Norwich City

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Norwich City manager Philippe Clement says the 'synergy' between players and fans is back after his side's impressive 3-1 win over QPR.

The victory was Norwich's first since the end of August and ended a 13-game winless run.

The win was Clement's first since taking over as Canaries' boss after Liam Manning's sacking.

His side remain second-from-bottom of the Championship and are four points from safety.

"It's not about me, that's no so important, and I knew that if we worked hard this moment would come," he told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"It's more important for the players, for the club and for the fans also.

"What you saw during the game and after the game was the synergy is totally back, it was lost a few weeks ago.

"So it's back now and they see a team fighting, but also a team creating, playing good football and of course we can still improve a lot of things.

"But the mentality of the players is positive to get three deserved points."

Rob Butler
BBC Radio Norfolk Canary Call, presenter

Norwich City are still looking for their first home win of the season after the Canaries conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 1-1 with fellow Championship strugglers Oxford United on Tuesday.

Queens Park Rangers visit Carrow Road on Saturday (15:00 GMT) and before the game head coach Philippe Clement has been speaking to the media.

Here are some of the key points:

• Midfielder Mirko Topic sustained an ACL knee injury against Oxford and will miss the rest of the season.

• Clement said he is staying positive despite a raft of injuries in the squad.

• He said a few of the injured players are nearing a return, but not in time for Saturday's game.

• Clement spoke about wanting to see good performances from his side, but positive results are the most important thing right now.

• "I believe there is much more potential in this group than they have shown until now," Clement said.

• On forward Jovon Makama, who scored against Oxford: "For me he is at 30% of his potential. I am really excited to work the next few years and months with him."

You can listen to full coverage of Norwich v QPR with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM and DAB. Coverage starts at 14:00 GMT.

Norwich City claimed their first point at home on Tuesday and will now look for their first win as they welcome Queens Park Rangers on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Canaries were close to taking all three points at Carrow Road last time out but were thwarted by an added time winner from Oxford United.

Though taking on the Hoops may be a tougher task, with the visitors on a two match winning streak and eyeing up the competition for the top six.

• Norwich City have lost just one of their last 10 league games against QPR (W4 D5), a 3-0 away loss in December 2024.

• QPR are winless in their last 10 away league games against Norwich (D4 L6) since a 1-0 victory in September 2008.

• Norwich are winless in their last 13 league games (D4 L9); they last failed to win 14 in a row in April 1998 in the second tier.

• QPR have won five of their last 10 Championship games on a Saturday (D2 L3), one more than in their previous 31 such games (D13 L14).

• Four of Norwich's last eight goals in the Championship have been scored by Jovon Makama, netting last time out against Oxford United to help them secure their first home point of 2025-26.

Image source, BBC Look East

Former Norwich City striker Iwan Roberts believes head coach Philippe Clement has already shown he is capable of getting the team out of trouble this season.

The Canaries picked up their first home point of the campaign in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Oxford United - and would have had all three were it not for an added-time equaliser by the visitors.

Former Rangers boss Clement was appointed on 18 November following the sacking of Liam Manning after only 17 matches in charge, and lost his first game at Birmingham City last Saturday.

"The lads looked leggy and tired with 15 minutes to go (against Oxford) - the game should have been put to bed in the first hour, the chances they created," Roberts told BBC Look East.

"You look at all the statistics, five Championship wins in 32 games, they need to realise they're in a right scrap to stay in this division.

"No disrespect to Liam Manning, but I think they've now got a proper head coach in charge who will say it as it is.

"He's the right man in charge and I think he's more than capable, with the squad that he's got, of getting this club out of trouble."

Next-to-bottom Norwich are at home to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Image source, Getty Images

Norwich City have to accept the situation they are in and do everything they can to get out of it, says defender Ruairi McConville.

The Canaries were among the teams tipped to challenge for at least a play-off place in the Championship this season but are second from bottom, six points from safety.

"We all had ambitions at the start of the season but now we have to accept the situation we're in and we've got to keep fighting," McConville told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"It's in our control to change that because as well as the fans we don't want to be in that position, we want to be as high in the table as we can be and we're trying to do that. We've got to fight for every point and put things right."

Since joining Norwich from Brighton in February the Northern Ireland international has played under four different managers, including Jack Wilshere's interim spell in charge, and the 20-year-old admits that has not helped.

"It's hard, but also good you're learning different styles, different ways of playing but we don't have time to think about that at the minute, we've just got to try to get wins and points on the board.

"We are trying but the same things keep happening and it has to change soon if we want to get out of the situation we're in."

