How do you assess Norwich’s start to the season so far?
I thought this season was going to more about mid table obscurity but it now seems like we’re being pulled into the relegation battle. I’m really surprised that given our performances and the amount of losses we’ve had this season that we’re not in the bottom three but that just shows how many poor clubs there are in the league. What’s most difficult to accept is how bad our away form has been. It hasn’t been good to be a travelling Norwich fan this season!
Chris Hughton’s odds of being sacked have been shortened over the last month or so. How do you think he’s doing?
I sit on the fence in regards to Chris Hughton and for me it’ll all depend on where we stand come the end of the season. It’s too late in the season for anything to happen now. I like him as a person and I think he’s got some fight about him but I think some of the transfers haven’t quite worked.
Norwich signed a number of players in the summer. How do you assess their time at Carrow Road?
Where do I start? I’ve never been a fan of Elmander and he hasn’t done anything to change my mind. Leroy Fer has done well in my eyes, as has Gary Hooper. I think there was a lot of expectation of Ricky Van Wolfswinkel coming into the season but he’s yet to deliver for us. Hopefully it is just that he needs a bit of time to settle in.
Are you surprised that Hughton wasn’t busier in the January transfer window?
I thought we were going to get a striker as we’ve been lacking goals all season even with Elmander and Ricky van Wolfswinkel. We definitely needed to strengthen our defence and add some experience and Yobo does both of those things. Gutierrez is a great signing and I was surprised that he was deemed surplus to requirements at Newcastle. Overall, not a bad transfer window.
It looked like Wes Hoolahan was destined to leave in January. Do you think he’ll be welcomed back into the team?
Well, he hasn’t played since New Year’s Day so I think unless the talks go well with Hughton I think he’ll go in the summer. I always think it must be difficult when a player has conducted themselves so unprofessionally to go back to the dressing room with the team especially as he was expecting to leave in January.
Who should West Ham fans be wary of in the Norwich’s first XI?
I think Van Wolfswinkel is due a goal or two before the end of the season and I like to see Gary Hooper extend his good form of late. In midfield, Johnson, Pilkington and Fer can all be threats.
What’s your opinion of West Ham this season?
I think that like most fans I felt sorry for you after the [Capital One Cup] semi final against Man City but that seems to have reinvigorated you a bit along with Andy Carroll coming back. You seem to be such an all or nothing team — you either boss a team or fall apart and that seems to be your issue this season.
Which West Ham players would you have in your squad?
I like Ravel Morrison but he seems to have been a quiet of late and I did hear he wanted out in January. Andy Carroll seems to have come back with a bang (and an elbow) and Stewart Downing has also looked good for you this season.
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