Alex Neil must beat Leeds next week or face the sack following Brighton humiliation

Large sections of Norwich supporters have this weekend voiced their opposition to boss Alex Neil following their 5-0 humiliation at promotion rivals Brighton on Saturday afternoon. When a positive result was so desperately needed after disappointing performances against Preston and Leeds, City capitulated in embarrassing style. At just one goal down going into the hour mark, it looked like the game would produce the close affair that was largely expected of a 2nd vs 4th match-up - the next half-an-hour, however, saw Brighton find the net four times as Norwich illustrated, yet again, huge defensive incompetence.

Norwich fans have suffered their fair share of humiliations in recent seasons - numerous thrashings (including a 7-goal one) at the Etihad spring immediately to mind, whilst last season’s 6-2 defeat to relegation rivals Newcastle was difficult to stomach. There was something about Saturday’s defeat, however, that made it so, so much worse. In the Premier League we will, without investment, always be a very, very tiny fish in a very, very big pond: in such an environment, thrashings are inevitable. In the Championship, however, we are the fish (along with Newcastle) that, in terms of our squad and our wages, takes up the vast majority of said pond. In this situation, such results are simply unforgivable.

For not one moment am I accepting that the eleven that Brighton played yesterday are five goals better than the eleven City put out. Purely based on individual talent and individual quality, Norwich’s side is on a different level to what Chris Hughton and Brighton have at their disposal. If it is not a matter of quality, ability or talent then it can only come down to two other things: effort and desire. Two things that Brighton had in abundance and Norwich demonstrated not one ounce of.

It is very easy for supporters, driven by emotion, to accuse players of not trying or not caring, but even captain Russell Martin effectively admitted as much: “too many lads gave up.” Norwich fans can accept being outclassed - over the years of being a third-rate Premier League club we have more than gotten used to it - but being outfought is something that will never be forgiven. We were outfought by a ten man Leeds side on Tuesday, and we were outfought to a humiliating degree at Brighton on Saturday afternoon.

Something has to change. For a side that is expected to compete at the top, and is currently doing so, never before have I seen such an incompetent defence. I could go through each of the five goals and analyse each wrongdoing but I would still be here by the time Leeds visit Carrow Road on Saturday, so I will stick to the stand-out worst: Brighton’s fourth. A poor back-pass from Timm Klose puts Michael McGovern under pressure, McGovern subsequently skews his kick and the ball ends up with Ryan Bennett at centre-back. Bennett tamely flaps a foot at it, presenting the ball to Glenn Murray. With the opportunity to thwart Murray’s progress, Bennett allows the striker to ghost past. Now through on goal, Murray finishes poorly - shooting the ball straight at McGovern who, somewhat impressively, manages to completely evade the shot, allowing it to nestle into the centre of the goal. I have seen some special defending during my time as a Norwich supporter (this season has already offered its fair share), but this truly has to be up there with the very worst.

Of course, after such a defeat, the aftermath is largely dominated by talk of the manager’s future. Neil has been quite lucky throughout his City career in that he has (despite leading us to relegation) evaded large-scale criticism. Some of his detractors would argue that he has been living off his Wembley victory for the past eighteen months, with many fans apprehensive to criticise someone who, during his first five months at the club, achieved so much. I feel that it is has got to the stage now, however, that the majority of supporters would not be too sad to see him go. There is no doubt that our squad is under-performing (most would agree that, based on performances, 4th is a very false position) and the responsibility for this has to fall at the feet of Alex Neil. The same mistakes have been costing us time and time again for the past two seasons and, sadly, Neil has done nothing to show that he is learning from any of them.

Will the board sack Neil? No. Not for the moment, anyway. At the end of the day, we are sat in 4th and our board will be fearful of a crucification from the footballing world should we sack our manager whilst we are in that position. In reality, however, it feels like the only way is down at the moment and anyone who has actually been following City closely this season would find it difficult to have any qualms if a decision is made.

For me, he should be given the Leeds game next Saturday to prove that he can still motivate his players, and, should we earn a positive result there (aka, a win) then I will be happy for him to stay in charge for the foreseeable future. Should we lose, however, then the atmosphere at Carrow Road will be hugely poisonous and once it gets to that stage, history proves that there is no going back (think Burnley at home under Worthington, and West Brom at home under Hughton). No pressure, Alex.