Philippe Clement is the latest head coach brought in by the Canaries, with Oxford's last-minute equaliser denying him recording their first home league win of the season on Tuesday night.

"Everyone has to buy into what he wants to do," said McConville. "We've all been doing that - every player has to come on and do their job for the whole game, myself included. I can do better."

Norwich are at home to QPR on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Norwich City boss Philippe Clement says he has "mixed feelings" after his side earned their first point at home with a 1-1 draw with Oxford United.

The Canaries did lead the contest after Jovon Makama thrashed in an opener in the 29th minute but saw that illusive first victory at Carrow Road snatched in added time by Oxford's Filip Krastev.

"It's mixed feelings. Of course, very disappointed for the fans, for the players," Clement told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"We deserved to win today, I think it's clear for everybody at the game. On the other side, it's positive what they've shown after just seven days together.

"You see a team who wants to fight, who wants to work, who wants to go for it.

"We created chances to get two or three goals and then the game is finished. But we didn't score them so that's a work in progress for the future.

"I know there is still a lot of work to be done. The team knows too, but you see everybody is working hard."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Norwich City defender Christoph Zimmermann has retired from playing at the age of 32.

The German was a member of the Norwich teams which won promotion to the Premier League in 2019 and 2021.

Zimmermann played 139 games for the Canaries in total, scoring four goals, before moving to Darmstadt in the summer of 2022 on a three-year deal.

"After many years and even more ups and downs, my playing career is coming to an end," he posted on Instagram.

"Thanks to everyone who has supported me throughout the time and helped me achieve more than I dared to dream of.

"Thanks to all my coaches, team-mates, staff members and everyone else at the very special clubs I've had the privilege to be part of."

Rob Butler
BBC Radio Norfolk Canary Call, presenter

Philippe Clement will take charge of Norwich City at Carrow Road for the first time when Oxford United are the visitors on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

Clement's first Championship game with the Canaries ended in a 4-1 defeat at Birmingham City on Saturday.

The Belgian has been speaking to the press ahead of the game against the U's, here are some of the key points:

• "We know there is a job to be done." Clement says he has fed back to the players what he thought of Saturday's dismal defeat. "We are building a house now, and the foundations are not good."

• The head coach said his players lack confidence but do have the right mentality. "We need to work hard to get to that level," he said

• Clement admitted it has been a busy six days since he agreed to take over at Carrow Road. "It feels like we have been here four months, in a positive way."

• On midfielder Jacob Wright: "I see a talented player who is good on the ball, I need to see how he is off the ball. He is showing in training the right mentality."

• Clement said there will be changes to his starting line-up for Tuesday's game.

You can listen to full live commentary of Norwich versus Oxford with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM and DAB. Coverage begins at 19:00 GMT on Tuesday.

Philippe Clement will chase his first victory as Norwich City boss when they host Oxford United on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

Clement sealed his first game in charge of the Canaries with a 4-1 loss to Birmingham City on Saturday but will begin to earn the trust of the fans should he secure the side their first home point of the season.

Fail to do so and they will claim the worst home start ever in the English Football League - as well as leave them eight points adrift of 21st placed Oxford United.

• Norwich have won just one of their last five league games against Oxford (D1 L3), a 4-2 away win in the second tier in April 1999.

• Oxford have won just one of their 11 away league games against Norwich (D4 L6), a 3-1 victory in November 1998.

• Norwich have lost each of their last seven home league games, their longest ever losing streak in their league history. Since the 2004 rebrand, the only side to lose eight consecutive Championship home games are Burton Albion between September-December 2017.

• Since their promotion in 2024, Oxford have won just four of their 31 Championship away games (D10 L17), with no ever present side winning fewer in that time.

• Norwich have lost all seven of their home league games this season – no side in English Football League history has ever lost their first eight at the start of a campaign before.

Image source, PA Media

Philippe Clement says it will take time for him to turn Norwich City's fortunes around after losing his first game 4-1 to Birmingham City.

The Canaries conceded two early goals before Mathias Kvistgaarden pulled one back.

But Blues struck again either side of half time as Norwich lost for the eighth time in nine games to remain second-from-bottom of the Championship.

"You can look at all the games on video, and I saw all the games before I came, and you see things," he told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"But now you get to know people also, and that's also very important in football.

"Also their physical state at the moment that you cannot see on the video.

"We know we have a lot of things to work on, but we need to do it step by step.

"You cannot do everything in four or five days or four or five weeks."

