Post by maudesfishnchips on Jan 1, 2012 11:48:43 GMT
Many thanks to Rick Waghorn of norwichcity.myfootballwriter.com/
How long have you supported Norwich City?
I have been reporting their fortunes in a professional sports writing capacity for the last 20 years; first for the local evening paper, then from 2006 my own stand-alone journalism website, norwichcity.myfootballwriter.com/
Who are Norwich City’s biggest Rival and why?
Ipswich. The 'folk' north and south of the River Waveney' have never got on.
Are you happy with your team and how things are to date? – summer spending/selling so far?
I think everyone has to be happy with the start Norwich have made on their return to the Premiership; solid, summer signings of young, hungry Premiership wannabees has helped dispell talk of a 'Costa del Colney' culture at the club's training HQ.
What do you think of your current Owner? WHY is he/she involved? What do you expect from him?
The club's long-time owners are Delia Smith and her husband, Michael Wynn Jones. 'Nuff said, I suspect.
How do you think Norwich City treats its fans? Appreciates them? Listens to them? Screws them?
By and large - under Delia's careful watch - Norwich have been pretty exemplary in its treatment of its supporters; there is a large 'community club' streak to the Canaries which has, pretty much, survived their elevation into the Premiership. Of late, a slightly 'harder' edge has arrived in the boardroom via chief exec David McNally. But whilst the club continue to rise and rise under Paul Lambert, complaints are few and far between.
Who are you Dangermen/Most valued/most overrated/most underrated players?
Grant Holt continues to give his critics the bird; the manner in which Warnock always draws attention to Holt's ability to 'con' referees on the edge of the box always smacks to me of a grudging admiration for the 30-year-old whose Bergkamp-esque strike away at Everton proved again that Grant is more than an old-fashioned battering ram.
Under-rated has to be centre-half Russell Martin; a right-back by repute, the former Posh skipper answered the manager's call when injury struck at centre-half and hasn't looked back since. Cool, calm and a greater talker at the heart of that Norwich defence, his three goal-line clearances against Arsenal puts him in pole already to win the Player of the Season 'gong'.
Are you happy with your youth set up? Is your club doing enough to bring young/local talent through the ranks?.
Norwich's problem youth recruitment-wise has always been the 90-minute journey time - giving them Thetford Forest and Dogger Bank as prime recruitment areas. So it's been hard work for all concerned; their biggest success is in the goalkeeping department. Watch out for Jed Steer, who spent the autumn on loan at Yeovil. He has fellow England Youth international Declan Rudd ahead of him, too.
Who would you say was the greatest City player that you yourself personally saw? And past player? (You can name more than one if it's that close!)
Ian Crook was a class apart; Darren Huckerby - on his day - was unstoppable. Having written a book on '12 Canary Greats', Martin Peters' name is always talked about in reverential terms.
What is your prediction for Norwich City this season?
They will be safe; anywhere between 10th and 14th is within their grasp - particularly if they spend well again this window.
Are you aware of any player or manager links between our two clubs past and present?
Neil Warnock and Norwich have always enjoyed a lively relationship. I half suspect there is a grudging admiration on both sides - if they ever cared to admit it.
What is your view and the general City view of QPR (If we even feature in your consciousness) or of Neil Warnock and our owners?
Think QPR have turned the corner owner-wise after the Briatore days; Fernandes has strong Norfolk links with his Team Lotus connections. I think most people expect QPR to stay up alongside Norwich; there is a sense that money is less of a hardship at Loftus Road than Carrow Road. Bold move taking Barton off Newcastle's hands.
Who(if any) is your most memorable/favourite QPR Player over the years?
Stan Bowles. Being brought up in Slough, Ian Gillard used to be a local hero.
Any memorable matches between our two clubs that stand out for you? And the reasons why?
Last two games at Carrow Road have been big, noisy and tight affairs; Russell Martin - see above - certainly enjoyed both. Monday will, no doubt, be the same again.
Your score prediction for QPR v Norwich City?
1-1.
What, realistically, do you think City are capable of achieving in the next five years?
