Savvy cannot wait for his Premier League hit…
It`s been a fair while since I`ve taken time to write an opinion piece on Vital Norwich, and it almost seems a bit longer than it actually is. You could be forgiven for thinking years have passed rather than weeks; such is the rate of progress at Carrow Road this summer.
Over those 12 weeks or so in which there has been no football action to speak of, I have kind of enjoyed having my Saturdays` back, enjoyed the stability of having no fixture at which to fret over and enjoyed feeling reasonably happy on a Sunday, whatever may have happened come 4:55pm on a Saturday.
However, the nagging feeling that something is missing in my life (a bit like when Renton from Trainspotting watches those home-made videos in the film) has been hanging over me, particularly for the last couple of weeks – a couple of visits to Carrow Road have not quite given me the fix I needed, but have just whetted my appetite even more.
Back to that rate of progress I mentioned earlier; we now have in our custody two full Dutch internationals, the best player in Scottish football (by far), the Swedish international left back, and perhaps the most gifted English-born 19 year-old currently playing.
Now, no offence to Simeon Jackson, Marc Tierney, Andrew Surman and the talismanic Grant Holt amongst others, but I think we`re all in agreement we have seen one of the most remarkable upgrades in terms of ability (both current and potential) in any transfer window by any club, ever.
Whilst commentating on that famous Norwich City win against Bayern Munich, John Motson once shouted out, “This is almost fantasy football!”, well now, I think it actually is. I am extremely proud to be a City fan right now, proud of our marquee signings, proud of our debt free status and proud of how well-run the club is at every level.
Realistically, I know we`re not going to win (or even qualify for) the Champions League any time soon, but football is about progression, entertainment and putting a feel good factor into peoples` life, and what a cracking job the club has done over the summer to make those three objectives eminently achievable.
Having watched the three Norwich lads acquit themselves well at Wembley on Wednesday, I just cannot wait for my Saturday afternoon hit, and whatever the result, I have a feeling that this season will be one hell of a ride.
Potential Starting XI:
Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin, Turner, Ollson, Howson, Johnson, Redmond, Snodgrass, Hoolahan, Van Wolfwswinkel
Hughton is yet to be 100% convinced by Wes I feel and may go with Tettey in the middle, with Howson further forward. I can`t see wholesale tactical changes from last year, with one up front in most matches.
Result: 1-1 – it may well be a cagey start as the new players look to gel. If they hit it off straight away, at home I fancy us against anyone.
Predicted Norwich City Position: 8-10th
Top 5 – Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal, Spurs
Unless RvP plays every Premier League game for the 3rd season in a row (’tis true, look it up) I cannot see Man Utd as Champions. Mourinho will no doubt make Chelsea the team to beat, with Man City pushing them all the way.
Saturday cannot come soon enough.