Norwich Premier League 2015-16 preview: Andre Wisdom signing underlines survival prospects

Last season

Championship: 3<sup>rd (promotion to Premier League after beating Middlesbrough in play-off final)

FA Cup: Third round

League Cup: Third round

Top scorer: Cameron Jerome (21)

Summer's work

Having returned to the top flight just after one season in the Championship, Alex Neil has bolstered the squad with players who have Premier League experience including the likes of Liverpool loanee Andre Wisdom, Robbie Brady, Graham Dorrans and Youssouf Mulumbu.

The Canaries made a big investment to secure the services of Brady after, according to the BBC, paying Hull around £7m to secure the 23-year-old star, having spent a further £3m to sign Dorrans from West Brom after a successful loan spell last season. Furthermore, goalkeeper Jake Kean has arrived on loan from Blackburn to back-up John Ruddy.

Meanwhile, Carlton Morris and Remi Matthews have been sent out on loan, while Mark Bunn, Cameron McGeehan, Sam Kelly, Ignasi Miquel and Carlos Cuellar have left the club.

Manager – Alex Neil

The 34-year-old replaced Neil Adams at Carrow Road in January to lead the Canaries back to the Premier League after winning 17 of his 25 matches in charge – including a play-off final against Middlesbrough.

The Scotsman has garnered a reputation as one of the most promising managers in Britain, having previously promoted Hamilton Academical to the Scottish Premiership, and he now has the perfect chance to prove his worth in the Premier League.

Key player – Nathan Redmond

The 21-year-old right winger is one of shining lights of English football's future and for Norwich in particular, who hope to achieve Premier League survival, especially after Mulumbu recently broke a metatarsal, which will see him miss the start of the campaign.

He was one of the main assets behind the Canaries promotion to the top flight, scoring a goal in the Wembley clash against Middlesbrough, and is now expected to take the next step in the Premier League. Having being regular at every age group for England, he was one of the few positives of the recent European Under 21 Championship, being included in the best XI of the tournament despite the team's failure.

Expectations

The base of the Norwich squad is not very different to the one that was relegated from the top flight in 2014. However, Neil has assured he will add players with experience in the top flight to avoid another collapse. The battle for the relegation is expected to be as exciting as the race for the top four and Norwich will be surely involve.

IBT Prediction – 17<sup>th

Survival is the club's only real target but with the likes of Mulumbu, Brady and a more mature Redmond, their chances look more likely than two seasons ago.