Russell Martin to Norwich City – Surely there is nothing in these reports?

Sunday, 7 November 2021, 14:30
1 min read

It was a very strange turn of events last night when Norwich sacked Daniel Farke after they recorded their first win of the season.ย  ย That in itself tells you that the decision to remove him was taken before the game itself took place and that the club itself would already have a clear idea of people they would want to replace him.

It is probably not a surprise to see the name of Russell Martin in the running.ย  Or at least the running as far as the bookies are concerned.ย  A former Norwich player, a young talented football manager and someone with a glowing reputation what is there not to think that would be an obvious link.

But put yourself in the shoes of the Norwich City board.ย  ย They are back in the Premier League, already struggling to stay there and making a decision just eleven games into a season to make a managerial change.ย  Are they really about to take a stab on a manager, two years and 100 games into a managerial career that contains lots of promise but as yet as not delivered anything other than that promise.

Speak to fans of MK Dons and Swansea City and they will talk highly of Martin but to take on a Premier League job with a view to keeping that particular team in the division? I just cannot see it.

This isn’t one of those Martinez and Wigan moments.ย  ย The emotional ties between manager and club are clear for everyone to see.ย  But head back to 2009 and Martinez and you have a manager who has delivered one promotion and a step into the Championship that almost gave a play off season at the first attempt.ย  ย A wide belief that one more season would see the ultimate promotion and the timing was right.ย  The move was made.ย  In hindsight the right decision.ย  ย And it was a summer.ย  A whole season lay ahead and Wigan, as much as survival was always the first instinct, were not a side already five points behind the safety line of the division.

Don’t get me wrong this isn’t a dig at Russell Martin but this is surely very much a case of right club, wrong time.ย  Norwich will almost certainly look to someone with more experience for their current plight (a reason why I also think that the Lampard links would mean the wrong decision for them) and an ability to grind results out of a squad that seems out of his depth based on the evidence of the three months of the season to date.

Maybe I have called it wrong, maybe Martin will make a surprise move to Carrow Road but it would be an incredible decision based on a loyalty from a playing day together with the first steps I think of planning for the Championship next season.

That’s my view anyway.

Do you want the latest news from JackArmy.net direct to your phone? Then subscribe to our Telegram channel here
Images courtesy of Getty Images, Athena Picture Agency and Swansea City Football Club.

Phil Sumbler

Been watching the Swans since the very late 1970s and running the Planet Swans website (in all its current and previous guises since the summer of 2001 As it stood JackArmy.net was right at the forefront of some of the activity against Tony Petty back in 2001, breaking many of the stories of the day as fans stood against the actions where the local media failed. Was involved with the Swans Supporters Trust from 2005, for the large part as Chairman before standing down in the summer of 2020.

League Table

Next Up

Forum Latest

Next Up

League Table

Last 6 Results

Latest from Blog

Swans TV: Lawrence Vigouroux on Millwall | Press Conference

. . .Lawrence Vigouroux talks to the press ahead of Saturday's game against Millwall. For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SwanseaCityFC Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/swansofficial Follow…

Swans TV: Inside The Swans | ๐ŸŽถ He’s in your Head

. . . Inside The Swans; a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on at Swansea City football club between the all important fixtures. For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like us…

Swans TV: Junior Jacks Takeover

. . . For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SwanseaCityFC Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/swansofficial Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/swansofficial Swansea City Association Football Club is a…

Sheehan deserves the chance and the Swans could be fun again

It has been some time since anything was penned on these pagers with a variety of reasons behind the lack of writing from personal commitments through to just a general feeling of apathy that has surrounded the football club for too long. Iโ€™ll be honest as well and say that…

Thank you Leeds Unitedโ€ฆ we will spend it wisely!

The Swans have every right to be grateful today after Leeds United promotion back to the Premier League was confirmed yesterday evening when Sheffield United lost at Burnley. The defeat for the Blades also saw Burnley return to the top flight at the first time of asking leaving just them…

Don't Miss

Agent talk? Or genuine interest? Allen linked to Bournemouth and Fulham

Joe Allen is interesting a number of clubs as his

Players on loan at Lincoln, Peterborough, Hull and Plymouth set to leave

Swansea City are hoping to move on the majority of