Norwich City

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Norfolk's Lauren Hemp has been appointed an MBE in the New Year Honours.

Hemp grew up in North Walsham and began her football career at Norwich City Women.

The 23-year-old scored and was named player of the match as England beat Australia in the World Cup semi-final in August 2023.

The Lionesses were eventually beaten in the World Cup final by Spain.

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Norwich City head coach David Wagner has been explaining his decision to drop top scorer Jonathan Rowe for the defeat at Millwall.

Wagner told BBC Radio Norfolk:

"I think Jonny was not on his highest level performance-wise in the last games, I think everybody has seen this.''

Rowe came on for the Canaries in the second half and Wagner said he was pleased with his performance:

"Today, for me, this half an hour was a good reaction. He made an impact, he made a step in the right direction. He's a very young lad with a lot of starts in recent months with very good performances."

He continued, "Even if he was in-form we have to consider that on Monday we have another game."

You can listen to the full interview with Wagner here.

Next up for Norwich is a home game against high-flying Southampton on Monday (15.00 GMT).

The Canaries sustained their second successive defeat with a 1-0 loss at The Den.

It's time to have your say, no punches pulled.

Get in touch here.

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Good news for Norwich City fans ahead of their Championship game at Millwall (19.45 GMT) - Josh Sargent is back.

The USA international returns from injury and is on the bench at The Den.

23-year-old Sargent last played for the Canaries in August 2023. He sustained a serious ankle injury while scoring a goal in the 4-0 win at Huddersfield Town.

You can listen to live commentary of Millwall versus Norwich City with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM, DAB and Freeview. Guest summariser is former City midfielder Darel Russell.

Ahead of Norwich City's game at Millwall in The Championship, we asked you the usual pre-match quiz question prepared by BBC Radio Norfolk's Chris Goreham.

Here it is:

On Boxing Day 2014 - Norwich thrashed Millwall 6-1 at Carrow Road with Bradley Johnson and Gary Hooper both scoring twice, Cameron Jerome was also on target but which City defender opened the scoring?

Well, as the Canary fans used to sing:

“Rhythm is a dancer, (Steven) Whittaker’s the answer…”

Well done if you got it right!

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Norwich City head to Millwall for a 19.45 GMT kick off looking to bounce back from a disappointing Boxing Day defeat at West Brom.

There are no fresh injury worries for the Canaries but they will be without suspended midfielder Borja Sainz who was sent off in that defeat at The Hawthorns.

Head coach David Wagner told BBC Radio Norfolk that playing with 10 men for so long in the West Midlands did take a toll:

"It is hard, if you play an hour or more under full-strength it makes it even harder.

He continued, "We have to get our head around team selection against Millwall, for sure. The good thing is that Barnes and Rowe only played until half-time and it looks as if everyone came out of this game healthy."

The Lions had their first win in 8 home games on Boxing Day when they beat London rivals QPR, 2-0.

Wagner said it is always tough in South London:

"Millwall won for the first time since a long time. Everybody knows how difficult it is against them but we said immediately after our game - it's disappointing that our unbeaten run has ended, it means we need to try and build the next one."

You can listen to full live commentary of Millwall versus Norwich City with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM, DAB and Freeview from 19.00 GMT.

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On this day - 29 December 2001

Norwich City midfielder Gary Holt scored a rare goal as the Canaries thrashed Sheffield Wednesday 5-0 at Hillsborough.

City were 4-0 up at half-time with goals from Darren Kenton, Paul McVeigh and a brace from Danish striker David Nielsen.

Scottish international Holt was affectionately known as 'three lungs' by City supporters due to his athletic displays in the centre of midfield.

Ahead of Friday’s game against Millwall, here is the latest quiz question from BBC Radio Norfolk’s Norwich City commentator Chris Goreham:

On Boxing Day 2014 - Norwich thrashed Millwall 6-1 at Carrow Road with Bradley Johnson and Gary Hooper both scoring twice, Cameron Jerome was also on target but which City defender opened the scoring?

Send us your guesses here.

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Gary Gowers, My Football Writer - Norwich City, external

Borja Sainz arrived in the 'Fine City' in the summer from the Turkish side Giresunspor, and was arguably the standout signing in a modest field, but his City career has been a slow-burner.

The young Spaniard picked up an injury in pre-season and then even when fit was handed mainly a watching brief by David Wagner.

It felt odd at the time, especially given how poor the quality of City's football has been, and Wagner's decision was made to look doubly odd when, after earning himself a start against Sheffield Wednesday four games ago, Sainz's impact was immediate - a goal and an assist.

Ever since, he has been in the starting eleven, with some City fans drawing loose comparisons with a young Emi Buendia - an undisputed hero in these parts. While comparisons with the latter-day Buendia will have to wait - the Argentinian became one of the most gifted players ever to pull on the yellow shirt - there is no doubting the Spaniard's technical quality.

Unfortunately, it was another Buendia-like quality that was to cost Sainz and City against West Brom - the feistiness.