Phil Daley
Sports Editor, BBC Norfolk

Newly appointed Norwich City head coach Philippe Clement has spoken to the press for the first time since joining the club earlier this week.

He takes charge of the team on Saturday (15:00 GMT) for his first taste of the Championship as the Canaries visit Birmingham City.

Norwich are in the relegation zone, four points adrift of safety and without a win since August.

Here are some of the key points:

• On why he took the job: "I think two weeks ago I wouldn't have. After some good talks I realised that we are really aligned in our thinking. By the end of our talks I saw there is much more potential in the club than they are currently showing. It's like writing a book, we are only on the first few pages. We have a lot still to write."

• Clement says the season is a marathon not a sprint and he will implement his thoughts as quickly as possible, but it will take time to do so.

• "What I want in football is to win every game as a player and manager," he added.

• Sporting director Ben Knapper said when they originally approached Clement, they thought he was a "stretched target", given his impressive CV.

• Clement says he's been impressed with the energy and enthusiasm of the players and staff since he joined.

• On his break from football since leaving Rangers, Clement says he took some time to be with his family after spending so many years in football. He then had a hip operation in the summer, which has kept him out of the game.

• On the Championship, he says he's used to a relentless schedule of football given his time with clubs that had European matches as well as their domestic commitment.

• "I know it's a hard league where things can change very fast, both up and down," Clement said. "It's a tough competition but those are the things I like. I demand from the players for them to give their life on the pitch."

• He says he likes that he can see all the bad things about the club, rather than everyone trying to put on a brave face for him.

• Clement also says it's a fresh start for all the players. He hasn't made judgments on each of them after just four days. He's given them a questionnaire to take away to get to know them better, as quickly as possible.

• His priorities at the moment are getting some defensive principles into the team, but he doesn't want that to leave them toothless going forward. He says he's curious as to how quickly his players take on the new information.

• On Birmingham, he says he wants to see a never give up mentality from his players this weekend. Faster reactions, better communication among other things.

• Despite having nine players still unavailable, Clement says he is still looking at it as a "glass half-full", rather than half-empty.

You can listen to full live commentary of Birmingham City v Norwich City with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM and DAB from 14:00 on Saturday.

You can also watch back Clement's first press conference here.

If you're wondering where your team is going to finish in the Championship this season, you no longer need to worry.

Well, kind of.

Opta's supercomputer has worked its magic to figure out the most likely final league position of every team - and the chances each has of being promoted, making the play-offs or getting relegated.

Who is most likely to win automatic promotion?

It will come as no surprise that leaders Coventry are heavy favourites for the title (69.3%) and also have the highest chance of automatic promotion (84.2%) to the Premier League.

The next most likely to go straight up, with a 30.8% chance, are Middlesbrough. Despite currently sitting seventh and six points behind Boro in second, Ipswich are expected to be the third favourites for a top two finish (18.9%) followed by Stoke (14.1%).

Even though they've each enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, Preston (10.3%), Hull (6.1%) and Millwall (8.3%) have slimmer chances of finishing in an automatic promotion spot.

Who will make the play-offs?

Image source, Rex Features

Even if Coventry don't win automatic promotion, Opta's supercomputer has given the Sky Blues a 97.9% chance of a top-six finish, suggesting it's almost guaranteed.

Each of Middlesbrough, Ipswich, Preston and Stoke are expected to finish in a minimum of a play-off position at least one in two times.

Hull might feel the hardest done by as they sit fifth currently, but are said to have less chance (32.3%) than Millwall (38.8%) and Charton (32.4%), who are below them in the table.

The most likely of the chasing pack to make a surge up the table are 12th-placed Leicester City, who have been given a 31.8% chance of finishing in the top six and are more likely than Bristol City (28.9%), Derby (22.9%) and Birmingham (19.9%).

Last season's beaten play-off finalists Sheffield United have just a 1.8% chance of recovering their season to make the play-offs again, while relegated Premier League side Southampton (12.5%) aren't likely to either... if you trust the supercomputer!

Who is going down?

Image source, Rex Features

It's probably not hard to work out who is most likely to finish bottom and be relegated to League One.

Sheffield Wednesday's 12-point deduction, which has left them 17 points adrift of safety on -4 points, means they're pretty much nailed on to finish bottom (84.8%) - and failing that, are almost certain to go down (98.2%).

Second from bottom Norwich are the next most likely candidates to fall through the trap door (58.5%) but Sheffield United, who currently occupy the final relegation spot, have just a 22.4% chance of going down and are considered more likely to stay up than Oxford (37.8%) and Portsmouth (31.3%).

