Norwich City are set to welcome Watford on Monday evening, and head coach Philippe Clement faces crucial decisions regarding his starting line-up. The timely return of Josh Sargent coincides with concerns over the fitness of in-form substitute Jovon Makama, who may not be available for the match.
Makama has made a significant impact in recent weeks, netting four goals in three matches since stepping in for Sargent. His contributions were vital in securing a Boxing Day victory against Charlton. However, Clement revealed on Sunday that Makama is uncertain for the upcoming fixture due to a training injury. “Jov got a big knock. We need to assess if he will be available or not. It was a knock. It was a kick. I don't want to say where, because that helps also the opponent,” he stated, underscoring the need for caution as the team navigates a demanding schedule. Read more about Darling Hails McConville's Impact as Canaries Strengthen Defence.
In contrast, Sargent's return is a welcome boost, having recovered from a concussion sustained in a match against Sheffield United. Clement confirmed, “He's been training and he felt well, and he looked well, so he will be in the selection. I give a present already to our opponent. He was good in the training, like it was before the concussion injury, so I'm really happy that he's back.”
Clement is acutely aware of the challenges posed by squad rotation, particularly with four matches scheduled within a nine-day span. “The more players available, the more talent available, the better," he noted. "We will need everybody in this very busy period.”
As they prepare for their third match in quick succession, Clement is already contemplating potential changes to the line-up. “It will not be a complete new team, of course, but it's a tough balance to see who to start, and who to end,” he admitted, highlighting the necessity of managing player workloads effectively. He pointed out players like Ben Chrisene and Jose Cordoba, who have been gradually reintegrated into the squad.
Reflecting on the team's development, Clement remarked, “We come out of a place where we had players in positions that they never played before in their life, and what was not their best position by far. It's better that we have now at least players who can do a part of the game in their normal position, and they can show their qualities and that they can grow.”
While he is pleased with the recent form—having secured 10 points from 12 in their last home matches—Clement emphasised that there is still ample room for growth. “We are by far not where we can be if everybody's top fit and everybody's at his best level,” he commented.
In preparing for the Watford match, Clement noted that the team's preparations extend beyond tactical adjustments. “It's not only about playing minutes, it's also about training sessions, about video sessions. Everything. So it's not only preparing players with game minutes in mind. There's a lot of important and sometimes even more important stuff around that to get them ready to play,” he explained.
With pivotal decisions on the horizon and a hectic fixture schedule, Norwich City supporters can look forward to an exciting contest as the team aims to sustain their positive momentum in the Championship. Read more about Pereira Joins Norwich as Academy Goalkeeping Chief.