Norwich City fans know not to read too much into opening game

Sometimes that hope is well founded on previous success, or an impressive influx of investment or talent. And sometimes, oftentimes, it is pure wishful thinking.

The pressure of the build-up and expectation that leads to the first fixture in August, seems to carry the weight of what will come. As if the whole campaign will be defined by that 90 plus minutes of play. Therefore when the game turns out to be a damp squib of a disappointment fans can begin to feel disillusioned.

Although I didn’t make the trip to Oxford myself, I was present for the final pre-season match against St Pauli. It was not an experience that filled me with confidence, as the starting line-up was very similar to the team from last year, and energy levels were low. There was a lack of organisation at the back, and a gaping hole in the middle of the pitch. I left the stadium with a strong feeling that we were not ready.

Events at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday seemed to confirm my doubts, with mistakes on the pitch and unrest in the playing squad. The new head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup is still struggling to assert his style of play on the pitch, and his authority off it. 

A new manager, who was a stranger to the players just a few weeks ago, has to quickly earn their trust and learn how to get the best performances from them. Lest we forget, football players are human beings, and human beings are complex creatures.

All the changes at the club over the summer, and the international duties that have taken players across the globe, will have affected the dynamics behind the scene. Not to mention all the agents and representatives whispering in their ears.

Having the transfer window still open as the season kicks off creates all kinds of problems for football clubs. Whilst sides are attempting to make an early impression, want-away players can cause disruption when they have been denied the move they desire. The late, and possibly ongoing changes to the squad can be unsettling and cause disjointed performances, until the best starting line-up is settled on.

Johannes Hoff Thorup has a tough job on his hands at Carrow Road (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Those of us who have been following our club for a long time, over 30 years in my case, know that the first result of the season is not indicative of how it will end. And however easy an opening match against a newly promoted team looks on paper, we are all aware that reality often tells a different story.

In fact, it’s usually not until after the first international break that all the pieces start to fall into place, and consistency of performance and results take shape. Until that transfer window closes, we can’t even be sure of the available players who will define this campaign. The early days of the season require patience, which seems to be in short supply. As proven by the people who were booing a pre-season friendly, which had nothing riding on it.

It is possible to think that it was a bad performance against Oxford, but also that we have the potential to turn things around.

The crowd can certainly help to change fortunes with support and encouragement at this early stage, whilst the Dane in charge discovers the best combination for success. Sometimes these things aren’t always obvious - remember that Teemu Pukki started his NCFC career on the bench, as back up striker to Jordan Rhodes.

So although we are deflated after that first defeat, there is no reason to give up hope yet.

The Championship is a relentless journey full of surprises, and it often is impossible to predict. After all, that’s what keeps us coming back year after year, the unpredictability of a football match, and the possibility of excitement it can bring.