Football

We can finally stop the speculation. Glenn Roeder is the new manager of Norwich City. At the press conference to announce his appointment the first question was 'you must like a challenge then Glenn.'

There'll be no honeymoon period for him either.

Three points adrift at the bottom of the Championship with Ipswich Town coming to Carrow Road on Sunday means Roeder needs to hit the ground running.

It sounds like he's under no illusion either. 

He was only told that he'd got the job on Monday night, but before that he'd already been in touch with some of his contacts in the game trying to find out whether players might be available for loan. I'm encouraged by that.

No illusions

Roeder's under no illusion about what lies ahead. At this morning's press conference he talked about trying to get the Canaries to 'remove the ball and chain' when they're playing.

He's picked up on that lack of spark that has blighted Norwich City's play this season and has brought just seven goals in 13 league games. I wouldn't be surprised if new blood came in time for Sunday.

Reaction from fans has been predictably mixed.

BBC Radio Norfolk opened their lines immediately after the appointment and found around two third of those calling in were pleased with the new boss. It would have been impossible to find a manager with a 100 per cent approval rating.

Ultimately though whatever supporters think now, their opinions will be swung by results on the pitch.

Glenn Roeder wasn't the fans choice at Newcastle when Graeme Souness left the club but he did well enough as caretaker to make it impossible for them not to give him the job full time.

It all ended for him earlier this year. With constant takeover talk it was a culture of uncertainty at St James' Park and ultimately he became the latest in a long line of managers to leave without ending the club’s long wait for a trophy. 

Roeder is an experienced boss, he'll need to draw on all of that and call in whatever favours he can to get Norwich out of the trouble they're in just now.

Listen to a Scrimmage Special, with Chris Goreham online via this website, and on BBC Radio Norfolk on Tuesday, 30 October, 2007 from 6pm.