After predicting that City would avoid relegation, it is surely tempting fate to strike an optimistic note on the strength of one of the best pre-season build-ups seen in recent years. However, the 3-2 victory over an impressive Wigan line-up has inspired me to predict that those season ticket-holders who (in common with my son, Nick) did not claim their relegation refund, will be richly rewarded over the coming months for their loyalty and generosity.
For those fans who were not at Carrow Road for the Wigan game, which seemed to be largely ignored by both teletext and ceefax, let me say that the win was richly deserved. All the qualities Gunny and his coaching staff have been striving to achieve were on show in abundance.
When Wigan took an early lead it looked as if the pre-season unbeaten run might be about to end, but before half-time Jon Otsemobor made a determined run down the right wing and delivered a low pin-point cross that was hammered home by Chris Martin. Although City fell behind soon after the break, once again it was Martin who levelled the scores with a clinical finish after good work by Stephen Hughes.
The winning goal came as a result of a smart exchange of passes between Matthew Gill and Wes Hoolahan, which culminated with the tricky Irishman releasing Simon Whaley who carried the ball clear of the Wigan defence before finding the net via the foot of a post with as cool a finish as any Canary fan could wish to see.
After the game there was some speculation amongst my press colleagues about Hoolahan's future as a Norwich player, but when this was put to Gunny he said that there have, as yet, been no approaches from other clubs. He followed this up by pointing out that Wes had been 'player of the season' for Blackpool at League One level and that he was just the kind of player to help Norwich win promotion.
Listening to Radio Norfolk in the car on the way home, I heard a tribute to Sir Bobby Robson from Delia Smith in which she praised him for his modesty and said how much he enjoyed talking about football to anyone with an interest in the game. I can certainly vouch for that because when he was England Manager he took time off from his busy schedule at FA headquarters to join with me and a life-size wooden replica of 'Roy of the Rovers' to judge a painting competition sponsored by Burton's Biscuits.
A few weeks later Sir Bobby stepped out onto the Wembley pitch before a Charity Shield match and handed over the keys of a school minibus to the winner of the competition, fourteen year-old Anthony Bentley from St Augustine's RC High School at Billington in Lancashire. I hope Anthony went on to paint many more pictures, but I am sure he will have especially fond memories of the one that led him to shake the hand of a man who really was a legend in his own lifetime...