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you for your thoughts on the appointment of new Norwich City boss Philippe Clement.

Here's what you had to say:

Jake: I don't think we've appointed someone as high profile as this in my lifetime. How on earth did we pull it off?

Tom: The more I think about the appointment the more I like it. I wanted an experienced manager with a good track record and no ties to Norfolk whatsoever. And that's what we've got.

Graham: I read somewhere that the definition of madness is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. Here we go again.

Jeremy: Time (and money) will tell, if he's given it - though the contract until 2029 says something. It comes down to the level of commitment and quality of the players surely, which at the moment is highly questionable.

Chris: At last a proven, experienced manager who can help sort out the mess caused by our poor transfer activity and manager recruitment this season. It won't be pretty free flowing football, but Philippe Clement may just keep us up.

Andy: Indifferent. The proof will be in the pudding. Does feel there is a touch of being turned down by other options and going for someone who is available. But with that said he seems to be a decent option considering where we are as a club/squad. Need to back him regardless.

Ross: Knapper has got this appointment spot on. A bit of careful coaching for Medic, Topic, Crnac and Jurasek and we'll have a side that can compete for play-offs.

Calum: Knapper is very lucky to still have a job. In any 'normal' corporate business he would be out. Clement needs to be his own man with no football director distractions. Good luck to him and sadly, he will need lots of it.

Jason: After Kenny McLean's dramatic halfway goal, I think the omens are good. Clement's record is good, and I can see him injecting confidence into the wilting Norwich squad. He'll keep us up.

Matt: All things considered, I think this is a great appointment. When I read Gary O'Neil and Jon Dahl Tomasson were no longer in the running, I was very nervous as to who we were getting in. Survival is the obvious objective this season and I think we'll achieve this under Clement.

Brisbane Canary: Clement seems to be a good appointment for the situation we find ourselves in. He has a track record of galvanising squads, bringing on youth and appears to be a pragmatic manager with a good footballing brain. He is going to have to quickly find another 50% out of a group of players who mostly don't appear to be at the level, playing without confidence or direction. Whatever our feelings are on the board, it is important we get behind Clement and the team.

New Norwich boss Philippe Clement faces the unenviable first task of taking his side to visit Birmingham City on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Blues have only lost once at home this season, having not conceded a loss at all during their title run in League One the season prior.

Norwich, meanwhile, are lacking in wins and confidence but have collected all of their nine points this season on the road.

• Birmingham City won their most recent league game against Norwich City but haven't recorded back-to-back wins against them since a run of three between February 2001 and March 2002.

• Norwich have won nine of their last 11 league games against Birmingham (D1 L1), though lost 1-0 in the most recent meeting in May 2024.

• Birmingham City have won their last two home Championship games 4-0 against both Portsmouth and Millwall. They've won five home league games by a margin of 4+ goals in 2025, their most in a single year since 1920 (also 5); only in 1893 have they won more in a year by that margin or more (8).

• Since the start of September, Norwich City are the only side in the Championship without a victory (D3 L8) and are winless in 11 games. The Canaries haven't had a longer winless league run since going 13 without a win in the Premier League between August and November 2004.

• Jay Stansfield has been involved in five goals in his last four home Championship games for Birmingham City (4 goals, 1 assist) – five of his six goals this season have come on home soil overall.

Belgian football consultant Scott Coyne says the most important aspect new Norwich City boss Philippe Clement can bring to the club is his personality.

Clement was confirmed as Liam Manning's replacement on Tuesday and will take on Birmingham City (15:00 GMT) in his first game in charge as he looks to address Norwich's slide down the Championship table.

"He has a reputation for being a leader and a talismanic figure inside a club so it's a really interesting appointment from Norwich's perspective," Coyne told BBC Radio Norfolk. "They've gone for experience."

Clement won three back-to-back Belgian top flight titles with Gent and Club Brugge, but it is his experience with first club Beveren that Coyne thinks will be the most vital for his new role with the Canaries.

"Beveren were not in a great position when he came in there. They were extremely low on confidence, bottom of the league and really struggling," Coyne added.

"He came in there and galvanised them and had an immediate reaction. I think that's what they are looking for immediately here, to see a reaction.

"So part of it will be about organising this group of players and just instilling some belief in them again and sometimes that's as simple as a personality change or the right words being said.

"It's the personality that was arguably the most important aspect in this because it's a group of players that need a leader and I think that's something they didn't have before."

Listen to the full analysis and more Norwich City content on BBC Sounds.