Norwich City manager Dean Smith needs to planning for life in the Championship

I don’t know about you, but the glorious spring sunshine we have been enjoying this week has certainly made me feel ready for summer.

The long evenings, trips to the beach and a break from the relentless misery of Norwich City’s disappointing efforts to stay in the Premier League.

Of course, I say that slightly tongue-in-cheek, but there is no hiding from the fact it is already looking like a big summer for the club.

Dean Smith won’t admit it publicly, but I’m sure inside of Carrow Road plans are already being drawn up to give us the best possible chance of gaining promotion next season.

After six straight defeats, I don’t see any way out of the mess we currently find ourselves in. Even my wonderful girlfriend Zoe – who is more of an optimist than I am – has given up trying to convince me that it is still possible.

In truth, I expect Smith to carry out a major overhaul of the squad as he gets the first chance to build a team in his mould.

As arguably our main financial asset, I feel this is the summer Max Aarons will move on from the club and in truth the lad deserves it, having shown us so much loyalty over the last few years.

Additionally, I don’t see many of those who arrived at the club last summer for a crack at the Premier League still being here – and nor will I particularly be sad to see most of them leave.

Then there is the question of what happens to those who have been here and done it before. Will the likes of Teemu Pukki, Tim Krul, Grant Hanley and Kenny McLean have the fight for yet another season of Championship football?

Pukki in particular, at 31-years-old, may feel he has one last crack at playing at the top level – and who could begrudge him that?

For now, enjoy the international break and prepare for what I fear could be a long end to the campaign.