Returned from an overseas attachment to see 12 yards has died with a mass migration to not 606. Absolutely delighted to return with Norwich sitting pretty in mid-table - better than my wildest dreams. Only disappointment in the season has been the Leicester game, on the totally selfish point that it was the only home game I have manged to get a ticket for (and no I did not boo). Delighted as I am with this season I swing from joy that we have taken 6 points off three teams this season whilst only Man Utd have, so far, have done the double over us to occasional concern that 50% of our points have come from three teams, two of whom are likely to be relegated, and next season could therefore be much tougher. Overall my glass is about 7/8ths full. I know we have are safe but would like a strong end to the season to fill up that remaining eighth
Welcome sir! Agreed this season has gone far better than any of us could have imagined. We just need to get ourselves over that magical 40 point mark. I'm sure Paul Lambert will do all he can to strengthen the team for next season with possibly a couple of players heading out.
As you say, next season will be tougher! A lot tougher tbh. It's not only our 2nd season (hopefully) but also the teams coming up are in my eyes better than the 3 that will end up going down. I have stated before, we can't rest on our lorals, we must improve considerably to stay up next season and hopefully PL will get the backing to do so.
welcome Sir, nice post and a good reminder that this season was all about staying up and building from there. i doesn't bother me that a lot points have come from the bottom teams, it's all about getting over the line and also not losing to those teams. we've beaten Newcastle, West Brom and doubled Swansea! Assuming we stay up, i'm really looking forward to the close season - it's going to be very exciting for us!
This is an interesting thread for several reasons. I hadn't paid that much attention to where the points had come from, just that we'd got them. But it is actually consoling that we have done the job that was necessary, pick up points off the teams likely to be the bottom half, with occasional points from the top half teams so job done perfectly. The notion that next season will be harder does not have any logic to it at all. 1) We have a season of experience behind us and it is evident to most folk that most of the team have improved over the course of the season through playing PL football. If we'd been up to full speed early during the first few games, then there were points we could have gained, in other words we will be much better prepared for all games next season, including heightened confidence. 2) We have bought players who have not yet fully integrated themselves into the side, but will do so over the course the rest of the season and over the summer. 3) There have been significant injuries especially to the back 4, so with some luck next season there will be a more regular back 4. 4) It will be obvious to Lambert where the team needs strengthening and there is some cash to do this. 5) The teams coming up may or may not be stronger, this will always be conjecture. 6) Some current teams will be weaker next season for a myriad of reasons.
Couldn't agree more with your last sentence. We have done well and we appear to be close to safety which was the goal for this season. However, having got into such a good position (3 points off eighth) I to would like to see a sustained effort for the next 9 games and the guys can have a great holiday afterwards. If we fail, no matter but it would be nice to finish top half and add a few bob to the kitty.
