'The supporters deserve better' - Hanley's candid assessment of City relegation

City's skipper has been one of the club's better performers in a dire season that has seen their fate secured with four matches to go, the earliest relegation in the club's history.

A 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday coupled with Burnley's late comeback at Vicarage Road against Watford means Norwich will be playing Championship football again next season.

Hanley is hoping his colleagues reflect on their part in an under-par campaign but reiterates the focus has to be solely on the remaining games this season and concluding the campaign with some professional pride.

“We’ve still got games to play this season and, first of all, we have to be disappointed and unhappy with how we’ve done and I think it’s important that everybody looks in the mirror and is honest with themselves and ask themselves the question of whether they could have done any more.

“It’s important to show a bit of pride and character for this club. In the past, this club gave the lads an opportunity," Hanley said.

“There are still games to play and points to play for, more importantly at this time it’s pride that is left to play for. It’s important to do that until the end of the season.”

As news of Burnley's turnaround filtered through to those in the away end, a rousing rendition of 'On the Ball, City!' could be heard from those occupying the away end.

The players were then clapped off at Villa Park in spite of a season that saw expectations ramped up after comments from senior figures last summer.

But this has proven to be another painful season in the top-flight.

Hanley believes City's supporters are entailed to feel they deserve a better offering on the pitch this season.

“It’s clearly been unbelievably difficult for supporters as well. It’s been a really tough season," City's captain said.

“They’ve been great, home or away they are always there for us. That really puts a downer on it as well because the supporters deserve better.

“For one reason or not, on the pitch we haven’t performed or got results that they deserve this season.”

Now confirmation has arrived, the inquest into the shortcomings this season can formally begin.

Hanley is hoping that honesty will be the best policy as Norwich's squad look to pick themselves up for the inevitable disappointment that will be felt from inside the dressing room.

Whilst the reaction to such a disappointment would have been different in years gone by, there is a confidence from City's captain that Dean Smith and his coaching staff will help turn the page after a tough campaign.

“In times gone by there might have been a few teacups smashed and punches thrown or something like that," he said.

“The game has evolved and the dressing room culture has changed. It’s important that everyone is honest with each other, which I’m sure we will be. I’m sure that the manager and the coaching staff will make sure of that.

“It’s up to the senior players in the dressing room to make sure of that as well. For me, that isn’t an area of concern.”

That begs the bigger question, what has gone wrong this season?

Many supporters will focus on the recruitment and the signing of players who have failed to lift the quality threshold of the City side.

Norwich City captain Grant Hanley has offered a candid assessment of their relegation from the Premier League. (Image: ©Focus Images Limited www.focus-images.co.uk +44 7813 022858)

Hanley isn't overcomplicating his assessment of why this season, one that started with so much promise off the back of a title-winning campaign, has ended in relegation.

“From the word go it has been tough. The problem is we haven’t been good enough. We don’t need to say anything about managers at the minute or previous," Hanley said.

“On the pitch, we haven’t done our job and it’s important that everybody individually looks at themselves first of all and has an honest opinion on how they’ve performed this season because we haven’t been good enough.”

With four games remaining, the focus has to be on attempting to finish above Watford in the table, something that would pocket the club an extra £2m.

The easy accusation of any side who suffers relegation is to suggest there is a divide in the dressing room or the togetherness isn't as strong as it should be. That all gets tested in adversity.

Hanley is adamant that Norwich's players have to stick together whilst creating an environment for those frank and candid conversations to take place.

“It’s important that we stick together as a group. You’re not going to get anywhere if you start outing people and creating that divide within the group," he said.

“I think it’s important that we are honest but we have to stick together and maintain that spirit. Life goes on and we have to come back bigger and better. I’m sure there are already plans in place for how we are going to do that.

“From my point of view and a player’s point of view, it’s up to us to do better.”