Paul Lambert's team have achieved back-to-back promotions over the last two seasons and a return to the top flight for the first time since 2005, writesStewart Coggin.Goss was delighted to receive the official Barclays Premier League flag which will flutter proudly above Carrow Road in the 2011/12 season.Paul Lambert's team have achieved back-to-back promotions over the last two seasons and a return to the top flight for the first time since 2005, writesStewart Coggin.Goss was delighted to receive the official Barclays Premier League flag which will flutter proudly above Carrow Road in the 2011/12 season.The 46-year-old, who represented Norwich between 1983 and 1996 and is best remembered for a stunning volley that ultimately knocked Bayern Munich out of the 1993/94 Uefa Cup, believes the team has the potential to confound those critics who believe their Barclays Premier League stay will be short-lived."My personal prediction is that they will do well," he said. "The manager has not been making huge signings, they have been sensible ones. You are inundated with lots of money (after promotion) and you are not going to waste all that on one player."It was a big surprise to get back-to-back promotions and that will not happen again for a long time. They did incredibly well to get out of the Championship, which is a tough league."Lambert surprised us all by leading us to a comfortable promotion. They were tough when needed, played route one when they had to and showed a team spirit that has not been here for many years."Lambert has a great mentality and work ethic. I think they can do what Charlton did all those years ago (establish themselves after promotion). I think they will raise some eyebrows."Norwich's first four fixtures see them travel to Wigan Athletic on the opening day, host Stoke City, make the visit to Stamford Bridge for a meeting with Chelsea, and entertain West Bromwich Albion.Goss thinks the fixture computer has been kind to Norwich, but would have liked to see them kick-off against champions Manchester United."Sprinting into a new Barclays Premier League season, fans would have loved Manchester United at home in the first match," he continued. "In fact, we have no top four sides at home in the opening weeks of the season. It is debatable about whether you want good sides or lesser ones in the opening weeks, but I don't think Lambert cares. I am optimistic. It is a great start."Lambert has so far added James Vaughan (Everton), Steve Morison (Millwall), Bradley Johnson (Leeds United), Eliot Bennet (Brighton), Ritchie de Laet (Manchester United) and Anthony Pilkington (Huddersfield Town) to his ranks, and Goss is optimistic there will be further signings.The former midfielder reckons Lambert will seek to strengthen in attack, despite the fine form of Grant Holt last season."You need to score goals to win games," he added. "(Chris) Martin and Holt are great strikers but it would be no surprise to see further goalscorers. With the diamond formation they play, you need players in that position. Obviously every position is crucial, but I would expect to see some more attacking midfielders, wingers and strikers come to the club."One signing that has caught his eye is Johnson, who has arrived on a free transfer from Leeds. Goss believes the 24-year-old will add steel to the midfield and could prove an inspired signing."If you are strong across the midfield zone, if you can gain possession quickly you will reap dividends," he asserted. "The inclusion of Johnson will strengthen that position. It is a great signing for Norwich. He is a player who can deal with the hustle and bustle in midfield, an outstanding buy."Goss is now the Events Fundraising Co-coordinator for the Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind (NNAB), which helps enrich the lives of 20,000 blind and visually impaired people across Norfolk each year.On 3rd August he will embark on a sponsored 1300-mile bike ride to Arnhem, Munich and Milan, the three cities where Norwich played in that famous Uefa Cup campaign.
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