Could Culverhouse Stay?

It`s been a comparatively tranquil few days in the corridors of power at Carrow Road, as Chris Hughton begins his office move and starts planning for next season.

Despite David McNally`s protestations that there are enough roles for everyone in Team Hughton, it would seem unquestionably likely that Paul Lambert is doing all he can to prise his trusted Lieutenants from his previous clubs` grasp.

In fact, Aston Villa released a statement at the weekend confirming that Alex McLeish`s first team coach, Kevin MacDonald left the club, leaving Villa stalwart Gordon Cowans as the only remaining senior member of a team that delivered such a poor performance last season.

Paul Lambert has gone on record as saying "he`s nothing" without Culverhouse and Karsa, so it would be a surprise if they join Colin Calderwood and Paul Trollope in the role call of Hughton`s coaching staff. Four people into two roles does not go, especially when there maybe contrasting ideas and techniques. Some would say that unity and harmony is needed, not a new vs. old debate on coaching methods. There's Adam Drury to think about too.

It would however be an incredible coup for the club if they both did stay. It`s easy to speculate, but perhaps Culverhouse does feel some loyalty to Norwich City. He was at the club for nine years as a player, and was already a Hall of Fame member. Perhaps he also didn`t agree with his boss`s decision to resign for personal gain, as some are saying that the clause issue is a moot point - Lambert just resigned to get a better contract as Villa would have been willing to pay compensation, and he could have just enforced the clause in his contract rather than throwing his toys out of the pram with such selfishness.

If Culverhouse wanted to join Lambert, he could also resign. The fact he has not leads to further speculation that all is not as it seems behind closed doors.

Whilst McNally acts with a certain external equanimity, it`s likely he is a man on a mission to ensure he has the last laugh when all of this summer`s toing and froing`s finally reach a conclusion, whether Culverhouse stays or not.