Promoted Teams Analysis: Norwich
Looking at Norwich as Fantasy Prospects for the New Season
Norwich City’s promotion to the Premier League almost felt destined to happen as the later weeks of the Championship season came by. The Canaries only lost six fixtures last season and won the most games with 27 victories in the second-tier. They will be a welcome addition to the Premier League next season, and there will be anticipation to see some of their star performers and how they can transition to life in the top flight.
Many will be aware of the qualities that the Canaries have but will also be well aware that they will naturally also be among the favourites to be relegated. However, there is no doubting that they are a proven Championship team, and it will be fascinating to see how they adjust to the Premier League. Their scoring record was impressive, as they netted 93 goals in the Championship last season. However, there will be question marks defensively as they conceded 57 goals last season; which was the worst of all the top three teams in the division. This youthful side will continue to improve, but it will be interesting to see whether they can continue to excel in the face of fierce competition when the stakes are the highest.
How Norwich will likely line up
Daniel Farke has proven to be an inspired managerial appointment by the club, and after overcoming a difficult start to the season, he settled on a 4-2-3-1 formation. The two holding midfielders offered insurance to let their flair players express themselves without worrying too much about their defensive duties. While the back four ahead of Premier League veteran Tim Krul will certainly excite Norwich fans as they are only getting better the more they play. Right-back Max Aarons and central defender Ben Godfrey have been revelations since joining the club and could be potential stars of the season. Club captain Christoph Zimmermann partners Godfrey in the defence and their partnership will be crucial.
The forward areas are where the club excelled last season, and the relationship between Marco Stiepermann behind Teemu Pukki flourished last season. Meanwhile, left-winger Onel Hernandez will be looking for another productive season in terms of assists. New signing Patrick Roberts could take up the right-winger position after Farke consistently rotated players in that area throughout the season.
Difficult Start…
Fantasy players would be quick to notice the difficulty level of the opening five games for the Canaries. In the opening weeks of the season they travel to Liverpool and West Ham United, and also welcome Newcastle United, Chelsea and Manchester City to Carrow Road. According to Compare Your Odds, Norwich are 18/1 to beat Liverpool at Anfield, and this shows how unlikely it is that they will get a positive result against the European champions. That is the highest price for any team on the opening weekend of the season, and as Liverpool look to better their second-place finish last term you wouldn’t expect them to get the win.
The same can be said of their fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester City; with the current champions only having lost once in 2019. However, the Canaries will already be looking forward to their first home game against Newcastle, and this could present them with an excellent chance to get their first win of the season.
Norwich Players To Look At;
Marco Stiepermann – 5.5m
(Photo by Shaun Brooks/Action Plus via Getty Images)
His importance was clear for all to see as the club drew the three games in which he didn’t play, while they lost to Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion when he started on the bench. He could be a shrewd choice for a fantasy player as he is only valued at £5.5 million and consistently provides chances for Pukki. Also, he is a guaranteed starter in the Canaries line-up due to his work rate for the team and the club have made no new signings in the number ten position. Yet.
Max Aarons – 4.5m
(Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)
If he can seamlessly adjust to life in the Premier League, then there is no reason why he won’t excel and become comparable to last season’s Matt Doherty. Every season there is a 4.5m diamond in the rough, and Max Aarons could certainly be that man. He has all the tools that are needed to be a first-class full-back in the modern game as he is as comfortable attacking as he is in defensive areas. This is shown by the fact that he has had 24 shots on goal in the Championship last season, while he also created 31 chances for teammates. His ability to get up and down and adding width to the Canaries side will be crucial in how they attack against opposing sides in the Premier League. His aerial ability also isn’t bad as he win an average of 0.6 duels in the air per match. As a young player this quality is undoubtedly going to improve in the Premier League.
Teemu Pukki – 6.5m
(Photo by James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images)
Whether he will match his goal-scoring from last season remains in doubt, but 7.3% of players have taken a chance on him exceeding all expectations once again. At a price of £6.5 million he could a bit of a gamble considering there are other more proven strikers around the 6.5m mark such as Josh King (6.5m), or Diogo Jota (6.5m). There’s no doubt he has the capability to become a good fantasy pick, but at his price range, it’s probably best to assess Norwich and his performances in the first few game weeks. He’s currently 100/1 to finish the season as the top goalscorer, and if Norwich are to stay up Pukki will need to be the man putting the ball in the back of the net.
