Nobody likes to be embarrassed. The FA Cup loss at home to Luton was worse, it was humiliating. It was a horrible game to watch as a Norwich fan and made for hugely frustrating viewing. Everything that should be avoided on such an occasion Norwich made sure to do.
There was little attacking intent, a slow passing tempo and no clear desire to attack. The approach was ponderous and as Luton were happy to keep it tight and worked hard to stop Norwich playing the game didn't really go anywhere until they hit us on break to score. Then there was urgency as the sudden realisation that we were losing at home to Luton began to sink into the players, too little too late.
The team selection was full of players that should be coming into the side looking to prove a point, instead they looked unmotivated. The second string looked rusty, fair enough to the players coming back from injury but there were far too many happy to put in an average performance never doing more than the bare minimum.
Chris Hughton was rightly angry with the players after the poor performance against Liverpool. Hughton said he wanted a response against Luton, I can't imagine what he said to the players after the game because the performance against Luton was truly abysmal.
The loss was everything the club didn't need, added pressure on the players and manager, another reason for the fans to moan and another loss. It was almost as if a big cloud of failure loomed over Carrow Road and when it poured down at the end of the game nobody was really surprised, it had been coming. If things go badly against Spurs the tension within the ground will be palpable as the fail cloud forms once more.
The biggest concern that translates to the Premier League is the lack of chances we created against an average lower league side. No disrespect to Luton, they were organised and worked hard and when called upon Mark Tyler made a couple of good saves, but that was it, one or two saves, that was all that was asked of him.
The only player on the attacking side of things who didn't feature against Luton that will do so against Spurs is Robert Snodgrass. So much of what Norwich have done well this season has come through Snodgrass, to the extent that he's already become an essential part of the team. If Snodgrass is on form he could be the ray of sunlight to lift the spirits around the ground.
For Hughton to guide Norwich to safety reinforcements are needed because if Norwich's back-up players can't produce a result against Luton trying to pick up points in the league seems unlikely. Sadly a loss at home to
non-league Luton is hardly the best way to convince new players to join your club. The result could end up costing the club far more than just its place in the cup.
