Why do Norwich City lose against teams with bird names?

Regular readers of our work will know that we're not renowned for our expert insight into tactics, XG predictions or the nuances of footballing strategies.

Offbeat, quirky, tongue-in-cheek and occasionally amusing would probably be the adjectives used to describe our epistles.

About a week ago, DH and I were having our regular musings on the less than obvious topics around our beloved City.

As we talked about the success (and otherwise) we've had against various teams so far this season, something started to dawn on us.

The Canaries had just lost to the Owls of Sheffield Wednesday, which followed a late loss to the Bluebirds of Cardiff.

There had been a reversal to the Swans of Swansea and Johanne Hoff Thorup's men went out of the league cup to the Eagles of Crystal Palace.

You can maybe see where I'm going...

Our brainstorm came just ahead of the visit of Bristol City. Yes, you've got it...

Right, that was the time to end all the nonsense that there was any possible reason why the nickname of a team could be linked to their success against the Canaries.

City had just completed a year without defeat at Carrow Road and surely that wasn't going to end against the Robins?

Optimism was hardly flying high following two defeats in the past few days, but we were hopeful there wouldn't be an un-pheasant outcome against the visitors flying in from the west country.

Come the final whistle on Saturday, DH sent me a message - I'm sure you can guess what it said.

Suffice to say he wasn't very chirpy.

Soon afterwards, our favourite X account - the brilliant @ncfcnumbers - tweeted confirmation (toucan play at that game!)

"Since August 13, Norwich City have lost all five of their games against clubs with bird nicknames and won or drawn all 11 of their games against clubs without bird nicknames #ncfc."

(Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

We quickly dashed for our fixture lists and were relieved to see West Brom are the next opponents after the international break.

Phew, they are the Baggies. So we'll be safe.

But wait a minute... look at their badge. And if you read up a bit more they are also known as the Throstles.

Uh, oh....

So just what is going on?

Why should we be crying fowl over our opponents' nicknames? Surely the players leave the pitch against the birds with no egrets in the same way as any other match?

Hoff's fledglings have tried to play egg-citing football through the season whoever they are against.

There's no doubt that the international break came at just the right time, so players could rest and recover in the nest.

There's understandably been unhappiness about the three draws and three losses in the last six games.

But for those who are panicking already, I have a simple message. Beak careful for what you wish for.

I really feel we'll be in less of a flap once Angus Gunn, Kenny McLean, Marcelino Nunez and Josh Sargent are back.

They are undoubtedly four of City's five best players and any side which had lost such a spine of the team would be struggling.

So, let's hope we're soon raven about the Canaries again.

Of course I can't let this opportunity pass without suggesting a Norwich City bird squad.

Here goes:

Manager: David Wagtail-ner

Goalkeepers: Chris Woods-pecker, Rob Green-finch.

Defenders: Kellen King-fisher, Michael Tern-er, Grant Hen-ley, Jack-daw Stacey, Russell House-Martin, Malky Mackaw.

Midfielder: Emu Buendia, Matty Gull, Simon Lap-wing, Owl-nel Hernandez, Robert Eagle.

Strikers: Darren Duck-erby, House-Martin Peters, Efan E-Cuckoo, Mark Robins.

I'm sure you can improve on those....please let me know your suggestions.

Good to talk footy

You won't be surprised to know that I love talking about football.

Whether it's in the office, on a video call with our son in London, to my mum who still devotedly follows the Canaries, with mates and before, during and after games at Carra, there's always so much to chat about.

I'm fortunate to be in a WhatsApp group with four guys who are massively knowledgeable about the beautiful game. 

Between us we have links to a number of clubs including City, Peterborough, King's Lynn, Dereham, Lowestoft and Tranmere.

We also meet up from time to time to have a curry and catch up.

Last week was our latest evening out and none of our teams had been performing very well, so before we gathered we joked that we should avoid football and move on to other subjects.

Of course that didn't happen and we couldn't help ourselves!

Even though there wasn't a massive amount of positivity due to recent results, it was a pleasure as always to mull over such a wide range of footballing stories and experiences.

Apart from sharing one or two photos of family, our phones stayed in our pockets.

It was good old fashioned chat and banter.

In a world of so much technology, it was a delight to just talk and laugh.

Chose Chappers

I've been a huge fan of Match Of The Day since I was a kid.

From the days of Bob Wilson to Frank Bough to Jimmy Hill to Gary Lineker, I've remained loyal.

In my early days of watching football, there was far, far less action on the telly, so MOTD was perhaps even more important than it is now.

In the years when City have been in the top flight, we've all tuned in to see what the pundits make of our team.

I'm sure we've all moaned, when we've been on last yet again and when the experts have unfairly ripped us apart.

It was certainly big news when it was announced that Lineker was stepping down and attention has turned to who will replace him.

I'm really impressed with Gabby Logan, Jason Mohammad and Alex Scott.

But the best candidate for me is Mark Chapman.

I think Chappers is a superb broadcaster with an encyclopaedic knowledge of football and a sharpness which gets the best insight from other.

Whoever gets the job, let's hope they are soon talking about the Canaries again.....