Assuming everything is signed and sealed tomorrow, this is a very good appointment

How often are Norwich ever likely to be able to recruit a manager who's already proven themselves in the Premier League? Almost never. We're very small potatoes at this level; ambitious managers are likely to ignore us, especially with our budget.

He's already done what Farke (albeit amid extremely mitigating circumstances) couldn't. He's already done the exact thing we want most of all: to stay in this league.

And if we don't, he's also already been successful in the Championship. All while hugely improving young players, playing progressive football and leaving every club he's been at better placed than when he came in.

Personally, I strongly suspect the new Brexit rules have made our recruitment harder and managerial search harder too. Think about Knutsen for a moment: imagine we wanted him. Then we'd've had to wait for special dispensation... and what if it was rejected? Then we'd REALLY be talking about second choice appointments, hobbled before they even start.

Of the three names widely reported, Smith is by far the least risky and ticks by far the most boxes. His only real crime here is not to be some exotic name. He's solid and reliable and it's being counted against him in the aftermath of firing a manager many fans were besotted with.

Not only that - but football at the top level is so bats**t nowadays that we might end up as good as he can do post-Villa. It's very hard to imagine one of the super clubs ever giving him a second thought. But he has a major point to prove nonetheless.

He is absolutely the best we could've done in our circumstances. And his knowledge about us (based on reports of how his interview went) is a major plus. He'll fit within the model, not make stupid demands and not make it about him either. It's about the team and the squad where he's concerned... and his remit will be to get the absolute most from the players we already have.

We'll never know if Webber had an inkling or more than that about Villa sacking him. But even if not, the flexible thinking we've done isn't a bad thing in any way. It's a very good thing. Assuming it happens, I'm delighted.

Welcome, Deano!

Posted By: thebigfeller, Nov 13, 20:53:13