The Footy Journo: Norwich City Pre Season Review, 2012/13 Squad & Predictions.

Review

Norwich City's pre season friendlies have been a good warm up for the lads ready for the Premier League season. There has been a mixture of results, with two wins, three draws and unfortunately two losses against German opposition.

The Canaries started the friendlies off with a 3-2 loss at the hands of Hertha Berlin, with both goals coming from City striker James Vaughan. Ready to make up for the loss, Norwich travelled to Scotland for a match against SPL champions Celtic, where City and Celtic have a close relationship between both fans and players (The Norwich-Celtic Family.) Norwich finished the match victorious with a late strike from Grant Holt making it 1-0. Next up was the Championship side, Peterborough United. The Canaries netted twice through Steve Morison and James Vaughan, making the score 2-0.

Ajax traveled from Holland to face Norwich at Carrow Road, City netted first through a brilliantly taken free kick from Anthony Pilkington, only for the Dutch team to equalise with a long range drive from Danish midfielder Lasse Schöne. The match finished 1-1, with Ajax controlling most of the possession.

Next was two goalless draws away at both MK Dons and Hull City, Norwich opting to try out some of their younger members of the reserve squad. Bundesliga side, Borussia Mönchengladbach was the last team for Norwich to face before their Premier League campaign started, finishing 2-0 to the Germans, City had a good amount of possession, but unfortunately, they couldn't score against younger 'keeper Ter Stegen.

2012/13 Squad

1. John Ruddy (GK) 2. Russell Martin (DEF) 3. Steven Whittaker (DEF) 4. Bradley Johnson (MID) 6. Michael Turner (DEF) 7. Robert Snodgrass (MID) 8. Jonny Howson (MID) 9. Grant Holt (ATT) 10. Simeon Jackson (ATT) 11. Andrew Surman (MID) 12. Anthony Pilkington (MID) 13. Declan Rudd (GK) 14. Wes Hoolahan (MID) 15. David Fox (MID) 16. Steve Morison (ATT) 17. Elliott Bennett (MID) 19. James Vaughan (ATT) 20. Leon Barnett (DEF) 21. Jacob Butterfield (MID) 22. Elliott Ward (DEF) 23. Marc Tierney (DEF) 24. Ryan Bennett (DEF) 25. Chris Martin (ATT) 26. Simon Lappin (MID) 31. Jed Steer (GK) No number - Tom Adeyemi (MID) George Francomb (DEF) Javier Garrido (DEF) Korey Smith (MID)

Transfers In/Out

In: S Whittaker - Rangers (free) J Butterfield - Barnsley (free) R Snodgrass - Leeds United (undisclosed) M Turner - Sunderland (undisclosed) J Garrido - Lazio (loan)
Out: Z Whitbread (released) A Wilbraham (released) J Dawkin (released) M Ball (released) A Drury - Leeds United (free) A Crofts - Brighton & Hove Albion (undisclosed)

Verdict and Predictions

Norwich have played well under new manager Chris Hughton, and have shown a lot of attacking promise, with an equal amount of defending. New signings have been brought in the tighten up the defence and midfield and Snodgrass has been bought in to liven up the attack. I think Norwich will have a comfortable season ahead, finishing mid table, but competition will be tough, with teams like QPR investing money into world class players. James Vaughan has shown a lot of form during pre season, scoring three times, so he would be someone to watch out for. John Ruddy now has a season of Premier League action under his belt, and now he's made his England debut, he will be hoping to keep his place in the squad. Robert Snodgrass has shown a lot of promise, with exciting runs, teaming up well in midfield with ex-Leeds team mate Jonny Howson. Young Goalkeeper Jed Steer has shown future promise during training sessions, so I'm hoping he'll play a part in City's cup run this year.