Agree. Actions Not Words Required For Once.

I'll admit it. I wasn't impressed when Grant was appointed. It seemed a cheap option, an easy option, the appointment of a man who was so keen to get on the first rung of the managerial ladder (and lets not kid ourselves, PG's over-riding ambition in life is to manager Celtic) that he'd pretty much accept most conditions to get it.

Of course, if PG does get to manage Celtic at any time in the next 3-5 years, it might at least mean that he has achieved things with us, so maybe we all ought to hope he achieves that ambition!

I seem to say this most Summers, but I think its fair to say that next season really is one of the most important in the clubs history.

It may well define what the club is going to be and how it is going to define itself for the forseeable future, perhaps over the next decade or so.

Despite the noises coming from the Boardroom, I do think that the powers that be see CCC stability as being perfectly acceptable-yes, they may want Premiership status again, but its a double edged sword, with that comes high expectations and I don't think our Board likes that or can cope with it-either from their own points of view, or the club itself, such is our current infrastructure.

I don't think any Norwich Manager will ever be sacked for "merely" keeping us in the CCC with a regular and 'safe' 8th-12th place guaranteed every season. They only forced Worthy out because relegation -and possible extinction as a result- was a possibility, if Worthy had cruised along, keeping us in the top 10 or thereabouts all season, he, Doug and all the gang would still be here.

PG seems *genuinely* to want progress, i only hope that the Board are in a position to encourage it over the next few months. If they aren't, or we can't, soneone, somewhere, needs to raise their head above the parapets and say that we simply cannot hope to progress in our current state and that we would welcome new ideas and possible investment. Delia and MWJ saying they would "never never never" consider selling to a foreign investor was a really negative and backward thing to say, they are assuming that a foreign investor wouldn't be good for the club abd this has been proven in the past.

Well Delia, ask Potsmouth fans if they regret Mandaric taking over? Ask Leicester fans if they wish he hadn't come along. If you think local invetment is the answer and that football clubs need local people to invest and run them, ask Leeds about Ridsdale and Krasner, both Yorkshiremen.

If we simply have not got the resources to progress then the spin we have had thus far from Roger Munby will very swiftly be shown up if we have another season of mediocrity in 07-08. And, with the current defieicies in the squad, that is more than possible. Sure, we have the core of a good squad-Shackell, Hucks, Dixon (big season coming up for him, does well and that Prem move may be a reality), Earnie, Chris Martin-but they are outweighed by players whoa re either not good enough (the Doc), injury prone, or still looking to "achieve their potential". Hopefully Spillane will establish himself next season, but I hope that he gets a regular position in his best position and doesn't spend it playing all over the place.

Croft needs to get fit and start making 90 minutes, Luke Chadwick needs games and a regular starting position and a new goalie (Marshall, PLEASE?!), right back, central midfielder and targetman (competition to Brown, hopefully boost his game) are a must at least.

Lets hope we can go for good players and maybe some gems from the lower leagues or abroad, rather than loaning out players who struggle to get games for their own sides again-Rehman, Wright et al spring to mind.

I said in an earlier post (and thanks for getting this far) that promotion/play off's for next season wasn't a must IMHO, but that progress and optimism being visible/actual, both on the pitch and within the club was a must and an unconditional one. Lets hope that is the case.

Posted By: Martin Peters, May 7, 12:43:36