Philippe Clement, head coach of Norwich City, is calling on the club's travelling supporters to rally behind the team as they prepare for a challenging encounter against Charlton Athletic this afternoon. The Canaries, eager to bounce back from a midweek defeat to Southampton, will be counting on the enthusiasm and backing of their fanbase at The Valley. Read more about Marcondes Eyes Future as Norwich Contract Looms.
Norwich arrives in London with a squad feeling the effects of a congested fixture schedule. Clement indicated that decisions regarding the fitness of full-backs Ben Chrisene and Jack Stacey will be made closer to kick-off, placing significant responsibility on the remaining players to deliver a commendable performance against a Charlton side that has been gaining momentum under manager Nathan Jones.
Clement addressed the logistical hurdles his team has faced in recent days, highlighting the challenges of travel and preparation. "We've been discussing that from a few weeks ago, how to do it in the best way," he stated. "Because it was also the travel back from Southampton that you had to come back by bus. There was no other option because of the late hour that the game stopped. We arrived here around three in the morning (on Thursday). The next day training, and then it's today already. Then Charlton away." Read more about FA Investigates Thompson's Water Bottle Incident After Norwich Clash.
Despite considering an overnight stay in London, the decision was made to return to Norwich for training. "All these internationals are going away now for two weeks," he added. "So it wasn't a good option either. You have better facilities also to do the recovery with our cryo chambers and with the pool and with more staff and everything. So we decided to come back and to do our recovery from here."
Charlton presents a significant challenge for Norwich, particularly as the Canaries seek to rebound from a rare defeat since Clement's arrival. The Addicks have shown solid form, suffering just one loss in their last six outings, including impressive wins against Middlesbrough and Birmingham. "I don't expect much difference with the Charlton game now than the game we played at home," Clement remarked. "They have a really clear style on how they want to play and how they get results also."
For Norwich to succeed, they must establish their game against a Charlton team renowned for its physicality and tenacity. While the Canaries have demonstrated increased territorial control under Clement, replicating that against a well-structured Charlton side will be a considerable challenge, particularly in front of their home supporters.
"It depends also on how the opponents react, and sometimes you cannot have dominance if they are always on top of you," Clement explained. "But then you need to hurt them and score goals and go behind them. So we will see what kind of game it becomes."
Clement expressed satisfaction with his players' ability to adapt to various systems since his appointment. "The good thing is that we are ready for different systems, for different ways of playing, and the players are starting to feel more comfortable in that. They were not used to playing that way before or to be as dominant as we were in the second half against Southampton on the ball. So those are new experiences for them also."
A crucial factor for Norwich's success this afternoon will be the energy and enthusiasm provided by their travelling supporters, with over 3,000 fans expected to make the journey to south-east London. Clement believes this backing will motivate his players to strive for points and aim for a return to form. Read more about Travel Disruptions Loom Ahead of East Anglian Derby.
"It started already with this first game that I was here in Birmingham in a period where nobody was really happy with the results, but they were with a lot of fans there and very positive, even after that really bad first half," he recalled. "Now in this short time, I get to know the fans of Norwich really well, and they give a lot to the players. They also give a lot of credit. They are really positive, also in the difficult moments, and that's what a good club needs."
Clement's gratitude towards the fans is evident, acknowledging their vital role in supporting the team through tough times. "It will never be a linear line going up, up, up. There will be bumps along the way, but you feel now that the fans stand behind the players also when there is a bump, to push them again towards the next game. You feel also that the players appreciate that a lot. I hear that a lot in the dressing room."
As the Canaries gear up for this critical fixture at The Valley, expectations are high for both the players and their devoted supporters.