We should have won the game - Clementpublished at 23:10 GMT 9 December
23:10 GMT 9 December
Media caption,
Clement: 'I'm not a doctor'
Norwich City boss Philippe Clement spoke to BBC Radio Norfolk after his side's 1-1 draw at Sheffield United.
"I think we should have won the game. If you come alone in front of the goalkeeper in the last 10 minutes you need to kill it off and you have a victory," he said.
"You have games where the opponent is better and you struggle and fight and you get a point and yet you are very satisfied. It was not that kind of game.
"I would not say it is two lost points because I am proud of what the players brought but it could have been better.
"I think four or five weeks ago they would have lost this game with losing important players and going behind."
Pick of the stats: Sheffield United v Norwich Citypublished at 13:54 GMT 8 December
13:54 GMT 8 December
Image source, Opta
Sheffield United will seek to continue their resurgence when second-bottom Norwich visit Bramall Lane on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).
The Blades have won four straight games, scoring 13 goals and keeping three clean sheets to climb up to 18th, just eight points behind sixth-placed Stoke, whom they beat 4-0 at home on Saturday.
Norwich are now nine points behind them and five short of safety after allowing a lead to slip to a 3-2 defeat at Watford on Saturday and have now taken a single point from their past six away games.
Sheffield United are unbeaten in their past nine league games against Norwich (W6 D3) since a 1-0 home loss in September 2017.
Norwich haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their past nine league games against Sheffield United, though they haven't conceded more than twice in any of their past 21 against the Blades.
Sheffield United have alternated between defeat (2) and victory (2) in their four midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Championship games this season, beating Portsmouth 3-0 last time out.
Norwich are winless in their past eight midweek (Tues, Weds, Thurs) Championship games (D3 L5) since a 1-0 win at Luton on New Year's Day.
Sheffield United's Patrick Bamford has scored three goals in five home league games against Norwich, averaging a goal every 82 minutes at home against the Canaries.
'Fear factor' can be good for Norwich - Barnettpublished at 11:38 GMT 8 December
11:38 GMT 8 December
Image source, Shutterstock
Former Norwich City defender Leon Barnett believes a manager with a "fear factor" can be a positive thing in a dressing room.
Head coach Philippe Clement has already proven to be a no-nonsense character since his appointment last month and the Canaries achieved their first home win of the season against QPR in his third game in charge.
"I think that can have an effect on the squad; you want to work hard and you don't want to put a foot wrong. I think that sort of fear factor runs through the whole team and it's probably a nice thing to have," Barnett told BBC Radio Norfolk's Canary Call.
"I remember I had it when Paul Lambert came in and said 'Take your earrings out'. I laughed it off, sat down and thought he was joking.
"He came back to me and said 'what did I tell you?' I felt like a little boy and took my earrings out. It gives you that fear factor and makes you play under a bit of pressure as well.
"I'm not one to argue. If a manager says something I'll try and do it. It was nothing personal and wasn't going to hurt me. There are plenty of things - some managers don't want you wearing hats and gloves when it's cold. If it's the same for everyone, then why not?"
Norwich are away to Sheffield United, who have won their last four games and scored 13 goals in the process, on Tuesday.
Watch the post-Watford episode of Canary Call by clicking here.
Clement bemoans defensive weaknesses after defeatpublished at 15:54 GMT 6 December
15:54 GMT 6 December
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Philippe Clement took over at Norwich three weeks ago
Canaries boss Philippe Clement believes Norwich's uplift since he took charge is being hamstrung by a need to tighten up at the back.
Norwich, who have kept just one clean sheet all season, led twice at Watford only to fall to a 3-2 defeat which leaves them still in deep trouble second from bottom of the Championship.
"We had more chances than Watford so then it's really disappointing that you go home without points," said the Belgian.
"But also with the goals against. Some individual players need to do better in those situations. We gave at least two goals away too easily where we can defend much better.
"As a team and as individuals we need to learn certain principles better."
Clement, who gave Tony Springett his first start for the club in two years in the Canaries' revolving door position of left-back, admitted Norwich's defensive cause is not being helped by their injury list.
"We're missing six or seven defenders so not one team in the world would not struggle with that," he said.
Jack Stacey will miss the game this weekend after picking up a hamstring injury against QPR, but it does not seem to be a long-term problem.
Anis Ben Slimane has been back training this week and could return to the bench. More players could return to training next week.
Clement said it's been good to have a full week to get back to doing what he loves - being out on the training pitch with the players.
On Declan Rudd's promotion to senior goalkeeping coach: Tony Roberts, who previously had the role, spoke very highly of Rudd and Clement said it's a "logical step."
Clement met owner Mark Attanasio face-to-face this week for the first time. He said he feels very aligned with the American and they share the same hopes and dreams for the club.
On Watford away, Clement said he wants to see the desire and fight from his team that he saw last weekend.
"We need to give something back to the fans and that's our aim," he said.
You can listen to full live commentary of Watford v Norwich City with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM and DAB from 12:00 on Saturday.
Pick of the stats: Watford v Norwich Citypublished at 10:31 GMT 5 December
10:31 GMT 5 December
Fresh from their first home win of the season, Norwich City are looking for back-to-back league victories for the first time since February as they head to Vicarage Road (12:30 GMT).
