It has been a season of disappointment for Norwich City and one that their fans will be keen to forget, as a result a squad overhaul could be on the cards.
It has been a season of underachievement for Norwich City
Barring an unlikely shift in fortunes for both Norwich and the teams above them, Carrow Road will be playing host to Championship football once again next season.
Following relegation from the Premier League, the Canaries were one of the early season favourites to be challenging for an immediate return to England’s top tier.
However, things have not quite gone to plan and are currently without a manager following the sacking of Alex Neil. With just eight games remaining and a five point gap between themselves and the final play-off space, this is not the position that Norwich City fans expected to be in at the start of the campaign.
In a season where underachievement is the overarching summary, we take a look at three players that have not quite lived up to expectations and should have no complaints if they are shipped out of Carrow Road this summer.
Youssouf Mulumbu
Signed on a free transfer from West Bromwich Albion, Mulumbu’s arrival in East Anglia was met with a positive reaction. The Congolese midfielder had made over 200 appearances for the Baggies, the majority of them coming in the Premier League,
The 30-year-old has not had the best of luck with injuries and has been restricted to just 24 appearances for Norwich. He has been unable to make an impact this season and has struggled to hold down a regular starting berth in the midfield. Norwich are blessed with many options in midfield and it would make little sense to keep hold of Mulumbu, who will be earning a wage equivalent to a Premier League player.
Norwich City’s Youssouf Mulumbu in action with Wigan Athletic’s Sam Morsy
Matt Jarvis
Jarvis has also been desperately unlucky with injuries since his move to Norwich. After being signed on a permanent deal from West Ham United during their Premier League campaign, the 30-year-old has not made an appearance for the Canaries in the Championship this season.
Despite the impending appointment of a new manager, Jarvis’ days at Carrow Road look numbered. Norwich have a number options who can play on the left of midfield, and the signing of Yanic Wildschut in January will have all but confirmed his exit in the summer. The winger, capped once by England in 2011, will be keen to make a fresh start and his departure will help reduce their wage bill.
Steven Naismith
The Scotland international has been unable to recapture the form that made him such a popular figure for Everton. Since his move to Norwich in January 2015, he has only scored seven goals and his inconsistent performances have been a cause for frustration amongst the Norwich faithful.
His work rate and endeavour has never been in question, but he has not shown enough quality in a Norwich shirt to convince supporters that his immediate future lies at Carrow Road. Naismith will be an attractive proposition to fellow Championship sides with his ability to play out wide as well as in the centre of attack. If he is made available for transfer in the summer, he will not be short of potential suitors.
Norwich’s Steven Naismith in action with Birmingham’s Jonathan Grounds
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