Norwich City

Opinion: NOW - That’s what I call football

Susannah George

How many of us have reprimanded others for being on their phones, rather than being engaged in a conversation over the dinner table? Or perhaps been pulled up ourselves for the same offence?

As football fans it is our fundamental right to look back, to compare, perhaps even to revel in the glory days of old – or 15 years unbeaten, as the case may be. Equally, it would be short sighted of us not to zoom out occasionally and look at the bigger picture, where do we see our football club going? Is that a realistic goal this season… next season… in a few seasons time etc?

There is nothing wrong with either, it’s perfectly fine to reminisce, to dream and even to be disappointed if our team does not live up to our expectations.

Many will agree that this season, until 2024, initially looked to be rather unremarkable. As Gary Gowers pointed out recently, few saw operation play-offs coming this season.

And now that we are here, there has been much talk – including from myself - looking back at previous play-off/promotion run-ins but also looking forward with much caution, full of warnings by those apprehensive as to Norwich City’s fate should we successfully navigate the season and end up in the top flight.

What has this got to do with phones? Sometimes it is very easy to forget to be present, to be in the now. Speaking of which, what a joy not to be mid-table fodder! What a joy that we aren’t being relegated! What a joy that we get the excitement of a potential play-off run and another legendary open-top bus parade!

It is well-known that our club is famously coined a “yo-yo” club, but honestly, I don’t find that the least bit insulting. Norwich City rarely have a boring season, whether it's magic moments like beating Manchester City or Bayern Munich, winning the play-off final at Wembley, or Marcelino seeing off our rivals occupying the top spot. Let’s be frank, being a Norwich fan is one hell of a ride.

Now here we are, six points clear in 6th, with everything still to play for. Do we need to be realistic and consider how we will fare in the Premier League? Yes, but that’s a June problem (hopefully). Do we need to worry about the players we might lose if we remain in the Championship? Maybe, but they aren’t going anywhere right now. Would it have been nice to have pulled our socks up two months prior and be coasting into autos? Of course, but that opportunity has passed.

Norwich City love doing things the hard way – let’s remind ourselves of the not so distant – and fondly remembered - 18/19 season where autos looked all but confirmed. Towards the end of the season, we almost capitulated, despite having the potential to have secured our promotion weeks before. Thankfully we brought it back in the last 2-3 games.

Right now, let’s enjoy the adrenaline and excitement of going down to the wire, where pressure can topple to most on-form teams and allow the more unlikely contenders in 5th and 6th (how convenient) to shine. Let’s make sure that the noise that the boys hear from us is focused on the task at hand.

Supporting Norwich would not be half so rewarding if the wins and promotions came easily, if we were mid-table Championship or even I daresay mid-table Premier League fodder. Give me scrappy wins, holding our breath in the 90th minute, down to the wire football. This, right now, for me, this anticipation, this excitement, is what it is all about.

Everything from hereon in, is a bonus, we may not have expected it, we may not have even planned it, but my goodness we absolutely deserve it. Let’s take full advantage and worry about next season WHEN we get promoted!

On Wednesday it was announced that Norwich City's head of football development Steve Weaver will be leaving the club.

Here's head coach David Wagner's reaction to the news, he's speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk's Phil Daley:

Norwich head coach David Wagner has been speaking to the media ahead of the Canaries' game against Bristol City on Saturday (15:00 GMT):

• Jacob Sorensen is back in training, Grant Hanley should be back next week

• There are no fresh injury worries ahead of the game against the Robins

• Sorensen should be available for selection for Saturday's game

• Jonathan Rowe came through his substitute appearance against Preston with no issues. He made his return following 10 weeks out with a hamstring injury

• Wagner spoke about the atmosphere against Ipswich in City's last home game, he says the team need exactly the same attitude from fans for Saturday's match

• "It's just another game at home where we can collect three points." Wagner says the job of getting to the play-offs won't be done, even with a win on Saturday

• Wagner says his strike duo Josh Sargent and Ashley Barnes "have a good harmony"

• "I will not swap any strikers in the division for our strikers, "Wagner said

• On Sam McCallum: Wagner said he persuaded him to stay last summer with the defender ready to leave the club. McCallum is currently City's first choice left-back with Dimitri Giannoulis out injured

Norwich City head coach David Wagner will speak to the press on Thursday ahead of a vital Championship game at Carrow Road against Bristol City (Saturday, 15:00 GMT).