Watford are unbeaten in their past six league games at home.
Watford lost this exact fixture 1-0 in February last season, last losing consecutive home league games against Norwich in November 1995.
None of the past 16 league games between Watford (W9) and Norwich (W7) have been drawn, with the Canaries winning each of the past three.
Watford have lost just one of their past 10 home league games (W5 D4) and are unbeaten in six since a 1-0 loss against Blackburn in September (W4 D2).
After a 13-game winless run in the Championship, Norwich beat QPR 3-1 last time out. They last won consecutive league games in January/February last season, the second of which came against Watford.
Watford have won more points from losing positions than any other side in the Championship this season (15).
'Best part of January window may be injury returns'published at 11:46 GMT 4 December
11:46 GMT 4 December
Media caption,
Norwich City board member Richard Ressler says the club will be looking for January reinforcements but suggests the biggest difference makers could lie within the squad they have right now.
The struggling Canaries have 11 first-team squad members absent due to injury, with midfielder Mirko Topic the latest name added to the treatment room list.
"We are [looking at] bringing in the strongest players we can," Ressler said during Norwich's annual general meeting on Wednesday.
"We have some headroom for the January window. What might be the best part of the window will be us getting our players healthy and back on the pitch who are off.
"So we have to rely on what we think is a very strong group of leaders on the pitch and off the pitch behind them to make the best of what we know is a very expensive team that we believe has very strong players in it."
Norwich also experienced several key departures in the summer, including a controversial move for midfielder Marcelino Nunez to rivals Ipswich Town as well as exits for forward Borja Sainz and goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
But majority shareholder Mark Attanasio feels there was nothing the club could do to keep the departing players at Carrow Road.
"We were losing players who were going to leave anyway - [Gabriel] Sara, Borja [Sainz], many of whom we tried to sign [to new deals] and they chose not to," Attanasio said.
The Clement factor bringing hope to Canariespublished at 15:58 GMT 3 December
15:58 GMT 3 December
Gary Gowers Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
You'll have to forgive us. We're a little giddy. We admit it.
So much so, we've been accused from all four corners, especially one in deepest, darkest Suffolk, of over-celebrating our weekend win over Queens Park Rangers.
To which we plead guilty. 100%. And, you know what? We couldn't give a monkey's…
Fill your boots, City fans. Let them mock - we deserved that moment.
Seldom has Carrow Road been so pumped after what was, after all, little more than a routine Championship win over a decent team, but who, by their own admission, are no world-beaters.
Except it wasn't routine.
When you have only won twice all season, are 23rd in the table, and have not won a home game since April, nothing is routine. Everything's a struggle.
So, yeah, we went OTT maybe, but it felt good. For once. A feeling we had forgotten.
No longer do we expect to win. Think of the worst-case scenario, and it comes true. The new Norwich way.
At least it was. Things may, just may, be about to change.
Where once we had Liam Manning in the dugout - an experiment that, for lots of reasons, went awry – now we have a big Belgian in charge who, in the space of 15 days, has offered us hope where there was none.
In the death throes of the Manning era, we were done. Gone. Heading only to League One.
Now, under the tutelage of Philippe Clement, we have a head coach who has taken our club by the scruff of its neck (not to mention a few players), shaken it, and given it purpose and direction.
New life has been breathed into a club that had all but flatlined.
Whether the Clement factor will be enough to save us, who knows?
He's now playing a nerve-shredding game of catch-up with high stakes and jeopardy, but at least we now have a sense of unity, and are pulling, most of us at least, in the same direction.
Only time will tell if this truly is Clement-time.
But the fightback is on.
OTBC.
Gary Gowers is an editor for My Football Writer - Norwich City
Rudd becomes Norwich goalkeeper coach as Roberts departspublished at 12:14 GMT 2 December
12:14 GMT 2 December
Image source, Shuttershock
Image caption,
Declan Rudd finished his playing career with Preston North End
Norwich City have named Declan Rudd as their new first-team goalkeeping coach with Tony Roberts leaving the Championship club.
Former Welsh international Roberts, who moved to Carrow Road in September 2024 following a spell coaching at AC Milan, is taking up a new role with an as yet unspecified club.
Rudd spent 18 years as a player at Norwich, working his way through the youth system to eventually make 21 first-team appearances before playing for Charlton and Preston.
The 34-year-old has been the Canaries' lead academy goalkeeping coach since 2022 and will join Philippe Clement's first-team staff with immediate effect.
"In promoting Declan to the first team, we have someone who knows the club and how we operate. He already has some excellent relationships with our current staff and players and absolutely deserves this opportunity," sporting director Ben Knapper told the club's website., external
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.
Pick of the stats: Norwich City v Queens Park Rangerspublished at 10:58 GMT 28 November
10:58 GMT 28 November
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.
Roberts backs Clement for Norwich rescue actpublished at 14:03 GMT 27 November
14:03 GMT 27 November
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.
Norwich 'have to accept situation' - McConvillepublished at 11:45 GMT 27 November
11:45 GMT 27 November
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Ruairi McConville has nine caps for Northern Ireland
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).