Norwich City Will Not Be Relegated from the Premier League: A Fan’s Opinion

Some so-called experts have suggested that Norwich City is set for a season of struggle. But the best argument they can come up with is a combination of second season syndrome, appointing a new manager, and Grant Holt's transfer request from earlier on this spring/summer.

 However, we heard from David McNally that the speculation that Norwich City was in turmoil was complete rubbish back when some of these reports started to emerge. Yes, Paul Lambert did decide to move on, but the club were always prepared for this possibility; they moved quickly to appoint Chris Hughton as his successor.

 This was an appointment that was well received by Norwich fans, and he was considered to be the best man for the job. However, I have seen some online reports suggesting that he is inexperienced and set to struggle in the job.

 Well, this is a manager that spent 10 years working as an assistant at Premier League level with Tottenham Hotspur; he also did an excellent job with Newcastle United. First of all, by taking the club back to the Premier League in some style, and then by consolidating their position in the top-flight. Until, of course, he was sacked for some insane reason that remains unknown.

 Last season he did an admirable job with Birmingham City under extremely difficult circumstances. Hughton was operating with a remarkably small group of players, and had a transfer embargo preventing him from adding to the squad. However, despite these challengers he guided Birmingham to the play-offs in the Championship.

 Therefore, Chris Hughton has plenty of experience at his disposal to use in his new job. He will know exactly what it takes to be successful at Premier League level. Clearly, he would like to add further to his squad, but it's important to remember that there is already a strong squad at Norwich.

 The Grant Holt thing has been blown out of proportion. Norwich fans know that this was not a genuine attempt to leave the club, and Holt has repeated this several times himself. This was purely a case of an experienced pro trying to get a bit more security for himself and his family.

 In any case, it is all sorted now, and Holt has accepted the extra year that he has always wanted. Contrary to the perception of the media, Norwich City is not in turmoil, but in a remarkably good place to build on last season's success. Everyone is just delighted that Holt is staying where he belongs.

 The second season syndrome thing is also hugely overrated. And the managerial change at Carrow Road is a strength, rather than a weakness. No one knows how Chris Hughton will operate. Anything learned about Norwich from last season is now invalid information, because Hughton will have his own ideas on tactics, players, and everything else.

 Clubs do not automatically get relegated after their second season in the Premier League; it is often due to certain decisions that they make. Such as; selling their key players, not showing enough ambition, signing dodgy foreign players, none of this is present at Norwich City, and all the signs suggest that the club is looking to add as much quality to the squad as possible.

 And now the Grant Holt thing is sorted, no signs of any key players leaving Carrow Road. The signings that will come in over the summer will have a mix of planning towards the future, adding that extra experience, and quality to the squad.

 So, the suggestion that Norwich City will be found out in the new season is a bit silly. If anything the mystery has just increased. It may actually benefit Norwich to have a managerial change in terms of starting the season well. The Canaries had a fairly poor second half of the season and seemed to have lost the momentum from their double promotion.

 However, that momentum could well return at the start of the season with the influx of new players, new manager, and the general feel good factor around the club. After everything that has gone on Grant Holt will feel like a new signing.