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Norwich net permanent Dorrans deal after Premier League promotion

| 27.05.2015
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Norwich City, odds-on 5/6 chances with Coral to be relegated on their return to the Premier League next season, have swiftly followed their immediate promotion from the Championship via a play-off triumph with the permanent signing of Scotland and West Bromwich Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans.

The 28-year-old spent six-and-a-half years at The Hawthorns, joining the Baggies from Livingston in July 2008. Dorrans, capped 10 times by his country, left on loan for the Canaries in February, making 18 appearances and scoring three goals as Alex Neil steered the Carrow Road club straight back into the top-flight.

“Graham has been a very important part of the team over the last few months and he has Premier League experience and is a top player,” said Neil upon Dorrans penning a two-year permanent deal with the Norfolk outfit. “His experience and quality will help us and we’re delighted he has joined us on a permanent basis.”

Norwich manager Neil is also confident the Canaries can compete at Premier League level. “I’m not silly, I know it is going to be a huge task for us,” he added. But there are other clubs of a similar size who have done well. There is no reason why we cannot do that.”

“I am hoping that we will be able to give a good account of ourselves,” continued Neil, who is yet to complete his UEFA coaching license. “I will need to learn fast, I’m fully aware of that. I think my biggest challenge is going to be managing expectations.

“I have had back-to-back promotions [having steered Hamilton in the Scottish Premiership this time last year]. So I think people will expect us to do really well in the Premier League, but that is extremely difficult.

“There will be an incredible amount of hard work to make sure we can compete at that level, because the gulf between the Premier League and the Championship is vast. However, teams manage to go up and do well.

“We will need to add a few quality signings but I will stick with the hardcore group of the squad and make sure they get an opportunity.”

Getting a permanent deal for Dorrans done so swiftly shall help Norwich’s chances of staying up next season, with Coral rating their prospects of that also being 5/6.

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Author

Jamie Clark

Athletics aficionado, die-hard snooker fan and Crystal Palace supporter Jamie has written for Coral since February 2014 after spells with Soccerlens and the Press Association as a digital journalist and copywriter. A former East Midlands sports correspondent and Bwin tipster, he is a graduate of both the University of York and University of Sheffield, with a Masters in web journalism from the latter.