- Philippe Clement has earned the trust of City fans.
- Ben Knapper isn’t fully deserving of all the boos.
- Transfers are far more complicated nowadays.
While Philippe Clement has only been with Norwich City for a couple of months, his influence has been clear to see.
As we gear up for summer transfers and pre-season activity, here is how the board needs to give Clement the support he needs.
Changing trend
It seems that there is a trend away from head coaches, with Xabi Alonso recently being confirmed as manager for Chelsea.
While there wasn’t the same role definition, in terms of his presence Phillipe Clement feels more like a manager than Liam Manning or Johannes Hoff Thorup did.
A new approach
Whether or not Clement had a hand in the January signings, it felt like a more targeted approach than previous windows.
While Clement managed to get more out of the likes of Schwartu, Slimane and so on there was definitely a better sense of the roles that Ali Ahmed, Mohammed Toure and Paris Maghoma filled.
Team lacking width? Bring in a new winger.
Striker injured and another wanting out? Bring in a new striker.
Team lacking a creative spark? Unearth an exciting midfield talent.
Blame v credit
While I didn’t entirely side with Jake Humphrey’s defence of Ben Knapper, I do think it is fair to say that the players proved under Clement that they are more capable with experienced guidance.
It is also fair to say that when Norwich City were struggling, Knapper was the boo boy who was history’s greatest monster.
When Norwich City went on a season-defying winning streak, there was no credit for Knapper and the board for their role in the new signings.
Trust
While Clement may have more say than previous managers, there will still need to be a structure above him.
The sad fact is that in the modern game transfers are far more complex than 30 years ago. It is not just in terms of agreements between clubs, there is also how you handle players settling in, payment for image rights and those sly release clauses that can effectively cancel out renewed contracts.
Ultimately, while I think Knapper has made mistakes, if Clement wants him to stay on I trust him. To be honest if Clement wants to fill a conservatory full of grapefruits and sing songs from My Little Pony I trust him.
Already I’m seeing murmurs of what we do and don’t need. While it isn’t as fun as speculation it wouldn’t surprise me if the key Phillipe Clements are the ones we won’t know about until he signs them.
