Norwich City are set for a challenging encounter against Stoke City at Carrow Road this afternoon. Manager Philippe Clement is acutely aware of the threats posed by Stoke, led by Mark Robins, despite the latter's squad grappling with significant injury concerns.
The Canaries are eager to conclude a demanding festive schedule on a positive note, having recently secured a 2-1 victory over QPR. This win has brought them tantalisingly close to safety, leaving them just one point shy of escaping the relegation zone as they prepare to kick off.
Stoke arrive in Norfolk following a resilient 1-0 win against Hull City. However, their roster has been stretched thin with the absence of goalkeeper Viktor Johansson and several key defenders, sidelined due to injuries and commitments to the African Cup of Nations. In light of these challenges, Stoke have recalled young Tommy Simkin from Leyton Orient and have opted for an unconventional strategy by deploying former Norwich defender Ben Gibson in a left-back role.
Clement, who has had to navigate his own extensive injury crisis this season, understands the difficulties of fielding an altered squad. He commented, “They have a little bit of a different dynamic than before, with their very offensive full-backs who are not there for the moment, so they have to change things. But if there's one club or one manager who didn't complain about that and had to do that, I think I had a lot of job to do the last couple of weeks with putting players sometimes in a position that they're not used to. So it's part of the game.” Read more about Clement Faces Midfield Dilemma Ahead of Stoke Clash.
While Stoke started the season strongly, they have struggled to maintain their form as depth issues have hindered their ability to convert scoring opportunities. Nevertheless, Clement remains cautious about the potential threats Stoke pose. “It's a big challenge. It's a good team, plays good combination football with good wingers, with a strong striker, with a good number 10 also, who's creative,” he stated. Read more about Clement Insists Sargent Stays Amid Transfer Interest.
He further acknowledged the uphill battle his team faces, noting, “So it's a big challenge to play against them, and we are still in a situation where almost all the teams we play against have more points or much more points than us in the league. It's about us challenging that and going full in that battle to get the three points. But I like the way that Stoke plays football. They have a good team, clearly well-structured, with really good ideas from the manager, so it's going to be a tough test.”
This fixture also marks a return to Carrow Road for Robins, the former Norwich striker, who has found success in management but has yet to secure a victory against his old club in 12 attempts. Clement respects Robins’ managerial capabilities, acknowledging the significant work he has accomplished at Stoke. “I understand why (there is praise), because if you see Stoke play, it's with really clear ideas and with good ideas and a very clear structure also,” he remarked. “So for sure there's a lot of work done there on a daily basis and for a long time. So yes, it's very clear that he's a very good manager.” Read more about Norwich Target Ahmed as January Transfer Window Opens.
As Norwich City prepare for this critical matchup, the stakes are high, with both teams striving for essential points to bolster their respective campaigns in the Championship.