A second booking for brandishing an imaginary yellow card was the total opposite of what was needed after City had somehow survived an opening half-hour onslaught from the Baggies.

Wagner's unambitious game plan - to sit in a 'low block', soak up West Brom pressure and look to hit them on the break - was already being stress-tested to the limit. To then lose one of the key elements in City having success in the transition was a self-inflicted body blow that probably cost them a point.

Some thought it idiotic (it was); others saw it as part of Sainz's sharp learning curse (it was); but it was also a part of the Spaniard's game that has to be carefully managed.

Take away the feistiness and you risk losing the edge that adds something a little different to City's modest armoury, but let it go unchecked and City could find themselves getting used to playing with ten men.

Over to you, Borja.

Norwich City club captain Grant Hanley made his return to the side in the 1-0 defeat at West Brom.

The Scotland international has been out of action since April 2023 with a serious Achilles injury which was sustained against his former club Blackburn Rovers.

Speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk following the defeat at West Brom, Hanley said it's been a long road back to full fitness:

"It does feel like a long road. I'm grateful to feel like I am coming to the end of that road and getting involved in the first team, getting some minutes under my belt.

He continued, "Obviously, it's a massive boost for me and I have to mention how grateful I am to be at a club where I am so well supported. There's so many people behind the scenes who have worked so hard for me.

"They have been with me every step of the way" he said.

Hanley said he also had to be mentally prepared to return after that long lay-off:

"I think people probably underestimate the mental pressure that players go through. The pressure is constant whether you are playing or trying to get fit.

"When you're out for a long time I think it's important to get the balance right between being obsessed by your injury and taking a chance to step back and spend some time with family - which I have had the chance to do." Hanley said.

"It's certainly an eye-opener for me on how to manage your mind. Sometimes the pressure of playing is phenomenal but that's the biggest thing you miss.

"You miss that Saturday morning struggling to swallow your porridge because you're that nervous for a big game."

You can listen to the full interview here.

We asked for your thoughts on Borja Sainz's sending off in the 1-0 defeat at West Brom.

Was it harsh on the Spaniard? Or did he get what he deserved?

Here's what you had to say:

JP - Sainz let the team down yesterday. He’s young, he’ll learn and no doubt he has a big future at Carrow Road. He was the one player who produced something in that woeful 30 minutes yesterday when we had 11 men. What bothers me most is how we go into away games, far too negative and passive. The squad is a little unbalanced but Wagner is not getting the most out them.

Grapeo - He was stupid to wave an imaginary card. But it’s his temperament, it was the same with Emi Buendia.

Eric - We were already second best before the red card and played marginally better in the second half with ten men. Sainz definitely let the side down with a stupid second yellow, but Wagner's substitutions after the red card (removing all our attacking threat) were completely baffling.

Bill - Sainz did selfishly let Norwich down! My theory is that he wanted this bank holiday weekend off!

Olly - Absolutely no consistency in dishing out cards for this dissent especially when looking at second yellows. This type of sending off/caution is unheard of and so should be only acceptable if we see this multiple times in the next EFL fixtures. I do not accept the argument that the teams were warned at the start of the season when this is a rarity.

Gordon - It is the law, so no excuse. But some of the laws of the game are stupid. Yesterday, Preston player rolling on the pitch like Tyson Fury had caught him one, in truth the Leeds keeper simply pushed him away.

Nick - The Sainz red card is a frustrating one. The coaching staff must reaffirm the new ruling to players and stamp out any ill-discipline when it comes to referee protestations. I don’t think the defeat to WBA is cause for panic. As it stands we’re still only a couple of points off the top six and there’s plenty of time to close that gap ahead of May.

Sophie - It was a silly decision from Sainz - but I remember Buendia was like that in his first season with us! It was good that we kept it at 1-0 and good that Hanley returned. Let's hope that Sainz can control his passion a bit better and learn from his mistake. Here's to a win against Millwall on Friday night. OTBC

Jack - Naive sending off aside - Norwich actually executed a game plan well in the circumstances. Negative tactically yes, but if Hwang takes his chance then it works to perfection. It was the only thing they could have done away from home at a good side with 10 men, without losing by more.

Paolo - Whilst the decision looked harsh, Sainz brought it on himself. There’s an edge to his character that makes this sort of petulance likely to happen again.

Stew - The red card was crass stupidity, but he’s clearly very talented and absolutely worth sticking with. He’s not afraid to mix it with opponents either, so probably more yellow cards in the pipeline.

Kevin - I think that over the last eight games we have been extremely lucky to have only lost once. Borja getting sent off wouldn't have changed the result. We are dreary to watch on most occasions, when we up-tempo we are a different kettle of fish but that doesn't happen often enough. So we will be mid-table at best and it's not worth the entrance fee at the moment.

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Norwich City head coach David Wagner says referee James Bell made the correct decision by sending off Borja Sainz in the Canaries' 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion.

Sainz was given his marching orders after 33 minutes when he appeared to ask Bell to show a yellow card to one of the Baggies' players. It was the Spaniard's second bookable offence.

