Exclusive: Sky pundit questions potential Norwich City, Russell Martin return - 'perilous situation' claim made | OneFootball

Don Goodman has spoken to FLW about the potential of Russell Martin succeeding Liam Manning at Carrow Road.

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has questioned whether Russell Martin would return to Norwich City to replace Liam Manning given the club is in such a “perilous situation.”

The Canaries are hurtling towards a relegation battle this season, sitting 23rd and winning just two matches in 13 outings.

Since departing Bristol City for Carrow Road, Manning now posts the worst win rate of any Canaries boss in the club’s history, while his team have also set some unwanted records.

Earlier this term, The Canaries were on the wrong side of creating history after becoming the first team in the club’s existence to lose their opening five home games of a campaign.

And their misery was compounded after the Canaries suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Ipswich Town in the East Anglian derby at the beginning of October, with this the first time the Tractor Boys secured a victory over Norwich in 16 years.

Last weekend’s 2-0 home loss to Hull City meant it is now six straight defeats in the Championship, with the team scoring just twice in that period.

In fact, Norwich haven’t won a league game since the end of August against Blackburn Rovers, and it’s grim reading for any optimists that think the club can work their way out of this rut under the current regime.

But with all the negativity, Norwich owner Mark Attanasio has given full backing to Manning, believing he deserves more time to put the team on the right path, when speaking on BBC Radio Norfolk’s Canary Call phone-in.

How long this patience lasts remains to be seen, but journalist Alan Nixon has reported that ex-Norwich City player Russell Martin is on the Canaries’ shortlist for a return to the club in the dugout, not long off the back of a disastrous short stint in charge of Rangers.

With this news in mind, Sky Sports pundit and EFL expert Don Goodman has spoken to Football League World about whether Martin would take the job if it was offered to him.

Don Goodman casts doubt over Russell Martin interest in Norwich City role

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Goodman has questioned whether Russell Martin would be interested in inheriting Norwich City’s “perilous situation”, so soon after experiencing fierce backlash from his time at Ibrox.

Goodman said: “I do find it incredible that a club the size and stature of Norwich City that actually invested a decent chunk of money in the summer, finds itself in this position.

“Obviously, Liam Manning is still in a job, and you never want to see anyone lose his job, and you hope they can turn it around. They’ve got a huge game on Wednesday against Sheffield Wednesday, and you get the feeling that if that doesn’t go in a positive way, then it could be time up.

“We’re at the time of year now where teams are deciding they need to change now because there are still lots of games and points to play for.

“In regard to Russell Martin, would he want to take over a club in such a perilous situation is a difficult one.

From a Norwich perspective, is Russell’s stock still high enough? What kind of reception would you get from the supporters? These are all factors for all parties to consider.

“But I’m at a loss if I’m honest as to why and how on earth they are doing so poorly, but as I said, hopefully it will turn for them soon.”

Norwich City are not appealing right now amid Liam Manning, Russell Martin talk

It’s getting to the stage now where Liam Manning’s position at Norwich is becoming untenable. The club have lost six straight league matches, and are now struggling to find a way to help marksman Josh Sargent score goals.

It’s clearly not working, and Norwich can’t afford to be in this position much longer, with such an awful start badly damaging their hopes of rising up the table and getting into the promotion conversation come the end of the term.

It isn’t too late though to make it a reality, but the hierarchy will have to act quickly, particularly if a seventh straight defeat is recorded at Sheffield Wednesday – a game that is certainly a must-win for Manning.

With Russell Martin, it’s whether they can sell the project to him, but the club is in quite a state right now.

Norwich supporters are clearly not happy with what they’re seeing on the pitch, while there’s also a fractured relationship between themselves and the board, which was demonstrated in a heated 90-minute meeting between fans, executive director Zoe Webber and finance and operations director Anthony Richens last month, as plans had been put in place at Carrow Road for the displacement of supporters from the lower River End.

To be successful, everybody has to be aligned on the same page, but this currently seems a club that is on the decline with next-to-no positivity.

Would Martin want to put his neck on the line in this situation given the criticism he faced for his poor spell at Rangers? It’s difficult to be sure, and after gaining promotion out of this division with Southampton, he may be hoping to inherit a team higher up the division and not involve himself in an immediate relegation scrap.

It’s a tough situation for Norwich right now, with questions raised as to who would want the job if Manning is relieved of his duties soon.