An early opening debut goal by Sam Voakes was, it must be said, squandered by defensive errors. Similar arrors that cost all three points at Swansea at the weekend.

Not so long back in an item posted here, it was suggested that Norwich City had experience of holding their nerve as the season's finale demanded the best from the players.

Sadly, it seems as though the errors are coming in more frequently, although these errors are not being made by anybody in the side at the same time last season.

In keeping with Paul Lambert's policy of not naming names, there will be no naming and shaming here. Instead, consider those players forced to observe from afar, or the bench.

What has Korey Smith done wrong to deserve the cold shoulder treatment? He might be young in years, but he plays like a seasoned mid fielder. Good in both attack and defence, Korey shows no fear of his ooponents, is fleet of foot and doesn't fall over to hide his lack of pace. He will chase every ball as though his life depended on it, and he provides yet another scoring option. I can think of eleven good reasons why he should be playing, and he was a part of the team last April/May.

Michael Nelson must now watch Norwich's progress from Scunthorpe. How he must cringe as he see yet another leaky defence exploited Yens Berthel Askou was excellent for Norwich until injury forced him out and favouritism saw him sidelined almost for good.

Why is Adam Drury being kept out of contention? He is the only player left in the side that last played in the Premiership. He seldom has defensive errors and can play along the wing, providing excellent crosses into the strike force.

Why is Blackpool defender, on loan to Norwich, Rob Edwards not playing? Nobody is going to try to improve the way they play if they are sure they will always get the nod, regardless of being the guilty party in several easily conceded goals in the last two games.

Norwich seem to be tactically anorexic, as well. Last season it was easy to confound players used to League One football by thrusting through the middle with the diamond formation

This season many teams are briefed to close down the effective players, most obvious last night against Watford. There were two men on every Norwich player in possession.

Watford were wise, also, to the abilities of Anthony McNamee; again, marked by to men when in he had the ball, but McNamee was too clever even for two players and deserved credit for his play last night.

Norwich still have a good chance of the second spot. Cardiff have yet to face QPR and Swansea still have Burnley (A); Ipswich (H); and Milwall (A) to contend with.

Promotion is Norwich's to throw away. Lambert needs to do more to stop similar mistakes in different games. Even if it means changing the players about.

Photo: Action Images

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