Football’s a funny old game. Yesterday you’re sat watching your old manager giving a press conference for his new club decked out in different colours, talking about different players, flanked by different board members. That was yesterday as a Norwich City fan.

A day later those thoughts are running through the head of Birmingham City fans as they watch Chris Hughton sit in front of the media wearing a yellow tie, talking about our players, flanked by David McNally.

Press conferences, especially those that involve the unveiling of a new manager are always going to be slightly stilted – a new relationship has to be formed – but it gives a tantalising glimpse of what is to come.

And what stood out for me was this: “I like to play passing, attacking football. But you have to be adaptable.”

Yes talk is cheap, but what worried me most about Paul Lambert leaving for the midlands was that we would lose our ethos of playing the game correctly, but always having a plan B up our sleeves. My mind is at ease.

Hughton can’t necessarily be described as a young, up and coming manager, but he does have a desire to succeed. And that will be achieved not it seems in the mould of Sam Aladyce or Tony Pulis, where balls are hit long and hard, but with some tactical nous to be beat teams the right way, and change formations and teams depending on the opponent. I’m happy.

These are positives, but of course like many fans there’s always a slight niggling at the back of mind. I want Hughton to succeed of course, but there’s a small doubt in my mind. It’s minuscule, but there.

We’ve had three huge years under Paul Lambert’s guidance. He has taken us from League One to the Premier League in the blink of an eye. How does Hughton continue that upward trajectory?

I’m 99.99999999999% sure he will through hard work, good player management, a good backroom staff that consists of his assists at Birmingham and Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa, (a poke in the eye for Paul Lambert?), and bringing good players in to “help the lads out a bit.”

I may have a modicum of worry, but only because the last three seasons have been so spectacular, I’m hoping, and almost certain, that Hughton can make the next three years just as memorable. I’m nervous but full of excited anticipation. A large number ’1′ and ‘Hughton’ will be on the back of my shirt.

In: James Scoltock Thread By: Junk of the Barclay [23 ] Posted: 349 days ago