Norwich City fans are waiting with bated breath to hear from sporting director Stuart Webber as he prepares to answer pressing questions later this morning. 

City's chief will sit down with local media to provide his opinion on why their season derailed so significantly, reflect on the key decisions made that led us here and lay the foundations for the future. 

Given the angst that has been directed at him personally, including sections of the supporters calling him for leave, plus the general dismay and apathy that is rampant within the support base at present - it feels like a significant moment both for Webber and City's overall direction of travel. 

Whenever Webber does sit down to speak publicly, it proves to be blockbuster - irrespective of what has happened over the last 18 months; he remains Norwich's best communicator. 

He will be acutely aware of the significance of this touchpoint. He will be able to read the room. He will know it is him who finds himself firmly in the spotlight. 

The Welshman will have a strategy for tackling the tough questions and getting key messages across - every interview is carefully considered, even if Webber's approach makes it feel improvised and off the cuff. 

For many City supporters, it will be the first time in 12 months that they've heard Webber address the issues the club are facing. He must cool the anger rather than pour petrol onto the flames. There can be no digs or deflections - just sincerity and responsibility. 

The Pink Un: Dean SmithDean Smith (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Key questions will surround the decision-making process of this season; the willingness to retain Dean Smith as head coach after the international break, the lurch in style of play, the lack of clear identity that was once his principle value, the overall accountability internally and how the squad has been allowed to get to a state of imbalance and under-performance. 

Webber will make his case why David Wagner is the best head coach to lead this project forward after a dismal run of form that saw City win just one of their final 11 matches. The lack of engagement and communication coupled with his change in outlook compared to the early stages of his era are also likely to be on the agenda. 

Big and pertinent questions - Webber's job will be to tackle them in a way that shows transparency, accountability and sincerity whilst not letting them define the fan feeling around him in a negative sense. 

Some have already made their minds up and will be unwilling to have their perspectives changed - but Webber will be the man leading the change this summer. He will not be able to win over everyone, but it will be about clarity of project rather than a popularity contest. 

In truth, Webber has never been one desperate to be liked. He would rather be right. Five years ago, he had the answers to transform the club and the energy to drag it forwards - he must prove he still has that left in the tank. 

Perhaps his biggest challenge will be making this chapter feel fresh despite the lack of change in personnel. At the core of this touchpoint will be the need to bring people on a journey with the football club again. 

The Pink Un: David Wagner and Stuart Webber will be the architects of change at Norwich City this summer. David Wagner and Stuart Webber will be the architects of change at Norwich City this summer. (Image: Sonya Duncan/Newsquest)

The way that Webber engages with the questions will be as critical to the context of his answers. 

Most fans will want to see an enthusiasm and energy within his answers and be engaged by his messages. There will need to be empathy for past mistakes and if the right tone is struck, he will get buy-in from most Norwich supporters, even if those doubts about the future remain. 

But there should not be any underestimation of the fans' feelings at present - they want to be spoken with, not at. They don't want to be the subject of criticism in the same way that Smith took aim back in December. 

The tightrope that Webber will have to walk is so thin - one misstep could define the mood, one wrong comment and the fans may not be for turning. The stakes are high. Webber relishes pressure - it is why he wanted to become a sporting director in the first place. 

In 2017, his ability to reconnect major stakeholders and get everyone plugged into the same key objective and project was key to that remarkable promotion under Daniel Farke the following season. 

Outlining the future direction of travel will be just as important as acknowledging mistakes that have been made in the past. 

Norwich supporters don't expect to be winning every week. They understand the challenges that exist for their football club. But they want something to connect and engage with, something they can believe in. This regime, led by Webber, has achieved that before. 

Beyond that, they want to see Webber show his passion and desire to right the wrongs of the last few seasons. They want to hear how he intends to set the club back on the correct course. 

The Pink Un: Norwich City supporters were left frustrated and angry after a 13th place Championship finish.Norwich City supporters were left frustrated and angry after a 13th place Championship finish. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

He will need to be an effective salesman whilst being contrite and respecting supporters' frustrations - that is a different emotional balance to strike, but it feels like Webber's best chance of turning the page and resetting the narrative. 

Sporting directors aren't often in the limelight. The majority in the country don't talk to media outlets about decisions and aren't accessible or available to answer tough questions. 

Stuart Webber finds himself firmly in the spotlight today. Thousands of City supporters await his answers before making their judgment. 

It feels like a sliding doors moment. The floor is yours, Mr Webber.