Relegation from championship

[NCFC_Chris]

hi i'm a Norwich City fan and you probaly know our position in the championship is looking rather precarious. Just wanted to hear how you've managed to turn it around this season as our fall mirrors yours considerbaly. You were an average championship side for a couple of years before your relegation like we have been and just wondered whether you feel relegation has given your club the opportunity to "start again"?

Heres to playing Leicester back in the top flight in a few years where both clubs belong

[AjcW]

hi i'm a Norwich City fan and you probaly know our position in the championship is looking rather precarious. Just wanted to hear how you've managed to turn it around this season as our fall mirrors yours considerbaly. You were an average championship side for a couple of years before your relegation like we have been and just wondered whether you feel relegation has given your club the opportunity to "start again"?

Heres to playing Leicester back in the top flight in a few years where both clubs belong

Best thing thats ever happened to us in my opinion mate. Been my most enjoyable season as a leicester fan. And quite honestly the actual what i would call "real football" played at this level is much higher than in the championship, it stays on the deck more often than not and the entertainment levels are much higher than in the championship.

I can honestly say it has let our club start again, and brought us all together, hopefully next season with great support and momentum we can stick it out in the champ.

[StanSP]

I think it has been a chance to rebuild for the future. It has brought a sense of togetherness at the club, and with so many records being broken this year i.e. unbeaten runs and home/away wins etc... it has brought back the good times.

We deserved to go down, but I hope that when we return, we can put up more of a fight to achieve higher position next year.

[Koke]

Nigel Pearson is the answer, really. Whether it was a calculated appointment by Mandaric or he just got lucky is anyone's guess really.

Pearson made some astute signings, got back to the basics of 4-4-2 and passing football. He's made good use of the loan market and signed youngsters from Liverpool, Arsenal and Man Utd.

The first thing we did was that we stopped felt sorry for ourselves and got on with things. You'll get some frustrating afternoons where teams park their team coach, 10 supporters coaches and 5 lorries in front of the goal. And you'll get teams raise their game against you and then go back to mediocrity the next game, simply because you are Norwich City. It's important that you find a way to crack that, and that's what we did and build a massive gap between ourselves and the rest - It's really about how you approach it.

It's been a great season, away days has been phenomenal. But you definitely do not want to spend more than you need down here.

[Gaffer]

Best thing thats ever happened to us in my opinion mate. Been my most enjoyable season as a leicester fan. And quite honestly the actual what i would call "real football" played at this level is much higher than in the championship, it stays on the deck more often than not and the entertainment levels are much higher than in the championship.

I can honestly say it has let our club start again, and brought us all together, hopefully next season with great support and momentum we can stick it out in the champ.

Couldnt agree more.

This season has been the most enjoyable for a very long time, and to be honest I'm going to miss it... I can see next season being better than the 3/4 years of misery that plagued us before relegation, but no where near as fun as this seasons.

Hopefully this season will be a spring board to get us up there again, and into much better times, likewise it could be springing us back into another season of misery.

Going down has allowed us to re-build which was cruital, and something we were in dire need of.

Only tip i can give you is to not go down thinking you will automatically bounce back, and that you are "too big of a club to go down" (just look at leeds and forest).

All the best whatever happens anyway.

[leicesterseddon]

hi i'm a Norwich City fan and you probaly know our position in the championship is looking rather precarious. Just wanted to hear how you've managed to turn it around this season as our fall mirrors yours considerbaly. You were an average championship side for a couple of years before your relegation like we have been and just wondered whether you feel relegation has given your club the opportunity to "start again"?

Heres to playing Leicester back in the top flight in a few years where both clubs belong

1) first ever time in this division, £14.2m loss last season after spending more than almost any other club and the realisation that another season in this league would spell financial disaster

2) getting relegated from the championship with the best defensive record in the whole division - first time that has happened i think

3) younger and hungrier players rather than the mercenaries we had last year on a swansong

4) nigel pearson

5) becoming a bit more humble and giving ourselves a collective kick up the arse

[AjcW]

I feel your probably the sort of club that really needs to go down. Norwich has had the same principles for a long long time and we were the same but we changed those principles this season and its done us the world of good. Go down rebuild and come back the norwich that everyone knows from your prem days

[Koke]

I feel your probably the sort of club that really needs to go down. Norwich has had the same principles for a long long time and we were the same but we changed those principles this season and its done us the world of good. Go down rebuild and come back the norwich that everyone knows from your prem days

Norwich getting relegated does not guarantee them a fresh start though. It's how they approach it.

