Just a quick post to say how refreshing it was to see how Norwich City went about approaching Birmingham City in a thoroughly professional manner. It's never nice losing a manager but I think the positive comments from Birmingham fans both towards Hughton and the way we went about the approach speak volumes. It was done with speed and precision and it seems lessons have been learnt from the way we handled the Lambert approach three years ago where we were in the wrong. As delighted as we all were with having Lambert as manager and the success he brought to us, I feel Hughton has exactly the right kind of character to maintain our performance levels and then push us upwards. I think it is a long term appointment and that can only be seen as a good thing. One last thing on our previous manager, is it merely a coincidence that Lambert moving to Villa was also handled badly by both Villa and ourselves? Why, when clearly we are capable of doing things in the correct manner, was it so aggressively and unprofessionally handled by both clubs? Maybe it has more to do with the guy who is chasing his dream to reach the very top as quickly as possible than how Norwich City operate as a club behind the scenes. If his next move is as controversial as his previous two departures then I think we'll know for sure. OTBC IMcWT IHWT
IHWT in holt we trust? I Hope so, hope he stays...bit like when huckerby left im glad he didnt wanna play against us. If holt goes hopefully the same would happen but i very much dout it. Hopefully Hughton will sit him down and have a chat and we will get an answer asap!
Clearly Lambert is ambitious and obviously we accepted that because he dragged us along with that ambition. No problem at all. He spoke well of the club and especially the supporters. Great PR. But I don't think he was ever totally the typical NCFC manager. Roeder wasn't. Grant wasn't. Worthington was. His departure wasn't the best conducted but I think that was down to the shambles currently at Villa and his determination to go no matter what.
What are the odds on the first fixture of next season being City v Villa? But whenever that fixture is, I hope we will give PL the same appreciative reception that he received on the last day of last season, when both sets of fans were cheering him. We voted him into our Hall of Fame -- justifiably, but causing him some discomfort at the time (hmm!) -- so we should give him the reception everyone in our Hall of Fame has earned and deserves.
I hope we do too. No need to be bitter. I will enjoy a bit of "Paul Lambert, it could have been you!" chanting if we get the chance though!
The last time he brought a team to Carrow Road for an opening day league match was the catalyst for three years of unbridled success. Fingers crossed. I'd take a 1-7 loss if it leads to the same outcome by May 2013.