Wagner will update the latest injury news and speak about how his team are feeling as they prepare for a final push towards the play-offs.

After Saturday's match against the Robins, the Canaries have two regular season games remaining.

City are currently sixth in the table with a six point cushion to seventh-placed Hull City.

The press conference takes place at the Colney training centre at 12:30 GMT. You can get updates on this page, so stay tuned.

Here are some of your thoughts on how the Canaries would fare if they returned to the Premier League next season:

Julian - NCFC probably require five points from three games to secure a play-off spot. If current form is a guide, then promotion back to the Premier League would be a remarkable transformation and fully justified. Not since the days of Martin Peters have Norwich rattled up so many late wins in a season. Carrow Road is the place!

Simon - We'll get hammered (in the Premier League) unless our midfield and defence are significantly strengthened.

Victor - Please, no promotion this season! Odds on, the result would be the same as the last two promotions. Without grander financial resources, there is zero chance of staying up more than one or two seasons. We don't have ambitions to be a Premier League side. Delia (Smith) and husband (Michael Wynn-Jones) surely don't harbour ambitions to be a Premier League team either. Stop dreaming!

Derek - We need a totally new back four! All are either too old or not up to job, rest are just about acceptable but strong incomings desirable. Essential any prize money is spent on a few decent signings not run of the mill buys spread too thinly.

John - We would maintain our record as the most consistent 'yo-yo' side in history. We would be relegated again.

Image source, Norwich City Football Club

The Canaries have announced that the club's head of football development Steve Weaver will leave at the end of the season.

Weaver was brought to the club in 2017 by previous sporting director Stuart Webber with players such as Jonathan Rowe, Adam Idah and Max Aarons progressing from the academy to the first team under his guidance.

The 51-year-old told the club's official website: "From when I first joined the football club, the objective was to help improve that pathway and progression of our younger players through the academy. It was something that Delia, Michael and the board were very strong on. Reflecting on that now, I think we can be incredibly proud of the work across the academy.

"I’d like to thank the board, players and staff for all of their work and support during my seven years with the club. I’d also like to thank Stuart and Zoe, who could not have given me any more support and autonomy in delivering and running the academy."

He continued: “I now feel like the time is right for a fresh and new challenge. I’m incredibly proud of everything that we’ve achieved and I’m excited for what comes next.”

Scrimmage hosts Rob Butler and Chris Reeve were joined by fans from Coventry and Hull.

They discussed which of the three teams will make it to the Championship play-offs.

Coventry supporter Joe Darlow was singing the praises of their manager and former Canary Mark Robins. The Sky Blues face Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday (15:30 GMT):

You can listen to the latest episode of The Scrimmage podcast here.

Opinion: 'Few saw operation play-offs coming in late 2023'

Gary Gowers, My Football Writer, Norwich City, external

What a weird old season this has turned into. And not just because City have gone from something the dog passed to genuine promotion contenders in the space of four months.

The Carrow Road crowd has also done a full 180 – transforming themselves into Portsmouth’s finest (a Delia joke) when, for the first half of the season, our spiritual home was the place to go on a Saturday afternoon if you needed some quiet time.

(It’s only fair to point out that those who follow City on their travels have been admirably steadfast throughout).

But it doesn’t end there. In November, David Wagner – nice chap that he is – was, in a footballing sense, Norfolk’s public enemy number one. Even some of those for whom the cup is usually half-full had to reluctantly admit that his useful life at Carrow Road appeared to be nearing its end. At the time the debate was around who would pull the trigger and when. There appeared to be no 'if'.

