The doom mongers have taken no time in starting to voice their negative views on Norwich City's prospects for this season.

The doom mongers have taken no time in starting to voice their negative views on Norwich City's prospects for this season.

One away no-score draw and they dismiss the Canaries as an attacking force and predict a final position in the lower part of the league table.

On one Saturday night phone-in there was even a call for Peter Grant to be sacked.

Everyone is entitled to hold their own views and has a right to express them but at the beginning of this season the doom mongers must be blind to the changes that Peter Grant has made.

He has substantially brought together his own team squad with a share philosophy of how football should be played. It is surely a time for a more optimistic prediction of what lies ahead this season.

Grant has given himself a wealth of options in the forward line, having players of differing types - allowing the chance to adopt attacking formations to meet specific match requirements.

Opposing managers will not find it so easy to predict the Norwich approach as in the past two or three seasons.

The midfielders and defenders, with perhaps two additions to be made, will have to work hard to hold their place. Three good goalkeepers will fight for the Number One shirt.

The manager has greatly increased the competition for places and improved the overall balance of the squad.

These changes will improve team performance and consistency over the season.

My own prediction is that Norwich will be in the top six by the end of the season. Watford, Charlton and Sheffield United - with their parachute payments - will be near the top, as will the Midland's teams Wolverhampton and West Bromwich Albion.

Do you think you can beat my predictions? Then take up the invitation in the Pink'Un to enter the Canary Challenge.

Alternatively, you will find a entry form and much more on www.ncisa.co.uk

You can win prizes of £500, £200 and £50.

We are seeking 1000 entries this year which would provide £3000 for The Academy and Tactic Zone.

Peter Grant's decision to ban fans at Colney on the days approaching a match is to be welcomed as the free information given to the opposition has cost the team points over the last few years.

What is important is that fans will still have some opportunities to seeing training and that the club continues to allow fans to meet

players at forums such as this year's NCISA Annual Meeting which will be in the Norfolk Lounge at Carrow Road on Thursday September 6th (7.30pm) with a Players' Forum at 8pm.