No knee-jerk Norwich transfers

Last updated : 09 February 2011 By BBC Sport

Norwich chief executive David McNally insists the club will not be diving straight into the transfer market, despite receiving a financial boost.Deputy chairman Michael Foulger's purchase of shares on Tuesday injected ?2m into the Canaries' transfer kitty.

And even though the loan window is now open, McNally told BBC Radio Norfolk that manager Paul Lambert is unlikely to embark on a spending spree.

"There's no knee-jerk and Paul's very happy with the squad," he said.

"This doesn't change one bit the strategy in terms of the players we're looking for.

"The decisions about players coming in or leaving the first-team squad are Paul Lambert's, he's responsible and accountable for the first-team squad, and he's done a marvellous job at taking us to where we are today.

I don't think they're given enough credit for what they do, all they want is the best for the football club

David McNally on Norwich joint-majority shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones

"I'll reiterate he is very happy with the squad but we have more flexibility now.

"If at any point, through tactics, injury or illness, Paul wanted to bring somebody in he could."

Foulger

increased his shareholding in City

to 15% with the purchase of ordinary shares, and the ?2m raised from the deal will be ring-fenced for transfers.

And while McNally praised the contribution of Foulger, he was also quick to remind supporters of the ongoing dedication of joint-majority shareholders Delia smith and Michael Wynn Jones.

"Equally, Delia and Michael Wynn Jones need to be given enormous credit, they are completely and utterly supportive of this move, even though their shareholding in the business goes down from 63% to 51% overnight," McNally explained.

"And I don't think they're given enough credit for what they do, all they want is the best for the football club.

"They've always said they will never stand in the way of anybody investing in the football club, providing those people care about the club.

"And in Michael Foulger we've got somebody who cares passionately about Norwich City."

The Canaries have performed above expectations this season, and they are currently just one point away from the Championship's automatic promotion places.

And while McNally reiterated that the club has a

seven-year plan

to make a permanent return to the Premier League, he accepted that this season does present a genuine chance of promotion for a number of clubs.

"We recognise this year the Championship is more competitive than ever," he said.

"And with respect to the three relegated teams there weren't huge clubs coming down to the Championship, like a Newcastle, or in previous years a Birmingham City or a Sunderland.

"This year, if you were any club down to about 12th or 13th in the table you would still be backing yourselves to, at the very least, have a real chance of getting into the play-offs."

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport