Robin Sainty on Norwich City AGM and returning players

Last year’s Norwich City AGM was a tense affair, with tough questions about the club’s slump in form and future direction from the floor and criticism of sections of the fanbase from the majority shareholders.

The latest could hardly have been more different, with the positivity emanating from Mark Attanasio’s impending formal assumption of control clear for all to see. Having looked a slightly uncomfortable participant last year, this was the first opportunity for the American to take centre stage, and it was an impressive debut.

Both in answer to questions from shareholders and a subsequent interview, he laid out a very clear and coherent plan that encompassed both progress on the pitch and stadium development and potential improvements to the matchday experience off it.

He also shed more light on fellow director Richard Ressler, whose vast experience in property development and infrastructure is likely to prove invaluable alongside Attanasio’s in the world of finance and franchise ownership as Norfolk Group’s plans start to take shape.

That for me is the really exciting thing about Attanasio and his colleagues: the depth of knowledge of many different areas of business along with the range of contacts that come with that knowledge.

Of course, none of this in any way guarantees success, but it does represent an exciting new direction of travel for the club and should mean that the 'Little old Norwich' tag will soon be a thing of the past.

That does not mean, however, that the club will be going on a spending spree, both as a result of the Profit and Sustainability rules but also because there is a long-term plan from which it will not deviate in reaction to short-term problems, such as the current glut of injuries.

That may frustrate some fans who want instant success, but a 'sticking plaster' approach wastes resources that could be used more effectively as part of a coherent strategy.

Depending upon how much longer it lasts, the current crisis could cost City a shot at the play-offs this season, but if that means that all available funds go towards building a squad that has the strength in depth to challenge more effectively next season it’s hardly the end of the world.

Ben Knapper (Image: Adam Harvey)

Given the starting point that Ben Knapper inherited, it was always going to take time to assemble the sort of squad that he and Johannes Hoff Thorup wanted. I wrote at the start of the season that I thought it would take three transfer windows, and I still believe that to be true.

Attanasio has made it clear that backing will be available to Knapper and Thorup in January, but that any new players would have to fit the agreed framework of being young and capable of significant development. That makes sound financial sense, and also lays the groundwork for a squad that can not only get back to the Premier League but, more importantly, stay there.

However, at the moment the priority is to start to climb the Championship table again, and the welcome return of several players this afternoon will hopefully help in that.

Certainly, the return of Angus Gunn behind a defence that has looked increasingly suspect without him is a massive bonus, while Callum Doyle's and Shane Duffy’s withdrawals from their international squads should see them return fresher, as will Anis Ben Slimane and Emiliano Marcondes.

Marcelino Nunez won’t be back today, but at least it seems that he may well make next weekend’s game, and with Kenny McLean set to return on Tuesday things are looking rather more encouraging in the midfield area, while the return to fitness of Ashley Barnes and Christian Fassnacht along with Onel Hernandez getting a couple of games under his belt for Cuba will give Thorup more options up front.

Perhaps there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel?