Norwich City

Opinion: 'We await something extraordinary at Elland Road'

Gary Gowers, My Football Writer - Norwich City, external

Sunday wasn’t the day City fans had hoped for.

Despite club and supporters coming together to create a rocking Carrow Road, both outside and in, what transpired over the 95+ minutes was, if we’re honest, a little 'meh'.

We understand why it was 'meh' – as was the West Brom v Southampton game – but hoped, at least, for a goal to cheer given that we had all turned up in our yellow and green finery, and did our very best to recreate a local derby-type atmosphere.

Carrow Road felt ready to explode in a good way but was denied the opportunity by some wily work by our ex, Daniel Farke, and some pragmatism from our current head coach.

Some thought David Wagner’s approach a little too pragmatic, certainly in the second half, but let’s not forget his only point of reference for the play-offs is Huddersfield’s successful 2017 campaign. In said mini-campaign, the Terriers successfully drew their way to Wembley and then the Premier League with the help of a couple of penalty shoot-outs.

Seven years ago it may be but still it appears fresh in Wagner’s mind.

A goal in the first half an hour of Sunday’s first leg, when City were in command, may perhaps have shifted his perspective on how to get to Wembley, but with no goals forthcoming and energy levels visibly dropping, it was to his tried and trusted chapter on caution he turned.

In fairness to Wagner, City are still very much in the tie, albeit underdogs, while a more gung ho second half at Carrow Road may have worked against the Canaries. Still, there’s no escaping the gargantuan task ahead if they are to either muster a win at Elland Road or take it to penalties.

It’s hard to see past City’s extremely 'meh' away form and extremely terrible record against Leeds in the regular season. We just have to hope for one of those extraordinary second legs that often pop up from nowhere in play-off football and defy any type of logic.

We also have to hope that Josh Sargent and/or Ashley Barnes are fit to line up in West Yorkshire, as without them Wagner’s options look much more limited.

But, we also have to believe.

Whatever our opinion of Wagner, the owners, or some players, the financial breathing space afforded to clubs who get to briefly sample the refined air of the Premier League renders this second leg almost a must-win. Certainly so if we wish to see the likes of Sara, Sargent and Rowe pull on the yellow shirt ever again.

Finally, with regards to an incident that occurred outside Carrow Road on Sunday, where a Leeds fan suffered an injury - I really hope cool heads prevail on Thursday night both on and off the pitch.

As massive as it feels right now, it is just a football match.

OTBC.

Leeds United broadcaster Connor McGilligan was special guest on this week's Scrimmage podcast.

He spoke about the team's poor record in the play-offs.

Norwich City face Leeds in the second leg of the Championship play-off semi-final at Elland Road on Thursday (20:00 BST). The first leg finished 0-0.

You can listen to this week's Scrimmage on BBC Sounds here.

Image source, Getty Images

Opinion: 'In search of a second leg second wind'

Steve Sanders, @ncfcnumbers, external

If, as Sky would have it, ‘the play-offs always deliver drama’, then Sunday’s stalemate was the tedious footballing equivalent of an episode of 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians'.

Leeds United and Norwich City played out a juiceless affair at Carrow Road, managing a total xG of 0.8 between them. The previous lowest in a Norwich game this season was their 1-0 win over Ipswich at 1.3.

So why so drab? The fact both teams were scrabbling around for some kind of form and rhythm approaching this was a contributor, as was Leeds’ contentedness with a point, knowing that a winner-takes-all game at Elland Road gives them a healthy chance of getting to Wembley.

But so too was the increasing issue of Norwich City’s presence as a second half force. The Canaries have now scored just two second half goals in their last eight Championship matches – and, if we’re being fair, then one of those (Borja Sainz v Bristol City) ought to have been chalked off for offside. Gabriel Sara’s goal at Preston is the only one in those eight games to come after the hour mark.

