Mixed View of Norwich City Among Fans Ahead of Season Opener, According to Robin Sainty – Great

Realistically, it’s inevitable that after a season as poor as the last one there is still a lot of negativity within the fanbase, but there are also positive signs to be found by those who are prepared to look for them.

The first of these is that the summer additions to the squad have added experience, physicality and, most importantly, a much more aggressive attitude, which will be hugely welcome after some of the meek surrenders of the last campaign.

Ashley Barnes appears to be capable of starting an argument in an empty room while Jack Stacey and Shane Duffy are also imposing physical specimens and all three look likely to give City a greater presence in both penalty boxes.

While the arrival of Christian Fassnacht may have come as something of a surprise, he has plenty of international and European competition experience and averages a goal every three games over his career as well as an impressive number of assists. At six foot-plus he will also provide another aerial threat.

The overall fitness levels also seem to be higher after some intense training camps and that too is important given David Wagner’s preferred pressing style and the tendency of last season’s team to run out of steam in the latter stages of games.

Finally, although one should never read too much into this, pre-season has been largely successful with wins against some decent sides and only three goals conceded by a revamped defensive unit still learning to play together.

The unfortunate injury to Borja Sainz has been the only real downside and Wagner must be cursing his luck to lose a player who has suffered no significant injuries in his career for such a long period.

The bright side of that, I suppose, is that his projected return in October will be like a new signing, and with Grant Hanley also due to return at some stage I can understand why Wagner has said that City are unlikely to use the transfer market unless players depart, although I suspect we’ll see at least one loan.

However, there are also questions to be answered. For example, can City cut out the sloppy turnovers of possession that blighted last season and reared their head several times in pre-season?

Marcelino Nunez (Image: Martyn Haworth/Focus Images Ltd)

Also, how will Gabriel Sara cope with the responsibility of being the team’s creative fulcrum, and will Marcelino Nunez be able to consistently find the form that made his start to his first season so impressive?

Most importantly, though, and key to the success or failure of City’s season, is whether they can replace the goals that have been lost as a result of the departure of Teemu Pukki?

Then, of course, there is the head coach himself. Having become accustomed to the flowing passing football that was the trademark of Daniel Farke, the City faithful never bought into the much more pedestrian style favoured by Dean Smith, so Wagner’s arrival generated new hope.

However, despite some early promise the long decline at the end of last season has left him with little credit in the bank as far as the fans are concerned but a good start to the season could soon see that change.

We certainly won’t be seeing anything approximating to Farkeball, but although some might disagree, I think that the majority of City fans would happily accept a more pragmatic style as long as it produced results.

In terms of City’s prospects this season I’m remaining firmly on the fence, but that seems to be only place to be until we actually see this new look team up against Championship opposition.