Norwich City have added four brand-new acquisitions into their squad so far, with Alex Neil keen to add a striker and centre-half before the close of the transfer window. It would be hard to find room for the new boys in the ‘Wembley XI’ of Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Olsson, Johnson, Tettey, Howson, Redmond, Hoolahan and Jerome. However, with a couple of injuries and a much higher level of quality in the form of Crystal Palace, there is plenty of room for tinkering.
Here’s how I feel Norwich could line up on the opening day.
(GK) Ruddy – A bit of a no-brainer really; Ruddy had a decent season last season, but we could do with him really re-capturing some of his form from 2011/2012.
(RB) Wisdom – I think Andre Wisdom is a solid Premier League right-back, who has the capacity to run the channels and create chances, as we saw against Brentford when he teed up Cameron Jerome.
(CB) Bassong – Ever-reliable and solid, Bassong was frozen out by Neil Adams, but proved to be a key factor of City’s resurgence under Alex Neil.
(CB) Martin – I’m not keen on Martin at centre-back at all and the prospect of him being first choice with Bassong at the moment doesn’t look good for shutting out the likes of Costa, Ageuro and Walcott. I think it’s a priority position for Norwich to strengthen, but I feel he narrowly edges out Ryan Bennett if I had to choose between the two.
(LB) Brady – He looked like an excellent, pacey addition for Norwich against Brentford and he feel could be crucial for us this season.
(LM) Johnson – After heavily improving last season, Bradley Johnson is going to have to come up with the goods again to ensure we survive in the Premier League. Operating on the left at Wembley, he coped well enough, despite it not being his natural position
(CM) Tettey – One of the unsung heroes of last season, so much so he earned my POTS vote. Regardless of Mulumbu’s injury, I feel we’ll need Tettey at his defensive best against tougher opposition.
(CM) Howson – Another crucial part of our success last season, I feel this could be a big season for Jonny Howson. If he can continue his intelligent brand of passing, an England call-up could and should be on the cards.
(RM) Redmond – Nathan Redmond has significantly improved over the past few months, proving crucial in Norwich City’s play-off success, and even earned a place in the Euro U21 ‘team of the tournament’. Redmond will have to prove himself amongst the Premier League’s ‘elite’ wingers such as Hazard and Sterling, but if he continues his development, I’m sure he’ll be up there.
(CAM) Hoolahan – The tireless Irishman proved at 33 he can still weave, turn and pass his way through any defense and he’ll need to do it again under the biggest spotlight in club football.
(ST) Jerome – His contribution last season was impressive and he’s one I believe has never really ‘had a chance’ in the Premier League. He’s been restricted to cameos from the bench at Stoke and was shifted out wide at Palace. With enough service, and him using the best of his strength and power, I think he can be a big player for us this season.
FORMATION: 4-4-1-1
