The following is a webchat which took place on Wednesday, July 18 at 1pm with City's Chief Executive Neil Doncaster.

Q. From Nicholas Smith

"Where realistically to you expect us to finish this season? Do you think an improvement on last year is possible without Earnshaw?"

Neil: "I'm not clairvoyant - the fact is that in 2003/04 the bookies had us down as 12th favourites and yet we won the division at a canter. Last year we were amongst the favourites and had a disappointing year. If we can remain injury free and further bolster the squad, I believe we will be more competitive this season. With the addition of the Czech Republic's leading scorer and the Championship's leading goalscorer from last season who knows what is possible."

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Q. From Stephen Cary

"Given that Norwich City made little or no profit from the sale of Robert Earnshaw (due to his buy-out clause) could you confirm a sell-on clause has been agreed with Derby so the Club can potentially receive additional revenue at a later date?"

Neil: "Firstly, profit is only partly relevant - it's mainly about cash. We did in fact make a profit on the sale of Earnshaw. However, more relevantly, we have £3.5m which has been added to Peter's playing budget. Your question about a sell-on clause is a slight red herring in relation to buy-out clauses. These cannot include a sell-on. If the buy-out sum is met, we must accept the offer without negotiation. That was the case in relation to both Dickson and Earnie."

Q: Richard Chilver

"One, why was Dickson allowed to negotiate an escape clause when he was playing for Preston reserves and hardly in a strong negotiating position. Two, if Dickson was so admired by Peter Grant and he knew of this escape clause why was a new contract only offered to him last weekend when it was too late?"

Neil: "Unfortunately, Dickson was in a stronger negotiating position when he came to Carrow Road for talks than many suspect. The fact was that his agent was in talks with Harry Redknapp, then at Southampton, who were happy to meet Dickson's demands and to agree to the buy-out clause. In those circumstances we had a stark choice: either to buy Dickson with a £1.5m buy-out clause in his contract, or to lose him to Southampton. The Board, the manager and the executive team discussed the issue and agreed unanimously on the pragmatic course of action to sign Dickson with the clause in his contract. As to the second part of your question, we had been in talks with Dickson's representatives for some while prior to last weekend. Dickson's representatives showed no appetite to agree to a new deal - given the events of last weekend perhaps that is not a surprise."

Q: Richard Pryor

"Neil, why are some transfer fees "undisclosed". Norwich are not the only club to do this by any means but you say you wish to show transparency to supporters. Who decides when transfer fees remain undisclosed?"

Neil: "Football League regulations require all transfer fees to be undisclosed, but this rule is honoured as much in the breach as in the observance. The selling club has the final say as to whether a fee is disclosed or not. If they wish for the fee to be undisclosed, typically they will insert a clause in the transfer agreement binding us to keep it secret. We are keen to be as transparent as possible to supporters, but sometimes we are prevented from being as transparent as we would like."

Q: Dan Salahuddin

"We want assurances that replacements for Etuhu and potentially Safri will be purchased immediately. We also would like to know if figures around the £5m mark are available for team strengthening and if not, why not?"

Neil: "I cannot give such assurances. The way the Club operates is that the Board set the manager's budget, the manager identifies the players he wants within that budget and myself and the Club Secretary, Kevan Platt, negotiate and document the transfer within the parameters agreed with the manager and the Board. Youssef Safri remains a Norwich City player. As to your £5m figure, this does not take into account the transfers in of David Strihavka, David Marshall, Julien Brellier, Matthew Gilks, Jon Otsemobor and Jamie Cureton, all of whom have a significant cost in terms of wages, agents fees and, in some cases, substantial transfer fees. We are all totally focussed on generating as much money as we can from off the field activities in order to give Peter the maximum possible budget to achieve his and our ambitions on the pitch. Some money remains available, but you know that putting in the public domain exactly how much this is can only be contrary to our best interests when dealing with other clubs. We are working very hard as I write to bring in further new players."

Q: Aaron Bagshaw

"Neil, does our small squad concern you?"

Neil: "We currently have a squad of 31 professional players, plus Kris Renton who is not currently on a professional contract but is included in the squad. Clearly a number of these are first year professionals - however the squad is currently smaller than some in the Championship and larger than others. The manager has identified more targets and, as I said, we are working to bring them in. The Board do not tell the manager how many players he should have. The Board set the budget. The manager decides whether he would like 50 players of a certain quality, or 30 of a better quality, and so on."

Q: Robert Dabin

"Hello Mr D. What are your opinions on foreign investment in the Club which is your view and not Delia's please?"

