Championship sides. That kills confidence.

In summary:
Fans believe Liam Manning is a capable manager, but poor recruitment, constant stylistic changes, and a lack of tactical bravery have left Norwich City short of expectations.

Many are questioning the leadership above him and whether the club’s long-term vision has become lost amid repeated managerial resets.