We are so fortunate to have such a brilliant photographer as Paul Chesterton capturing every twist and turn in the world of Norwich City for all our papers and websites.

Paul is a top man and brilliantly brings us thousands of pictures a season of the Canaries home and away, come rain or shine.

On dark, wet nights, in a far flung corner of the country with a deadline looming, it's far from an easy job - especially when City have slipped to another defeat.

It certainly helps when Norwich win. And the unlikely late victory over Cardiff at the weekend was the catalyst for some stunning images of the players celebrating.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich finally got back to winning ways against Cardiff

My very favourite among a terrific set a pictures was a close up of Jonathan Rowe and Onel Hernandez with massive smiles on their faces.

I'm sure it came from a mix of delight, passion, relief and a hope it will be the start of an upturn.

We have seen far, far too little joy this campaign among players, fans and officials.

Going to Carrow Road has become a depressingly unhappy place to go.

And for those hardy fans who travel hundreds of miles to away games, things have generally been no more pleasant.

Photos of beaming faces were very welcome.

Norwich City have started a new era this week.

Sporting director Stuart Webber has gone. Ben Knapper has found his parking space and worked out where the kitchen is at Colney and given his first interview to the club's channels.

Some interesting lines came out of his chat - although as a journalist and a fan I look forward to seeing him face more independent scrutiny as he answers the tough questions we have.

In my last column I called for Webber to leave earlier than planned and Knapper to start sooner than the originally agreed date, meaning there would be no awkward handover.

Fortunately that has happened.

Eastern Daily Press: Outgoing sporting director Stuart Webber

Any thought that Knapper would sack David Wagner as head coach after making his first Latte on Monday morning was misplaced.

By all accounts, the former Arsenal loans manager is going to take his time.

Do I think the victory in South Wales has made everything ok? No.

Do I think we still need a new head coach? Yes.

Does what I think matter? Of course it doesn't.

What I want from City's top brass right now is clarity. I want firm and strong leadership. 

I want a freshening up of ideas and a bold vision moving forward.

Eastern Daily Press: Smiles at last

And one of my pleas to Knapper is to head up a future which will mean City fans are smiling again.

I've been a supporter long enough to know that following a team has many huge highs and deep lows.

Winning, losing and drawing are part and parcel of football life.

Getting promoted happens. Getting relegated happens.

Eastern Daily Press: That's what scoring a goal meant to Adam Idah

In my view, fans - especially Norwich ones - have a fairly simple outlook.

We want to see attacking football. We want to see a clear style of play.

We want to see players who give their all and get the club.

And we want to smile.

For too long the faces have been long. 

Performances on the pitch and results have done little to change it. The mood music from the club hasn't helped.

Now is the time for change. As a new era begins, let's start enjoying being City fans again.

And may Paul's camera be full of joy!

OTBC.

Up the Linnets!

I made my first visit to the home of the Linnets for about 30 years on Tuesday night.

When I worked in King's Lynn in the early 1990s I sat in the press box at The Walks and reported on the team.

Somehow in the three decades since then, I've managed not to return.

And it will certainly not be anywhere near as long before I go back after a terrific night watching Norfolk's second biggest team.

Lynn came from one goal down to beat league leaders Scunthorpe in a fantastic game of football.

Adam Lakeland's men were superbly organised, full of energy, intent and passion and fully deserved the three points.

There's something special about a non-league match under the lights and I'd thoroughly recommend going.

As well as the great action on the pitch, it was also terrific to spend time with good mates Steve "Plunky" Plunkett (who is the Walks' stadium announcer), Chris Lakey (Our "Mr Lynn"), top photographer Ian Burt and my chauffeur for the evening Gary "Beetley Canary" Hinchliffe.

Up for the Cup!

Teams winning in yellow and green has been all too rare this season.

So it was fantastic to see the Norwich City Women secure a memorable 1-0 win over Hashtag United in the Women's FA Cup first round.

The Essex-based Tags had thrashed the Canaries 7-1 earlier in the season and are level above them in the league pyramid - possibly two tiers higher next year.

The underdogs produced a gutsy, tireless display as Ellie Smith netted the only goal to keep the cup run going.

I really hope that Ben Knapper has the continued development of the women's team high on his list of priorities as he settles in at City.

It's been proved that there's a huge appetite among locals, as was proved when more than 7500 fans turned up at Carrow Road in April for an eight-goal thriller against Ashford Town Women.

I'm not sure how many games are being planned at NR1 - but I'd like to see more and more there.