Wagner told BBC Radio Norfolk:

"Obviously, you can't ask for a booking when your opponent makes a foul, this is what everybody knows. This rule exists all over the world, you can't do this, especially if you have already conceded a booking.

"Nobody is to blame for this situation, apart from him."

Wagner did have some sympathy for Sainz though, he continued:

"We are all humans, and humans make mistakes. He made a mistake. He's still young and there's a lot of space to improve.

"He has some certain skills which a very, very interesting but he has some topics which he has to work on. We will support him and try to make him the best player he can be." Wagner said.

"If he learns his lesson out of this game, on this situation, we will take it on the chin, even if I didn't like what I've seen."

Sainz will miss Norwich's next game which is at Millwall in The Championship on Friday.

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On this day - 27 December 1988

Dale Gordon and Andy Townsend scored for Norwich City as they beat West Ham United 2-1 at Carrow Road.

It was the first time a Norwich league game had been broadcast live on the television.

The two sides would meet later that season in a memorable FA Cup quarter-final tie - which the Canaries won 3-1 in a replay following a 0-0 draw at Upton Park.

City lost the semi-final to Everton at Villa Park but the result was overshadowed by the tragic events at Hillsborough in the other semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

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Norwich City's five match unbeaten run was halted as West Brom beat the Canaries 1-0 at The Hawthorns.

Former City and Baggies defender Leon Barnett was the BBC Radio Norfolk co-commentator, he said Borja Sainz's sending off after 33 minutes was a pivotal moment in the game:

"Sainz has let himself down if he's shown that imaginary yellow card. You can't afford to go down to ten men against a team like West Brom who are fighting to get in the Premier League.

He continued, "They are fifth in the table at the minute, and a very good football team. If you are one short in midfield against them it's going to be very difficult."

Barnett was alongside Rob Butler for BBC Radio Norfolk's post-match phone-in Canary Call.

You can listen again here.

BBC Radio Norfolk hosted their regular, lively post-match programme following the Canaries' Boxing Day defeat.

The main topic was Borja Sainz's red card.

Former Norwich defender Leon Barnett and Rob Butler took the calls.

Listen again here.

It was a disappointing Boxing Day for Norwich fans as their team were beaten 1-0 at West Brom.

Borja Sainz was sent off after 33 minutes for a second bookable offence and will miss the trip to Millwall on Friday.

Did Sainz let his side down? Or do you have some sympathy for the Spaniard?

Have your say here.

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BBC Radio Norfolk’s Chris Goreham will be providing commentary of West Brom v Norwich.

Earlier, he posed his regular pre-match question:

Last time Norwich played West Brom away in December was in 2012. The Baggies won 2-1 but who scored their late winner?

The answer - Romelu Lukaku.

You can read the full match report here.

Norwich City continue their festive fixtures with a trip to West Bromwich Albion, kick off 15.00 GMT.

One injury doubt for the Canaries is left-back Dimitris Giannoulis who came off in the win against Huddersfield on Saturday with a head injury.

His replacement was Sam McCallum who made an instant impact by scoring to make it 1-0 to City.

You can hear all the team news with BBC Radio from 14.00 GMT on FM and DAB.

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Norwich City head to West Bromwich Albion (15.00 GMT) looking to continue their excellent run of form.

The Canaries have lost just once in eight matches and could force their way into the Championship play-off places with a win at The Hawthorns.

On Saturday, City beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 at Carrow Road. Head Coach David Wagner told BBC Radio Norfolk that he's delighted with his side's good sequence of results:

"With the run the players are on, they have a lot of confidence and we are looking forward to it.

He continued, "Obviously, I always love to play on Boxing Day at home but if this isn't the case then please give us one of the best occasions, and this is West Brom."

Norwich are in eighth position in the table and two points off the top six. But Wagner refused to get carried away with his team's improved league position:

"Looking at the table is OK, but the most important thing is to be focussed on the next game.

"Try to be as good as you can, try to prepare the guys to be as good as they can be for the next opponent," he said.

"Then push for it and go for it with all you can, but no game is easy in The Championship."

The boss had special praise for his players who have come through a poor set of results before the recent encouraging spell.

Wagner said, "They stuck together in a very, very difficult period. It's easy to point fingers at each other but they never did that, they always raised their hands and said it wasn't good enough.

"This is something that gives everyone in the dressing room a lot of confidence."

You can listen to full live coverage of West Bromwich Albion versus Norwich City with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM and DAB from 14.00 GMT.

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On this day - 26 December 2003

Norwich City supporters got the one Christmas present they really wanted - the permanent signing of Darren Huckerby.

The former Manchester City forward had made quite the impact at Carrow Road during a three month loan spell, scoring five goals.

City manager Nigel Worthington said Huckerby took a wage cut to sign for Norwich.

On the move, Huckerby said:

"Everybody made concessions, now I'm up for helping Norwich back into the Premier League."

In May 2004, the Canaries were promoted as champions of the Football League. Huckerby was top scorer with 14 goals.