Plenty of reasons why Norwich City are on the way back up

Xavier Quintilla - a quality addition to the Norwich City squad Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd (Image: Paul Chesterton)

Overall, Norwich City’s start to the season, in my opinion, has been quite positive and looks to have taken a positive turn as of recent, after late winners against Rotherham, Birmingham and Wycombe.

Also, the desire shown to grab an equaliser against Brentford on Tuesday emphasises the squad’s desire to gain as many points as possible from losing positions this season.

Obviously, the losses against Derby and Bournemouth were hard to take, but in the Championship there’s always going to be a shock result against you. On the other hand, our recent wins have reflected the ‘never say die’ attitude of the 2018/19 season and prove we’re willing to fight to the end in order to get all three points to contribute towards promotion.

Furthermore, another key reason as to why I believe Norwich City will secure promotion to the top flight is because of the retention of key players to our squad, such as Teemu Pukki, Emi Buendia, Todd Cantwell and Max Aarons. Players like these, who wear their heart on their sleeve each and every game, are the player who will get you the extra 10, 15 points a season, due to not only individual quality, but impressive chemistry with the squad as a whole.

Undeniably, losing Jamal Lewis to Newcastle for £15m and also Ben Godfrey to Everton for a club record fee of £25m were major losses for the squad, but Daniel Farke’s signings have shown enough quality to prove they were the right replacements.

Ben Gibson, on loan from Burnley, in his recent performances has shown real experience and composure at the back, despite not playing any first team football for nearly two years prior to arriving at Carrow Road.

Moreover, Xavi Quintilla, on loan from La Liga Santander side Villareal, has proven to be a real gem of a signing by Farke and Stuart Webber, due to his impressive attacking play (which I believe is better than Jamal’s in the last two seasons), and motivation to create as many chances as possible for the team, in order to get as many goals as possible to comfortably win games. Just a shame that Norwich only really have one aerial presence, Jordan Hugill.

In fact, the one criticism I’ve got for Daniel Farke this season is that he shouldn’t have loaned out as many players, such as Akin Famewo and summer signing Danel Sinani, as we could use a little more squad depth this season due to injuries.

The last thing I’d like to address is the elephant in the room, the #LetFansIn campaign. Being a season ticket holder at Carrow Road for nearly four years, it has been hard sometimes constantly watching Norwich on TV, as opposed to the passion and energy expressed at Carrow Road, that is simply a joy to experience.

Obviously, with the recent spike in Covid-19 cases, it’s best for us supporters to stay home, and keep others safe. However, I simply don’t understand why we can have people sit in the Gunn Club lounge, without masks, to watch home games in AN INSIDE venue, but we can’t be socially distanced in a 27,000-seater stadium, WHICH IS OUTSIDE.

It genuinely baffles me, and seriously makes me wonder just what is the government’s plan for us supporters. Football helps so many people’s mental wellbeing, as it allows them to release any frustration they’ve had during the week, and to catch up with friends and enjoy themselves.

But, there is an answer for us fans, with us being allowed to go to any non-league football below the National League South/North. One team that I’ve been watching, even before Covid, is Wroxham, who have Norwich City legends Grant Holt and Simon Lappin playing for them. The football is really impressive for their level, and I would seriously suggest that you go and watch them down at Trafford Park.

Overall, I hope you’ve enjoyed this article, and if there’s anything you agree/disagree with me, then I’d love to hear the feedback! Take care everyone, we will get through this and see our team again.

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