From the moment that Delia revealed that Peter Cullum's billions were officially off the table, it was difficult to put any illusion back in the ranks of 'disillusioned' shareholders that filled the room.

News of Norwich-bred Tom Adeyemi putting pen to paper on his three-year professional contract provided one straw to cling to; the fact that
Delia can still command a hefty book and TV fee another as the club's principal shareholder returns to work at the age of 67 to try to find another £3 million for the Canary coffers.

Otherwise, as City boss Glenn Roeder and various fans of Darren Huckerby swapped barbed looks over the manner of his exit last season, there was very little to light the darkness that descends when you're 19th in the table. Again.

And that's part of the problem. In fact, that's a very large part of the problem.

For were the Canaries – dare we say it – in Ipswich's position points and table-wise, you suspect the whole tenor of Tuesday's meeting would have been different.

The manager would have bristled less when one or two dissenting voices were raised from the floor, while the manner of Huckerby's leaving would register far less on the shareholder radar if the only way was up.

As it is, many remain convinced that the only way is down – and that minus their magical talisman, there is no-one left at Carrow Road to save them.

Off the field, I think City could ride out any financial storm, if they were busily playing the plucky underdog in and around the play-off spots.

As it is, they are currently playing the stuffed Canary in and around the relegation zone, with a long injury list, ahead of tomorrow's crunch clash with Swansea.

And as much as every game is a big game these days, this weekend's home clash with Swansea is a big game. For after dropping those two huge home points against Preston North End last weekend, Roeder can ill afford another slip.

And, alas, there may be another reason why he can ill-afford too many more home slip-ups.

Because I'm not sure the faithful went away from the meeting with the answers that they wanted to hear – either on or off the field. Right now three points is about the only reassurance any can give them.

Without that win, many a fear gnaws away at some already anxious Canary hearts.

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