NORWICH CITY

LAST SEASON

PREMIER LEAGUE 20th FA CUP Fifth Round LEAGUE CUP Third Round TOP SCORER Teemu Pukki ( 11)

FAN FILE

Last season was the dampest of squibs. Contrary to the perceived wisdom of lazy pundits, Norwich actually spent money – just very badly. The big talking point is Stuart Webber. Whether it’s about his mountaineering or his player recruitment, all talk leads to our sporting director. It’s boring. This season will be different because we’ll actually win some matches of association football. The Premier League is a grim slog when the squad is nowhere near the levels required.

Our key player will be Teemu Pukki. If he stays and does Teemu Pukki things, then we’ll be competing at the top end.

Our most underrated player is Kieran Dowell [ above]. Norwich looked a more effective attacking unit with him, even if the bar was set quite low.

Fans think our ground is probably too small for us now. The introduction of rail seating and an expansion of the main stand is on the club’s long- term agenda, and would be really welcome. The thing my club really gets right is understanding that a football club should be run within its means. We try to buck the trend while punching considerably above our weight.

Fans think our owners are fans first, owners second. Delia Smith [ below] and Michael Wynn- Jones trust the people they employ to run the club. Supporters are split as to whether wealthier owners need to be sought.

Look out for Andrew Omobamidele, a frighteningly quick and very strong central defender who is technically proficient for his age. The opposition player I’d love here is

Ben Brereton Diaz. He has added goals and quality to his physical presence. The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is mixed, at best. While he can’t assume full responsibility for relegation, Dean Smith had long enough to get more from the players he had. The player I’d happily drive to

another club is Przemyslaw Placheta. Full of endeavour, one of the quickest I’ve ever seen… just not great at kicking a football, which is kind of important. The pantomime villain will be Todd Cantwell, whether he’s at the club or not. He boils many Norwich fans’ urine. We’ll finish 3rd with a play- off final.

FFT VERDICT 2nd

Norwich have won the title in their past two Championship seasons. It’s not all hunky- dory upstairs, but defenders Grant Hanley and Ben Gibson are tough customers while last summer’s gambles, like Nice midfielder Pierre Lees- Melou, could lead another push for top honours.