Thanks for reading Promoted Teams Analysis – Norwich. This article was written by James Hirlehey
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Areet lads and lasses. Sorry if I’ve missed it but has there been an updated pen/free kick taker spreadsheet posted recently? Obvs expecting a lot more pens at the start of the season with the introduction of VAR
There may not be a lot more pens. Some extra pens will be given, but some will also be rescinded, so the net result may be little or no change.
Really enjoyable debut article James. Thank you!
Just getting round to reading this now. I’ve had Pukki in a few drafts but the one I’m really warning to is Emi Buendia. He got some really good numbers in the Championship and was highly sought after at Getafe. Norwich did well to get him according to one of the pods I listen to (specialist moneyball and stats based one). Impressive stats there and had a very good debut season with Norwich.
Anyway, great stuff mate!
Thank you!
Buendia is certainly a good player. I probably should of included him, but I chose to focus on three. However, I’ve recently chosen to go with Tielemans who I think is worth the extra 0.5m. Relegated teams are always a gamble, so I tend to stick with proven FPL players for GW1.
Taylor and Diop rotates pretty well. With that in mind, how’s this?
I quite like the balance although it seems to be a lot lighter in defense than what most seem to be doing (myself included) this year. I wouldn’t trust West Ham to keep cleanies under Pellegrini, he’s a sort of manager who likes to play attacking football against every team, no matter what the opposition, so I don’t think Hammers keep cleanies (as they didn’t last season), although there’s nothing really bad I can say about those front 7 players I think you could get equally good attackers with a better defense of his season…
Looks pretty solid I like it. Just not sure on 3-5-2 as I see Dendoncker as the perfect bench player. West Ham and Burnley do rotate pretty well. I can’t decide if BSilva is a decent enough fantasy option or not
I have looked at that rotation also, in a 4-4-2 setup.
I’m not sure about my goalie setup yet so those are just placeholders
I really like this
I’ve had pretty much the same earlier, it is siggy who ruins it for me. Maybe its time to give him up…
Here’s me currently. I don’t think Mendy is going to tour so Zinchenko might start the season. Failing that I have the Diop/Taylor rotation in mind. Hudson-Odoi is really touch and go to start the season and there’s not a lot of options at 6 million so may need the 0.5. I really see some potential bargains at Chelsea anyway so think one may squeeze in. I also much prefer Robbo to VVD.
Does anyone have any views on BSilva for this season?
Do you see kdb as a gamble or a safe pick?
We know what he used to do but he’s been out for a long time…
If he does what I am
Expecting stays fit in pre season, sees a fair amount of minutes and starts community shield I see him as pretty safe. He’s not really had lots of minor injuries I don’t think there was the major injury.
If he stays fit i think I can match Sterling.
But for now it’s a gamble,
It’s so much easier to replace Kane with aguero and then create a great midfield without any city players. But then you ain’t got kane, but it might be worth it….
Not alot of love for aguero, atleast not here… how come?
Something like this…
Can’t really argue against it. It’s a good looking team. For me I just see Aguero playing a bit less this season. A year older and Jesus being Brazil’s number one forward is not going to be willing to spend the whole season sidelined again. It’s also pretty annoying when he goes off after 60 odd mins at that price. It is Aguero though so can never talk anyone out of not going with him because we have seen what he can do
All city players are annoying!
They always lets you down but you can’t go without them…
Allan
As last season and the season before and the season before . . . etc. etc.
It’s “go with your gut and have playing cover”.
I’ve taken Bernardo FWIW. He’s a class act but I don’t expect him to play 90 mins every week but at 8.0M it seems less of a risk.
I’m planning to get Aquero for Kane in gw 4.
Like Kane for his first 2 home fixtures and City’s from gw4
Max Aarons is the one who intrigues me. He’s expected to have a bright future.
He would be great if he gets a move but not convinced at Norwich
Do I have this figured out ?
Still 0.5m in bank
Any thoughts?
Most of it looks really good. Mane is still at the African nations and I really think Salah is worth the extra. I’m not sure what’s going on with Mendy but it does not appear that he will start the season. I don’t think he’s even going on the tour so must be still injured or in trouble. Trossard is interesting.
I can do Mane->Salah
Mendy->WanB ??
Yeah or pencil Zinchenko in there for now
Angelino is now listed as well which makes the LB position even more of a concern.
Laporte or Ederson seem the safest.
Angelino is interesting to see if he plays much in pre season. Laporte is safe but don’t offer much going forward for the high price
Maybe not on the deck Smash but he’s always a huge threat from set pieces.
There is that plus he served me very well at the end last season. Just not sure I’ll be able to squeeze him in.