10 Reasons Norwich City Will Avoid Relegation

Norwich City has been written off by a lot of people this season. However, the club has been on quite a run in the last couple of seasons, and there are plenty of reasons for supporters to be confident of Premier League survival this season.

I have composed a slideshow of 10 things going for the club. Put them all together and do the business on the pitch, and Norwich City can look forward to at least another season in the top flight of English football. 

Paul Lambert

Paul Lambert may not have had much national media coverage prior to his appearance in the Premier League. But don't underestimate his managerial ability.

To Norwich fans he is a miracle worker after back-to-back promotions from League One and the Championship.

Some people have questioned his transfer policy but Lambert knows exactly what he is doing.

Lambert has already proved that he is prepared to be flexible. Last season Norwich used a diamond 4-4-2, but already this season Norwich have experimented with three different systems.

The signings that Lambert made this season allows the team to play with a narrow midfield or wide with two out and out wingers.

Lambert has also suggested the that the team must win games this season, even if that means winning ugly.

The bottom line here is that Lambert has his head screwed on and Norwich are unlikely to make the mistakes of some previous promoted teams.

Lambert is also a winner and there is no way he will accept any sort of failure this season. 

Vision, Strategy and David McNally

Norwich City and chief executive David McNally always had plans to be a Premier League club.

It happened quicker than would have been thought, but Norwich aren't just here to make up the numbers they had been targeting playing at this level and staying here.

Norwich will want to remain in the Premier League as they look to build towards expanding the stadium and becoming a self sufficient football club instead of relying on billionaires.

Belief and Sense of Belonging

What a lot of people seem to forget is that Norwich have been here before. They may remember Norwich's brief appearance in the 2004-05 season, but not so much the spell before that.

Norwich, though, were in the Premier League when it began and still had 22 teams. And for a time they were very successful.

All Norwich fans remember the 1992-93 season, when Norwich were top of the Premier League table at Christmas only to finish third behind Manchester United and Aston Villa.

Norwich City feel they belong in the Premier League as a successful club, not just one hanging on to its status. Obviously, it would take time to achieve this, but the club believes it belong at this level. 

Fans

Carrow Road has a capacity for around 27,000 people and will be sold out for every home game this season.

The supporters always back their team and make plenty of noise. Away support is also very strong with thousands of fans typically travelling to away games.

The fans could be Norwich City's secret weapon this season. After everything that has happened over the past two seasons they tend to be positive and fully back Paul Lambert.

Team Spirit

Team spirit can take you a long way in football. Norwich may not have household names in their squad, but they have players that are a close knit group that are desperate for success.

There is also a real sense of community at the club and between the fans and the players. The squad that got Norwich to the Premier League is essentially the same as the squad now with some useful additions.

There are some big characters in the dressing room and the team is young and very fit.

Style of Play

Norwich like to play football the right way with players that can pass the ball and wingers that can dribble. This is certainly a style of play that won't look out of place in the Premier League.

At the same time Lambert is painfully aware that Norwich will be up against a lot of quality players this season.

Therefore, the manager will be prepared to change to a less attractive style if it is needed to win games. In an ideal world, Norwich will win games with beautiful football this season.

Players with Points to Prove

The Norwich City squad is full of players that feel they are capable of playing at the level of Premier League football.

There are also players in the squad that feel they weren't given a fair chance at their previous clubs and will want to prove the club was wrong for letting them go.

John Ruddy and James Vaughan were with Everton, Daniel Ayala with Liverpool, Andrew Surman with Wolves and Leon Barnett with West Brom.

Loan signings Kyle Naughton and Ritchie De Laet will also want to prove a point to their Premier League parent clubs.

Wes Hoolahan

Wes Hoolahan has the type of skill and quick feet that could hold the key to unlocking Premier League defences. As he has already proved this season he also has an eye for goal.

The position he usually plays for Norwich on the tip of the diamond makes him hard to mark. If Norwich are to survive then surely Hoolahan will play a big part.

Playing well in the Premier League may also earn Hoolahan a regular place on the Republic of Ireland squad.

Grant Holt

It remains to be seen how many goals Grant Holt will score in the Premier League this season. But it's clear he will play a very important part for the team.

Holt is an old-fashioned striker and if players keep pace with him then Norwich should really benefit from his hold-up play and experience.

Holt also has an uncanny ability to win a lot of free kicks. Set-piece goals could be very important for Norwich this season.

If Holt also weighs in with over 10 goals this season, Norwich are half-way to surviving. Holt has a very important part to play for Norwich this season.

Finally, Everyone Loves an Underdog

As we found out last season, people love to support a team that is not expected to do well. Norwich will play fearless football and will take games to the big clubs.

Norwich are sure to pick up a lot of fans on the way. And maybe they can succeed where Blackpool failed, especially if they have half the country supporting them.