Earlier this week, we published a big Norwich City survey to canvass the mood and views of the Canaries nation after a season of highs and lows.
It ended with a heavy play-off defeat after a sixth-placed finish whilst also spelling the end of David Wagner's tenure as head coach after 16 months in charge.
There were changes to the sporting director, the majority shareholder mix and mixed form on the pitch - but it is clear now that a new era with a fresh direction is on the horizon.
Norwich named Johannes Hoff Thorup as their new head coach earlier this week, and that announcement has been met with optimism, even given the magnitude of the job the Dane and assistant Glen Riddersholm are taking on.
Over 1,200 City fans took the survey, and here are the results, starting with the small matter of recruitment with the summer transfer window on everyone's minds.
RECRUITMENT
It does feel like there is plenty of work to be done on this Norwich City squad as they gear up for a fresh look in the 2024/25 campaign.
Under Thorup, there will be a clear new playing style and a willingness to integrate younger players from the academy. Sporting director Ben Knapper has been clear on his desire to reduce the average age of the playing squad.
Work is already underway to alter the look of the squad - Norwich have also released Ben Gibson, Danny Batth, Dimitris Giannoulis, Sam McCallum, Jon McCracken and sent back Sydney van Hoojidonk and Pedro Lima after their loan spells ended.
A deal for Levski Sofia defender Jose Cordoba is also edging closer, with the defender looking likely to become their first summer addition.
Providing a deal does get the line for the Panamanian, his arrival will be music to the ears of Canaries supporters, with the majority of those who participated in the survey (406 from 1,207) believing it is a priority position for the recruitment team this summer.
That was closely followed by a desire to see a defensive midfielder arrive in the squad, with 28pc of responders declaring that position as their priority.
Given the departures of Dimitris Giannoulis and Sam McCallum upon the expiration of their respective deals at Carrow Road, nearly 300 people, 23pc, want to see City sign a replacement. They have been linked with FC Nordsjaelland's out of contract Martin Frese.
10pc of supporters who conducted the survey wanted to see a new striker unveiled this summer amid uncertainty over the futures of Josh Sargent and Adam Idah. The full table of priorities is available below.
We also asked which of City's key four—Angus Gunn, Gabriel Sara, Jonny Rowe, and Josh Sargent—you would most like to see remain at Carrow Road as speculation surrounding their respective futures intensifies.
Sara came out overwhelmingly as the preferred choice, with 49pc wishing him to remain at the club this summer. The Brazilian was followed by Sargent (29pc) and Gunn (17pc), with Rowe being named as the player supporters were least keen of the talented quartet to remain (4pc).
HEAD COACH CHANGE
Wagner's tenure as head coach was brought to an end hours after their play-off second leg mauling to Leeds at Elland Road.
The 4-0 defeat brought the curtain down on a 16-month reign from the German, who left Norwich after 75 games in charge, having succeeded Dean Smith in January 2023.
Wagner won 31 of his 75 games in charge, drawing 17 and losing 27. During his time at the helm, Norwich scored 113 goals and conceded 103 times. He departed Norwich with a win ratio of 41.33pc.
Irrespective of what happened this season, Knapper was expected to yield the axe on Wagner as he seeks to take Norwich in a different direction under Thorup.
We asked whether Wagner's dismissal as City boss was the right one - with an overwhelming amount of voters agreeing that is was. Over 1,100 supporters, 94pc, agreed with the decision whilst 5pc (68 voters) stated they disagreed with the decision.
With the page-turning towards what Thorup can deliver at the club as boss, we asked supporters what philosophy they hope the 35-year-old will implement during his tenure at Carrow Road.
Below are the most commonly used responses from participants of the survey - see if you can spot a clear theme...
Others spoke about the desire to see a clearer strategic plan from the City boss, whilst others referenced the importance of a positive relationship with the Canaries fanbase, something that has wavered since Daniel Farke's exit in 2021.
Interestingly, a handful of supporters spoke about the need to deliver promises 'unlike the previous two managers', in their view.
No pressure, then. But those aforementioned characteristics are similar to the ones used by Knapper to lead the recruit process that brought Thorup to Carrow Road.
HOPES FOR NEXT SEASON
23/24 was a season that resembled being on a rollercoaster - at points it was exhilarating, at times torturous and sometimes just a bit odd.
Relations were strained, yet they retained their East Anglian derby dominance over Ipswich, scoring some epic goals and winning fantastic victories. Yet, it was hard to shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right.
Maybe it was Wagner's style of football. Maybe it was just an end of era feeling. But that does seem to have evaporated in the early weeks of the summer.
We asked supporters to name one improvement they would like to see going into the 24/25 season, and once again, the most popular answer was 'better, more attacking football'.
Topics that were also reoccurring were around handing opportunities to more young players and a better harmony between the club and fans. Some responders highlighted their desire to see the away record improve, whilst others spoke about wanting improved pressing and defending.
We also asked for your early predictions on what next season could hold for Norwich - with an interesting range of answers. Below are the results of that question.
23.4pc predicted a transitional, mid-table campaign in Thorup's debut season as City boss - but the majority still think a top six finish and a play-off spot is the most likely outcome.
Over half (52pc) of voters predicted a top-six finish for Thorup's new look Canaries, whilst 23pc pushed the levels of optimism further and think Norwich will return to the Premier League automatically.
As the days count down to the new Championship season beginning in August, plus the addition of a few new signings, those levels of optimism will only intensify. Thorup and the powers that be will be pleased with those figures as a base level.
OFF PITCH STRUCTURES
There have been plenty of changes in the Norwich City boardroom and hierarchy over the last 12 months - from a new sporting director in Ben Knapper arriving to Mark Attansio increasing his influence at Carrow Road.
The American has become the joint majority shareholder of the Canaries alongside Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones, ending their 25-years plus of sole ownership of the club.
It has remained a hot topic among Norwich supporters, and that was clear from the number of opinions given when we asked for your views on a year of change at Carrow Road.
This was left open for supporters to answer.
Perhaps, given the various shifting parts, the need for clarity being one of the most common responses was inevitable. Others want to see more investment or for Attanasio's led group to either continue to gain more control of the club or be handed control altogether.
However, plenty of supporters feel that there has been improvement in the off-pitch structure over the last 12 months or feel the trajectory is more positive. There were a small percentage of supporters calling for the appointment of a chairman.
The words 'fine' or 'okay' were repeatedly used, as were 'ambition', and plenty called for more communication over the club's future plan and direction.
- Thanks to everyone who participated in our big Norwich City survey
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