This column was written in the aftermath of the loss at Kenilworth Road, and it feels like Dean Smith’s days as Norwich City head coach are numbered.

In fact, by the time you read this, an announcement may have been made, and his tenure at the club may have come to an end.

The Canaries have, historically, always been more patient and reluctant to pull the trigger when a manager is going through a tough spell, but with the latest results and performances there would be more questions if he remains in post - and there would be a very unpleasant atmosphere awaiting ahead for the match against Reading.

There was a nine-day hiatus between the toxic scenes at Carrow Road for the defeat against Blackburn, and the Boxing Day fixture at Luton. Nine days when most people enjoyed the festivities of the season and tried to forget all about the trials and tribulations of being a Canaries supporter.

But for others it was a period to express all their frustrations, to allow people to voice their opinions on the situation - on podcasts, blogs and social media. Whilst a few stated the case for the defence, the overwhelming narrative now was that fans wanted to see change, and soon. A win on Boxing Day may have tempered those calls, but losing to the 10 men of Luton just made them more urgent.

It feels like a tipping point has been reached. The fans are now actively voicing their dissatisfaction during matches, which must also be affecting the players and is certainly making attending games less enjoyable for others - alongside what is being offered on the pitch.

It has been about the manner of the defeats as well as the actual scoreline that has caused discontent. There has been a lack of urgency in the style of play, and the main game plan seems to be to grind out a 1-0 win - which occasionally worked, but was also as likely to disintegrate and result in a loss. The early-season results look more like they were flattering to deceive the further we move away from them. Many argued that the style of play mattered less than the results, but as the win ratio began to fall away so did that logic.

Alongside the Canaries' slow drift away from the top two places in the table, a growing rift is forming between the club and the fans. This wasn’t helped by comments made after the last home game. Given the number of people who chose to stay away, it seemed unwise to go on the attack for those who made the effort to attend. However, this is just another sign of the division in the Norwich City community - as goodwill is lost so is empathy. Supporters become less forgiving of mistakes on the pitch, and club employees temporarily forget that the fans’ loyalty is what pays the bills - as the recent season behind closed doors demonstrated.

And wounded animals, when backed into a corner, will often lash out in defence. So as his support dissipated Dean Smith began to criticise his critics. His post-match interviews have become less defiant, and more like a hostage signalling to be rescued.

If Smith does go, the managerial merry-go-round will swing back into action, and there’s no way of predicting who will take up the hot seat next. The Championship is such a rollercoaster of a league that promotion is still very much a viable option and a mid-season reboot could get the team back on track. But, more important than an immediate return to the Premier League is building bridges with the support, and returning some joy to the stands. Football plays a vital role in the lives of many, it’s where we’ve made friends and created so many great memories. It’s not determined by the division we’re playing in, but shared community and connection with our team. And that’s what I am missing more than the three points for a win.