Forest spent 3 years down here, and now they're in a relegation scrap. What exactly has changed from the season they got relegated from the Championship?

I hope Norwich stay up, big club and well supported and I'd rather play them next season than some other tinpot clubs who are up there now.

[StanSP]

As KAJ said, the signings made by Nigel Pearson have had a huge impace.

Tunchev, who I think we'll all agree was relatively unknown when he was signed. But he settled immediately and has gone on to become a fans favourite.

Other loan signings have been key too.

I also think the players that we kept have been key Fryatt, Oakley, Howard, King. All of these have made a difference as they could have all so easily jumped ship to stay in the Championship

[MC Prussian]

I'd say a lot of supporters had to devour the drop to League One at first and there was of course a huge amount of disappointment and frustration. Frustration aimed at the mismanagement, the lack of player quality and the inability shown by the manager(s) in charge.

We got relegated with 52 points, and I think there hadn't been such a narrow decision in the history of the Championship before.

I'd say you can still pull it off, with about 13 points in ten games you should make it to Championship safety. I'm much rather worrying about Charlton, to be honest. They are in deep shit.

What Leicester City has done to turn it around in League One this season? Belief, passion, a previously unproven manager with good connections to Prem clubs who has had a fabulous hand in terms of player transfers and loan deals so far, player quality and a little bit of luck.

Although you'll also have to appreciate the fact that a vast majority of League One clubs are poor. The game is different. Most other squads can easily be outplayed with quick one-two touch passing football, a system that Pearson seems to have brought to close perfection so far. And this has been a real pleasure for the eye for most part of this current season.

However, as bad as it may have seemed at first, this adventure (at least) one level below standard has also re-ignited the fans' commitment and pride in their team. Away games in particular have been nothing short of one big laugh and the following has even grown, fun and pride reign as opposed to depression and despair last season. There appears to be a new group spirit emerging and a new generation of LCFC supporters growing up.

It's been a rather healthy downfall, not in terms of finances, mind you (£14m loss last year). And I wouldn't want to see Leicester City more than one season down here. it's a bit bleak. But you get to see proper, classic football grounds you wouldn't find in higher divisions any longer.

The future looks brighter again. And we are one happy bunch of smashing lads and lasses.

[davieG]

If relegation was a guarantee of turning things around then it would be a case of let's go for it, in fact why even bother trying to stay up.

The truth is we struck lucky, lucky that we stumbled across a half decent manager, lucky that we were able to hang on to some players that were playing below their level, lucky that we were able to recruit players playing below their level, lucky that the manager we finally got to recruit was able to build on that luck and gel together a team quickly.

I believe very few if any teams tend to bounce straight back up to the Championship and although we look like we might manage it I wouldn't rely on it.

For all the fun that people have said that thry'ved enjoyed in this league a fair proportion of that joy has come because we've not been losing games and are riding high, I doubt you'd get the same response from the likes of Wolves, West Brom, Birmingham, Leeds, Forest and a fair few others when they were down here as you are getting from LCFC fans.

If i were you I'd hope that your team stays up because in reality with the right manager it shouldn't be significantly more difficult for clubs of the size mentioned to be able to create a successful team, at least one capable of maintaining a top 10 position in the Championship.

Us doing so well is no guarantee we'll be better off if and when we get promoted than we were the last time we were in the Championship.

[Corky]

You'll have a massive support next season. That could help, but teams will come and defend, they'll see you as a big team.

If you are patient, you should do alright. The fans will have a big part to play, and getting a permanent manager in too, maybe someone with experience of the division.

[Fosse Boy]

I really don't want Norwich to go down.

1) Because I know quite a few Norwich fans

and

2) Because I can't stand Ipswich and their Notts F*rest-esque undeserved sense of accomplishment

On The Ball, City!

[Webbo]

If relegation was a guarantee of turning things around then it would be a case of let's go for it, in fact why even bother trying to stay up.

The truth is we struck lucky, lucky that we stumbled across a half decent manager, lucky that we were able to hang on to some players that were playing below their level, lucky that we were able to recruit players playing below their level, lucky that the manager we finally got to recruit was able to build on that luck and gel together a team quickly.

