Norwich City’s head coach, Philippe Clement, has emphasised the critical need for fitness within his squad, particularly concerning young forward Matej Jurasek. The 22-year-old, signed for £6 million, struggled to make an impact during Tuesday's 1-1 draw against Oxford United, leading to his substitution just 15 minutes after being introduced. Clement attributed this decision to Jurasek’s insufficient energy levels, raising broader concerns about the team's overall fitness. Read more about Rowett Confident Norwich Can Avoid Relegation Threat.
Jurasek's late entry marked his first appearance since missing the previous match against Birmingham due to illness. "I know him from before. I know he's a lot of quality," Clement remarked, expressing his belief in Jurasek’s potential. He added, "It's now our job with all the staff to get him to his best level and to get him top fit, to show the football that he can play." Read more about Hareide Battles Brain Cancer, Football Community Unites.
Clement also accepted responsibility for the timing of Jurasek's introduction, suggesting it may have been poorly timed. "He didn't have enough energy to do the job, offensively and defensively. I needed to make a decision for that moment. And that’s nothing personal with Matej." This admission highlights the challenges of managing player fitness in a demanding league.
Norwich's collective fitness has been a recurring concern, as noted by sporting director Ben Knapper. The team appeared vulnerable in the closing moments of the match, conceding a last-minute equaliser to Oxford after initially taking the lead through Jovon Makama. "I think everybody would have signed for this kind of game, not for the result, but for this kind of game. We saw a team that played good football and created enough chances," Clement reflected on the overall performance. Yet, he also expressed his competitive nature, stating, "I’m a winner. I want to win every game. Every time we don’t win, I’m disappointed."
The late equaliser served as a stark reminder of football's fine margins. "We had enough chances to score the second or third goal, and you kill off the game," Clement lamented. He is keen for his players to maintain the resilience they demonstrated throughout the match.
In addition to fitness issues, Norwich faces injury challenges, with Serbian midfielder Mirko Topic forced off at half-time. Clement cautiously assessed the situation, stating, "It doesn’t look good," while remaining hopeful that subsequent scans might reveal less serious damage. The ongoing injury crisis complicates Clement's task of improving the team’s fortunes. Read more about Zimmermann Retires: Norwich City Legend Calls Time on Career.
As Norwich prepares to face QPR in their next fixture, the focus will be on enhancing fitness levels and optimising the talents within the squad. Clement remains optimistic, asserting, "We need every single win we can get," as he aims to steer the Canaries away from the relegation zone and into a more favourable position.