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David Hannant: Looking at bigger picture for Norwich City.
With the season more than two-thirds of the way through, we can probably start looking at the table.
On the surface, it does not make for particularly inspiring reading; 12th place is not the most ideal position. Taken in isolation, 12th place is about as mediocre as it gets – the most middling of mid-table positions. In my previous column, I discussed some of my favourite figures of speech used in the beautiful game. This week, there will be no discussion of the dark arts or comparing the levels of ‘outhousery’ of players – though I still believe there is no separating Fernandes and Rudiger.However, another phrase that seems to be infiltrating football – but is in no way exclusive to it – is ‘the bigger picture’.
There’s no getting away from football’s love of idioms. For those who are unfamiliar, this expression refers to looking at things in a broader context and considering whether the aims justify the methods. So, what’s the wider picture for Norwich City? In terms of this season in particular, there is a very short answer – but I’ll get to that later. The longer solution, however, is a different one. The important thing to remember is that we’re in a marathon, not a sprint, and we’re constructing something. The main disadvantage of Dean Smith’s and David Wagner’s tenures was that we lacked a clear direction or identity.
In terms of ‘identity’, the key question is whether a manager’s name may legitimately replace the foot in the word football. Farkeball was clearly a thing, and it is once again in full swing at the top of the table. But, did we ever discuss Wagnerball or Smithball? That would be a no. At the very least, not in a complimentary manner. However, we are getting a sense of what Hoffball is – even if it is still settling in, like Farkeball did in year one. We’ve also seen how destructive it can be when it’s at its peak, as evidenced by swashbuckling victories over Plymouth, Hull, and Watford this season.
Similarly, there is more to our position in the league than merely turning our noses up at the number 12. After the same amount of games previous season, we were in a better position of seventh. However, we only had a one-point advantage over the top six. Ignoring the runaway top four, the chasing pack is quite congested. In a season with so much change going on behind the scenes, to still be in contention for the play-offs is an accomplishment in and of itself.
Is this the perfect situation? No, of course not, but it is evident what the Thorup-Knapper connection aims to accomplish. This time last year, it felt like everything was in limbo. We all knew Wagner wasn’t Knapper’s man, and it appeared that searches for his successor were already on – even if the season ended with promotion. Obviously, patience is in short supply among football fans, and it goes without saying that no one enjoys seeing their team suffer dismal results. But, at the same time, I believe I’ve seen and heard enough to know which way we’re heading.
I’d say our odds of making the playoffs this season are ‘outside’ – but with the league as tight as it is, a couple excellent results can change that. But does it appear to me that it is developing towards a strong promotion opportunity next season? Yes, it really does, even if it sounds like famous final words. Obviously, there are a lot of moving factors to this scenario, and we’ll probably have to make do with a few departures during the summer, but I’m confident in the direction things are going. This season has always felt like one where looking at the ‘larger picture’ will always play a key influence – and no, that’s not rationalisinga mid-table position.
I honestly feel that by August, we will be in a better position to make a stronger bid for next season, which will also put us in a better position to battle for survival the following season. Even though I’d definitely appreciate an unexpected promotion this season, the way things are going, it’s tough to see anything other than a Southampton-style attempt to stay up as a reward.
Will Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town team leave the top flight this year? (Image: PA Images.) This takes me to what the true greater picture of the 2024/25 season has always been, and it is very much on pace.
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