Norwich City defender Jack Stacey has underscored the pressing need for his teammates to address their troubling home form if they are to mount a credible challenge for promotion this season. The Canaries suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Wrexham on Saturday, marking their fourth consecutive loss at Carrow Road across league and cup competitions, a stark contrast to their unbeaten record away from home.
Reflecting on this critical situation, Stacey, who celebrated his 100th appearance for Norwich with a goal in the match, stated, “If you look at the results, then that's exactly the conclusion you'd come to. We definitely have to work on that. We don't want to be playing in front of the fans here and not giving them anything to cheer about,” in a post-match interview with BBC Radio Norfolk. Read more about Canaries Crumble as Wrexham Hand Norwich Heavy Defeat.
The defeat against Wrexham was particularly concerning, as they scored all three of their goals within a rapid seven-minute spell in the second half. This result has left Norwich languishing in 14th position in the Championship table, having secured only two victories in their last ten home matches—an alarming statistic for a club with aspirations of returning to the Premier League. Read more about Norwich Target Home Revival Against Wrexham Today.
Stacey highlighted the stark contrast between the team's home and away performances, praising the unwavering support from their travelling fans. However, he expressed concern that many dedicated supporters have yet to witness a home victory this season. “Some of them haven't seen us win this year, so that affects them, it affects the atmosphere around the club, and it's something we want to change,” he remarked.
The 29-year-old also noted that despite the influx of new signings over the summer, the squad needs to gel quickly to foster positive results. “It's obviously only natural that we've got a lot of new players that will take a little bit of time, but we want to really accelerate that process now,” he added.
Stacey’s comments resonate with the frustrations of the fanbase, particularly given the expectations surrounding a potential promotion this season. Manager Liam Manning, who has faced scrutiny following the defeat to Wrexham, acknowledged the justified anger from supporters, conceding that the team’s performance fell significantly short of the required standards, especially in the second half.
Looking ahead, Norwich face a challenging schedule with their next league match against second-placed Stoke City on Saturday, followed by a home fixture against West Bromwich Albion on October 1, and the much-anticipated East Anglian derby against Ipswich Town on October 5. Stacey remains hopeful, asserting, “It's definitely not too late for us, but we do need to be quick in terms of turning things around.” Read more about Nunez Joins Ipswich as Canaries Feel the Heat.
As Norwich City aims to restore their home advantage, the emphasis must shift towards delivering performances that not only engage the supporters but also reflect the true potential of the squad. Achieving this will be pivotal for their ambitions to re-establish themselves among the Championship elite.