One month into adjusting to life back in the Premier League following a year in the second tier of English football, Norwich City have enjoyed a steady start.
A win, a draw and two defeats leave the Canaries in 14th at the end of August. With only avoiding relegation the target this season, the majority of the Norwich faithful will be content with a solid month.
First Four Games
Norwich started the season with a somewhat unfortunate 3-1 defeat to highly-rated Crystal Palace. With Palace leading 2-1 with 15 minutes to play, Norwich striker Cameron Jerome had a goal controversially disallowed for a high foot as he attempted an overhead kick. Referee Simon Hooper was criticised by the media relentlessly for the next few days for his error of judgement but it was not much comfort for the Canaries as they finished week one on zero points.
Norwich bounced back in style against Sunderland; finding themselves 3-0 up within the first half an hour with goals from defenders Russell Martin, Steven Whittaker and pacey winger Nathan Redmond. Sunderland did pull a goal back in the last few minutes of the game but Norwich dominated proceedings in a very pleasing away performance and finished 3-1 winners.
Back on home soil, Norwich put in a quality performance against a tough Stoke City team possessing five former Champions League winners, including new signing Xherdan Shaqiri. The Canaries drew 1-1 but felt aggrieved to only go home with a point after having battered the Stoke goal throughout the game in which Stoke keeper Jack Butland pulled off save after save to deny Norwich.
The Norfolk side suffered its second defeat of the season in a dreadful performance at the hands of Southampton where they lost 3-0. Things did not start well for the Canaries as Whittaker received his marching orders after half an hour. Goals from Graziano Pelle (one) and two from Dusan Tadic sent the Norwich fans home miserable.
Transfer Window Performance
The arrivals of Yousouff Mulumbu and Robbie Brady boosted midfield options, but Norwich’s weakest link remained in defence. The Canaries failed to bolster options at the back with the sole arrival of right-back Andre Wisdom on loan from Liverpool the only addition.
Norwich also failed to sign a proven Premier League striker. Last-minute bids for Dwight Gayle and Jonathan Walters did not materialise before the deadline, so City were left with just Dieumerci Mbokani, who joined on loan from Dynamo Kiev.
Selling fan favourite and last season’s Player of the Year Bradley Johnson to Derby did not help either.
Key Player
England under-21 international Nathan Redmond has come on in leaps and bounds since manager Neil joined the club in January. Redmond has taken his game to the next level and his form towards the end of last season won many plaudits as well as scoring the second goal in the play-off final against Middlesborough. Redmond has continued his fine form into this season and scored in the first two games of the campaign, including a spectacular long-range effort against Crystal Palace. If he continues to fire on all cylinders, a call-up to the England senior squad will not be far away.
What has worked?
Neil’s ability to get the best out of all his players. The Scotsman demands 110% effort and anything less is not good enough. This has worked a treat since his arrival and Norwich only lost their first away game in his tenure against Southampton. Norwich might not have the most talented squad in the Premier League but with Neil’s fierce streak, Norwich fans can be rest assured that if they go down, they will go down fighting.
What needs improvement?
Defence. This area is clearly lacking after a transfer window that failed to deliver what Norwich City have been crying out for. City are playing with the same back four that saw relegation and the failure to improve could mean the Canaries will make the same mistakes as last time. The other issue is the squad depth in that area. With only Sebastian Bassong, Martin and Ryan Bennett the senior defenders, any injury problems could see the Norwich back line exploited massively.
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Next Four Games
Norwich host relegation rivals Bournemouth at Carrow Road on Saturday knowing that nothing less than a win is good enough. Bournemouth make up a group of teams that Norwich City need to beat if they are to stay up this season. Failure to do so could cause problems. A trip to Anfield follows with Norwich being tested against one of the bigger teams for the first time this season before a home game against West Brom and an away trip to Upton Park to play West Ham United.
Grade – C+
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