But here we are, four months hence and Wagner’s star is rising. While he still may not be everyone’s vision of a Norwich City head coach of the future, in the here and now he’s earned the respect of just about everyone of a yellow and green hue for what has happened in 2024. That, in doing so, he’s recently overseen a win over Ipswich certainly did his street cred no harm.

And there’s more. All of the angst around our majority owners and their questionable ability to run the club has been shelved for the time being. Even their most vociferous critics have put on hold their gripes and concerns while a promotion charge is ongoing. Delia’s “20 per cent of our fanbase are whingers” rant has also been temporarily overlooked.

All of these positives are, of course, related. Little would have changed without the transformation on the pitch but, as things stand, we are all currently in the grip of operation play-offs. An 'operation' that's been a while coming.

Not since back in 2001-02 – when we sneaked into the play-offs and lost in the final to Birmingham (in Cardiff) – have we been in this position. Since then, it’s been either automatic promotion, just missing out on the automatics, or missing out on the top-six altogether by some considerable margin.

This is different. From being outsiders for the top-six, this good run has gradually hauled us into the play-off picture and, thanks to all of the above, we’ve stayed there… so far.

There is still work to be done, but even if we somehow conspire to miss out, few expected this season to still be ‘alive’ when we reached game 46. And it will be.

Like I said, weird old times.

Never mind the danger…

BBC Radio Norfolk's Scrimmage panel discussed the impact midfielder Gabriel Sara has had this campaign.

The Brazilian is many supporters' pick for player of the season and he's already made it to the Championship team of the season.

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

BBC Radio Norfolk's fanzine show The Scrimmage discussed how Norwich should approach the Premier League, if (big IF!) they get promoted at the end of this season.

Special guest was author and City fan Ed Couzens-Lake.

How do you think the Canaries would get on back in the top flight? Have your say here.

You can listen to the full Scrimmage podcast on BBC Sounds here.

This league table shows exactly how good Norwich City have been so far in 2024.

It includes results from 1 January 2024 to now.

The Canaries would be in contention for a Championship automatic promotion place, with Leeds leading the way.

What do you make of the job David Wagner has done for City in 2024 so far? Get in touch here.

Norwich City defender Shane Duffy says the team's ambitions go beyond just making the Championship play-offs.

The Canaries need seven points from their last three games to guarantee a spot in the play-offs, on Saturday they host Bristol City at Carrow Road.

You can hear a full interview with Shane Duffy here.

'Reevo Reacts' - The musical

BBC Radio Norfolk's Scrimmage co-host Chris Reeve is singing the Gabriel Sara song, ahead of the Canaries' last three regular season Championship matches.

You can hear more from Chris when he joins Rob Butler for the Scrimmage on BBC Radio Norfolk on Monday from 18:00 GMT.

Subscribe to the podcast on BBC Sounds here.

Image source, Getty Images

Norwich City midfielder Gabriel Sara was named in the Championship team of the season at the EFL Awards in London on Sunday.

The Brazilian has scored 13 goals for the Canaries this campaign, including the winner in City's vital victory at Preston on Saturday.

Congratulations, Gabby!

Image source, Norwich City Football Club

The club also won the Innovation Award for their work around World Mental Health Day 2023, including the much-praised #YouAreNotAlone film.

You can watch the video here, external (external link).

Image source, EFL

Your thoughts on City's important win at Preston

Here are some of your views on the Canaries' vital 1-0 win at Preston in the Championship:

Vinny - David Wagner has done tremendously well considering he has spent the best part of the season without his talisman Josh Sargent and three months without chief support Jon Rowe. He deserves to have full backing from everyone connected to Norwich until the end of the season.

Top canary - It didn’t sound like a great performance but Norwich dug in, which is something which has been missing from a lot of our away performances this season. Great result against a battling Preston team. Two more wins secures a play-off place.

Jeremy - I think we all saw it coming as soon as Sir Johnny Rowe came on...

Alwyn - Forget the result against Wednesday, if you told me that we'd get seven points from Ipswich, Wednesday and Preston I'd have bitten your hand off. Pray we get Ipswich in play-offs. OTBC💪💪💪

Andy - I reckon four more points will be enough! Then, it's another game.

