Norwich City

If you like stats, you're in luck!

OPTA have provided plenty ahead of the Canaries taking on the Millers at Carrow Road (Saturday, 15.00 GMT):

• Norwich City have lost just two of their last 18 league games against Rotherham United (W8 D8), failing to score in just two of those matches

• Rotherham United have won just two of their 17 away league games against Norwich City across Football League history (D6 L9), failing to score 2+ goals in any of their last nine visits to Carrow Road

• Norwich City are unbeaten in their last 10 home league games (W8 D2), winning each of the last five in a row; the Canaries last won six straight at Carrow Road in January 2010 in League One (11)

• Rotherham United have lost eight consecutive league games for the third time in their Football League history, only once before losing more in a row - 10 between February and April 2017

• Josh Sargent has scored in each of his last seven league appearances at Carrow Road, netting eight goals; only three players have scored in eight consecutive home outings in the Championship (since 2004-05): Tammy Abraham in February 2019, Jarrod Bowen in March 2019 and Chuba Akpom in April 2023 (9).

Image source, Rob Butler/BBC

It's a beautiful (almost) Spring day at Carrow Road.

Norwich City will look to get their Championship play-off push back on track as they host Rotherham United on Saturday (15.00 GMT).

You can listen to full live coverage with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM, DAB and Freeview from 14.00 GMT.

Former City midfielder Cedric Anselin is their guest summariser and he will be co-hosting the Canary Call phone-in after the match.

Get involved with our pre-match quiz.

The question:

After Borja Sainz's second red card this season, can you name the three other players in the EFL who have been on Norwich City's books and have been sent off twice this season?

Send us your answers here.

Canaries' midfielder Kenny McLean has been speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk ahead of City's Championship match against Rotherham United on Saturday (15.00 GMT).

McLean said his team owe the Millers a beating following a defeat at the New York Stadium in September 2023:

"They beat us at their place, we obviously don't forget that.

"We weren't at it that day. The way we started that game set the tempo for them, so Saturday we need to be at it."

He continued, "We need to be on it. The fans will be behind us, we know that. We've been really good at Carrow Road so that will continue for us, I'm sure.

You can listen to a full interview with Kenny McLean here.

Image source, Rob Butler/BBC

Opinion: ‘Norwich City’s season summed up in one game’

Matthew Soakell, North East Canary

If one game was ever needed as evidence to sum up Norwich City’s 2023-24 season, Wednesday night’s 3-1 defeat to Middlesbrough could possibly be it.

It was a game of what-ifs and almost a 90 minute summary of our season. We looked good in possession but not for long enough, albeit majorly disrupted by the rather innocuous Borja Sainz red card, which I can’t be bothered spending too much time discussing as it's since been rescinded. All I will say is that referee Bobby Madley has been done hook, line and sinker by Jonny Howson; who we all expected better of.

The defeat against Boro also had injuries and bizarre tactical changes. Grant Hanley was forced off in the 70th minute and existing injuries to the likes of Hernandez and Rowe meant options off the bench were limited. When changes were made, the decision to keep Ashley Barnes on instead of Josh Sargent left a fair share of fans scratching their heads in the away end at David Wagner’s tactical tendencies.

And so another defeat at the Riverside Stadium seemed to encapsulate the season we’ve had thus far; some good football, some poor officiating, some shocking defending and poor decision making on and off the pitch. What it also had was a cracking group of ever-reliable, hardcore fans, spending their hard-earned money supporting their club regardless of results.

There’s still every chance we finish in the top six, but who knows what to expect over the next ten games - if only it was possible to predict consistent on-field results like we know we can rely on Norwich City’s loyal fanbase, ey?

Image source, Getty Images

Borja Sainz is available for Norwich City’s home game against Rotherham on Saturday after his red card at Middlesbrough was rescinded.

Sainz was sent off in the game on Wednesday for alleged violent conduct. That dismissal has been overturned by the Football Association following an appeal by the Canaries.

The Spanish winger avoids a four-match ban and will be in the squad for the match against the Millers at Carrow Road.

Your thoughts on Sainz red card appeal

We asked for your views on Norwich City deciding to appeal against Borja Sainz's red card at Middlesbrough, here are some of your thoughts:

Simon - The red card was a farce. In fact, I initially thought Howson was the perpetrator until Borja walked off. Borja was spun around due to the impact and could not have put his feet in any other position. When Howson went past him Borja was holding on to his own leg in pain. The ref got it so wrong. He even let two blatant hand balls go.

