Interview With A Norwich Fan

Ahead of the big game tomorrow, Vital Hartlepool has caught up with Norwich fan theguru to get his view on the match.

It was a very poor season for you last year, how do you feel your club strengthened over the summer?

After all the loan signings of last year went back to their parent club Gunny brought in thirteen players - twelve on permanent deals - and in general our squad looked as though it was certainly strong enough to compete in League One. And then Colchester happened.

I think a lot of people were shocked with your opening day defeat, basically, what happened?

I wish I knew! I think the occasion got to some of the new signings, and combined with some horrendous individual errors and a chronic lack of confidence combined to create the most nightmarish scenario imaginable!

After keeping his job following the defeat, Bryan Gunn turned it around with a convincing win over Yeovil. Then he was sacked, can you explain that one?

In a word, no. Many people (including me) didn't feel Gunny should have been given the job in the first place, but after doing so and then backing him to the tune of 13 new players it was curious timing by the board.

Michael Nelson left Pools this summer to move to Carrow Road, what did you make of the signing and his performances in the games he's played?

It's hard to judge him on the games he has played in so far, but I was pleased we got him - even though I felt Llera from MK Dons would have been a better bet.

Who do you think will be your key player this season?

Wes Hoolahan will have a big part to play this season, but for me Grant Holt will be the main man.

What do you make of the arrival of Paul Lambert, can he turn it around?

Curious decision, but a decent up-and-coming manager. Can he turn it around? Simple put - he has to!

So do you think a promotion challenge is still on the cards?

Who knows? There's still plenty of time, but we need to start winning games quickly.

Any injury worries or selection issues ahead of the game?

It looks like goalkeeper Ben Alnwick is struggling after suffering a nasty gash to the face against Sunderland, and we've got two midfielders out in Matt Gill and Owain Tudur Jones. The team should probably pick itself now.

Finally, your prediction for the game.

I'm going to sit on the fence and go for a 1-1 draw.

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