Norwich City: Darren Eadie on Jack Wilshere, Knapper advice

First as an academy graduate in the 90s and now as an ambassador, he's seen a variety of different eras at Norwich City and certainly knows the difference between a club on the right path and one on the wrong one.

Perhaps that's why Canaries sporting director Ben Knapper sought his advice when moving to Norfolk, consulting the former England under-21 international even when he had so much to get to grips with.

But rather than suggestions on transfers, up-and-coming head coaches or the facilities at City's Colney training base, it was fans that Eadie focused on. He'd noticed a deteriorating relationship between them and those who represented them, advising Knapper to bridge that gap sooner rather than later.

“For me it was all about that culture of disconnect between the supporters and the players and management," he told the Pink Un. "Whenever this club has been successful it’s always had a good culture of that, so I was pointing that out really.

“Even the players’ side of it. I’m an ambassador here and we have players come up into the lounges, and it had stopped. There weren’t players coming up, or they’d send one of the young lads up who wasn’t even in the first team.

“It needed to change, not just for the supporters to be able to feel that, but also for the players to get out and meet those supporters socially. They then build an affinity with the fans and for the football club and want to do well even more. They don’t feel isolated from it, they don’t feel disconnected.

“It’s a win-win for players, for management and for the supporters, so that was the main message I put across.”

Eadie gave Canaries sporting director Ben Knapper some words of wisdom (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) ​After a positive start to the Johannes Hoff Thorup era both on and off the pitch, it's fair to say that the dynamic is changing as the 49-year-old hoped.

He was speaking after an event held by the Norwich City Fans Social Club, where supporters were given the chance to quiz Thorup and his assistant Glen Riddersholm on a range of topics from recent form to who they supported.

Eadie could feel from the atmosphere in the room that things were headed in the right direction, as a large audience clamoured for more knowledge on the pair.

“Sometimes when the audience are asked for questions, people can be sitting on their hands a little bit, they're not quite sure what to ask," he continued. "But tonight you could see there were hands up everywhere. We had to cut it short.

“There was genuine intrigue, and I could sense it when I walked into the room. Who are these two? What are they all about? We’ve seen them on social media, they’re very engaging. It’s almost the complete opposite of what’s been here for the last few years.

“So it’s exciting times again. I think as a manager or a player, supporters are very forgiving when you engage with them and they feel like they know you as a friend or a family member. You want to support them and you want them to do well, so you’re almost a bit more forgiving of those poor results. For that reason the fans will get behind them more when things aren’t going well.

“In the past I think it’s easy for fans to turn, but at the moment they’re building a culture where the supporters will get behind them in defeats as well.”

City fans have enjoyed the new era so far (Credit: Martyn Haworth/Focus Images Ltd)

One of the questions asked was about Jack Wilshere, a name causing a fair amount of buzz since his appointment as first-team coach on Wednesday. It's a move Eadie strongly approves of, having seen the ex-Arsenal man's strengths first-hand.

“I saw the appointment of Jack, I remember seeing it on social media through the Pink Un, and I was just nodding to myself, going ‘yep’," he said. "That’s a big statement, not only because of his past as a player.

“I know him in terms of the standards he has on and off the football pitch. His career was cut a bit short with injuries and he’s got a hunger to succeed. I think he’s a good fit. The way he played and the way he coaches very much fits in well with what we do and how we want to do things.

Jack Wilshere has joined the club as a first-team coach (Image: PA)

“He’s got that level of respect as soon as he walks in the door, because he’s Jack Wilshere. He’ll have to earn that again with his coaching sessions and working with the lads, but I’ve got no doubts about that.

“He’s got a great personality as well, he’s a great lad, so I’m really excited by it. I didn’t expect it, and I don’t think many people did, but I think it’s a real coup by Norwich.”