Chris Hughton is braced for a busy start to the Premier League season both on and off the pitch with the final weeks of the transfer window providing a backdrop to early league games against Fulham and QPR. Picture: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images

Chris Hughton has Norwich City starting line-up sorted ahead of Premier League opener at Fulham

by Paddy Davitt Wednesday, August 15, 2012
12:06 PM

Chris Hughton knows the men he wants to get Norwich City off to a positive Premier League start against Fulham this weekend.

The Canaries’ boss is not expecting too many selection dilemmas ahead of the Craven Cottage countdown after watching his squad wrap up their pre-season preparations against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Steven Whittaker, David Fox and Jacob Butterfield have already been ruled out after injury severely limited their chances to stake a pre-season claim for the Premier League curtain-raiser.

Hughton also has concerns over Elliott Ward and Wes Hoolahan, but the Norwich manager believes the bulk of his squad have had plenty of opportunity to impress.

“You would like to think everybody is in contention but, yes, I have got a fair idea of my 11 for Fulham. I’m close to it,” he said.

“We would like to think we have done enough things right over this pre-season, but of course the real judge of that will be this week and the week after and so on.”

Hughton is braced for a busy start to the Premier League season both on and off the pitch with the final weeks of the transfer window providing a backdrop to early league games against Fulham and QPR.

“We’re working very hard on that front,” he said. “It does get tougher if you want to bring in players who will be competitive for us, but the work is going on behind-the-scenes. The priority is to make the squad and the team as strong as we can.

“The mindset is still that I would like to strengthen the squad because I really feel you have to evolve and improve the squad and ensure you have that competition within the group.

“It is a good group. I think when you take this job you are very conscious that you are not Manchester United and you are not Chelsea and you are not expected to finish in the top five and so you are not going to be bringing in them type of players, but in our way we still have to try and improve.”

The City boss has recruited four new faces this summer – headlined by the arrival of former Leeds captain Robert Snodgrass.

Hughton again opted to deploy Snodgrass in a support role off Grant Holt against the Germans in an experiment that brought mixed results.

“I thought there were some good moments and not so good moments,” he said. “At times when we got the ball to him he can show that type of quality and if he can get near goal then you know he is going to have some opportunities to strike.

“You have to get to the ball to him and Borussia worked very hard, which made it difficult for us. They had a good balance of working the ball and keeping it but also stopping us playing a little bit. There was good value in having another look at it, because he can certainly play can Robert and it is also a very good option for us to have.”

Latest Norwich City stories

10 comments

4-5-1 with the likely lads, Snods in the hole to see how it goes. Switch to a 4-4-2 with Vaughan upfront if we need to change. I think Hoolahoop and Pilks will be fit for the weekend and were kept from ROI as a precaution. I think when we (hopefully) have a fully fit squad we will have plenty of options and talent and could once again surprise a few people. Least of all that dumb lass in the Guardian preview video who obviously was clueless. COYY

Report this comment

Scrimmage Canary

Wednesday, August 15, 2012
I hope you`re wrong on the Worthy comparison, Pondy, though I share your concern. If the opposition know you have no attacking threat, they`ll mince you! Like when Worthy left Earnie on the bench in away games. Result: No wins, 7 draws and immediate relegation.

Report this comment

Mad Brewer

Wednesday, August 15, 2012
I think Pilks IS "injured"- withdrawn from ROI squad. Ruddy, Cafu, Big Benno, Turner, Mad Marc... Howson, Snods, Johnson, Surman...Wonderhorse, Pitbull... With Snods as a R. winger & Surs doing the Hoolahoop thing. Johnson there to remind everybody that this is a Leeds reunion! ;-) OTBC.

Report this comment

Mad Brewer

Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Last Saturday we seemed to be 6 2 2 a lot of the time. Shades of Worthington with six across the penalty box. Think Benno E could be the one to shine this year if only he can improve his crossing. Bring on Fulham

Report this comment

Pondlife

Wednesday, August 15, 2012
and yes...this Saturday is basically a home match for me...am in the Putney stand...nice to be able to walk to the match...I didn't get to see a single home match last season...

Report this comment

PutneyCanary

Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Hmmm...oops I guess. I thought Pilks was injured which is why I left him out - I didn't realise Fox was unavailable for Sat. Snods seems to be CH preferred option for now so wouldve had E Bennet on bench as impact.

Report this comment

PutneyCanary

Wednesday, August 15, 2012
fox is injured putney (home match for you? ) so he won't be featuring. interesting you are leaving both e. benno and pilks out

Report this comment

goldeneadie

Wednesday, August 15, 2012
So...my preference would be some sort of 4-3-1-2: Ruddy in goal, RB = Martin, CBs = Bennett (or Ward?) and Turner, LB = Tierney, CM = Howson, Johnson, Fox, AM = Snodders, CF= Holt and Pitbull. Surman on bench to come on and switch Snodders to RM if we need to go 4-4-2.

Report this comment

PutneyCanary

Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Oh well, I`d done quite well up to now, today! ;-)

Report this comment

Mad Brewer

Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Looking forward to Saturday. OTBC. IHWT. etc.

Report this comment

Mad Brewer

Wednesday, August 15, 2012