A survey taken by more than 1,500 Norwich City fans has revealed that a majority of supporters are feeling optimistic about the season ahead.

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Carried out by this newspaper, the survey asked people to give their opinions on the Canaries' upcoming campaign ahead of their opening match away to Blackburn tomorrow.

Despite relegation from the Premier League last season, 56pc of the 1,580 fans who took part believe Alex Neil is still the right man to take the club forward.

And 30pc believe Norwich will return to English football's top flight as either champions or runners-up while 21pc feel Norwich can replicate the fantastic 2015 play-off final next May.

Only 1.2pc of people think Norwich will make it back-to-back relegations.

Off the field, however, City fans are not feeling as satisfied.

When asked to described how they feel towards the effectiveness of the Norwich board, 44pc said they were not very happy and 39pc said they felt content.

A majority of the fans, 46pc, also believe the club will continue its yo-yo club status over the next five years and 37pc said they think the club will become stuck in the Championship.

Norwich fan Robin Sainty claims the club's board are an easy target for criticism but believes unless something is done Norwich will not establish themselves as a settled Premier League team.

He said: 'Football is about instant gratification. We are unique as we have a lot of Norwich fans on the board but they do care about the club. I have a bit of sympathy for the criticism they have.

'Football is all about money and we do not have a great deal compared to the clubs we are competing against. I think unless the academy suddenly brings through a golden generation, I agree that we will continue to be a yo-yo club.'

However, Mr Sainty, who went to his first match at Carrow Road in 1967, believes City could end up as champions of the league.

'I think if we get a good striker and with the squad we have, there is no reason why we cannot go back up,' he said. 'Some hold the view that Newcastle are going to be unbeatable this year.

'The Championship is very different to the Premier League. We struggled to adjust to it last time and I think Newcastle and Aston Villa will struggle with it this time. There is no reason why we cannot be going to the top spot.'

And on City's new signing, attacking midfielder Alex Pritchard, he added: 'Alex Pritchard is outstanding. When he played for Brentford against Norwich in the Championship a few seasons ago he was one of the most impressive players in the championship. He is 23 and he is only going to get better.'