“New season, new focus” – those were van Wolfswinkel’s words before he was packaged up and transferred across the Channel. But I imagine the same mindset reverberates throughout the Norwich camp. From staff to players, players to fans, everyone has a buzz – and everyone’s expecting one thing: promotion.
With positive interviews from Adams, and a relatively successful pre-season (apart from the failed Italian Job), the boys will be raring to go. Hoping to continue the rich goal-scoring form that has been so attractive to supporters who were deprived of such excitement throughout Hughton’s reign.
The predictability of Norwich seems to have ceased. We now have a fruitful amount of different options and combinations that can be utilised, rather than sticking to the same men, same system, and getting the same result – a defeat.
So far, Adams has shrugged off all his critics, but the big test begins on Sunday at 4pm. Having only ever beaten Wolverhampton Wanderers once at Molineux in 24 attempts, this is no easy start for the Canaries. Despite that, Wolves have failed to turn us over in the last five meetings, home and away, so maybe the tables are turning.
Live on TV, the Canaries will walk out 25 hours later than the rest of the league. With high expectations, an impressive start is of paramount importance. Adams will also be keen to change the atmosphere away from home; the away days last season really were less fun than listening to a Phil Neville commentary.
Judging by pre-season, Adams’ preferred centre-back partnership is Captain Russell Martin, and trusty old Turner. Worryingly, it hasn’t looked the most convincing, however it’s not clear as to whether it’s Martin at CB, Whittaker at RB or a combination of the two which is causing the problem.
So far little progression has been made in shifting the out-of-favour Bassong out of the club (that’s not because of his size). Alarm bells started ringing against Celta Vigo when Norwich let slip a two goal lead, in classic Canaries fashion, which rekindled memories of Cardiff away last season. We certainly don’t want similar capitulations to occur this time around.
Andrew Surman, who has been rescued from the Norwich City discard pile, arguably had his finest game in a yellow shirt against Wolves. A well timed header which put the Canaries into the lead, was voted one of the goals of the season for the flowing move which preceded it. Liquid football. Having impressed in the previous few matches, he’ll be hoping to start and try and replicate that cold Wednesday night three years ago.
Hoolahan is back and tied down for a further two years, despite the fact he vilified the club in a rather distasteful and disparaging manner. But on the pitch, his impetuous nature connects the midfield and attack like no other player at the club, and so is imperative in the passing system that Adams wishes to implement.
PREDICTED LINE-UP
WOLVES
After waltzing League One as Champions with a third tier record points total, and 25 clean sheets, Wolves have returned to the Championship at the first time of asking. They will play with a squad which is far more resilient and dynamic than the one that relegated them, but will face much harder games than those they became accustomed to in League One. However, the momentum that they currently have may just keep the wheels that are already set in motion, spinning, and send them spiralling up the division like Paul Lambert’s men back in 2010/11.
One of their star men in League One last season was Kevin McDonald who occupies one of the holding midfielder spots in Kenny Jackett’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Up front Bakary Sako and Leigh Griffiths scored 26 goals – 13 a-piece, however the latter has now departed to Celtic, so Wolves will be looking to Sako for a good portion of their fire power.
Like Norwich, Wolves were unbeaten in their pre-season escapades. However, against notably easier opposition. Beating Cheltenham Town and Bohemians 3-1, and Shamrock 4-1, they’ve got goals in them. They also played Celta Vigo on the Saturday following our fixture with the Spanish side, and drew 1-1. No hint there then, as to who will be the stronger side, come Sunday.
VERDICT
So what we have is a very interesting battle, between a recently relegated side, and a recently promoted side – the likelihood is they’ll meet in the middle somewhere in a close fought affair. The first goal could be crucial – if it goes to the home side, the excitement of thirty odd thousand fans will be behind the team, and Molineux will be rocking. Then again, the sheer strength and depth that we have in our squad may be enough to prevail even in the squeakiest of situations – it’s a difficult one to call.
The club may have rid themselves of one wolf, but they have a whole pack waiting just around the corner, and it may not be quite as easy to deal with them.
