Norwich City fans call on Alex Neil to go

The traveling Norwich fans confusion turns to anger as Nelson Oliveira of Norwich is replaced by Cameron Jerome of Norwich during the Sky Bet Championship match at the Madejski Stadium, ReadingPicture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd +44 7904 64026726/12/2016 (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)

The clamour for the City boss to go intensified after the Canaries went down 3-1 to Reading yesterday.

This leaves them languishing in 12th place in the Skybet Championship, 16 points behind leaders Newcastle United and seven points off the final play-off place.

Of almost 6,200 votes cast in a poll following yesterday's game, at the time of going to press, 93 per cent said it was time for Alex Neil to go.

Robin Sainty, chairman of the Canaries Trust, said: 'There's a point of no return and I feel we've gone way past that now. For me, the last straw was some time ago. It was probably the Barnsley game when we lost to such an ordinary side. At least when we lost at Brighton it was to a good side.

'Something has to happen now. There's no sign that things are getting better. It would be a cruelty to Alex Neil to allow him to continue, because it is just going to escalate. We might get something against Brentford, but then they'll give him another three games.

'If we're not careful, we'll end up in the transfer window and somebody new won't get the chance to come in and stamp their own identity on the squad.

'The problem is that, since David McNally went, it just seems as if there's nobody on the board who will take an objective view. We all know that Delia's view is that 'we have got to be nice to people' and that she thinks highly of Alex Neil, but McNally would have cut through that and said 'we've lost eight in 10, time to take action'.'

Mr Sainty said it was difficult to know who should succeed Neil, if the board did take decisive action. He said: 'The man everyone talks about is [former Birmingham manager] Gary Rowett, because he's available.

'I admire what he achieved at Birmingham, but I don't really like the way they played football. I have a horrible feeling they might get Roy Hodgson in, at least temporarily, and I think that would be horrendous.

'There's no obvious names, unless they have been casting their eye at somebody leftfield and I can't see that they would.'

Tim East, a county councillor and a season ticket holder, said: 'His time should have been up after they lost 5-0 to Brighton. The problem is the board are reluctant to take difficult decisions. The problem is that we are a 'family club' and they do not like to damage people's careers.

'But at no other club would a manager have lost eight of 10 games and not been sacked. They have been in this situation before. They took far too long to get rid of Chris Hughton - he should have gone four months before he did.

'There's two names out there. Gary Rowett and Roy Hodgson. But I'd have a problem with a young, up and coming manager because I think we need stability. So why not get Roy Hodgson in on a two or three year contract? The players would certainly respect the pedigree he has, having managed internationally and in the Premier League.

'Something has to happen before the transfer window to give the new manager time to buy the players they want to buy - assuming the board will make some money available.'

Reaction on social media

Following yet another defeat Norwich City fans have taken to social media to vent their anger, with many calling on the under-fire boss to go.

Fans posting their displeasure on Facebook included:

• Jim Murphy who posted: 'How much longer are we expected to put up with the AN regime he must go NOW'

• James Beck posted: 'WE WILL HAVE TO BOYCOTT GAMES IF THEY HAVE NOT MADE A DECISION ABOUT MANAGEMENT BEFORE THE NEXT GAME. THEY ARE TREATING US LIKE FOOLS. MONEY TALKS.'

• Peter Harper posted: 'SACK HIM'

• Aaron Sayer posted '#ANOUT'

• James Robert Seago posted: 'League one here we come .....'

• Peter Dolby posted: 'AN out Pardew in. ENOUGH SAID!!!!'

• Tony Conroy posted 'Neil out, Roy in!'

• Jan Williamson posted: 'AN is a very nice man BUT he's lost the plot now and he's got to go BEFORE it's the point of no return and we tumble into League 1 again!'

• Matthew Gibson posted: 'Been an AN supporter up until the Huddersfield game. He has lost the plot and it's time to move on. Our in-form goalscorer scores then he shortly takes him off? I just don't get that decision at all. The simplest of decisions he's not making. Time to move on and bring someone in that can bring fresh new ideas. Get a grip jez moxey and do your job if not leave with him.'

• Murray Cobb posted: 'Please sack Alex Neil, he's clearly not the right man for the job anymore.'

• Andy Westerman posted: 'Alex just do us all a favour and walk away give us a chance to rebuild for second part of the season before it's too late.'

• David Brown posted: 'Get GARY ROWETT IN NOW BEFORE ITS TOO LATE.'

Meanwhile on Twitter, fans also showed their frustration.

• @LoTaylor23 tweeted: 'AN cannot be so thick-headed to think he can go on. His team selection baffles and his substitutions have no rhyme or reason #ncfc'

• @jackhoImes tweeted: 'What's the point anymore, does anyone really think Alex Neil can turn this around? #ncfc'

@HelenMarie21 tweeted: 'After being a season ticket holder for over 25 years, for the first time I can remember I have become apathetic to #ncfc. He has to go.'

• @Tants7 tweeted: 'Past the stage of caring now.'

• @beneast74 tweeted: 'I don't actually want to hear Neil's excuses after the game.

'I want Delia and Moxey to explain what the hell is going on. #ncfc'

• @makster00 tweeted: 'If AN stays beyond tonight #ncfc fans should walk away from the rest of the season if the Board give up why keep funding the current board.'