Neil: "I think investment in Championship clubs is a misnomer. Investment implies a return. If you invest in a profitable Premier League club you stand a chance of making return. A number of people have given money to loss making Championship clubs because they are fans of those clubs. You might see Delia and Michael's substantial contribution over the years in this way. You have to ask why it is that anyone, whether foreign or otherwise, who has no connection with a particular club would want to simply give part of their fortune away. Rich people are not generally rich because they give their money away. The real issue is not about whether a financial backer of a club is foreign or not. It is about the values that they hold dear. Chief of all the values that any owner or Norwich City should cherish is our principle of a winning formula which embraces community and family participation."

Q: Fred Greenstaff

"Why are Norwich buying players who demand get-out clauses? Surely they are holding the Club to ransom? We also need to stop getting journeymen and buy some quality in."

Neil: "Buy-out clauses are increasingly a fact of football life. I understand that Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins of Newcastle and Phil Jagielka formerly of Sheffield United may have had such clauses in their contracts and such clauses are increasingly commonplace. Some players are in a position to demand such clauses - usually those that are in demand from a number of clubs. Therefore when we are trying to bring players to Carrow Road who are sought after by other clubs, we have a simple choice: agree to the clauses or lose the player. Earnie took a cut in his wage and a drop down from the Premier League to the Championship to join us. He did so categorically on the basis that we agreed a buy-out clause of £3.5m. It was a deal breaker for him. In circumstances where Dean Ashton had just left the Club and we needed a goalscorer to replace him I believe it was entirely right that we brought Robert Earnshaw in. As far as your comments regarding "journeymen" players I strongly refute that term being applied to any of the 11 signings we've made in the last seven months. Last week the mood amongst fans and at the Club was one of huge excitement about the new additions."

Q: Nicholas Mead

"In January 2006 despite having benefited from two successful share issues and the rewards of a year in the Premiership the Club had neither the funds to pay the £50,000 transfer fee for Carl Robinson or to pay his wages, it had to borrow from the directors. That doesn't sound like prudent management of the finances to me. What do you think?"

Neil: "I'm conscious that a lot of these questions demand lengthy answers and I want to give as many people as possible the chance to answer. Briefly therefore, you seem to be suggesting that we should have been spending less on players in the Premier League than we did. We bought Dean Ashton in January 2005 for a Club record fee in a calculated gamble to try and stay up. That gamble failed. However, I believe that pushing the boat out at that time was the right thing to do. If you are suggesting that we should have spent less in the Premier League in order to spend more following relegation, then I do not agree."

Q: Mel Lacey

"Who at the Club was responsible for agreeing to the clauses in Earnshaw's and Etuhu's contracts that allowed them to leave us well below their market value? If your answer is (Nigel) Worthington, why did you continue to support him as manager when he was making incredible mistakes such as these?"

Neil: "As I have said above, we had a stark choice whether to sign Earnie and Dickson with such clauses or not to sign them at all. The clauses were agreed to by the whole Board and management as a pragmatic way forward. It would be nice to think that one could simply say "we will not agree to those clauses" and expect the players to sign for us anyway. However, the practical reality is that Earnshaw and Dickson would never had been Norwich City players had we taken that approach. I'm surprised you feel that Dickson's sale price was well below his true market value when many strident on-line critics have pilloried Dickson pretty much from start to finish of his time at Norwich City, sentiments which Peter Grant has echoed in recent comments in the media."

Q: Dominic Rich

"No matter what the Board or manager says in the press we are obviously still lacking quality in defence and midfield. A simple yes or no answer - will we be seeing new quality players recruited for these positions before the season starts. Please don't use the default we are always looking and enquiring as this time we need a firm message that we have players ready to join."

Neil: "Buying a player is not like buying a Mars bar! You simply cannot go and buy one off the shelf. Dickson's sale over the weekend disappointed us all and work is ongoing to bring in replacements. However, this is not a five minute process and involves discussions and negotiations with clubs, players and agents. Whilst we are doing everything we can to bring in players, we cannot announce anything until it has happened."

Q: Mark Thorndyke

"Hello. We have heard that many players have been at Norwich for the money and not just for playing football. Are you currently in the hot-seat for the position and money or for the love of Norwich City Football Club? What is your affection for our Club?"

Neil: "I think the first part of your question is unfair. Darren Huckerby could undoubtedly have earned more money by playing elsewhere. He is totally committed to Norwich City and his passion for the Club is an inspiration to all of us. As to me, if money was my prime motivation I would not be here. I would be working as a solicitor in London earning many times what I earn here. I work here because I care passionately about the Club and believe wholeheartedly in the ethos of the Club. I've had offers to go to bigger and better paid positions but with clubs whose values I do not share. If I didn't believe 100 per cent in what I'm doing, I probably would not be here answering these questions now!"

