- Analysing how successful clubs broke the devastating top-flight yo-yo curse.
- Three essential structural lessons Norwich City must learn for future survival.
- Why Philippe Clement possesses the perfect blueprint for long-term stability.
For a few years Norwich City were an example of a yo-yo club. We were too good for the Championship but not good enough for the Premier League.
With some recent teams defying the perceived curse of the promoted club, it is worth looking at what they have done and what lessons Norwich City could learn from them.
Data led
Some clubs have done a data based “Moneyball” approach to running clubs. The likes of Brighton and Bournemouth have benefited from this style.
That being said, it is difficult to import this into another culture. For all the money spent and individuals claimed by Chelsea they have not been able to replicate this. So without changing the culture of Norwich City this may not be the best move.
Experience
One area where Norwich City have been criticised has been their transfer policy’s mainly being directed toward younger players with an eye to their future market value.
While this can work, it seems that clubs have mainly benefited from combining younger players with a more experienced figurehead that can be vital in the dressing room.
Sunderland took a chance on Granit Xhaka, who proved a key part of their unlikely push to Europe. Leeds were also savvy in signing the likes of Sean Longstaff and an emphasis on physical football.
It will be interesting to see if next season, Coventry benefit from Frank Lampard’s little black book of contacts.
Game plan
Another crucial element to staying up is to have a game plan and structure that can withstand departures.
This is somewhere I would argue Philippe Clement is already suited to this approach. Despite the injury issues that Norwich City have had this season, the team managed to get results based on his approach to games.
Leeds could effectively outmuscle the opposition, Brentford and Bournemouth have managed to find replacements for their outgoing stars while Sunderland benefited from Le Bris’ French contingent.
Getting there…
Of course, there are probably people out there thinking, “Slow down, Norwich City, you’re not promoted yet!”
And they are, of course, right – it looks set to be a tough Championship league next season. But given Clement’s approach, it’s likely that any signings brought in will be with the long term in mind.
What is vital is that he is given the tools needed to build on his already impressive progress.
