Interview with Marc Hatley – Season 22 Day 8

PSM Press presents an interview with Marc Hatley, manager of Western European side Norwich City.

Martin Baker: Hi Mr Hatley, good to have the opportunity to speak with you. Well last season your Norwich team came so close to the playoffs, your aim for this season must be a top 6 finish surely?

Marc Hatley: Yes, last season Norwich were so close to the playoffs but I wasn’t expecting to be that high anyway as I was changing our tactics to see what suits us best. In addition, this season I would be happy to just stay up as I want to wait a few seasons for my young defenders in my YA to be promoted which I think is the last key step in allowing my squad to be good enough to try and put up a fight to stay in WE1. Overall, I would still be disappointed if Norwich didn’t get a playoff spot.

MB: Do you not feel that time out of the top league will hinder you, as the teams up there just get better every season, is there a worry Norwich will get left behind?

MH: I, as Norwich City’s manager, am always concerned about being left behind especially as the club hasn’t got anywhere near as big budget compared to others,  but am relying on my YA to start producing some talent to either keep as home bread stars or sold on for silly cash off of the big spenders.

MB: When you took over the club in season 13, what were you aims and how have you been able to fulfil them?

MH: When I took over Norwich in season 13 my aim was to get them to WE1 and challenge for the title but as seasons have gone on without heavy investment this is unlikely to happen. However, I believe as long as my players play as a team and give 110% every game we have a chance of winning anything.

MB: Over the past few seasons with a lot of comings and goings at the club which one player sticks out in either past or present, who really helped to push this club forward?

MH: I treat everyone equally in my team as they are all a big part in our team, however, there are 2 players which stand out from the rest:

K Le Bras 28 M-L 2 56 41 41 69 79 72 41 81 52 66 Accomplished 7,210,791
As he is Norwich’s assist machine and still plays at the club.

S Van Tiemh 32 A-C 27 87 77 16 92 66 80 85 74 20 69 Accomplished 19,527,934
As he was Norwich’s top goalscorer nearly scoring a 100 goals per season but sold him on when he was 29.

In all honesty I couldn’t choose between them as Le Bras setted Van Tiemh up to score so without either one they would not be as good as they are.

MB: What about the future then? You mentioned before that you are waiting for a couple of young defenders to grow a little more, is there any particular youth you are really looking forward to pulling on the Canaries shirt?

MH: Well, I have a 17 yr old DC called Verstappen, a young Dutchman, who will be going straight into my first team as he’s better than my current DC’s:

T Verstappen 17 D-C 5 69 58 60 37 5 1 2 10

He trains at 33% +7 and by the time he’s promoted should be able to get his speed, passing and set plays up to 60 and then start improving his arial, strength and tackling again.

MB: In the current market of defenders I’m sure he would prove well sought after, and a few top league clubs will surely come knocking. How do you intend to fend them off and stop the young lad’s head being turned?

MH: Yes, it’s so hard to find defenders recently, especially central defenders so he will be treasured here at Norwich. Furthermore, I’m sure some top clubs will be interested and will put in some sneaky bids in but I and the team will make him feel at home and welcome him as he’s going to be a key player in our defence.

MB: Is it mostly going to be youths coming through that will be making up the 1st team or a mix of bought in and homegrown? And just how important is it to you, to have homegrown players?

MH: Well, I would prefer to have mostly homegrown youths in the first team as I wouldn’t have to pay a fortune for first teamers but some brought in players I’m sure will be in the starting line-up. For I and Norwich homegrown players is so important as I wouldn’t have to pay 5-10m for one player so if a youth product replaced that person that 5-10m could go towards my stadium so we can bring in an even bigger income.

MB: How are the stadium developments coming along? And with each stage of improvement, is Carrow Road being filled?

MH: Well I built Carrow Road up to 21k but then concentrated on my YA and squad so haven’t touched our stadium for 5+ seasons but am going to start building again soon once the squad is on its way. Yes Carrow Road is constantly being filled with fans sometimes very angry as they cannot get a ticket for an important derby.

MB: Your next league game sees you take on promotion favourites Bristol Rovers. Who is your tip for the WE2 title?

MH: Well, the league is the toughest and closest it has ever looked in my opinion so it could be anyone’s, but if I had to choose a couple of teams it’s going to be between Rochdale, Bristol Rovers and Blackburn Rovers.

MB: If there was any one player in the world, that you could have who would it be?

MH: There are many players I would like but if I had to choose one it would be:

B Van Geem 23 M-C 3 87 81 54 81 75 80 62 89 37 57 Accomplished 21,209,130

He’s from Yeovil and is the World’s best youth player.

MB: Well Marc i’m going to have to wrap this up. Need to get to the cooking!! Thanks for your time and best of luck in your aims for the season.

Credits to Martin Baker for the interview.

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