Freddie - Has to be appealed, such a poor call from the referee and had such a drastic impact and overall ruined the match. Sainz shouldn’t be let off though, silly decision to lash out, whether he fully intended it or not. He needs to just learn to control his discipline levels a tad, as he’s such a talented player - now where have I heard that before? ;)

Bridget - Has to be appealed. Could be season defining. Ridiculous decision given Jonny Howson wasn’t even booked for the initial challenge!

Dale - Yes, I do think it's right to appeal. It was too harsh, maybe a yellow. It just spoiled a good game. Maybe the referee needed to be in the news and have his name in print!

Middlesbrough midfielder Jonny Howson has had his say on the incident that led to Norwich winger Borja Sainz being sent off on Wednesday:

Norwich City have appealed to have the red card overturned.

It's been announced that the Norwich City versus Ipswich Town game at Carrow Road on Saturday 6 April will kick off at 12.30 GMT.

The game was originally scheduled to kick off at 15.00 GMT on that day, but has been moved for television coverage.

The Canaries have confirmed that they have lodged an appeal to overturn Borja Sainz's red card during the defeat at Middlesbrough on Wednesday.

A statement on the official club website says: "Sainz was shown a straight red card for violent conduct by referee Robert Madley, following an incident with Middlesbrough captain Jonny Howson in the 30th minute of the game.

"After reviewing video footage of the incident and speaking with Borja, the club believes there is sufficient evidence to overturn the decision."

As things stand, Sainz would serve a suspension which means he would miss the next four games, starting with the visit of Rotherham to Carrow Road on Saturday.

Do you think City are right to appeal against the decision? Get in touch here.

Norwich City missed the chance to move into the Championship play-off positions as they lost 3-1 at Middlesbrough on Wednesday.

The big talking point during and after the game was Borja Sainz's sending-off in the 30th minute.

City midfielder Kenny McLean had his say on the incident after the game:

David Fox's thoughts on Middlesbrough 3-1 Norwich City

Norwich City's play-off hopes were dented following a 3-1 defeat at Middlesbrough on Wednesday.

The Canaries went down to ten men in the first half when Borja Sainz was given a straight red card after appearing to kick out at Boro captain Jonny Howson.

Former City midfielder David Fox was the summariser on BBC Radio Norfolk, here are some of his full-time thoughts:

"You can look at the performance with eleven men and I thought they were very, very good. For an away performance to control the ball the way they did, to go one-nil up.

"You could sense the tone around the stadium, the fans were getting restless, Norwich had them."

He continued, "There was plenty in that first 30 minutes to be positive about. The following 60 minutes after the sending off, I think there will be disappointment.

"I don't know whether the players felt a little bit hard done by and aggreived by things, but just because you go down to ten men - it doesn't mean you have the divine right to lose the game."

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

Image source, Getty Images

Time for the answer to our pre-match quiz now, here's a reminder of the question:

During the 2015 play-off final between Norwich City and Middlesbrough, five players featured on the pitch who have played first team football for both clubs.

Can you name all five?

The answers are:

Patrick Bamford

Jonny Howson

Ben Gibson

Daniel Ayala

Gary O'Neil

Well done if you got the question right.

Image source, Getty Images

Ahead of Wednesday’s game between Middlesbrough and Norwich City, here are some statistics provided by OPTA:

• Middlesbrough have won each of their three league meetings with Norwich City since the beginning of last season and could win four in a row against the Canaries for the first time

• Norwich City have won three of their last four away league games against Middlesbrough by the same 1-0 scoreline, though did lose this fixture 5-1 last season

• Middlesbrough are winless in their last five home league games (D2 L3), and could lose three on the bounce for the first time since April 2022 under Chirs Wilder

• Norwich have won only one of their last seven away league games (D3 L3), while they’ve conceded at least one goal in their previous 15 away league games (29 in total)

• Norwich manager David Wagner has lost all four of his previous Football League meetings with Middlesbrough; it’s the most he’s faced a side in the Football League while losing every encounter

Norwich City head coach David Wagner has been speaking about Middlesbrough's recent form ahead of the two sides meeting in The Championship on Wednesday (19.45 GMT).

Boro have only won once in their last seven league matches.

