Second season syndrome for Canaries

Although relatively safe of relegation this season, Norwich City are a team who should fear for survival next term without significant investment.

Chris Hughton’s men have gone about their business very quietly this season, not pulling up any tress nor can they at any stage describe any part of their season a ‘relegation dog fight’.  However, Hughton must be allowed the funds to invest in his squad of Championship over-achievers are to survive a third season at English football’s top table.

Paul Lambert was the man that assembled much of Norwich’s current squad following their promotion to the Premier League two seasons ago.  Lambert carried on his own philosophy of signing young hungry player, in many cases without any Premier League experience that were eager to prove that they could cut it with the country’s elite teams.  This worked well and resulted in a superb first season.

However, with this philosophy Norwich need to be careful of complacency setting in.  Following Lambert’s summer switch to Aston Villa and Chris Hughton taking the reins, results on the pitch have declined slightly.  They have not been disastrous by any stretch and the club are still well set for a third consecutive season of Premier League football at Carrow Road, but this has not been as comfortable a season as the canaries endured last season.

After the initial season where a group of proven championship players were eager to prove themselves as top level footballers, Norwich have suffered from second season syndrome this season, although admittedly a very mild case.  It will be an important summer for Chris Hughton and he will need to refresh his squad if he is to halt the slow decline Norwich are showing signs of going through.

Aaron SharpFollow @ajs26061988

Comments

[Norwich Fan]

This IS our second Season, next season is our third and most of the players in the starting 11 were brought in by Hughton. Check. Your. Facts.

[Ncfc fan]

Total rubbish mate you have no idea what the hell your on about nrwich have 32 points that's 10 less then last season but we still have games to go if we get 3 wins and a draw that matchs last season therefore is no diffrence. If we get 4 wins that's more points then last season which means we have done better how is that second season syndrome. Total rubbish waste of time.

[Toad of Nozville]

Just a bit odd really...I thought 2nd season syndrome was a capitulation (and generally relegation)?! You can't tighten the boundaries and label it the same thing. It's completely nonsensical, as you've mentioned the 3rd season the one in which we could be relegated - surely that makes it 3rd season syndrome?! We haven't scored as many goals - that's the only real difference, but not such a hot topic for a piece of 'journalism' of course. I appreciate you're (probably) paid to incite an uprising of some sort, but at least think/investigate. That's all I ask. Good boy.

[Flicky Licky]

if that is your criteria for a mild dose of second season syndrome..... Then we also have a mild case of champions League qualification syndrome. You can always tell when there is no real news about.