Why I hope Norwich City stay in the Premier league

Yesterday Norwich City claimed a very creditable 1-1 draw at Liverpool’s Anfield.

A lot of people have put this down to Liverpool being poor or missing chances.

However it was heavily down to the performance of he away side. They were simply superb.

Counter

Like most sides that play at Anfield they relied on the counter-attack to create chances but every time the Canaries came forward they looked like a threat to Liverpool.

With the likes of Anthony Pilkington and Elliott Bennett on the wings and Wes Hoolahan in midfield they can break very quickly on opponents.

Non-league

Seven of Norwich’s starting line-up yesterday have played non-league football at some point in their careers and when Grant Holt came on it was eight. These players have came so far its unbelievable. I wonder if while playing non-league they ever believed they would one day be playing in the top flight.

Epitome

Club captain Grant Holt epitomises what Norwich are all about. Holt has played in every division of the football league and was something of a journeyman before he arrived in East Anglia. Yet this season he has already scored at Stamford Bridge and Anfield.

Football

Norwich success so far has not been because they have just battled to points they can actually play. Canaries boss Paul Lambert has had them playing good football since they were in League One and that style hasn’t changed since they’ve been in the Premier League.

They can mix their style of play as well though with the likes of David Fox and Bradley Johnson in midfield who can put their foot in when needed.

Boss

Norwich boss Paul Lambert has to be one of the best up and coming bosses in the British game. As a player he took the unconventional step of moving abroad, only unconventional because not many British players have done it in recent years.

He learnt a lot while playing in Germany with Dortmund and also won a Champions League medal with the Bundesliga side. Lambert worked with some top managers in is playing career and obviously picked up some of their characteristics.

Lambert was always a leader on the pitch though and he looked destined to become a manager. The 42 year-old has been compared to Martin O’Neill and he has taken a similar managerial route having also managed Wycombe. And also for his connections to Celtic.

Having guided Norwich to consecutive promotions guiding the club to Premier League survival would be another achievement to add to his growing list.

Potential

The Norwich boss has a good eye for a player and that’s why the club are where they are today. Despite a lack of Premier League experience Lambert put faith in his players. He trusted that their ability would be enough to keep the Canaries in the top flight and having them seen play he looks right in that belief.

I have been particularly impressed with winger Anthony Pilkington, who Norwich signed from League One Huddersfield. I saw Pilkington play a few times last season for Huddersfield and thought he had the potential to play at a higher level.

Striker Steve Morison is another one that has impressed. Morison was playing non-league football just two years ago. Millwall took a chance on him and he was superb for the Lions. At 28 he is now at the pinnacle of the game, not only playing in the Premier League but also playing for Wales at international level.

Morison is the sort of success story that should inspire every non-league footballer out there. The Norwich team is full of players who are going out there every week to prove a point to those that have doubted their ability in the past.

Successful

Norwich have made an encouraging start to their Premier League campaign and if they continue in the same vein then the club will have no worries about relegation this season. Everybody at the club from top to bottom must be congratulated.

Norwich are an example of what a club can achieve when everybody sticks together. Norwich’s recent rise to the Premier League has been nothing short of miraculous and I hope their resurgence continues. Paul Lambert and the players deserve everything reward they receive.

Will Norwich City stay in the Premier League this season?