As one who has bought into the principle of transition taking 2 or 3 seasons our position in the league during season 1 is irrelevant to me as long as we kept clear of the bottom 4. I have seen enough this season, especially the second half displays against Bristol and Burnley, to suggest that we are heading in the right direction and I am hopeful of further improvement and progression next season. The boring displays under Smith and Wagner were a disgrace, in my view, and I do not subscribe to the view that sneaking into the top 6, due to other teams failures and playing boring defensive football, only to be humiliated in the play offs represented progress. Had Wagner not been sacked I genuinely would have given up supporting NCFC 75 years after attending my first game and switched full allegiance to my local Club. As it is I might - repeat might - risk the wrath of your Border Customs and Mrs1950 and attend a couple of away games in London next season.
A contrary point of view closer to my own: https://norwichcity.myfootballwrite...ition-a-valid-excuse-for-just-two-wins-in-12/ For me, 2 wins in 12 games is not enough to convince me that the 'transition' is actually moving in the right direction. No doubt the defence will be young players adjusting, but that has only been a small part of this season, IMO. Fisher has now emerged as a first team player and that is good, but the development of others is still not convincing, though Mahovo and Wright are showing promise. Schwartau is still young at 18, but I'm still not convinced that Crnac is developing his game and the right side of the attack has been a weakness all season. If Sargent and Sainz are going to move on in the summer, then we are going to need more telling recruitment up front than the expensive signings made this season. As for the tactics, there is still little sign that a transition is taking place as we have flip-flopped from good to bad to ugly too many times this season. Consistency is the key to success in the Championship and we have seen precious little of that. Our defending has been and still is a joke. The goals conceded at Burnley were very like those at Plymouth even with a back five. As a result, I am anything but optimistic about next season.
Defensively we are a joke , maybe a specialist defence coach helping could improve things. One of the worst set piece stats too with goals conceded & not many scored. This team without Sainz & Sargent would probably be relegation battlers. We need to replace Gunn with a top International keeper if he leaves , if he stays we need a competent back up. Duffy needs to go as he's the big experienced leader in a leaky defence surrounded by kids. Maybe sign an actual DM . I don't want the boss to be fired but he needs to learn how not to blow a lead & how to get a few clean sheets otherwise we will keep going backwards