The problem goes deeper than simply finding the net too. In their last 12 fixtures, Wagner’s men have had 37 shots on target in the first half of games, in the second half, that number reduces to 15. In their last fixtures, only Shane Duffy has had a Norwich City shot on target after half-time.

This collective running out of attacking gas could be put down to the shortcomings of the tactics or the playing squad – and it’s certainly true that David Wagner’s blueprint for this Norwich City team is to go hard early on. Daniel Farke’s all-conquering 2018/19 team scored 14 more goals than this Norwich City vintage, but the 2023/24 group registered four more (19 v 15) in the first quarter of games. Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea have all been blown away in recent first half spells by the Canaries – but none of them were ultimately beaten.

This ‘live fast, die young (or at least around the hour mark)’ approach is hampered by an ever thinning squad. Continuity has been a huge reason for the good form that has kept Norwich City’s season going – nine of Sunday’s XI have started the last ten fixtures, and six of those have started the previous 20 in the league.

But is a physically demanding playing style, wearying starting XI and a bench forlorn of attacking options (of their attacking subs on Sunday, only Christian Fassnacht had started a league game in English football) all contributing to a side running out of puff before the end of games?

This Norwich City team will have at least one more chance to show that it isn’t – in a game that could, chillingly, extend by an extra 30 minutes. Whether or not they get a further opportunity at Wembley may well come down to finding a second leg second half second wind.

Image source, PA Media

An early goal in the second leg of their semi-final tie with Norwich could be "key" to Leeds United's chances of progressing to the Championship play-off final.

Daniel Farke's side drew the first leg 0-0 at Carrow Road on Sunday and host the Canaries on Thursday, with the winners heading to Wembley to compete for a place in the Premier League next season.

"Leeds can absolutely win the second leg comfortably," said presenter Jonny Buchan on BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.

"I didn't think Norwich were a very good side particularly - I didn't think Leeds were a very good side particularly - but I think Leeds went there with a different mentality to Norwich.

"The big positive was Norwich had to come out of the traps in that game, they had to start well and they did start better in the first 15-20 minutes, but they still didn't create a huge goalscoring opportunity.

"The difference on Thursday is Leeds will be expected to come out like that, but Norwich will not be expected to come out like that. If Leeds get that early goal, that is going to be key. If it's 35 minutes in and Norwich have ridden that storm, that's when things start to change in terms of how much Norwich will believe they can win.

"Look at [Norwich boss] David Wagner - he has got promoted through the Championship play-offs before [with Huddersfield in 2017] and he did without scoring goals and he did it on penalty shootouts. He knows how to set a team up to get to a penalty shootout in the second leg of the play-offs."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Norwich City head to Leeds United on Thursday knowing the Championship play-off semi-final tie could go to penalties.

Rob Butler and Chris Reeve talked about who they fancied to step up to send the Canaries to Wembley.

You can listen to the full episode of The Scrimmage on BBC Sounds here.

Image source, Getty Images

Your views on Norwich City's Wembley hopes

Here are some of your thoughts on the Canaries' 0-0 draw with Leeds in the Championship play-off semi-final first leg. You've also been looking ahead to Thursday's second leg:

Sam - A tight game as to be expected with two teams not in good form. I did think we should have pushed a bit more being the home team and our away form is not the best. However, it’s now a straight shootout, so let’s see. Leeds have to be slight favourites though. OTBC.

Roger - Well, what can you say - both teams played not to lose so we'll just have to see which team wants it more. It'll be down to the home team to play on the front foot because they are the home team, but that might suit Norwich and the way they play.

Optimist Personified of Norfolk - Both sides just didn't want to concede so it was a very difficult game for the spectators. I think we will win on Thursday and go on to beat Southampton, get promoted, win the Premier League and play in Europe and win all the cups. 😀

Paul - Fantastic atmosphere created both outside and in the ground. Excellent first half but didn’t take our chances. Heat and fitness levels showed in the second half. We can do this in the second leg but may need to risk Barnes at some point to increase attacking options. OTBC.

