Fan group reacts as Dean Smith set to be announced as Norwich boss

Robin Sainty, chairman of the Canaries Trust, believes Smith was the safest choice out of the options available and despite initial concerns has grown to like him.

"I've spoken to a few of my Aston Villa connections and they've been full of praise for the work he's done," he said.

"I'm not doing cartwheels but it's an interesting appointment."

Canaries Trust chairman Robin Sainty described the club's ranking as 'well-deserved'. Picture: Archant. (Image: Archant)

Having researched Smith's work in more detail during his time at his previous clubs, Mr Sainty believes those experiences will set him up to succeed at Norwich City.

"I felt he did well at Walsall, and Thomas Frank has reaped the benefits of his work at Brentford," he said.

"He also did a good job at Aston Villa in getting them promoted and keeping them in the Premier League for two seasons."

After a week in which Norwich were strongly linked with both Kjetil Knutsen and Frank Lampard at different points, Mr Sainty conceded it had been a strange few days to be a City fan.

"It felt completely bizarre," he added.

"At first, we all got very excited about Knutsen and felt like that would have been an interesting choice.

"I never felt like Lampard was a realistic option with all the media attention he brings.

"Smith crept in under the radar and came as a surprise to most people."

Jack Grealish and manager Dean Smith celebrate Aston Villa's play-off final triumph at Wembley in 2019 (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

However, Mr Sainty believes that Smith could have his toughest challenge yet as Norwich seeks to retain its Premier League status.

"He's got to average more than a point a game which won't be easy.

"While the national media have already decided we’re already down - it’s not impossible and we can't think like that.

"We're five points from safety and there's 27 games still to go. Anything can happen."