Norwich City are determined to end their struggles at Carrow Road as they prepare to host Leicester City in a crucial Championship clash this afternoon. With an international break looming, the Canaries are eager for a much-needed victory to shift the narrative surrounding their season.
Following a disappointing midweek draw against Sheffield Wednesday, where they managed to secure a point after coming from behind, Norwich remain in search of their first home win this campaign. Although the draw halted a sequence of defeats, it has highlighted a concerning statistic: the team has not achieved victory in their last ten Championship matches, a streak that dates back to February.
Injuries continue to mount for head coach Liam Manning, who will be without experienced defender Jeffrey Schlupp for an extended period due to a hamstring injury. Schlupp was scheduled for a scan on Friday and joins a lengthy list of injured players, including Lucien Mahovo and Ben Chrisene, neither of whom are expected to return until after the November international break.
Manning faces further challenges with Liam Gibbs ruled out due to a hamstring issue and Jack Stacey still in concussion protocols following a second head injury this season. Ante Crnac has been sidelined for the remainder of the season with a knee injury, while other players like Papa Amadou Diallo and Jose Cordoba remain unavailable. On a positive note, Elliot Myles and Gabe Forsyth have begun light running, suggesting potential returns may be on the horizon.
Leicester City arrive at Carrow Road under similar pressures, having recorded just one win in their last ten league matches. This dismal run has intensified scrutiny on manager Marti Cifuentes, who took the helm during the summer. The Foxes are grappling with their own injury woes, notably with summer target Jakub Stolarczyk missing out after sustaining an injury in their draw against Middlesbrough. Veteran goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is expected to step in as his replacement.
Historically, Norwich have struggled against Leicester, having lost their last four league encounters since a narrow 1-0 win at Carrow Road in February 2020, when Jamal Lewis scored the decisive goal. The Canaries’ current run of ten winless games in the Championship marks their longest drought since November 2007.
### Manning Calls for Improvement
Ahead of today’s match, head coach Liam Manning has voiced his determination to eliminate the “free gifts” that have characterised Norwich's home performances this season. The Canaries have endured an unprecedented start, losing all seven of their opening home fixtures, a record that has left supporters increasingly anxious about relegation.
Manning emphasised the need to shift the narrative and urged his players to treat every match as a chance to regain momentum. “We have to create it, and I think it’s the little things in the key moments,” he stated. “It’s probably a slightly different feeling if we’d drawn a few games. When I look at it, it’s those little key moments; how do we cut those out? How do we make sure that we don’t give anything away?”
While Leicester's current difficulties may provide a glimmer of hope for Norwich fans, Manning insists the focus must remain on their own performance. “I think every game is an opportunity. When you look at the margins in the division, they’re so tight,” he added. “We have to take that belief that we can turn it and use that.”
Should Norwich fail to secure a positive result today, they risk facing the ire of frustrated supporters, many of whom have voiced their concerns following last week's defeat to Hull. The club has issued a statement urging fans to keep any protests civil, a sentiment echoed by Manning, who acknowledged the importance of expressing discontent without crossing a line.
As the Canaries gear up to face Leicester, they must discover a way to turn around their fortunes and rekindle faith among their supporters. With the potential for change in the air, Norwich City will strive to make a breakthrough at Carrow Road this afternoon.