Norwich City are set to face Portsmouth at Fratton Park this afternoon, marking their first away match of the Championship season. The Canaries are eager to secure their initial three points after a tough start, while Portsmouth enter the game buoyed by a 1-0 victory over Oxford United in their season opener.
Head coach Liam Manning faces significant injury setbacks ahead of the clash. Amankwah Forson has been ruled out for several months due to a hamstring injury sustained during last weekend's loss to Millwall, a considerable blow to the squad. On a more positive note, Manning is likely to welcome back Mathias Kvistgaarden and Ante Crnac, who missed the midweek Carabao Cup win over Watford.
Norwich will also be without their captain, Kenny McLean, who is still recovering from ankle surgery and has yet to feature this pre-season. Young full-back Lucien Mahovo remains unavailable, while Gabe Forsyth and Emmanuel Adegboyega continue their recovery from injuries.
In addition to these absences, senior players Anis Ben Slimane and Shane Duffy were omitted from the matchday squad against NAC Breda, casting uncertainty over their futures as the transfer window nears its close. Earlier this week, Brad Hills completed a permanent transfer to Stockport, further reshaping the squad.
Portsmouth boast an impressive home record, having finished last season strongly. Only newly promoted clubs Burnley and Leeds accrued more points at Fratton Park since January. Under the guidance of John Mousinho, Portsmouth not only achieved promotion from League One but have also begun to establish themselves in the Championship. This was notably highlighted by a thrilling 5-3 victory against Norwich at Carrow Road last April, a result that sealed the fate of former Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup.
In terms of injuries, Portsmouth are likely to be without winger Josh Murphy, who is recovering from a hamstring issue, while experienced midfielder Marlon Pack is also a doubt due to a knee problem.
The significance of today’s match extends beyond the pursuit of points; it is underscored by the shared history between Manning and Mousinho, who previously collaborated at Oxford United. Reflecting on the atmosphere during the midweek cup match, Manning noted, “I thought it was excellent... Top atmosphere on a Tuesday night away in the first round of the Carabao Cup.” He expressed a desire to strengthen the connection between players and staff to create more memorable experiences.
Manning is acutely aware of the challenges posed by Fratton Park, known for its intimidating atmosphere. “You look at their home record last season and how difficult it is to go down there,” he stated, emphasising the need for a positive approach. “We should be really relishing it… We have to build on some varied experiences over the first two games.”
As Norwich aim to enhance their away form, which has been a concern since their Championship return in 2022, Manning is focused on ensuring clarity and organisation in their gameplay, irrespective of the venue. “We’ll be organised, well-prepared, we’ll plan and make sure that we have clarity in how we handle certain situations,” he affirmed. “Then we have to turn up and deliver.”
With kick-off imminent, the away end at Fratton Park is sold out, and the Canaries will strive to reward their travelling supporters with a favourable outcome.