When I think about successful Norwich City teams of the recent past, there is so much that separates them from each other.
From the finesse of Daniel Farke’s title-winning sides, to the up-and-at-them nature of Paul Lambert’s back-to-back promotion achievers, there are a plethora of different characteristics that made each group of players so incredibly special.
But while these teams differed in many ways, they were built on similar foundations, foundations that are imperative to delivering prosperity – and are starting to show in the Johannes Hoff Thorup era.
One of those is a never-say-die attitude, an unwillingness to accept defeat, to fight to the very end. Having been 2-0 down at Preston last week, and 3-1 down against Middlesbrough on Sunday, I could have conceivably been sitting here writing this column on the back of two momentum-puncturing defeats.
And in the last couple of seasons, I would have rated our chances of coming back in either game as non-existent. But the fact that I’m not speaks volume for the belief that has been installed into this side by Hoff Thorup.
And it shows we are difficult to beat. Critics might argue that we are drawing too many games – but two defeats in 12 (one in the last 11) tells its own story.
Having said all that, I want to exercise caution. I’m not saying that this team will achieve promotion this season, but everything I’ve seen has made me firmly believe that the right building blocks are being put in place.
It is an exciting time to be a Norwich fan, both on and off the pitch – with new ownership now officially in place.
There will be time for more words about Delia and Michael, perhaps during the next international break, but for now I want to express my deep gratitude for everything they have done for this football club.
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