It is fair to say that Norwich have improved in all areas during the last few weeks. In the most recent five fixtures, three victories and a draw have been achieved. The only defeat came against Blackpool at
the beginning of March.

Such form has given us a chance of survival in the Championship. There is still a chance it could all go wrong, but after the Coventry and Blackpool games; it is a chance we didn’t think would come.

Much has been made of the improved threat the likes of David Mooney and Alan Gow have created up front, but what about the four lads at the back? They have been excellent in the last few games and provided Bryan Gunn’s team with a backbone that hasn’t always existed this season.

One man can take a huge chunk of responsibility for this – Ian Butterworth. The former central defender seems to have taken the defenders under his wing and turned their confidence around.

The Jason Shackell – Gary Doherty partnership even looks solid and this hasn’t been the case too often over the last few seasons. Shacks in particular looks like the player we all know he can be and it’s just a shame we might not be able to re-sign him in the summer. Finances are likely to be tight, after all.

The improvement in the two full-backs has been particularly impressive. Jon Otsemobor has had his critics in recent months, but nobody can knock his performances in the last three games.

Then there is Ryan Bertrand who has looked back to the player he was when he first signed on loan. The lad must have been given a confidence boost in training because he seems to be returning to the promising, confident and classy defender he was at times last season.

Overall, the combination of a settled defence, the Butterworth factor and a huge lift in confidence has assisted the current back four in conceding just three goals in the last five games.

Long may it continue!

As much as the defeat to Bristol City shouldn’t be considered as too much of a setback, it frustrated me a great deal. It wasn’t just the result, the Gary Doherty red card or the performance of Andy D’Urso though. It was the team selection and the substitutions made by Gunn. 

Fair enough, the team have performed quite well under the former keeper’s stewardship to date. However, as a rule, the team has been very unsuccessful this season. A fresh injection of talent is still needed. Despite this, none of the new January signings started the game and this seems bizarre to me.

I imagine that the thinking behind it was that the team played well at Wolves, so why change it too much. However, Dean Carney – who is on loan from Sheffield United – should have started. He made a real impact at Molineux and would have provided the team with much more balance.

Elsewhere, as much as I am a fan of Jamie Cureton, he hasn’t done enough to warrant a starting place. He needs to be scoring goals regularly, otherwise he doesn’t do enough. Use him from the bench as a fresh pair of legs later on in games.

Instead of Cureton, why not give Alan Gow or Cody McDonald a go alongside Carl Cort? If nothing else, it would have lifted the crowd a bit to have a new signing in the team. Personally, this is the team I would have gone with.

Marshall

Otsemobor Grounds Doherty Bertrand

Croft Clingan Russell Carney

Cort Gow

The only issue I would have had with this team is the fact Otsemobor is playing – but who else is there? – and the fact that Hoolahan is not. However, to me this looks solid and Gunn then has the option of bringing on Cureton and Hoolahan in the second half.

Perhaps this weekend against Preston North End, Gunn will change things a bit. I am so desperate for him to do well and so far he has done ok. The only thing that concerns me though is his slight lack of initiative when it comes to substitutions.

Given the impact Carney made v Wolves for example, why not bring him on against Bristol City? The football odds may well have backed us to create something extra late on then.

Looking at the league table is enough to tell people that the current crop aren’t doing it, so give the new boys more of a go.

By Thomas Rooney – a sports writer who blogs about football betting for Betfair – check them out for a Cheltenham Free Bet

This week on the blog:

Monday 14th July 2008: We announced the winners of the 2008 NCFC on the Web Awards and some changes to the site.

Tuesday 15th July 2008: Marcus Bent annoyed some Cardiff fans, Birmingham entered the race for Alan Gow and we tried to solve the mystery of Rusty’s missing barnet.

Wednesday 16th July 2008: On Wednesday Clinton Morrison was heavily linked with a move to Coventry, and Kris Renton turned professional.

Thursday 17th July 2008: On Thursday it was revealed that Aston Villa had so far been linked to an incredible 123 players this summer.

Friday 18th July 2008: Darren Huckerby appeared on KRON, Robert Green said West Ham didn’t love him anymore and Man Utd had a bit of a spat with Spurs over Berbatov.

Saturday 19th July 2008: On Saturday, Joe Lewis once again found his name linked with Manchester United and City trialist Kris Makiese showed us his moves.

