PREM WON’T COME CHEEP
What Canaries must do to become high fliers
NORWICH are back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Here, we take a look at what the Norfolk club, who finished rock bottom in 2019/20, must do next to stay in the top flight. Don’t cash in on crown jewels
While defenders Ben Godfrey and Jamal Lewis were sold following relegation, there was no mass exodus at Carrow Road.
Norwich stood their ground to fend off interest in full-back Max Aarons and England Under-21 midfielder Todd Cantwell, while playmaker Emi Buendia also knuckled down once it became clear he would not be leaving.
All three men have been key to Norwich’s promotion, fuelled by Teemu Pukki’s eye in front of goal. Retaining their services for another crack at the Premier League will be vital if the club is to progress.
Shrewd summer recruitment
Sporting director Stuart Webber knows decisions off the field this summer will be as important as performances delivered on it next season.
Permanent deals for Greek full-back Dimitris Giannoulis and defender Ben Gibson are set to be completed following promotion.
Continuing to improve the spine of the team is crucial – as Webber said after the January transfer window: “It is about adding players who ultimately make the group a lot better.”
Get streetwise
Norwich brought plenty of colour to the Premier League last time out, but apart from a memorable
3-2 win over then champions Manchester City, they offered little real substance.
Too often players tried to rely on the showreel tricks which had lifted them from the
Championship, without taking into account the step up in class of opposition who punished every mistake or stray pass.
Games that should have been seen out ended in draws or defeats, and Daniel Farke’s gungho tactics and lack of telling substitutions at decisive moments were questioned.
Expect a hardened approach this time, with everyone left in no doubt of what is required to pick up points week in, week out, rather than enjoying the ride.
Banish away-day blues Norwich managed just four points on the road in 2019/20, their only away victory coming at Everton in late November.
And the Canaries were beaten at both Aston Villa and Sheffield United, the teams which had come up with them.
The 1-0 win at Derby last weekend saw Farke’s men chalk up a 14th win on their travels, the best record in the division.
It will be no easy ride away from Norfolk next season – but those 19 tough journeys must produce more of a return.
In Farke-ball we trust Norwich stuck by their impressive manager after their relegation and have reaped the rewards. The German boss has never deviated from his version of ‘Gegenpressing’ – and nor did the board’s faith in its man waiver. Farke’s team have also now added a bit of steely determination this season and are far better equipped for their return to the top flight.