Is Norwich City feeling the pressure?

Filed in archive on October 30, 2005

After a roller coaster year in the premiership Norwich City find themselves struggling in the Championship. Two years ago everyone thought Norwich would struggle after years of underachieving, but surprised everyone one by walking the division and winning the league in style. A year in the Premiership followed which by all accounts was uneventful until January. Everyone had written Norwich off by then after been bottom of the league and seemingly staring relegation in the face. The Norwich board took a gamble and invested 3 million pounds on Dean Ashton, Ashton had scored some 20 goals in the championship in just half a season. Nothing dramatic happened for a while, but Norwich starting to find some form and amazingly they went into the final game needing just a draw for survival. Norwich were beaten 6-0 that day and were duly relegated.

Coming into the new season Norwich were installed as one of the favorites on the back of a spirited survival attempt and walking the league last time out. On paper its by far the strongest squad in the league, but Norwich have struggled and currently sit 20^th in the table. The only real explanation is the pressure getting to the canaries, they have never been under so much pressure to perform and so far they are bucking. The squad looks a lot stronger than it did 2 years ago but its just not working out. The board know that the cost of not winning promotion this year could see a mass exodus of players come the summer. Difficult decisions will need to be made by January do they sack the manager or back him to hilt to bring players in to turn it all around.

This article has been contributed by Creative Reporter - James. James Kent has been following the fortunes of Norwich City for the last 12 years.