Sunday 20th July 2008: The week was rounded-off by looking at another classic football kit – this time belonging to Arsenal

Sky Sports are reporting that Birmingham are “keeping tabs” on Rangers midfielder Alan Gow as his protracted move to Carrow Road continues to drag.

It has been three weeks now since Gow was first linked with a move to Norwich but it appears that still nothing is happening.

Is it fair to assume that we’ve lost interest?

It’s been a fortnight since we first heard the name Alan Gow being strongly connected with a move to Carrow Road but since then the trail has gone cold, leaving his agent to do the talking for both sides:

“I spoke to Neil Doncaster yesterday and he said he was going to speak to the manager and call me back but I haven’t heard from him yet.

“He said he had been very busy with all the takeover talk and other things that he simply hadn’t been able to give me an answer.

“It’s two weeks now since we went down to Norwich and it would be nice to get it sorted out. It’s up in the air at the moment, and as far as I know, the deal is still on – if it wasn’t on I believe they would have told me by now.”

I know the club doesn’t like commenting on transfers before they are confirmed, but you’d at least think they’d have told Gow if they want him or not.

“We don’t comment on transfer speculation but you can rest assured there is no transfer freeze at Carrow Road”.

Said Doncaster. Maybe not, but it sure feels like it.

Rangers’ attacking midfielder (according to Wikipedia) Alan Gow has been linked with a move to Norwich in today’s Daily Record.

The former Clydebank, Airdrie and Falkirk man was reported to have originally been a make-weight in the £3m deal which took Burnley striker Kyle Lafferty to Ibrox, but rejected that move (and who could blame him?).

The thing is I know very little about Alan Gow, so if any Clydebank, Airdrie, Falkirk and Rangers fans want to let me know it would be much appreciated.

The rumour going round the message boards is that today will be the day that David Bell and Andy Cole are unveiled as Glenn Roeder’s latest signings. These sort of things have a habit of being announced at the Royal Norfolk Show, so I wouldn’t be too surprised if we had some “extra” news (apart from the new away kit) later on today.

Another case of “watch this space” I guess…

So let’s give them something to think about.  Like a wee look in the gaffer’s little black book?

Roy Carroll – Experienced goalkeeper, reliable in an emergency.
Graeme Smith – Looking for him to prove himself longer term and keep Allan on his toes.
Allan McGregor – Has done well, confident and reliable, needs to work harder if he wants to be thought of as highly as Andy Goram.

Kirk Broadfoot – Has done well since arriving from St. Mirren.  He needs to work on being a Rangers player.  That means having more confidence in himself, the players around him, and raising expectations.
Ugo Ehiogu – His goal against Celtic has endeared him to the Rangers fans. He is a little bit more mobile than marvellous Marvin and almost as fearsome.
Andy Webster – This guy is a right slacker. He has been with us for over a year now and played only once in the first team.  What is it about these guys that could’nae climb a set o stairs without going over on their ankle.  Needs a few games to sharpen up, but should be up for the job when the auld yin needs a rest.
Steven Whittaker – Showed us plenty of talent when on holiday in Edinburgh.  Needs to realise that as a Rangers player passing to guys in green shirts in a definite no no.  Show him the various strips for the coming season.  Seriously, needs to be a bit more alert and keep possession for the team.  He fancies himself as a striker.  KB is going to put him right, I hear.
Carlos Cueller – Someone who actually understands what Nacho is saying when he goes off in one of his rants.  Better looking than Nacho too, so he says.  We gave him the nickname of elastic legs here a few weeks back for his unnatural ability to stretch out a leg and pull the ball back from 20ft away.  Seriously, he as been a great asset to the side, and is definitely faster than the Auld Yin.
Allan Hutton – Opposition wingers claim to have been mugged as they try to run down the flanks here at Ibrox these days.  Has put in a power of work and fully deserves his international call-up.  When he starts on a run, he is difficult to stop.  Changing direction during these runs is still proving a problem.  Will get steering checked.
Sasa Papac – Is improving every game.  I am not too sure about him getting ‘English’ lessons from Coisty.
Steven Smith – Still struggling to get over groin and hernia problems.  Wee Stevie has promised to give up career in Adult films.  He performed really well last season, and his football wisnae bad either.  He will certainly help the team when he is back to full fitness.
David Weir – Who said that he has the wisest auld heid on the park? Or, wis it the auldest wise heid on the park?  David is proving that pace isnae everything, and when someone gets past him then, well that why we have ‘Elastic Legs’ go after him.

