Our series of 2015-16 Premier League team previews continues with a look at last season’s English Championship play-off winners Norwich City.
Summer Transfers
Norwich have completed five pieces of business during the summer transfer window. Yussuf Mulumbu (free), Graham Dorrans (undisclosed), Robbie Brady (£7 million), Andre Wisdom (loan), and Anthony Andreu (undisclosed) have all joined the ranks at Carrow Road as Norwich look to fight to maintain their Premier League status during the season. The Canaries also secured the signing of former Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Jake Dean, following his release.
They have shifted some dead weight off the books in order to provide room to secure their new signings, however. Luciano Becchio has had his contract terminated by mutual consent, joining the following players on the way out – Mark Bunn, Kyle Callan-McFadden, Carlos Cuellar and Javier Garrido. Youngster Carlton Morris has travelled up to Scotland after joining Hamilton Academical for a season long loan.
Last Season
The objective for Norwich City last season was clear – to regain promotion to the Premier League. Relegation had proved a bitter pill to swallow, as the Canaries fought to the end and had to surrender star players such as Robert Snodgrass and Leroy Fer to poaching Premier League teams.
The bid for a bounce-back promotion started poorly, with Norwich lying in seventh in the new year. The season objective was in jeopardy, and Neil Adams lost his job. With the appointment of Alex Neil, the objective remained the same.
Following the managerial shift, Norwich ended the season flying, and ended up securing their objective via the Championship play-off final, where they beat off a well organised Middlesbrough.
Manager and Tactics
Alex Neil is somewhat of an enigma to the Premier League. The Scotsman had begun the season as player-manager for Hamilton Academical. His innovative tactics had led Hamilton to prominence in the Scottish Premier League, competing with the likes of Celtic.
Neil arrived at Norwich and immediately began implementing his strategy, the turnaround was significant. The team won seven of Neil’s first nine games in charge, losing only to Wigan Athletic. His twenty-five stewarded games have garnered 17 wins, five draws and only three defeats.
Neil has been utilizing the standard 4-4-2 for Norwich City, occasionally altering the formation to allow Cameron Jerome to be used as a lone striker. When a 4-5-1 of sorts is utilised, this gives Wes Hoolahan and Bradley Johnson space to open up the opposition, drawing them to the centre of the field, which will in turn give Nathan Redmond and Robbie Brady the opportunity to exploit the wings and provide service for the ever-waiting Jerome.
Norwich also have Lewis Grabban and Gary Hooper available, which offers an alternate angle of attack, as opposed to the more conventional target man, Jerome. Hooper and Grabban possess pace which, coupled with Redmond and Brady, can provide a serious counter-attacking threat.
Neil cannot be said to be under intense pressure to perform due to Norwich’s underdog status. However, the club will expect strong results, especially when playing at Carrow Road. Norwich have the ability to outplay the titans of the Premier League, showed by the win against Tottenham and the close 3-2 defeat to Liverpool in their last season in the Premier League.
Strengths
Norwich have made astute signings in the transfer market and have added much-needed depth to their squad. Midfield enforcers Tony Andreu and Mulumbu will add some steel and allow for rotation in central-midfield with Alex Tettey, Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe, and Bradley Johnson. Graham Dorrans supplies vital experience and creativity alongside Wes Hoolahan.
They also possess a wealth of talent in the striking department – Jerome, Hooper, Grabban and youth starlet Josh Murphy have the ability to produce a large amount of goals between them. If the midfield can construct openings, it is guaranteed that Norwich’s strikeforce will capitalize.
A huge strength that Norwich possess is the form of John Ruddy. Having been courted for many years by Premier League sides, both when they were in the Premier League and when Norwich were relegated, the Canaries managed to retain the services of the England shot-stopper. Ruddy’s experience and leadership qualities will prove vital as they progress through the season.
The East Anglian outfit also possess the element of surprise this season. Alex Neil’s tactical nous is a largely unknown quantity, however he has showcased the ability to generate a sturdy tactical system. Though much is unknown about how well the manager will perform in the Premier League, however, many are optimistic about his capabilities.
Weaknesses
Norwich are relying heavily on the defensive qualities of Sebastian Bassong and Russell Martin. Bassong has failed to recapture any of the form he showed in his early career at Tottenham Hotspur, and has proved to be defensively suspect at times throughout last season. Martin is a natural right-back, but has had to be used as a make-shift central-defender. If the Canaries are to have a successful return to the Premier League, they must sign defensive reinforcements.
Even though Alex Neil has been praised for his ability to drag Norwich to the Premier League via the play-offs, he is still untried and untested at the top level. He must be able to alter his tactics and allow room to morph tactics if they are failing. His first few premier league games are vital, as Norwich must begin strongly to provide a strong launchpad for the forthcoming season.
Key Player(s)
Ruddy, Hoolahan, Johnson and Jerome are all vital to Norwich’s survival bid. They are experienced and have bounds of talent. New signings always arrive with a weight of expectation, but they take time to settle. The mainstays in Norwich’s squad must help the new signings acclimatise, and they must find form that lasts throughout the season.
Best XI (3-5-2)
Goalkeeper: John Ruddy
Defence: Russell Martin, Sebastian Bassong, Martin Olsson
Midfield: Nathan Redmond, Bradley Johnson, Yussuf Mulumbu, Wes Hoolahan, Robbie Brady
Forwards: Cameron Jerome, Lewis Grabban
Bench: Declan Rudd, Michael Turner, Graham Dorrans, Alex Tettey, Gary O’Neil, Gary Hooper
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Prediction
Taking all aspects into account, all the signs are there for Norwich City to survive the 2015-16 Premier League season. A strong start is crucial if the Canaries are to flourish. The fixture list generator has been extremely kind to them, with no ‘top five’ team to be face in their first ten fixtures. This provides the opportunity to build strong foundations for the season to come. Neil has belief in his players, and has stated “good quality players can achieve anything and I give them clear guidelines. If they do it they will get success, I’m sure of it.” If Norwich get off to a successful start this season, there is no reason to believe that they will not reach the magical 40 point total.
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