Q: Sean Mason

"Hi Neil. Just wanted to say that I think you and the Board are doing a fantastic job at the moment - well done. Just wondering if you intend on using the money you received for Etuhu on another quality midfield player, or is it needed to fund the transfers already made this season? Good luck with the season ahead, I have a good feeling. So come on you Canaries!"

Neil: "Thanks mum! Only joking - thanks Sean. That's much appreciated. As to Dickson, his transfer fee has not already been spent and is available to Peter."

Q: Peter Kemp

"What do you see as your biggest challenge during the coming season as Chief Exec. Best of luck to you all by the way. I think you set a fine example as to how to run a club balancing commercial realities with our dreams."

Neil: "The biggest challenge we face is a financial one - competing (with our £1m of TV income) against clubs like Sheffield United, Watford, Charlton and West Brom with their £11m each of parachute payments and the substantial new money at Wolves (£30m) and Hull that benefactors have gifted those clubs."

Q: Jon Rogers

"We currently have four very good goalkeepers, however we currently have four central defenders and four or five central midfielders. Could you confirm plans are in place to strengthen these areas? If you look at the signings of Huckerby, Crouch, Ashton and Earnshaw the quality of football rose dramatically. You must realise that spending boldly will give us more chance of success. Will this be implemented?"

Neil: "As I said above, the Board sets the budget. Decisions on who to bring in are made by the manager and I know that Peter is working very hard to bring in further outfield players. Spending boldly beyond their means is something that a number of clubs have done over the years. I would respectfully suggest that no-one wants us to become the next Leeds United by spending more than we can afford. When buying a player the headline transfer fee is only a small part of the overall cost of attaining that player. Wages, bonuses and agents fees all add massively to the overall bill."

Q: John Gordon-Saker

"The five-year plan failed; you failed to strengthen the team in any of the previous two close seasons; the squad is now smaller than last season; you have failed to keep two key members of the squad; you have de-motivated our star player and he has openly criticised your strategy. You and Roger Munby have overseen three years of decline in the Club's core product - in any other business you would have been sacked. You may have listened and expected plaudits for doing so. But you have failed to act at critical times and wasted opportunity after opportunity. Is it not time for you both to resign and let others make a difference?"

Neil: "Good to hear from you again, John. This season's squad is larger than last year's and we hope to add further to it over the coming weeks. Two members of the squad have chosen, against our wishes, to leave us and join the Premier League. Darren Huckerby has expressed his frustration, and ours, at the loss of Earnie and Dickson, but I don't think it's fair or accurate to say that he has been critical of the Board. I do not expect any plaudits for listening to supporters concerns - that is something which is at the heart of how we believe a football club should be run."

Q: Lisa Quattromini

"Hi Neil. After Earnshaw's departure you indicated that money from his sale would be available to Granty for further transfers. This was very welcome news. Can you confirm that the same applies to monies raised from the sale of Dickson Etuhu, or will that be used to offset predicted losses across the club that the Turners are so keen to negate?"

Neil: "It's not just Andrew and Sharon Turner who are keen to reduce the losses that the Club incurs. Everyone here is doing all they can to bring in additional revenue to assist our ambition to return to the Premier League. All monies raised from the sale of Dickson are available to Peter's player budget."

Q: Paul Riches

"Neil, realistically does the Board feel that we could sustain Premiership football if we were to go up given our current structure? i.e We do not have a sugar daddy willing to throw mega-bucks away with no realistic chance of a return."

Neil: "Thanks for your question, Paul. Delia and Michael's generosity to Norwich City is already stretches to many millions of pounds. It's that kind of support, plus the financial contributions from Michael Foulger and the Turners, and the tremendous loyalty and financial support of Norwich City's supporters, which gives us a realistic opportunity to sustain Premier League membership when we return to the Premiership, in my opinion."

Q: Per Elling Braseth-Ellingsen (Oslo, Norway)

"In light of the Strihavka signing do you focus on any particular geographic area when scouting for new players, i.e central and eastern Europe? Or do you scout particular players you are tipped off about no matter where they play? The captain of the Norwegian national team midfielder Martin Andresen is available on a free transfer in five months time, a replacement for Dickson maybe?"

Neil: "Thanks for your tip, Per. We will pass it on to Peter. As to players, we will scout players in which we have an interest, irrespective of where they play."

