BCC Football: Paul Lambert, penalties and the Premier League – what’s in store for Norwich this season?

Today we hear from avid Canary, Don, who takes a look through his yellow and green-tinted spectacles about what is in store for Norwich City FC this season.

Jess: You’re currently sitting at 13^th in the table after this weekend’s victory… However is it fair to say that your only realistic aim for this season can be survival?

Don: I’m sure every Norwich fan would agree that this season is indeed all about survival. Whilst for two decades from the mid 70s we were an almost constant presence on top flight fixture lists, 16 fallow years of mediocrity since 1995 have left us scrambling to re-establish our top flight credentials, whilst unfashionable clubs such Bolton, Wigan, Fulham and latterly Stoke have become part of the furniture. Promotion came out of the blue in 2004 and we made a hash of our attempts to stay up on that occasion, with the malaise continuing as we dropped though the trapdoor into League One.  Yet from that crushing low, an almost unrecognisable team and club has been nurtured, giving justifiable cause for optimism that we will survive this season for a number of reasons.

 

Jess: Impressive optimism, but potentially hard to justify, given your side’s lack of Premier League experience and poor start to the season (which admittedly improved with a win last weekend at Bolton). What are your reasons for believing this? Things look tough for you, especially with fellow promoted club QPR spending heavily in the transfer window to improve their squad.

Don: Firstly, after two seasons of almost relentless success, there is in incredible feel good factor around Carrow Road.  Manchester Utd aside there is no team currently more used to that winning feeling.  This run of success has established incredible bond between the club and fans, which will prove a huge asset throughout the season, and I feel gives us the edge over many teams in the lower half of the table.  With more than 20,000 season ticket holders and a sell out every week, Carrow Road is becoming the cauldron of noise and vibrant colour it always should be, with an unshakable faith to support the team for 90 minutes born out of an incredible number of late, crucial goals.  Teams will not relish the long trip to East Anglia this season.

Secondly, we have a special managerial talent on our hands, for whom the sky really is the limit.  The main issue is whether we can keep hold of him.  Lambert has that wonderful gift bestowed upon only the very best of his craft – the ability to spot a previously unheralded talent, and then coax a level of performance even the player himself deemed impossible.  It’s a mouth-watering combination, and expect some of the City squad to make some major names for themselves this season.

Finally, we have a recruitment strategy that has been proven over the last two seasons, leaving us with an exciting squad brimming with potential and technical ability.  All eight summer signings fit the Canary blueprint: young, hungry, ambitious and bursting for an opportunity to impress in the Premier League. Two new wingers in the finest Norwich City tradition, in the shape of Elliott Bennett and Anthony Pilkington, offer pace and athleticism, alongside the guile and craft of the impish Wes Hoolahan.  I firmly believe we have the options across our squad to trouble most defences in the league.

Jess: So with all this in mind, where are Norwich going to finish this season?

Don: Well we’ve had a reasonable start, but we need to cut out some silly mistakes and sharpen up in both boxes. Conceding five penalties in five matches has captured the attention of the pundits, but looking beyond this there is much to be encouraged about to date. We certainly won’t be overawed by anyone, and our progressive passing game means we will always have the chance to carve out crucial goals.  The heavy spending of QPR is undeniably a cause for some concern, and it is fair to acknowledge the impressive way their expensive squad has gelled to date.  There remains though a terrific opportunity for us to establish ourselves this year, and target the likes of Fulham, Blackburn, Wolves, WBA, Swansea, Wigan and Bolton for a safe position at the end of the season.  I’ve maintained all along that we will survive this year, and before the final day, so I’m still sticking to my guns for now.  With Lambert at the helm for the whole year, I’m going for 16^th spot come May.

Donald is the Editor of “Capital”, the fanzine from London based Norwich City Supporters club “Capital Canaries” – http://www.capitalcanaries.co.uk/                    

Follow Donald on twitter – @canary_don