Norwich City issued Russell Martin warning amid Liam Manning replacement links | OneFootball

FLW's Norwich City fan pundit has given his verdict on the possible appointment of Russell Martin as manager

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Russell Martin is being considered by Norwich City as a potential option to replace Liam Manning as manager.

According to Alan Nixon, the Canaries have shortlisted the 39-year-old as a possible target in case a change in head coach is made.

Manning has made a difficult start to life at Carrow Road, having only arrived as manager in the summer.

The Norfolk outfit have won just two of their opening 13 fixtures, leaving them with eight points, and have now suffered six defeats in a row.

Martin is available after being dismissed by Rangers earlier in the season, and he previously spent eight years with Norwich as a player, making over 300 appearances.

Norwich issued Russell Martin warning

When asked about the possible appointment of Martin, FLW’s Norwich fan pundit Zeke Downes warned the club about his track record, suggesting there are reasons to have reservations over his possible arrival.

He’s claimed there would be a feelgood factor to appointing a club legend, but that it’s far from guaranteed to be a success.

“I can see why Martin would want to join us, and I can see why the link would be there,” Downes told Football League World.

“Cause there was a time when most of the fanbase would’ve been really up for it.

“It’s obviously a bit of a feelgood story, having a club legend back as your manager, but I think there are some reservations in terms of what he’s capable of.

“He did okay at Swansea, didn’t do amazingly well, he got Southampton promoted but through the play-offs, and it was a very good team as well, so it wasn’t like he was punching above his weight or anything.

“Obviously did really badly at Rangers.

“I just think there are going to be a lot of reservations over him.”

However, Downes believes replacing Manning with anyone will go down well with supporters at this stage, but that the next appointment has to be right to save the team’s season.

“But, we have to make a change, probably doesn’t really matter too much who it would be, as most of the fans would be just happy we’ve made a change,” he added.

“I think this next appointment has to be right, because we’ve made too many appointments that haven’t worked out, and we can’t carry on like this.

“This is the last one, really, if it ends up happening to save our season in a way, and to stop us from getting relegated.

“I think the club and the board have to think very hard about who they are going to appoint next.”

Norwich have endured a horrendous run of form under Manning in recent weeks, with their most recent victory coming on 30 August away to Blackburn Rovers.

Their only other win also came away from home, meaning the team has yet to earn a victory in front of their own fans, which has only added to their frustrations.

Next up for Norwich is a midweek clash away to Sheffield Wednesday on 5 November in a fixture between 23rd and 24th in the table.

Russell Martin appointment has some potential

Martin’s time at Southampton and Rangers didn’t end well, but he still has a proven track record of results in the Championship.

And that’s what Norwich need at the moment, because nothing is seemingly working for Manning.

There are definitely reasons to have reservations, but that’s the case with any possible appointment given the excitement that surrounded the arrival of Manning in the summer.

He guided Bristol City to a top six finish last season, so he hasn’t suddenly become a bad coach overnight, so Norwich’s problems are obviously greater than whoever is in the dugout.