Don Goodman backs Liam Manning to deliver at Norwich City.

The pressure is on Liam Manning at Norwich City, but Championship pundit Don Goodman believes the new Canaries manager can manage expectations successfully.

Manning is looking forward to his first Championship season at Carrow Road after joining the club from Bristol City last month to replace Johannes Hoff Thorup.

The goal is to help City improve on their 13th-place finish and earn a return to the Premier League after three difficult Championship seasons.

Goodman believes Manning made the right decision and that his hiring gives the Canaries a better chance of making the top six.

“Liam Manning is a Norwich lad for a start and with respect to Bristol City, I think Norwich is a bigger club as we stand here now, despite finishing below Bristol City last season,” according to talkSPORTBET.

“This move should give Liam a better chance of competing at the top level of the Championship this time around. The pressure is on because Norwich City’s 13th place finish last season was insufficient in the Championship.

“Norwich have been active in the transfer market and have made some good signings, so I see them improving on last season.

But as I said, they’ve lost Borja Sainz, they’re probably going to lose Josh Sargent as well and that is a massive hole, a massive void that they’re going to have to try and fill. 

“As I keep saying, I believe the Championship will be of higher quality next season, stronger, with a greater depth of quality teams, and that Norwich would be successful if they finished in or near the top six.

The pressure is on, but this is an excellent opportunity for Liam.” Along with the change in the dugout, Norwich has changed its squad, adding seven senior players.

That volume and pace of business has helped boost fan confidence, and Goodman is particularly impressed with City’s ability to bring defender Harry Darling to Carrow Road.

Harry Darling moved to City on a free transfer earlier this summer. (Image by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd.) “Harry Darling is a real coup, and I think if I were a Norwich fan, I’d be excited because they’ve sold Harry Darling the project, and the project isn’t to be hanging around in the Championship – It’s to get to the Premier League,” commented Goodman.

“Defence was definitely an area in which Norwich needed to improve; they conceded 68 goals last season, with only five teams conceding more, so Harry Darling is a solid addition, and given the competition for his services, it is a massive coup.

“As I say, if you’re a Norwich City fan, you’re going to be liking what they’ve done in the transfer market so far, particularly that signing.”

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