We’ve heard very little of former NUFC defender Grant Hanley since he left the club last year, however Norwich fans are absolutely loving him – with the no nonsense centre-back fast becoming a ‘Norwich legend’ after his ‘phenomenal’ displays this season.
As we know, he was signed by Benitez ahead of our 2016/17 Championship season, but to say he was used sparingly is an understatement given his £6m fee, with him featuring in just 10 league games out of a possible 46.
The ex-Blackburn defender joined Norwich in the summer for £3.5m and it hasn’t taken him long to become a big hit with Canary fans.
His no nonsense style, solid defending and superb assist in the recent East Anglian derby are just a few reasons why Norwich fans are calling him their ‘signing of the season’.
Here’s a few interesting tweets from Norwich fans in support of the centre-back – with one even claiming it’s Newcastle’s loss to have sold him so soon:
Would just like to thank #nufc for Grant Hanley. Seem to remember a fair amount of rejoice upon his departure. He's been absolutely phenomenal. Your loss. #ncfc
— Ewan Wilson (@ewanwilson99) February 4, 2018
Watch until the end. Grant Hanley = LEGEND #NCFC pic.twitter.com/2tY1C4pH4i
— TalkNorwichCity (@TalkNorwichCity) February 18, 2018
To sum up the first half. Hanley is fast becoming a Norwich legend. That's about it. #NCFC
— ????? ?? ??????? (@norwichjamie) March 6, 2018
Lots of love for Trybull, Leitner and Zimmerman but for me Hanley should be getting all the plaudits and is signing of the season #captain #ncfc #otbc
— magoo ?? (@mag0o00) February 18, 2018
Terrible second half. Conkers. But how bloody good is Grant Hanley. Proper hard brexit footballer. #ncfc
— Norwich Curry Club (@NorwichCurry) February 24, 2018
Just give Hanley the captaincy for the next 5 years. Simple as that. #ncfc
— Simon Mann (@manno_88) February 19, 2018
Big praise from the Norwich City fans, who clearly hold the former NUFC centre-back in high regard already despite them enduring a struggling season by their standards (currently 14th).
He was always going to be a solid Championship defender, so his success at Norwich is no surprise to me, however I suspect Newcastle and Rafa Benitez felt he may have struggled with the pace of the Premier League.
Were we right to let him go so soon? I think so, but let us know your thoughts folks!
Credit where it’s due, Hanley is a no nonsense old fashioned centre back. No frills, just does the job he’s asked to well.
Good luck to him at Norwich, hope he does it for them but no disrespect to him or the club, Championship is his level. An excellent Championship player who gives it 100%. You can ask no more than that.
Bobbybee(Quote)