Kenny McLean has highlighted Norwich City's ambition to maintain their upward momentum in the Championship after surpassing the 50-point mark. Following a solid 2-0 victory against Preston North End, which lifted the Canaries into the top half of the table, McLean insists that the focus must remain on improvement rather than complacency.
Since Philippe Clement took charge, Norwich have transformed their fortunes, climbing from a precarious 23rd position to a more secure 12th. This resurgence is underpinned by an impressive record of 13 wins from their last 22 league matches since his appointment in November. However, McLean is clear that there is still untapped potential within the squad. Read more about Field Flourishes at Norwich as Clement's Impact Grows.
"We're growing, we're building, and we're getting better," McLean stated. "There's still growth in us, and we'll continue to improve. It's not about looking at the table and saying what we want to achieve. We want to keep pushing in the right direction, and that's what we're doing. As long as we keep focusing on that, on what we can be better at, looking at what we've done well and improving on it, then we'll find ourselves in a good position."
The Scottish midfielder played a pivotal role in the victory over Preston, scoring the second goal to secure the win. Despite the positive result, he acknowledged that the team's second-half performance left room for improvement, reflecting their ongoing pursuit of higher standards. Read more about Canaries Target Victory as Preston Visit Carrow Road.
"We're desperate to get better," McLean said. "Every day we'll go and analyse that game back again, and there's so much more we can do. We're coming away 2-0 winners, but we're pretty disappointed with the second half, to be honest. That shows how far we've come; it shows a bit of resilience, but we can definitely show more quality. We don’t want to live in spells and matches; we want to control the game for longer, be more clinical, more ruthless and more relentless in our work."
The win against Preston marked Norwich's tenth victory in their last 13 matches across all competitions. However, McLean's insights reveal that the team is striving for a standard that transcends merely securing points. Statistics from the match indicated that while Norwich achieved a positive result, Preston held the advantage in expected goals, shots on target, and overall attacking play, highlighting areas for further development.
Additionally, McLean's goal was significant as it represented Norwich's first direct free-kick of the season—an area where the team has historically struggled. The midfielder's strike, which occurred in the 39th minute, marked his first free-kick goal since his time at Aberdeen in 2016.
Looking ahead, Norwich City faces a challenging week, with a crucial match against an in-form Southampton side on Wednesday, followed by a trip to Charlton Athletic. Both fixtures present significant tests for Clement's revitalised squad as they aim to build on their recent momentum and potentially pursue a late-season playoff challenge. Read more about Ashton Slams Rail Disruptions Ahead of East Anglian Derby.
Currently sitting on 50 points, there is a sense of cautious optimism among both fans and players. As McLean aptly noted, the emphasis remains on progress rather than resting on previous accomplishments. The upcoming fixtures will provide an opportunity to showcase the improvements Norwich has made under Clement’s stewardship.