Charlie Adam – Another wise Guy. He likes to put the ball in the net from free kicks when the goalkeeper is not looking.  Good idea son.  Still needs to think about his game and keep his composure.

Chris Burke – On the brink (of buying a round I hear).  Will he make the grade?  Chris has loads of talent.  He needs to take a few tips from Ronaldinho when he comes to Ibrox.  Coisty would like to see him give DaMarcus a run for his money.

Brahim Hemdani – Does a great job in midfield protecting our defence.  Often wonders why the other lazy b’s in midfield don’t help out more.  BF has promised to put in a defensive shift if Brahim scores more goals.

Kevin Thompson – Looks better than he plays.  Well, can you guess who said that?  Kevin is another guy who holiday’d in Edinburgh for a while.  Step it up lad, and pass to the boys in BLUE.  SW has offered to give you shooting lessons.  Hope you like grouse (no not the famous kind).  Do your own thing; don’t let BF get in your way.

Amdy Faye – Newcastle, Portsmouth, Charlton.  You need to brush up on your geography. Not seeing too many goals from you so far in your career.  How about a shooting party with SW and KT?

Thomas Buffel – Another guy who took a nasty turn leaving the bar when BF asked who’s round it was.  Should be back soon. Has promised to show SW, KT and AF where the 18-yard box is, and that there are no passwords needed to get in.

Barry Ferguson – Well what can we say about Barry that will not upset him?  OK, don’t mention those extra pounds, his wife beats him up if he dis’nae eat all of his dinner.   OK, he is not lacking pace from those extra pounds.  A couple of the strikers have said his eyesight is going too, he never see’s their runs into the box…ooops don’t say that either (sorry KB!).  Barry has had his shooting boots on this season and found his way into the box.  He wants to thank TB for showing him the way.

Lee McCulloch  -  Another guy needing a geography lesson.  Wigan?  Lee walked into JJB to buy some new golf clubs and ended up in WIGAN.   However, Lee is a battler and just like he battles for Rangers and Scotland, Lee found his way to Murray Park.

DaMarcus Beasley – Has found the back of the net at crucial times this season.  Sasa said that he fell over  DaMarcus’s bed on the left wing on several occasions this season.  DaMarcus, you need to stay awake and contribute the whole time you are on the pitch.  Yes we know that you have complained about BF’s eyesight too.  CB is still planning your downfall, so beware, he is a sneaky little blighter.

Kris Boyd – No he does NOT have a chip on his shoulder…more like a whole potato field.  Still scoring goals, and making more of a contribution during the game.  The gaffer is only allowing one bed on the park these days and currently DaMarcus has first dibbs.  Needs to cool it sometimes, and not throw in tackles for retribution’s sake.  Wee Stevie says he will take care of business when he gets back.  We were thinking to give him a run in the reserves as a Centre Half, just to see the striking role from a different perspective.  Well if the Auld Yin can play that position then KB should have no problem.

Daniel  Cousin – Knows the way to goal, fast and works hard.   That’s what your Dad told us when we signed you.  Three goals so far.  Yes you are faster than what Coisty was when he played, but don’t tell him that.  Let our super talented know it all have some dignity.

Nacho Novo – Got the goal that saw us into the Champions League.  Fast, tricky, loads of effort, just wish he would not insist on wearing these square toe’d football boots.   Wanted to go on shooting party, but has been ruled out on grounds of national security, even Dick Cheaney (US vice president) has declined.
Steven Naismith – Another sleeper, almost missed the transfer deadline, still in bed and it was almost midnight.  No he hadn’t just gone to bed.  He just had not got up yet.  Has promised to show KB a thing or two.

Jean-Claude Darcheville  -  Puts himself about and works hard.  BBC commentators were discussing his attributes as Ox-like.  I would say that he can certainly do the job that Dado did, and a few defenders will be asked by their sweathearts if they walked into a brick wall. Definitely like what he has done so far.

Alan Gow – The competition at Ibrox is a bit tougher than what it was at Falkirk.  However, Alan and JC could make a good partnership in European games when defenders have to be kept occupied.
If you have anything to add, or if one of the other players wants to contribute,  anonymously of course, send us a comment (will not be published) and we will see what we can do.
Thanks due to those who would rather not be mentioned, just make sure that the cheque is in the post.