Here is the answer to our pre-match quiz.

We asked for the three mystery players who played in the Canaries' FA Cup win at Preston in January 2020.

They were:

Michael McGovern

Ibrahim Amadou

Moritz Leitner

Well done to all the people who got it correct.

You can watch highlights of the 4-2 win at Deepdale here.

David Fox's summary of Preston 0-1 Norwich

Norwich City moved closer to securing a Championship play-off place following a 1-0 win at Preston North End.

A late goal from Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Sara was enough to give City the three points. Two wins and a draw from their final three league games will guarantee a place in the play-offs.

Former Norwich midfielder David Fox was BBC Radio Norfolk's summariser for the match, here's what he had to say after the final whistle:

"When they (Norwich) had to stand up and take the sting out of the game, espeicially the last twenty minutes, I thought they were outstanding.

"They've got some very, very, very good technical footballers and when they do have that control, when they do keep that ball and work teams side to side -eventually they will get that opportunity."

He continued: "They (Norwich) had a player (Gabriel Sara) on the edge of the box who is outstanding at what he does - receiving on that back foot and driving at the goal. The finish is worthy of winning any game.

"I think we can see with the dejection of the Preston fans and the reaction of the Norwich bench just how important that win was.

"A blueprint of going forward - if we have got a play-off game, it's what an away performance can look like."

You can hear more from David Fox on Canary Call with Rob Butler here.

We want your views on Preston 0-1 Norwich

Norwich City took another big step towards the Championship play-offs with an excellent 1-0 win at Preston North End.

Gabriel Sara was the hero with a well taken 86th minute goal.

We want your views on the win.

How many points do Norwich need from their last three games to secure their play-off place, in your opinion?

Who was your man of the match at Deepdale?

Which opponents do you fancy in the play-offs?

Do you think the Canaries can finish 5th?

Get in touch here.

Image source, Getty Images

Norwich City striker Josh Sargent will start for the team in their Championship match at Preston North End on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The USA international had been described as an 'injury doubt' by head coach David Wagner in the build-up to the match at Deepdale.

Jonathan Rowe makes his return to the squad and is on the bench. Rowe hasn't played for the Canaries since February 2024 and has been out with a hamstring injury.

Swiss midfielder Christian Fassnacht will not be involved, with his wife due to give birth. Brazilian Pedro Lima comes into the squad to take his place amongst the substitutes.

You can listen to live commentary of the game with BBC Radio Norfolk.

• Preston North End have won just one of their last five league games against Norwich City (D3 L1), a 3-2 away win from behind last season

• Norwich City won this fixture 4-0 last season and are aiming to win back-to-back away league games against Preston North End in consecutive seasons for the first time

• Preston North End have won seven of their last 12 league matches (D3 L2), with their last two both coming via a three-goal margin (3-0 vs Rotherham, 4-1 vs Huddersfield)

• Norwich drew 2-2 with Sheffield Wednesday last time out despite leading 2-0. It’s the third time this season the Canaries have failed to win from two goals ahead in a league match this season, also doing so in 3-2 defeats to Leeds and Watford

• Preston’s Milutin Osmajic came off the bench to score a hat-trick in their last league match, a 4-1 win over Huddersfield. He was the first sub to score a Championship hat-trick since Nick Powell in April 2017 for Wigan against Barnsley

Here's this week's quiz, which has been devised by BBC Norfolk's Chris Goreham.

Norwich City had a memorable 4-2 FA Cup win at Preston in 2020, it was a special day for Adam Idah as he scored a hat-trick in his second start for the club.

Look at the picture above and get in touch with your guesses for the three missing players.

(The shirt numbers are not a clue!)

Norwich City Women defender Millie Daviss is a lifelong Canary fan.

She's been speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk's Rob Butler about the men's side and their push for play-off glory:

Daviss and her team are unbeaten all season with four games remaining.

The Canaries currently sit second in the National League Division One South East, seven points behind AFC Wimbledon.

City head to Haywards Heath on Sunday (14.00 GMT).