My guess is that will be the goal for next season; to have a more defined starting 11. Assuming a fully fit sqaud we nearly have it, except for a stonger defensive midfielder and an attacker that can create a few more opportunities for themselves (maybe Vaughan could be that player) but someone like Rodriguez would be great. I still think there is space for a more experienced centre back, but they are thin on the ground. I also assume that the coaching staff and players are fully aware of the limitations and have lots of time over the summer to work on those factors. The acheivement this year has to be put into context, financial limitations, developing players from lower leagues who will continue to grow and develop both in terms of skill and tactical nous.
There seems to be a strange and quite unrealistic belief among football fans that footballers are super-human beings, somehow immune to the frailties of ordinary people. They are apparently expected to perform consistently at their highest level throughout the season whenever picked to play and whatever the circumstances. As I was going to post on ICHB's "realistic view" thread, "realistic football fan" strikes me as an oxymoron.
When i took a look at the fixtures at the start of the season my immediate thoughts were we have a tough run in!! Although disapointed, i am not surprised or worried by recent performances and results. We have done exactly what needed to be done. As for 'has PL taken us as far as he can', are you mad? Hes going to start seeing all his plans come into shape over the next few seasons. All the foundations are being built for Norwichs long term future and the bank balance is swelling. Well done Mr Lambert, lets not go mad in the summer and fall for temptation. Stick to the plan and keep bringing in those future young prospects and those who will stick around if relagation does ever happen. Great season
As you might expect, given my posts on this subject, I completely agree. I was worried about the last 6-8 games of the season, and thought that we needed to be clear of the dog fight before we reached the run in and we were. This season has exceeded my expectations, it is clearly a phenomenol performance. I can't understand how anyone could be disappointed this season. I can understand the desire to improve, but it has to be at a pace that is commensurate with the size of our club. Man city spent £180m under Hughes and £240m under mancini plus the wage bill per week. We are never going to be able to compete on that financial scale. I had many discussions with folk about the need to enjoy this season as much as possible, and I have!
This makes interesting reading, particularly: “I don’t know how far Norwich can go, I really don’t. I don’t know,” he said. “What I know is in the last few years the club has had a lot of success but you’re competing in a different ball game in this league, that’s for sure, because the finances dictate you have to try to compete with everybody else. http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/paul_lambert_on_norwich_city_s_future_1_1363671 Paul Lambert is an extremely ambitious man, I just hope and pray that he feels he can take us to that next level
Some sobbering posts above, indeed a good reminder that when the fixtures were announced nearly a year ago, the run in looked really really hard. OTBC bravo all, and two fingers to the town fans and Col Who Mike who predicted we'd break Derby's record low points tally.
I never quite understand the question what does the next level mean for our club? What would constitute success? My level of ambition for Norwich is a self sustaining fianancially viable football club, that will win a cup competition and be a solid PL club.
well, the ipswich fans are predicting that we'll break the record low next year instead, based on our current run of form. quite laughable really, especially when you look at who's beaten us, blackburn excepted. fact is, they are worried that we'll become a mainstay in the premier league while they drift from one 15th place finish to another 15th place finish. thats why they can't wait for lambert to leave as they think it'll speed up our relegation. again, there is no guarantee that we'd go down just cos we lose our manager - its all based on wishful thinking on their part
so you really believe we will end up with 10 points or less then guru? what the hell is this based upon?!?!
not saying you will or you won't, but one season doen't make you established. Next season will be harder because you won 't have that fantastic attribute called momentum!
yep, i saw that thread Supers. Keep them coming i say, especially from Mikey with his immortal status. i don't see how they can predict how we will fair, until we know who goes down / comes up and the transfer window is through in August.
Lambo always said that finishing in 17th place or above will be his biggest achievement to date - bigger than winning L1 and getting promoted from the Championship and he has achieved that goal now. We have to look forward to next season and it is widely recognised and accepted that changes are needed if we are to drive on from the success of this season. It's been a hard slog - Lambert, his management team and the players have all worked their asses off to get to a position of safety and it is no wonder that they are beginning to show a bit of wear and tear. I think a good transfer window, both inbound and outbound, will be crucial to our success or otherwise next season - Lambo knows this all too well I shouldn't wonder and I would assume the Board recognises this too as well as acknowledging the phenomenal achievement that this season has given us.
