My second contribution to the Fan Zone again comes prior to an international break.  

Five weeks and five matches ago – to be honest it seems a lot longer – I reflected on the chance to take a breath after a more than hectic transfer window and start to the season. 

At the start of September there was cause for cautious optimism after the first league victory at Coventry and initial signs of the introduction of “Hoff Ball”.  

As we go into the next international break, fans are over the moon with progress in terms of results, confident performances and perhaps most importantly entertainment. Add to that an excellent rapport between coaching staff, team and the fans and this “transitional” season is transitioning very quickly. 

Sitting here in Germany, I sometimes wonder if I am qualified to add my tuppence worth on the state of the club. The reality of the situation is that I only get back to Carrow Road a few times a season and when all is said and done, it is in the stadium where the real vibe, both on and of the  pitch, can be judged. 

When I first came to Germany in 1989, I kept up with the fortunes of the Canaries through a (paper!) Pink Un subscription that arrived in my letter box regularly on a Thursday after a match. Add to that a few phone calls home, the odd letter (remember those?) and aside from results on Teletext, I was often several days behind in all things yellow and green. 

Fast forward 35 years and of course things are very different. Online, I can be aware of the latest transfer gossip as quickly as anyone living in the fine city. In terms of news and views, the challenge now is what to read and what to leave, rather than waiting days for a (pink) newspaper to be delivered.  

In terms of matchday, a Canaries TV subscription now allows me to follow most games on a good quality stream to the knowledgeable accompaniment of Chris Goreham and his guests. Almost, but not quite, as good as the real thing.  

Of course, it still doesn’t replace the pre-match pint in the pub, the murmur of anticipation walking across Carrow Bridge, or the moans, groans and celebrations in the ground. The debrief on the way home can be quite short too. 

I guess my crowd on a “German” matchday is replaced nowadays to an extent by the Global Canaries WhatsApp group. This is a group of loyal fans around the world, brought into contact by the club itself. On its day, this can be as lively as any area of the ground! We certainly have the  

bloke in the row behind who is (almost) always moaning, the excitable group who can swing from promotion to relegation in 90 minutes and the calming voice of reason often comes in from Australia. On occasion, one of us is at Carrow Road to round things off with some live feedback.  

All in all, I now, more than ever, feel part of the greater Norwich following - so here I am with my views. 

Modern technology has certainly transported the current wave of Carrow Road optimism over to Germany.  

Let me refer to a comment from the above group after the Leeds home game. “I’m happy with that, given we’re in transition!”. My thoughts exactly. Against Leeds we were in periods perhaps second-best, but not by much and that against one of the best teams in the league. Against Hull we showed just how good and inspiring we can be.  

A Championship season is long and demanding, injuries will come and hopefully go, but this Norfolk boy over in the Rhineland is looking forward to what is to come. And that, at the end of the day, is what matters to us all. 

I’ll be back for the next international break!