Our pre-match quiz is all about a famous day for the Canaries, see how you get on:

During the 2015 play-off final between Norwich City and Middlesbrough, five players featured on the pitch who have played first team football for both clubs.

Can you name all five?

Send your guesses here.

Opinion: 'On the Bawl, City'

It’s been a weird old season down Norwich way. Netflix must be kicking themselves for not basing themselves in NR1 for this campaign.

Just imagine it. Netflix presents… “On the Bawl, City”. (They can have that one for nothing).

So, to summarise… first, we were okay, then we were rubbish, then we were kind-of-OK but (it felt like) everyone hated each other, then Delia told us we’re ‘whiners and moaners’, then we swapped sporting directors and improved, then David Wagner told some supporters to stay home, and now, despite it all, we find ourselves just a point shy of the playoff places with 11 games to go.

Make of that what you will.

While we have the same number of points we had after 35 games last season and are one place worse off, it feels different this time around in a good way. (Famous last words?)

For a start, we have a striker who is ticking along at a goal-per-game and, whether folk in the River End like it or not, from the ashes of our bleak autumn and mid-winter, a style of play has finally emerged that appears to be striking that tricky balance between attacking football and defensive solidity. (More famous last words?)

Amid it all, and triggered by the aforementioned outburst by Wagner when he blew his lid as a result of some booing, a call for calm betwixt club and supporter (or some supporters) was proposed by the Canaries Trust and largely heeded. Since said intervention, the Carrow Road atmosphere has markedly improved and there’s even a sense of bonhomie in the Norfolk air.

Except, for a few, this is not enough.

The call for calm appears only to have been heeded by those of us deemed ‘whingers and moaners’. Those who were spared Delia’s ire and who remain staunchly loyal to her and the club, still appear determined to maintain an ‘us and them’ divide.

At the weekend, a minor incident involving Kenny McLean, who had a pop at some Carrow Road fans who were having a pop at him – the type you see in most grounds at some point during every season – was discussed by many and is still being mentioned four days later.

After the same game, Wagner did an impersonation of a stereotypical Norwich fan urging his players to “get it forward” but, again, it did little to smooth the same fractious relationship we’re all trying to mend.

The funny thing is, as mentioned earlier, the Carrow Road crowd has heeded the call for calm and more fervent support. The response has been nothing but positive. Noise levels are better and moans generally few and far between.

But if Team Delia are awaiting a home crowd that shows not the slightest hint of discontent at any point in any game, regardless of what they are watching, then they could be in for a very long wait.

The passion that comes with being a football supporter renders that impossible. Sorry.

Maybe season 2023-24 NCFC-style is destined to be fractious to the bitter end after all.

Norwich City striker Josh Sargent has made an explosive return to action since recovering from a long-term injury in December 2023.

The USA international has scored eight goals in 12 games.

Canaries' head coach David Wagner says 'Sarge' is one of the best forwards he has ever worked with:

Professional singer and Norwich City fan Leon Mallett was the special guest on this week's Scrimmage.

This led to a sing-off with Chris Reeve. Ear-plugs at the ready for when he sings!

You can listen to the full podcast here.

More of your views on Norwich City

Here's some more of your recent thoughts on the Canaries.

David Wagner has amused some supporters with his impression of an "English football fan":

Leigh - As usual, his comments are correct. I just wish he’d done a Norfolk accent when he said it. “Naark ut laarng!”

Simon - My thoughts, like many Norwich supporters who pay each season: Wagner, we cannot play from the back, the players do not have the skill-set to do it. Check your record and you will see we have conceded too many goals from poor defence mistakes.

Lisa - Norwich certainly have a patience-and-pounce style of play - they have their own way of moving up the pitch and ultimately getting the ball over the line. It might not be fast and forthright, but they nearly always find a way to score.

Mike - When we did put the ball in the box we scored - enough said!

Shirley - I think he is wrong. What we want to see is players going forward and scoring goals , that’s entertainment which is what we go for!

Frosty - It was not about playing the ball forward quicker but having the vision to see a player in space. A little later after the incident it was played into the space and a cross led to the goal. This is what is frustrating - the lack of vision. It happened a lot on the first half as well when Stacey had lots of space but was not given the ball.

Justin - With respect to the McLean incident, the issue was not about getting the ball into the box, it was about moving the ball quicker and looking for players in space. I have been to nearly every home game and it is always the same. They never see the players on the touch line on the opposite side of the dugout.