I believe very few if any teams tend to bounce straight back up to the Championship and although we look like we might manage it I wouldn't rely on it.

For all the fun that people have said that thry'ved enjoyed in this league a fair proportion of that joy has come because we've not been losing games and are riding high, I doubt you'd get the same response from the likes of Wolves, West Brom, Birmingham, Leeds, Forest and a fair few others when they were down here as you are getting from LCFC fans.

If i were you I'd hope that your team stays up because in reality with the right manager it shouldn't be significantly more difficult for clubs of the size mentioned to be able to create a successful team, at least one capable of maintaining a top 10 position in the Championship.

Us doing so well is no guarantee we'll be better off if and when we get promoted than we were the last time we were in the Championship.

Spot on.

[Floating Fox]

Its easy to say, for us, that getting relegeted was good for the club...Because it has been, but look at Forest & Leeds. They have spent (and by the look of Leeds - Will spend) lots of seasons in this division, I don't think they'd agree.

[Katy]

If it does happen, it's all to do with how the fans and the club deal with it. You can wallow in self pity or you can crack on and 'do a Leicester' If it gives you an opportunity to clear out of of the crap that's been weighing Norwich down for years and get a gem like Nigel Pearson (obviously not him - hands off! ) then it could be the (re)making of you.

I think when we went down there was that nagging doubt, as fans, that we would be hanging around League 1 for seasons on end but, barring any cock ups on a major scale then we won't be. Plus we had our proud record of never going lower than the top two divisions shattered which hurt.

There's plenty of clubs I'd rather see go down before Norwich so I wish you well, but it's not as bad as you think in the end.

Good luck

[Matt]

Blessing in disguise, Last day of last season is something I really don't want repeat it was awful really was, I remember just sitting in a corner drinking myself stupid.

Now, I am drinking in celebration, It has give us the chance to start again as you say are rebuild, Alot/most of the praise has to got to Nigel Pearson, I was unsure when he was appointed, I wouldn't say I didn't want him but he was the more inspireing or someone who I had heard much about, Milan Mandaric is a loose cannon when it comes to managerial appointments and I think he struck lucky with this one, Although Pearson's real test is next season.

I am happy with mid-table/comfortable relegation battle (If there is such a thing), season after build on that - Maybe challenge for a play-off spot/Just outside play-off spot, season after build on that and possibly challenge at going up.

It may not seem it in your current position but it is the best thing that has happened to Leicester in a long time, and although we need to and i'd be disappointed if promotion to the Championship had not happened this season I am very sad to be leaving this league - That does not mean I want to be back in this league anytime soon though.

[norfolkfox222]

Living in Norwich and been a Leicester fan has being a very bad time! So i am loving the situation at the moment! At the same time id hate to see Norwich go down because i would love to get 6 points off u next season!! but it isnt looking good! and knowing Norwich like i do there is no money to spend there! So i think it will be very very hard for you to do what we have achieved this season if u do go down! But i hope u dont go down!!

O and Norwich dont belong in the Premier League! You have played there once in 15 years?!! Get real x

[Maybes]

Im not going to re-gurgitate what everyone has said, however I dont want Norwich to go down. Well supported club and much better than some of the shitty clubs in the champ.

[NCFC_Chris]

thanks guys, the worry i have is we don't have the money of Mandaric, you don't seem to have lost too many players since your relegation other than Hume and Mcauley. When we're down i doubt we'll be able to keep Clingan and Croft. We have a few decent youngsters coming through but they haven't been given a chance so maybe being in League1 will give us a chance to blood them and with 20,000 season tickets expected to be sold we should just about be able to raise enough money to bring in a few players, whether they'll be of the standard to take us up i don't know. I could talk for hours about our useless board but they'll never **** off unless somebody makes them a decent offer so we'll have to make do.

Will be hard watching Norwich in the third tier of english football as we've never been down there during my lifetime but i suppose we have to face up to it.

[Thracian]

hi i'm a Norwich City fan and you probaly know our position in the championship is looking rather precarious. Just wanted to hear how you've managed to turn it around this season as our fall mirrors yours considerbaly. You were an average championship side for a couple of years before your relegation like we have been and just wondered whether you feel relegation has given your club the opportunity to "start again"?

