Wolves and Norwich are two sides with lofty ambitions this season, with the end goal for both being promotion back to the top flight of English football.
Matt Doherty of Wolves (L) and Norwich’s Nathan Redmond in action
Wolverhampton Wanderers and Norwich City are two teams with a great deal of history behind them. They have both competed in the Premier League on numerous occasions as well as finding success over the course of their long histories. Now, these two reasons alone do not validate the claim that they will play each other in the top flight next season, but the evidence suggests that it is certainly possible.
In terms of starts to the season, things have gone as well as could be expected for both. Norwich have raced into 2nd with just one league loss in nine games, meanwhile Wolves find themselves in mid-table as they continue to adjust to life under new manager Walter Zenga.
To simplify things – what Norwich have is experience. What Wolves have is renewed ambition. With Alex Neil having already got the Canaries out of this league once before he knows what it takes to finish in the top six, and the rise of players like the Murphy twins are definitely going to help matters ahead of a long season.
Wolves Manager Walter Zenga
Meanwhile everyone knows what has been happening at Molineux. The new owners and the exuberant new manager highlight the kind of excitement that every fan wants their club to possess. It is not a guarantee that the money is going to equal success in the first year, but given the unpredictability of the Championship and the depth that the Midlands side now have it is fair to say they will be in with a good shout of a play-off spot.
Norwich just need to steer the course. They know this league inside out and the worst thing they could possibly do is take it lightly. Manager Alex Neil needs to keep them in line and remind them what the end goal is, because complacency is something that will lead to failure in the second tier.
Momentum can go a long way in this division and Walter Zenga will now know that. If his side can build up a solid string of victories and find their best starting XI then the sky is the limit for them. When the two teams meet at Molineux on Saturday it will be a tense affair, and both managers will know that they could be coming face to face on a much bigger stage in just twelve months time.
Norwich manager Alex Neil
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