Cementing their place in the middle third of the Premiership; Europa Cup via the Fair Play route?
Rick Waghorn
How long have you supported Norwich City?
I have been reporting their fortunes in a professional sports writing capacity for the last 20 years; first for the local evening paper, then from 2006 my own stand-alone journalism website, norwichcity.myfootballwriter.com/
Who are Norwich City’s biggest Rival and why?
Ipswich. The 'folk' north and south of the River Waveney' have never got on.
Are you happy with your team and how things are to date? – summer spending/selling so far?
I think everyone has to be happy with the start Norwich have made on their return to the Premiership; solid, summer signings of young, hungry Premiership wannabees has helped dispell talk of a 'Costa del Colney' culture at the club's training HQ.
What do you think of your current Owner? WHY is he/she involved? What do you expect from him?
The club's long-time owners are Delia Smith and her husband, Michael Wynn Jones. 'Nuff said, I suspect.
How do you think Norwich City treats its fans? Appreciates them? Listens to them? Screws them?
By and large - under Delia's careful watch - Norwich have been pretty exemplary in its treatment of its supporters; there is a large 'community club' streak to the Canaries which has, pretty much, survived their elevation into the Premiership. Of late, a slightly 'harder' edge has arrived in the boardroom via chief exec David McNally. But whilst the club continue to rise and rise under Paul Lambert, complaints are few and far between.
Who are you Dangermen/Most valued/most overrated/most underrated players?
Grant Holt continues to give his critics the bird; the manner in which Warnock always draws attention to Holt's ability to 'con' referees on the edge of the box always smacks to me of a grudging admiration for the 30-year-old whose Bergkamp-esque strike away at Everton proved again that Grant is more than an old-fashioned battering ram.
Under-rated has to be centre-half Russell Martin; a right-back by repute, the former Posh skipper answered the manager's call when injury struck at centre-half and hasn't looked back since. Cool, calm and a greater talker at the heart of that Norwich defence, his three goal-line clearances against Arsenal puts him in pole already to win the Player of the Season 'gong'.
Are you happy with your youth set up? Is your club doing enough to bring young/local talent through the ranks?.
Norwich's problem youth recruitment-wise has always been the 90-minute journey time - giving them Thetford Forest and Dogger Bank as prime recruitment areas. So it's been hard work for all concerned; their biggest success is in the goalkeeping department. Watch out for Jed Steer, who spent the autumn on loan at Yeovil. He has fellow England Youth international Declan Rudd ahead of him, too.
Who would you say was the greatest City player that you yourself personally saw? And past player? (You can name more than one if it's that close!)
Ian Crook was a class apart; Darren Huckerby - on his day - was unstoppable. Having written a book on '12 Canary Greats', Martin Peters' name is always talked about in reverential terms.
What is your prediction for Norwich City this season?
They will be safe; anywhere between 10th and 14th is within their grasp - particularly if they spend well again this window.
Are you aware of any player or manager links between our two clubs past and present?
Neil Warnock and Norwich have always enjoyed a lively relationship. I half suspect there is a grudging admiration on both sides - if they ever cared to admit it.
What is your view and the general City view of QPR (If we even feature in your consciousness) or of Neil Warnock and our owners?
Think QPR have turned the corner owner-wise after the Briatore days; Fernandes has strong Norfolk links with his Team Lotus connections. I think most people expect QPR to stay up alongside Norwich; there is a sense that money is less of a hardship at Loftus Road than Carrow Road. Bold move taking Barton off Newcastle's hands.
Who(if any) is your most memorable/favourite QPR Player over the years?
Stan Bowles. Being brought up in Slough, Ian Gillard used to be a local hero.
Any memorable matches between our two clubs that stand out for you? And the reasons why?
Last two games at Carrow Road have been big, noisy and tight affairs; Russell Martin - see above - certainly enjoyed both. Monday will, no doubt, be the same again.
Your score prediction for QPR v Norwich City?
1-1.
What, realistically, do you think City are capable of achieving in the next five years?
Cementing their place in the middle third of the Premiership; Europa Cup via the Fair Play route?
Rick Waghorn
