City midfielder – (or is that Canary striker?) – Darel Russell was hoping that Southampton would reap the recent managerial whirlwind at Carrow Road tonight as the full-time Bryan Gunn era kicked off with another key, relegation scrap.
Norwich, of course, aren't alone in wielding the axe of late as nigh-on each and every club in that bottom group look for a mid-season change and the chance for that famed new manager 'bounce' to dig them out of their respective predicaments.
Indeed, over the weekend Saints pulled the same stunt as coach Mark Wotte replaced fellow Dutchman Jan Poortvliet – minus, it would appear, the depth of bitterness and anger that would mark Glenn Roeder's exit a fortnight ago.
But with Gunn at the helm, Ian Crook at his side and John Deehan watching from up-top in the directors box, so Russell is clearly hoping that the kind of goodwill tidal wave that engulfed Barnsley ten days ago can now go on and sweep the Saints out to sea.
He was, it would appear, one of those whose Canary heart beat that much faster on the back of the 4-0 win against the Tykes in which his own, thumping late header figured large.
“That was me opening my big mouth again!” smiled Russell, after being quizzed as to whether it was him acting as Gunn's No1 cheerleader for Canary chairman Roger Munby that Saturday night.
“It was after the game and everyone was in high emotions – and it was half meaningful, half in jest.
“Gunny – now the Gaffer – is a good friend of mine; I've played with him; I was batting his corner. And good thing for him that's got the job and I'm sure he'll be a fantastic manager,” said Russell, now all-too used to managerial upheavals. He counts them in, he counts them out…
“Obviously there's been a lot of commotion – a lot of changes have happened,” said the 28-year-old City star, in every likelihood due to start back up front alongside Jamie Cureton tonight.
“But, basically, we just need to et on with it,” he added. It was all part of life's rich tapestry – that when former Canary chairman Robert Chase laid out the plans for City's training HQ at Colney, he made sure that the architects included a revolving door…
“The situation is was it is at this moment in time and it is part and parcel of football.
“I think I've been there quite a few times now and – as mad as it sounds – you can kind of get used to it. It might be a bit more shocking to some of the younger lads, but I'm sure they'll encounter more managers as time time goes on.”
Few, you suspect, with the kind of Norfolk charisma and affection that Gunn commands. Or with the intimate knowledge of just what makes everyone tick inside that dressing room.
“I think he's come from a unique position in that he was 'player liaison' and so he knows each and everybody's individual character extremely well,” said Russell.
“And from a different perspective from any normal manager would. So he's definitely going to be able to man manage people knowing how each and every person works.
“Obviously he'll be learning new stuff as he goes, but I think he'll be fine. But he is a Norwich man through and through and I think it is good for the city and good for the people – that it's a local legend that's now at the helm.”
And for two, big games as well – in his first week fully in charge.
For after the Saints come marching in tonight, so City take to the road for their own, live TV trip to Doncaster on Friday night. The dizzy heights of, say, 16th could yet beckon if Gunn and Co can just keep a little of the current wind in the sails.
Come Friday night, of course, a fourth musketeer could have arrived in the shape of 'Sparticus' – ex-Canary club captain Ian Butterworth. Again, it keeps the momentum going; it keeps this sense of freshness alive.
“They're two huge games,” said Russell. “The Southampton game is absolutely massive and I think we need to go out there and try and produce the same display that we did last week.
“Chippy [Ian Crook] has just arrived now; he's got some new ideas as well. We had a great start last week and, hopefully, we can continue that in the coming week.”
With a fully-fit squad to select from, the chances are that Gunn will go again with the same team. If only on the basis that if it ain't bust, what's the point of trying to fix it…
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