Football's back - and what a crazy few days it's been in the life of Norwich City.

Delia and Michael handed over control of the club, Gabby Sara left in a big money deal, Jonny Rowe effectively went on strike and was banished to the kids' training ground, Adam Idah is all but a Celtic player, Johannes Hoff Thorup's competitive reign started with a humbling loss and then he oversaw a seven-goal thriller cup win in his opening proper match at Carrow Road.

Blimey. If the season carries on at this rate we'll age 20 years by next May.

There are so many issues to chew over but let me start my first column of the new term with a verdict on Saturday's opener at Oxford.

(Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

It was a shocker.

A decent amount of credit needs to go to the hosts. They started the season as clear favourites to head back to League One.

You would expect a newly promoted team to be really up for it with high energy, backed by vociferous home support.

Even taking into the account the need for patience with Thorup and his troops, the outcome was woeful.

The Us were the first promoted team to win a Championship curtain raiser by two goals or more for 14 years. 

With the experience and talent in the City team, the tepid display was entirely unacceptable.

I missed the game as I was at the Reepham Festival. It was somewhat ironic that while the Canaries were getting comprehensively dispatched, a Queen tribute band were trotting out old hits such as Under Pressure and Another One Bites The Dust.

How apt they were.....(and I Want To Break Free should have been dedicated to Rowe).

Things were positive against Stevenage on Tuesday, and while the recurring defensive errors have to be nipped quickly in the bud, the win at least injected some positivity around the place.

And we must all hope it can carry on as massively in form Blackburn head to NR1 on Saturday.

What is totally bizarre - and what is adding to the soap opera feel about all things Canaries at the moment - is that there are still two weeks left before the transfer window slams shut.

I find it absolutely crazy that so much player trading is allowed so long after the season starts.

(Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

It's time to end this nonsensical farce and force it to close at least a week before a new term.

Let's look at the impact it's already had on Norwich City this summer.

Sara completed his move to Galatasaray in the run up to the season opener at Oxford.

In the context of what has been going on that is actually relatively early - but still was a key deal close to the kick off.

What is so much more relevant are the issues around Idah and Rowe.

As I type Idah is still officially a Norwich player - although he played no part in Tuesday's cup win.

He came on as a sub against Oxford and to his credit gave it a good go (and his attitude was a hugely different to Rowe's).

But the uncertainty has still been a distraction to Thorup and his team. 

Amidst everything happening in his opening days at the helm, he has had to deal with continued questions about the striker.

He has kept him part of the plans while being pretty certain that he won't be part of his squad moving forward.

And it appears the club hasn't been able to seal a deal for a new frontman until the protracted to-ing and fro-ing with Celtic is finally over.

There's a decent chance that targets to replace him may have been missed.

And so on to Rowe.

I'm not saying his decision to make himself unavailable was the reason for Saturday's tepid loss.

However, it was just what the new boss and those around him could have done without.

Who on earth is advising the young lad?

Since Saturday morning, it has all been a massively unwanted pain in the neck for Thorup.

If the window had already closed, none of this nonsense would have happened.

I 100pc back the club's stance on Rowe. No player is ever bigger than the club.

Remember that phrase that it's the badge on the front of the shirt which matters so much more than the name on the back.

What's the next chapter in this story then?

Only time will tell.

At the moment no-one is winning - Rowe more than anyone.

His advisers need to shout very loudly into his ear to say a big sorry to the club and fans and a resolution needs to be found.

And in the future years the authorities must act to change the window closing date.

OTBC

Thank you Delia and Michael 

The news that Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones would be stepping down as directors after 28 years certainly took us all by surprise on Monday afternoon.

They are cutting their stake in the club to 10pc, with American investors Norfolk FB Holdings - who currently match the 40.4pc owned by the couple - increasing their holding to around 85pc.

The deal will not involve any payment to Smith and Wynn Jones, who will become honorary life presidents.

Their statement said: "Delia and Michael have always been clear that they would act in the best interests of the club when passing on stewardship of it.

"In selecting Norfolk Holdings following their introduction to the club in 2022 and further strengthening of the relationship and alignment of interests since, Delia and Michael feel that the group are best placed to be the next custodians of the club."

I can only say good things about the couple who have put their lives, soul and millions of pounds into our club for so long.

Have they always got everything right? No.

Have they put up with loads of flak from so many people? Definitely.

Do we all owe them endless gratitude? Absolutely.

Up for the cup

The 4-3 Carabao Cup win over Stevenage on Tuesday night was certainly very welcome.

The key point was Thorup getting the first win under his managerial belt, especially after what happened at Oxford.

If the result had gone the other way against the League One outfit, it could have potentially made things very tricky against Blackburn this weekend.

It was great for Onel Hernandez to get his brace after such a long period without goals at Carra (and he could so easily have had a hat-trick).

Abu Kamara's goal was another huge positive, as was the performance of new man Amankwah Forson, who looks like a proper player.

I have been calling for Brad Hills and Jaden Warner to be given their chance.

They both have a lot to learn but are certainly the future.

Thorup still hasn't made it clear how up for the cups he is.

However, I hope he takes them seriously this season and that every player given a chance in the competition grasps it.