Alex Tettey has praised Norwich City for managing to keep the bulk of their Premier League squad together despite suffering relegation.
The Canaries endured a torrid time in the top-flight last season, which resulted in Chris Hughton being replaced by Neil Adams in April. By this time the writing was all but on the wall, and the new manager was unable to prevent them from slipping into the Championship, although they were only three points adrift of West Bromwich Albion and safety.
Adams, who was handed a three-year contract in May, insisted he would do his best to keep his squad together, although inevitably there were some departures. Robert Snodgrass left for Hull City and Leroy Fer joined Queens Park Rangers, but at least they returned a profit on both. And Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who hardly set the Premier League alight last season after scoring just once in 25 appearances, joined French side Saint Etienne on loan.
Other key members of the squad though, remain so after the window closed, with the likes of John Ruddy, Nathan Redmond and Gary Hooper still in the ranks. And with additions such as Lewis Grabban, Cameron Jerome and Jos Hooiveld, Tettey has praised the club’s transfer policy as he and his team-mates look to build on an impressive start to the season, despite an opening weekend defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and bounce back to the elite.
“Besides the first game at Wolves we have managed to play well and were unlucky not to beat Bournemouth,” he said. “Overall we are really pleased to have 10 points from five games. At the beginning the club said they did not need to sell and they have proven that. I think only two players have left us but the club have also brought in good coverage.
“The aim is still to get promotion to the Premier League and with all the players we have in the squad now, although there are a lot of games, the hope is we can push on. You need to have a good group of players, one that is very positive with everybody working towards the same goal. That has shown now and is good for the season ahead.”
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