Football Season Guide

Norwich City endured a difficult summer as the inevitable exit of manager Paul Lambert took place in acrimonious circumstances. It was clear during last season that the former Champions League winner with Borussia Dortmund has outgrown the Suffolk club, with his cunning management and clever use of modest resources, landing the newcomers a place in mid-table, comfortably beating the drop. The board were determined to keep them and even rejected his resignation but eventually Lambert got his wish and took charge of Aston Villa. At least the Norwich chiefs reacted quickly to the blow and took up Chris Hughton who has done wonders at Birmingham in the previous season. The Irishman is a very good appointment, given how well he did at Newcastle two years ago when in the Premiership. Nevertheless, one would worry about the second-season syndrome that is inevitable for a side that overachieved wildly on their first season since promotion. Grant Holt has stayed on, having initially asked for a transfer, and this is a big boost while the signings of Robert Snodgrass, Michael Turner and Steven Whittaker are shrewd bits of business. Therefore, Norwich seems equipped to beat the drop but the big question is whether a relatively limited group of players could summon the same levels of dedication and commitment as last season. Given that the manager that helped them from League One to Premiership is now gone, this is a very debatable and the Canaries may indeed endure a difficult season that could well end in relegation.