Heres to playing Leicester back in the top flight in a few years where both clubs belong

Simple answer is it does give you chance to "start again" providing you have the management to make the changes necessary and the players to make those changes effective.

DavieG, as usual, has written some wise words.

For me the first thing is about attitude.

You will need to understand that you are not a Premiership or Championship side but just another Divison One side and the only way you'll get anywhere is by working hard, closing people down, winning the ball and earning the right to play the sort of football you will obviously wish to.

If you go to the likes of Yeovil or Brighton with a "this is beneath us" mentality you'll lose points and can very quickly have everyone else thinking, "if they can take points off em, so can we."

Good preparation, hard work and concentration come first and getting a team together who expect to work for each other every week is a good part of the recipe we've used.

Another thing that has benefitted us is keeping a relatively settled side. Despite our apparently big squad we only have 18-20 realistic first teamers but to a man they all earn their wages, even the ones who are not necesssarily on top form. They know each other, are familiar with each other's capabilities and help one another.

We do have individuals but we don't have prima donnas and, other than the odd hiccup, Pearson does seem to have fostered a good team spirit and an all-for-one-one-for-all attitude which is vital when you're down to 10-men at Bristol Rovers or struggling to put three passes together in the wind and rain and facing a packed defence. Not once do I recall Leicester players blaming one another for some calamity nor do I ever recall Pearson criticising a single player in public like others I could name.

Along with that comes discipline. We don't get many bookings and hardly a single sending off that's justified. Basically the manager can rely on his team staying on the field, therefore making his whole job that bit easier.

Finally there's the attitude of focusing simply on the three points available for each game and trying to do everything possible to win them. That sounds obvious but it really requires single-mindedness to look at the work required to win against Cheltenham as exactly the same as the work required to win against Leeds or MK Dons.

Sometimes we've played good football and sometimes it's been grim but I'd never once say the players have been lazy, casual or simply not turned up.

It's many seasons since I could say that about a City side and that is perhaps one of the key things about Pearson's influence and our points gathering so far. Like Sir Alex Feruson said the other day..."Complacency - I'll give em one go at complacency and they're out."

If you do go down and subsequently get promoted I'll send you the bill! So good luck!

[Babylon]

thanks guys, the worry i have is we don't have the money of Mandaric, you don't seem to have lost too many players since your relegation other than Hume and Mcauley. When we're down i doubt we'll be able to keep Clingan and Croft. We have a few decent youngsters coming through but they haven't been given a chance so maybe being in League1 will give us a chance to blood them and with 20,000 season tickets expected to be sold we should just about be able to raise enough money to bring in a few players, whether they'll be of the standard to take us up i don't know. I could talk for hours about our useless board but they'll never **** off unless somebody makes them a decent offer so we'll have to make do.

Will be hard watching Norwich in the third tier of english football as we've never been down there during my lifetime but i suppose we have to face up to it.

The players we did keep hardly shone in the Championship though. Of our starting 11 yesterday 6 were with us last year, only 4 of them were in the first team squad and two more were promoted from the youth team this year.

Firstly you will all need to get over the fact you're in division 3 and whatever you do, never think you are too good for this league. I think that spirit in us comes from the fact the majority of our team are young and have never really played regularly at a higher level.

IMO Gunn is not the man to get you out of this league, unless he surrounds himself with excellent people. Pearson had so many contacts from working as No.2 at some big clubs, and he got in some fantastic coach's / head scout.

[Maybes]

The players we did keep hardly shone in the Championship though. Of our starting 11 yesterday 6 were with us last year, only 4 of them were in the first team squad and two more were promoted from the youth team this year.

Firstly you will all need to get over the fact you're in division 3 and whatever you do, never think you are too good for this league. I think that spirit in us comes from the fact the majority of our team are young and have never really played regularly at a higher level.

IMO Gunn is not the man to get you out of this league, unless he surrounds himself with excellent people. Pearson had so many contacts from working as No.2 at some big clubs, and he got in some fantastic coach's / head scout.

Plus Pearson worked with the England youth team I believe? Hence why we got in Mark Davies etc.

Mark Davies

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

I KNOW HOW YOU CAN STAY UP -

GET RID OF THAT USELESS GIT CARL CORT!

[DB11]

Will be hard watching Norwich in the third tier of english football as we've never been down there during my lifetime but i suppose we have to face up to it.

That was how ALL our fans felt