Leif - My heart says yes, we can do it, but it will be very tight and it won't be a goal fest. One goal in it, a bit of Sara magic from distance in the 86th minute! My head though says no. Leeds are a quality side and our old manager has got them playing some excellent attacking football. The Elland Road crowd will be their 12th man. 1-0 Leeds unfortunately!

'Both managers were too scared to grab the bull by the horns'

BBC Norfolk's Scrimmage co-host Chris Reeve gives his first reaction to the Canaries 0-0 draw with Leeds United in the Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

Join Chris and Rob Butler for The Scrimmage podcast, available with BBC Sounds on Monday from 19:30 BST.

Send us your thoughts on the play-off semi-final first leg

Image source, Getty Images

Norwich City know a win at Elland Road on Thursday will send them to Wembley for the Championship play-off final.

The Canaries drew 0-0 with Leeds on Sunday in a cagey semi-final first leg.

What did you make of the game?

Are you happy with the draw?

Do you think the Norwich side should have taken more risks on the pitch?

How are you feeling about Thursday's game?

Can Norwich do the job?

Get in touch with us here.

Simon Lappin's thoughts on Norwich City 0-0 Leeds United

The Canaries and Leeds drew a blank in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final at Carrow Road on Sunday.

The game finished 0-0, the two sides will meet in the second leg of the tie on Thursday at Elland Road (20:00 BST).

Simon Lappin was BBC Norfolk's guest summariser for Sunday's game, here are some of his full-time thoughts:

"They (Norwich) would have hoped to have won this game to go to Elland Road with that lead.

"But it's an old adage in football - 'if you can't win the game, don't lose it' and I think David Wagner will be delighted."

He continued: "I came along today with the same sentiment as a lot of fans - we wanted to see them get after Leeds from the word 'go', and they did that.

"It's hard to keep that up against a side who finished with 90 points, 17 points ahead of them and it was a big ask to go 90 minutes at that tempo.

"It's 0-0, Wagner goes there with all to play for and there is still an opportunity to go to Wembley."

You can listen to more from Simon Lappin on Canary Call with Adrian Coote and Rob Butler here.

• Norwich have won just one of their last seven home games against Leeds in all competitions (D2 L4), losing each of the last three in a row. Their meeting at Carrow Road in the regular Championship season finished 3-2 to the Whites

• Leeds have won each of their last four games against Norwich in all competitions, with this their first meeting in the Football League play-offs

• This is just Norwich’s third appearance in the Football League play-offs, all in the second tier. They lost the 2002 final against Birmingham City on penalties, before beating Middlesbrough in 2015 to reach the Premier League

• Leeds have never won promotion via the Football League play-offs, with this their sixth appearance. They lost 4-3 on aggregate to Frank Lampard’s Derby County in the 2018-19 semi-final in their most recent appearance

• Norwich have won both of their home legs in the Football League play-offs by a 3-1 scoreline (vs Wolves in 2001-02 and Ipswich Town in 2014-15)

• Since the second tier rebrand to the Championship in 2004, the team finishing third has won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs almost 50% of the time (9/19)

Norwich City supporters gave their players a warm welcome as the team coach arrived on Sunday morning.

The Canaries face Leeds United in the Championship play-off semi-final first leg (12:00 BST).

Norwich City face Leeds United in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final on Sunday (12:00 BST).

You can listen to full live coverage from 11:00 BST with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM, DAB and Freeview.

Guest summarisers are Simon Lappin and Adrian Coote.

Norwich City host Leeds United in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final on Sunday at 12:00 BST.

City head coach David Wagner says he will share in supporters' excitement when the game kicks off.

You can listen to full live coverage with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM, DAB and Freeview.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Norwich City manager Nigel Worthington led the team to promotion to the Premier League in 2004. Two seasons earlier, he was the boss when City lost in the First Division play-off final to Birmingham City on penalties at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium.

The Canaries finished sixth in the regular season that year.

