Fulham and Norwich City have become ships passing in the night. It was March 2018 when these clubs of similar stature last faced each other and that is becoming a problem far beyond West London and Norfolk, with consequences reaching far above and below in the pyramid.
Marco Silva, the latest Fulham head coach to guide the club back to the top flight, has already optimistically explained why next season will be different at Craven Cottage, even if he will not divorce from the exciting style that has broken records in their latest promotion. Vice-chairman Tony Khan, who oversees recruitment, has already spoken of the yo-yo club becoming a yo club.
At Norwich, Dean Smith will be expected to continue the pattern of bouncing back straight away with a squad that has become familiar with success and failure in equal measure, even if it is fair to ask questions of sporting director Stuart Webber’s recruitment approach last year.
