Norwich feel they are in good shape for the future despite their relegation being confirmed

Given how promoted clubs tend to attack staying in the Premier League, Norwich’s approach was closer to madness than normality.

But there was a method to their decision to go a different route to the well-trodden path of spending big to try and stay in the Premier League.

With the pain of their relegation, confirmed by defeat against a West Ham side inspired by four-goal Michail Antonio, still raw it might not feel that way. 

Ben Godfrey and Todd Cantwell of Norwich City look dejected after their side were relegated

It has also not paid off with survival and the wisdom has to be questioned given they have gone down with such a whimper. The benefits though, they hope, will be felt in the longer term.

Norwich spent less than £1.5m on permanent first-team signings after winning last season’s Championship.

In contrast, Sheffield United splashed out over £60m and are set to be rewarded with European football.

However, Norwich’s fear was that spending big brings no guarantees. The thinking was, they might have been able to chuck £50m or £60m but there were no certainties it would be enough, so why bother?

Mad to not even try? Perhaps, but take also-promoted Aston Villa.

For their £140m-plus spree Villa are still heading for the same relegation fate as Norwich but with the added headache of increased financial burden and another huge player turnover.

Norwich will return to the Championship well-placed to launch another promotion bid, confident there will be no mass exodus or need to sell their prized assets.

Rather than gamble, their Premier League riches have been spent on improving their infrastructure, something they will reap the rewards from in years to come.

Around £25m was spent upgrading the training ground, installing a new gym, erecting a new academy building moving pitches and revamping other parts of their Colney Training base. 

Michail Antonio scored all four goals as West Ham claimed a vital win over doomed Norwich

On the pitch they stuck pretty much stuck with what they had. The players who helped got them up had earned a crack at the Premier League and Norwich invested in them instead.

Ben Godfrey, Max Aarons and Todd Cantwell were all rewarded with new contracts last summer.

A year of top-flight football has also aided the development of their younger players and increased their value should suitors come calling.

Because of their approach, which manager Daniel Farke backed, he estimated their survival chances pre-season at just five per cent and admitted many games ended up being men against boys.

Captain Alex Tettey admitted: ‘If you gave me 17th place before the season I would have taken it straight away.’

Even that was too big an ask but, along the way, Norwich were determined to learn what they could and enjoy the ride safe in the knowledge it would not be a disaster if they went down.

‘We will grow from this experience,’ Farke said. ‘This season was unbelievably important for the development of the club.

‘We are in a solid financial situation. I expect all key players and young prospects are willing to stay and we are capable of keeping them.’

Moyes said: ‘I admire Norwich, trying to do it the way they did it. Unfortunately, it looks like if you have lots of money you have more chance of winning.’