Q: Ian Smith

"Can you understand Darren Huckerby's frustration? He has finished player of the year twice and runner-up twice in his four seasons at Carrow Road, could have joined a variety of teams but decided to stay at Norwich and is worried by the progress we aren't making."

Neil: "Thanks Ian. I can entirely understand Darren's frustration at the loss of Dickson and Earnie. That frustration is shared by all of us. However, emotive headlines in the newspapers suggesting that there is some sort of rift between the boardroom and the dressing room are entirely inaccurate, unhelpful and misleading. Darren remains passionately committed to Norwich City as do we all."

Q: Ken McErlain

"Hi Neil. Are there still plans to rebuild or build another tier onto the City Stand?"

Neil: "Long term, we believe that while the Club is challenging to promotion from the Championship or is in the Premier League, our capacity of 26,018 is smaller than what we need. Building extra capacity remains a long-term aim but at the same time we must be mindful of the pressing, immediate need for maximum investment in the playing squad."

Q: Keith Roads

"Time and time again the football club leave their negotiations with players and agents to the very end of deadlines, thus leaving the Club in a position of panic and compromise around contract clauses. Are you responsible? If so, why apart from your salary do you continue to do your job?"

Neil: "Thanks for your question, Keith. It was only last week there was widespread enthusiasm for the number of players that we have been able to bring in prior to the commencement of pre-season training and well before the start of the season. That's not to say that further deals closer to the start of the season wont be done. The Club is not in a position of panic and compromise as you suggest. It would be lovely if we could anticipate exactly when and what bids other clubs will make for our players. Sadly we cannot. And on those occasions we must react to events rather than be proactive. Agent Neil Featherby very accurately commented in the EDP this morning that: "Buy-out clauses have changed the face of football. You can't have lower league sides holding back a player's career by demanding over inflated transfer fees". Mr Featherby's comments accurately reflect the environment we work in. As I've said above, my salary is not my main motivation for doing this job. I do it because I believe 100 per cent in what this Club stands for."

Q: Daryl Gould

"Neil, given the power you possess at the Club, do you think you can get Peter to let me come on as a sub for the last five minutes of a game? There's a pint in it for you."

Neil: "Tempting though the offer is, Daryl, sadly I suspect you overestimate my powers! You would have to have a professional contract at the Club to play for us. Sorry!"

Q: Phil English

"I greatly appreciate the difficulties involved in acquiring new players, but it strikes me that one signing the Club might be advised to make would be a specialist negotiator to deal with the sticking points of contracts both new and renewal, playing and commercial. It seems to me the Club comes up with some great plans and some great signings but never seem to quite make these things pay as they could. What is your view of this suggestion? Please don't take this as an insult to your own skills. I have recently stopped doing my own negotiations!"

Neil: "Thanks for your constructive suggestion Phil. Indeed, there are occasions when we do employ an agent to act on our behalf to negotiate a particular deal. However, whoever ends-up negotiating any particular deal will end up with exactly the same issue where an incoming player, sought-after by other clubs, demands a buy-out clause: does he bring the player and agree to the clause, or does he let the player go elsewhere?"

Q: Karl Tutt

"Why do Norwich always allow the police to move the local derby to midday on a Sunday? Arsenal v Spurs and Newcastle v Sunderland are both being played at 3pm on a Saturday. I don't ever recall seeing trouble at any Norwich derby game when the times were more sociable."

Neil: "Thanks Karl, I'm now coming to the end of today's webchat - plenty to be getting on with! So just one more question after this. Sadly, your recollections of derby matches played at 3pm on a Saturday or on a Friday evening were a great deal more troublesome than you recall. As a result, the Suffolk and Norfolk Constabularies insist that we now play at midday on a Sunday. It is not that we let them do this. They insist and we have no power to do otherwise."

Q: Tristan Defew

"With the success Norwich have had in the past with quality loan signings leading us to the Premiership, do you see Grant and his backroom staff going down that route again? As they should all have good contacts within the game. This was the main reason why Birmingham won promotion last season."

Neil: "Thanks Tristan. Certainly Birmingham benefited from the likes of Nicolas Bendtner, Sebastian Larsson and others. In our promotion season the loaning in of Darren Huckerby, Peter Crouch and Kevin Harper was instrumental. Loan signings remain an entirely legitimate and potentially good value route of bringing in quality players and I feel sure that Peter, Jim, Gunny and Martin will want to explore loan options this summer.

"Finally can I thank everyone for their constructive and thought provoking questions. We had over 250 questions, so apologies to those whose questions I did not get time to answer. OTBC, Neil."