Premier League Preview - Will Hughton Get Norwich Firing?

Norwich’s second season back in the Premier League probably went as well as the fans could have hoped for, with a poor stint in the middle of the season bookended by good spells at the start and end of the campaign. Hughton’s tactics may not have always been gratefully received by the fans, but no one can argue with how well he did to pull them out of the rut towards the end of the season.

New signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel will be expected to add a new attacking dimension to Norwich’s play as well as score the majority of their goals. Gary Hooper has also been brought in, but he may have to bide his time if RVW is on form.

The Canaries were good at creating goal scoring opportunities last season, but struggled to put the ball into the net as Grant Holt was unable to reproduce the form he showed in the 2011-12 season. It is hoped that bringing in van Wolfswinkel and Hooper will mean that the work of creative players Robert Snodgrass and Anthony Pilkington does not go to waste.

Norwich are well drilled, as you would expect from a Chris Hughton side, but they tend to switch off in defence, which lead to a few silly goals being conceded. Hughton will have to tighten up the defence if Norwich are to have any chance of finishing in the top half.

Prediction: 14^th