'Worthy' spoke to BBC Radio Norfolk's Chris Goreham about his play-off experiences and said the current Canaries team should be comfortable with being the underdog in their semi-final against Leeds United:

"I always liked to be the underdog because the focus and the pressure is on the team that finished higher in the league.

"While they get all the attention, you can set yourself up and get on about your business in training and get the preparation and focus 100 per cent right for what you are about to endure. I think it can be a plus."

He continued: "The fact Norwich are at home first against Leeds, if they can get a very good result there because it will be very very dificult at Elland Road where the crowd are going to be up for it.

"I think it's just about focus, preparation, keeping your nerve and then go out and perform."

You can listen to the full interview with Nigel Worthington on BBC Sounds here.

Here is part two of Norwich City defender Jack Stacey speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk's Rob Butler.

Stacey will be part of the Canaries' squad who face Leeds United in the Championship play-off semi-final first leg at Carrow Road on Sunday (12:00 BST):

Image source, Rob Butler/BBC

Opinion: 'Forget what's at stake, make play-offs special'

Susannah George

Where were you when?

How many times do we do this to each other and ask this question? For Norwich City fans, the majority of us will be able to recall almost instantaneously where we were for the May 2015 play-off final at Wembley, the second leg of the playoffs against 1p5wich, the victory against Man City, the Cup game where we beat Spurs on penalties, even where we were when we beat Bayern Munich.

Not only will we be able to recall where we were but probably exactly who we were with, what we ate that day, what we were wearing and maybe even the after effects of heavy celebration.

Those games are up there, certainly for me (insofar as I was around) as some of our finest. All remembered fondly as moments of pure jubilation I spent with some of my nearest. And I'm sure there are countless others.

The same cannot be said for some of our losses. Unless it formed part of a day out with someone close to me, I cannot remember when we went out of 'x' cup run having lost to 'y', or the last game of the season where we finished mid-table/relegation, certainly not with the same clarity anyway.

As we go into play-offs we all know the potential outcomes, I am sure we have all run the various scenarios in our heads. Of course there are mixed emotions but we shouldn't let that get in the way of enjoying a journey that one day we could be looking back at with the same fondness as some of our finest moments.

Let's make sure we enjoy this journey, which we, all of us, the team, the club and supporters, have earned!

Let's ensure we share it with our friends and our families.

Let's build core memories that, whatever the outcome, we will be glad of.

Because who knows?

We have a 1 in 4 chance for this to be something epic which we and maybe even future generations will look to as a benchmark one day.

Let's make it special!

Image source, Susannah George

Norwich City defender Jack Stacey spoke to BBC Radio Norfolk's Rob Butler ahead of the Canaries' Championship play-off semi-final.

The first leg of the tie against Leeds United is on Sunday at 12:00 GMT.

Here is part one of their chat:

Norwich City head coach David Wagner spoke to BBC Radio Norfolk's Phil Daley ahead of Sunday's play-off semi-final first leg against Leeds United.

Wagner was asked about Shane Duffy's status going into the tie.

Duffy was arrested and charged with a drink-driving offence on Monday.

Norwich City head coach David Wagner has been speaking to the media ahead of Sunday's Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Leeds United at Carrow Road (12:00 GMT).

Here are some of the key points:

• Defender Shane Duffy has trained normally all week, Wagner indicated he will be available for selection this weekend. Duffy was arrested and charged with a drink-driving offence on Monday

• Striker Ashley Barnes will miss the first leg with a calf injury, but Christian Fassnacht is back after missing the Birmingham game

• Wagner says Sunday is 'another big game' of many his team have had in recent months. "We are used to it", he says

• On Leeds United: "There are no secrets - they know more or less everything about us, we know more or less everything about them"

• Wagner says he is happy for the Canaries to be classed as the underdogs in the two-legged game against Leeds

• Wagner on his play-off experience: "If you've done it and been successful, you are quite confident." Wagner led Huddersfield to promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2017