LEAGUE
Without a shadow of doubt, the league is by a country mile the most important competition for the Canaries this season. With millions of pounds worth of television deals hanging in the balance, staying in the Premier League is no doubt Alex Neil’s top priority. Having managed four of their last five seasons in the premier league, the Canaries certainly have the experience and know-how of which is capable of keeping them in the top flight.
However I feel this year it will be harder than ever to remain in the division, with almost the entire bottom half of the table trying to stave off relegation. I think it will be close, and once again come right down to the wire. But, being optimistic, I want to say that Norwich will survive, and remain in the top flight of English football… But only by the skin of their teeth! Why? As it stands we currently lack quality in the final third, as well as obtaining a defence of which is leaking goals. Unless this is fixed, I believe Norwich will come close to relegation, but survive at the last hurdle.
FA CUP
For City, I would certainly say that they will need some of the so-called ‘magic of the cup’ to stand any chance of providing a serious contention for the trophy this season. In previous seasons, we have seen Norwich exit the FA Cup in the early stages to lower league, and even non-league, clubs including Luton. This competition, judging by past experience and progression, is certainly not one Norwich have at any point in recent memory seriously progressed in.
However, could this season see a new chapter written in Norwich’s FA Cup story? In previous years managers such as Lambert and Hughton have decided to remain solely focused on the league, resulting in little attention to the FA Cup. But this year, the Canaries are under the power of an ambitious Scotsman who certainly has no fear of fielding strong XI’s, no matter who the opponent be. A manager who sets out with a positive mindset to win every game. I think that
this season, with new man Alex Neil, could see a change in fortune for us in the FA Cup. I believe that with Neil’s grit and determination, and a little bit of ‘cup magic’, we could see Norwich progress to the later stages of the competition.
CAPITAL ONE CUP
Norwich have one the cup twice, once in 1962 and once in 1985. They have also come runners-up in 1973 and also 1975. It is a tournament that Norwich have previously had some success in. Like the FA Cup however, in recent seasons we have provided very little to get excited about under the reigns of Lambert and Hughton. But now we are under the control of Neil, I feel that we may finally contend for the trophy.
With Alex Neil’s eye for success, I am sure he will be looking to bring silverware to the club this season, as well as Premier League safety. There’s no doubt about that. And I think that the Capital One Cup could be the easiest way to do so, however I feel that Neil will opt to challenge for the FA Cup instead. I think this because the FA Cup is later in the season allowing Norwich to concentrate solely on the Premier League for the first chunk of the season. Therefore, as much as they could do well in this competition, I see Norwich exiting in the early rounds of the Capital One Cup, opting to challenge for the FA Cup instead.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
Having played two seasons already with Norwich, and sticking with them through the Championship campaign, Nathan Redmond is quickly becoming a fans’ favourite. After a somewhat anticlimactic first season at Norwich, in my opinion, Redmond went on to be one of Norwich’s most significant players in their 14/15 campaign, helping them to achieve promotion to the Premier League. He scored 7 goals and grabbed a healthy handful of assists.
This year, I feel that Nathan Redmond could really excel and begin to fulfil his footballing potential. Upon arrival at the club, the big element missing from Nathan’s locker was certainly his final product. His finishing was poor, and his crosses wouldn’t even make it past the first man. However, as a fan myself watching him week-in-week-out, the progression the young England starlet has made has been incredible!
I would say the 21-year-old has come on leaps-and-bounds over the last two years since his arrival at Carrow Road. And that is why I feel he will be Norwich’s player of the season this year. I think that he will continue to progress as he has in previous seasons, and that Redmond could find himself in the mind of one Roy Hodgson.
UNDER-PERFORMER
In my opinion, this season we will see a significant and unexpected change in Bradley Johnson. In the 14/15 season, the Englishman was voted as player of the season. Without a shadow of doubt, having scored 15 goals in 48 appearances from midfield, he deserved it! But I fear for the ex-Leeds man, as I feel we could see him decline.
When Bradley joined the club in 2011, he struggled to even make it onto the bench, as he admitted himself. Having made 104 appearances for the club during our last 3 seasons in the top flight, he only managed a small number of assists and 6 goals. His passing was poor just like his tendency to pick up yellow cards. I feel that despite his infamous Championship campaign, he may well fall back into that form.
Norwich fans have very high expectations this season for Johnson, but i think that he is going to sink and decline. I believe that he will return to his ways of ‘going missing’ in games, failing to make impact upon games. In my opinion Johnson is a Championship player, based upon his past records in the Premier League and Championship. I also feel we have already seen Johnson start to return to his old self after the 3-1 defeat to Palace, as he had very little impact upon that tie. Therefore, my under performer this season is Bradley Johnson.
What do you think of Cameron Doran’s predictions? Leave a comment below.
