Following on from my review of 2011 for Norwich City last season I am going to review 2012 2012 has been another fantastic year for Canary fans. The 2011/2012 ensured our safety in the top division - by a surprising margin - along with the other promoted clubs QPR and Swansea. In January, Norwich signed Ryan Bennett, and the first player from our feeder club, Jonny Howson. Norwich's first game of the season was a good, but controversial, win over QPR in which Joey Barton was sent off for a headbutt on Bradley Johnson, that TV replays have shown to be inconclusive. This was followed by many tweets from Barton protesting his innocence and a response from Bradley Johnson with a sign telling Barton, 'your breathe stinks.' please log in to view this image Norwich followed this by an away double against now England manager, Roy Hodgson's West Brom in the league and FA Cup. Both ending 2-1. Norwich then achieved one of very few clean sheets that season with a 0-0 against Chelsea and a misfiring Fernando Torres. A bad defeat at the Stadium of Light was recovered by a win and a clean sheet against struggling Bolton with a makeshift defence of three full-backs and winger in Elliott Bennett who put in a fantastic performance at right-back. As well as an enthralling victory away at Swansea, beating them at their own game, in whichHolt continued his great scoring form, despite being called 'fat' by the Swansea fans. please log in to view this image For the two and a half years under Lambert Norwich City had never lost back-to-back games. This record was ended by a close defeat to Manchester United, in which the two teams were only separated by a last minute goal by Giggs, and a narrow defeat to Stoke. There were then a mix of wins, draws and defeats against Wigan, Wolves, Fulham and Everton. This led onto arguably Norwich City's biggest win of the season away to Tottenham in which Elliott Bennett scored his first goal for the Canaries. please log in to view this image Three bad defeats followed against Man City - one of only two heavy defeats Lambert has suffered as manager, Blackburn and Liverpool. But Norwich ended the season with a great 3-3 draw against Arsenal and a convincing 2-0 against a poor Aston Villa. By the end of the season, Norwich City were top of the table for set-piece and headed goals showing their strength in that area despite their ability to adapt to different styles of play. The summer was certainly an interesting one for Norwich City. Drury ended a fantastic 11 years at Norwich with a move to Leeds and a testimonial with new friends Celtic. please log in to view this image Holt caused a lot of tension for Norwich City fans over the summer by handing in a transfer. Many rumours of Holt leaving surfaced, particularly from West Ham, but Holt remained at the club signing a new three year. Eventually, Lambert made astepping stone move to Aston Villa who had sacked Alex McCleish at the end of the season. Norwich swiftly brought in every fan's first choice replacement, Chris Hughton, who over the summer signed important players including Bassong, Tettey, Bunn, Snodgrass, Butterfield, Turner, Garrido, Whittaker and Kane. please log in to view this image The 2012/2013 season started badly for Hughton conceding 5 goals to Fulham in the opening day fixture. Draws were gained against QPR, Tottenham and newly promoted West Ham. There were two more heavy defeats against Liverpool and Chelsea, in which Holt's ability was questioned despite being in contention of an England call-up for Euro 2012. However, things drastically changed for Norwich when a mini-cup run was started in the Capital One cup alongside a 10 game unbeaten in the league. The unbeaten run included brilliant victories against Manchester United and Arsenal, as well as another exciting game at the Liberty Stadium ending in a 4-3 win for Norwich. What was key to this run was the improved defence, all brought in by Hughton helping Ruddy to many clean sheets. Eventually Bunn had to become Norwich's number one as Ruddy had to pull out through injury. However, Bunn has become a good deputy, involved in much of the unbeaten run and proving to be a good shot stopper. The unbeaten run was eventually ended by an in-form West Brom and 2012 was ended by a close Boxing Day defeat to Chelsea and a close 4-3 defeat to Premier League champions Man City. 2012 has been brilliant for Norwich and has put the team in a great position for the new year. Bring on 2013. Goal of the year - Elliott Bennett against Tottenham. Game of the year - Norwich 1-0 Man United Player of the year - Hoolahan Sorry it's long, and I'm not a fantastic writer but I hope you enjoyed my summary of the year.
Norwich swiftly brought in every fan's first choice replacement, Chris Hughton, who over the summer signed important players including Bassong, Tettey, Bunn, Snodgrass, Butterfield, Turner, Garrido, Whittaker and Kane. When I saw that list written down I realised how good Hughton (and his backroom boys) are at spotting a player. Good summary, Wonky, and it cheered me up. The three defeats have got me a bit jittery, but this made me realise how far we've come.
Yes Garrido, Bassong and Tettey in particular. Also shown by the fact that all of the back four are Hughton signings. Although R Martin had a good game against Man City.
