Chris Hughton is relishing the prospect of match days at Carrow Road, where he played many times in the 1980s. Picture: Denise Bradley

Chris Hughton aims to do more at Norwich City than a change of voice

Michael Bailey Tuesday, July 10, 2012
3:18 PM

Chris Hughton admitted his biggest challenge at Carrow Road will be to continue Norwich City’s progress – while doing more than simply changing the voice at Colney.

The new Canaries boss started pre-season training with his squad this week, ahead of their training camp in Austria and City’s first friendly against Hertha Berlin at Gleisdorf in 10 days’ time.

After successive promotions and Premier League survival, Hughton is well aware of the boots he has to fill in predecessor Paul Lambert – as well as taking charge of a Norwich squad new Aston Villa manager effectively built in his own image.

So getting his new players working under his instruction – as well as improving what he has available – will be key to securing a third Premier League term.

“It will be my responsibility to certainly try to sustain everything that’s good that we have, but I would like to add to the squad because I think that’s natural and I have the funds to be able to do that,” said Hughton.

“You take the option that you keep everything that’s good, you keep everything the same and just change the voice – or you try to improve the squad you’ve got.

“I think we’ve got a responsibility to the club to try to improve the squad we’ve got, and not detract too much away from what’s been good over the last few seasons.

“I have to assess what I have and the only way you can do that is by what you saw last season and the videos you’ve watched, and perhaps most importantly the assessments we make over the next few weeks.”

While City’s transfer budget ahead of the new season may be dwarfed by the Premier League’s leading clubs, it still represents a better situation than what was dealt to Hughton last term – having to work under a transfer embargo at crisis-hit Birmingham City.

“It’s nice to be in a position where there is money to spend,” Hughton told BBC Five Live. “Certainly there aren’t the funds that have been spoken about (in the media) but it’s a nice position to be in.

“But when you’re a manager, there are different types of management.

“Sometimes it’s one where the facilities are better, sometimes you’ve got more to spend and sometimes you have to work round it. It’s a different type of management and you have to be able to do it. You have to be able to adapt with the facilities that you have.”

Hughton added: “It’s been an outstanding period for the club and my responsibility is to try to sustain the good work Paul and the club has been able to do over the last few seasons.”

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16 comments

Amazing how Donkeystar has made a career out of ineptitude. Who was the FA guy who f****d up the Post Office? Crosier?

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Mad Brewer

Thursday, July 12, 2012
Hi, canarydownunder. Must`ve been another of the "usual suspects". Dubai, maybe? Uncanny vocal similarity.

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Mad Brewer

Thursday, July 12, 2012
Must`ve been somebody else, Canarydownunder, maybe the boi Dubai? Anyway, whoever it was, was spot on! Any news on the injury progress of Tierney, Vaughan and Ayala?

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Mad Brewer

Thursday, July 12, 2012
No, I've made no comment on Hoot's voice MB, only that we rename Carra Rd, Hughton Hall (fomerly Lambert Palace) assuming he has the same Divine intervention. Good to hear, he is intending to move house.

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canarydownunder

Thursday, July 12, 2012
Newco Rangers would like to point out that they own all the socks along with Ranger's assets and anyone buying them will be sued for 10x the face value of the socks, plus VAT plus legal expenses plus a contribution to the Neil Doncaster benevolent fund.

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Swiss Canary

Thursday, July 12, 2012
Did someone say Lambert has bought a new pair of socks? Get a car and a photographer - Archant.

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JMH

Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Oops, cdu! It was actually a "Duplicate". That`s an achievement in its own right.

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Mad Brewer

Wednesday, July 11, 2012
canarydownunder, looks like you shamed them into de-ethering you! Wasn`t it you that pointed out the tonal similarity of Hoots`s voice with that of Mike from the "Young Ones?". I`m a little concerned that there seems to be no news, though I suppose that could be seen as good news? At least Hoots is talking down the transfer kitty expectation. I just hope it`s not because he actually has b****r all to spend! Like most other posters, I wish we`d get more Hughton and no more Lambert. Time to move on, Ar-chant!

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Mad Brewer

Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Such as any news on Tierney, Vaughan , Ayala regarding fitness?

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Pondlife

Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Ethered for suggesting our local journo's time would be better spent at Colney taking a few pics and conducting a few interviews!

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canarydownunder

Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Do our local hacks know where Colney is????

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Singapore Canary

Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Ethered for suggesting our local journo's time would be better spent at Colney taking a few pics and conducting a few interviews!

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canarydownunder

Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Breaking News from Pink Un: Lambert buys new pair of socks..............(Oh + we've signed Messi..)..

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Timbo

Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Hughton has a totally different stage of the City plan to manage: He's not having to get us to the Premier League (we've thanked Lambert et al, and said our goodbyes enough) but has to keep us up there (after the initial rookie over-achievement year), avoid second-season syndrome, move us towards long term Premier League stability, and on to European challenges. His comments fit the billing so far and I, for one, am really looking forward to seeing him in action.

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Robin Hood

Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I hope Chris does not reflect too long on previous manager's boots! His record stands on its own and I am confident he will motivate the team to onward and upwards. When will Archant finally accept we have a new manager and concentrate on his plus points - or is this asking too much? OTBC

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Singapore Canary

Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Chris, please take a look at the likes of Zak Whitbread (maybe get him a bicycle), Jordan Rhodes, Kyle Naughton - these guys are worth considering. OTBC

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Dubai Canary

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Norwich City striker Simeon Jackson heads a 10-man list of released players

Norwich City officials confirmed on Monday night the release of ten players from the club – headlined by the departure of Canadian international Simeon Jackson.

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