After a disaster of a season last year, Norwich City fans will welcome the sanctity of the Championship. Yes, it doesn’t include the biggest names in football, but what it lacks in quality it makes up for in the form of unadulterated entertainment. Anyone can beat anyone; unpredictability is what England’s second division thrives on. Whilst Norwich will be looking to bounce back at the first time of asking, it is worth pointing out that one ought to cherish the time spent back in the Championship: Tuesday nights under the floodlights; 3pm kick-offs on Saturdays; actually winning a few games…
New boss Neil Adams will have high expectations of a squad capable of achieving so much. Undoubtedly, the league title will be their aspiration, but perhaps a more realistic achievement would be a spot in the play-off positions. Challenging Norwich for promotion will be teams such as Derby County, Bournemouth and Cardiff. Also, there’s the small matter of the return of the Old Farm derby. Adams knows the importance of this East Anglian clash: “People know what this club means to me,” he said when he took over from Chris Hughton. If Adams is to succeed at Norwich, the first major building block will be a victory at Portman Road on 23rd August. A feisty affair could be decided by the trickery of young winger Nathan Redmond, who is firmly backed to be a huge success after an impressive start to last season, despite falling away after December. Supporting and alternating with him on the wing could be Anthony Pilkington, Elliott Bennett, Lewis Grabban or Jacob Murphy.
Trying to improve on last year’s paltry tally of just one goal, Ricky van Wolfswinkel could be set to star, unless he departs Carrow Road after the arrivals of Kyle Lafferty and Lewis Grabban. However, the club will be unwilling to invest £8.5m – a very large amount for a club of Norwich’s stature – in one player, only to sell him after one poor season. City will want to see the man who was at the centre of their away kit promotional campaign succeed and prove worth the outlay, but unfortunately some have lost faith in O Lobo. Still, everyone associated with the Canaries wants to see Van Wolfswinkel become a Norwich legend and he has the technical attributes to become one.
At the other end of the pitch, England international John Ruddy will be vital if Norwich are to meet their ambitions this season. The 27-year-old has been one of Norwich’s better performers and it is certain that he will continue his career at Carrow Road for the foreseeable future. Ruddy can’t keep the opposition at bay by himself – he’ll need his back four to perform to their fullest. It is, however, strange that Adams has not strengthen the defensive line. The defence was a conundrum last year. When Norwich conceded, they were likely to capitulate and let in three, four, five. They need the lack of spirit to be erased and a commanding leader to be established, something that Sebastian Bassong could not do. Bassong simply did not look interested, thinking that he is far better than everyone else. This egotistical behaviour was not captain material and saw Norwich suffer as a result. The first choice pairing will more than likely be Russell Martin and Michael Turner, unless a target is acquired and purchased – but they will be a far cry from the days of being linked with Toby Alderweireld.
Another potential key player will be midfield maestro Leroy Fer, who will look to build on his World Cup goal for Netherlands this summer. The Dutchman’s dip in form coincided with Norwich’s, with his sending off against Crystal Palace on New Year’s Day his worst performance in a yellow shirt. A return to the style of the Paul Lambert era would be heralded, as long as it is coupled with results. Promotion is expected but not guaranteed – nothing in England’s most exciting league is.
