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da imperador bet： Norwich’s 2-1 home win over Blackburn Rovers last Saturday sealed their promotion to the Premier League, marking the Canaries’ return to England’s top tier after a desolate three years away.
As the full-time whistle blew at Carrow Road, the deafening cheers from the crowd just about summed up the relief felt from all Norwich fans, players, coaches and hierarchy alike. After two seasons of mediocrity in the Championship, the Canaries were finally returning to the promised land they so proudly called home back in 2016.
Under the management of German Daniel Farke, who became the first foreign head coach in the club’s history at the end of the 16/17 season, the Canaries have gone from strength to strength and adopted a fast-paced, possession-focused brand of football, reminiscent of the Dortmund II side Farke had managed previously.
Despite his first season ending in a disappointing 14th placed finish, Farke’s second has been nothing short of a miracle, with Norwich winning 26 of their 45 games and scoring a whopping 91 goals in the process.
Such a success story paves similarities with the dominance shown by Wolves last term, as they earned promotion from the Championship at somewhat of a canter with four games to spare under Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Portuguese boss has since guided the team to an unbelievable first season in the England’s top division, surpassing all expectations by not only avoiding relegation but challenging for European football.
Before Santo’s appointment, Wanderers were tinkering on the edge of capitulation after a managerial merry-go-round almost ended in disaster with the club sat in the Championship’s relegation zone. Yet, under the 45-year-old’s stewardship, they have transformed into a competitive and credible Premier League outfit occupying 7th position amongst the Premier League’s big hitters.
Whilst reaching the European elite seems unlikely as they’re currently 12 points behind 5th placed Arsenal, Wolves can take much satisfaction from proving their doubters wrong.
It is this resilience and determination that has embodied Wolves as a club, and are the characteristics Santo himself believes are vital in surviving the callous clutches of the Premier League.
Yet, as well as the bravery and brawn on the field, Wolves have shown bags of ambition off it, with Chinese owners Fosun committing huge sums to signing top-quality players since their 2016 takeover.
Amongst these additions are dynamic midfielders Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota. Investing in the midfield areas has paid dividends for Wanderers, as Neves and Jota have been involved in 46% of their 46 Premier League goals this season, scoring 13 and assisting 8 between them.
However, shrewd spending alone isn’t enough for Norwich to prosper in the top flight. This season, Wolves boss Santo has found the perfect tactical balance between creativity and conservativeness, stifling even the highest quality of opposition.
Wolves play with five at the back – this gives their midfield maestros the freedom to roam with extra width, whilst maintaining a solid defensive line.
Wing-backs Matt Doherty and Jonny, with 63 Premier League starts between them, play so high up the field that their challengers are put on the back foot whilst pressure is eased on their own defence.
Such a tactic imposed by Santo has contributed massively to Wolves’ newfound identity as a prudent yet dangerous outfit, and has been effective in preserving their own net as Wolves have conceded the 5th least goals this season, only bettered by Chelsea, Spurs, Man City and Liverpool.
This suggests a similar style of play, paired with quality investment in solid-minded players is the secret to success in England’s top tier, and is something that Norwich will need to emulate to some extent next term – a newfound steeliness to match the incredible attacking football Farke’s inspired at Carrow Road.
Yet, this all seemed a distant daydream for Norwich City two years ago – following their relegation from the top flight in 2016, the Canaries foiled any hopes of an immediate return after finishing 8th in the Championship the subsequent season.
However, it wasn’t long until Delia Smith was cutting the cake with their new boss Farke, and after Norwich’s rampant run to promotion this year suggesting they could replicate the top-tier success of their west Midlands counterparts, they may well be applying the icing very shortly.