Fan Zone: Time for the real City to stand up under Clement

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0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. The Championship is infamous for being one of the most competitive leagues in professional football, and the cliché is that any team can beat any other team in the division on their day.

This has been on display in the opening fixtures of this season, with the form of many sides swinging from crushing defeat to unexpected victory, or from assured win to a stumbling loss.

Norwich City have followed this stereotype with early success in the League Cup and disappointing results in the league.

A comfortable win at home to Burnley was followed by a pointless endeavour in Stoke.

That result against the Potters was after they had suffered a drubbing at the hands of Wolves, but after their midweek victory over the Canaries they were successful with a handsome home win as they put four past Charlton - who had themselves previously been unbeaten.

Some people say, my mum included, that you shouldn’t look at the league table until ten matches have been played, as it’s only then that we have enough game time to establish identifiable form.

Saturday’s win at Bramall Lane, however, was a much needed boost both to our points total and supporters’ confidence for the season to come.

Norwich dominated from the start, forcing the home side on to the back foot and taking control of the early exchanges.

Though when Sheffield United equalised midway through the first half the Canaries started to wobble, before Anis Ben Slimane’s neat back heel and Mohamed Touré’s smart finish put us back in front.

And thanks to goal line technology, Mathias Kvistgaarden’s effort gave us the cushion we needed in the second half to take all three points.

It was a satisfying result, and Norwich have proven that they can score goals, with an exciting attack spearheaded by Touré.

There is an eagerness to run at the opposition defence and sniff out any weaknesses to exploit.

Confidence is growing, which gives us encouragement for the months ahead. Where we now need to find stability is behind the front line, with a settled midfield and dependable defence.

Ben Chrisene has been a consistent early season performer for Norwich City (Image: Max Tomlinson/Focus Images Ltd)

There are now three more league games, and the small matter of a Cup match at the Etihad, before we enter the elongated international break and three weeks of no domestic matches.

This is a time for the coach and their squad to re-group, overcome any injury niggles and strengthen tactics ready to push on.

Come October all the early season chaos should have dissipated, and teams will be able to get into their rhythm and assert their position.

But before that break we have those important matches to deal with, starting against Birmingham City at Carrow Road on Wednesday evening.

The Blues have drawn four of their first five games, and are struggling to kick start their campaign, giving Norwich another chance to impress their home crowd.

Players throughout the squad will also be keen to leave a positive impression on the coach to ensure they remain front of mind as he lays out his plans for the coming fixtures.

This will be a game under the floodlights as the nights are starting to draw in, autumn fast approaches and the cooler weather arrives.

In football journalism the summer is often called the 'silly season', and the back-to-school energy that September brings is when the serious news returns.

With the transfer window closed and the heatwaves over, the serious business of the Championship along with the prospects of promotion and relegation now begin to be formed.

Despite their stuttering start, Philippe Clement’s men look well armed for the battles ahead, and I have faith that he will get the best from the squad.

Now it’s time to prove that the defeats were the glitches, and that we can excel in this league.