Norwich was hands down the best team in the Championship the season before the last, winning the automatic promotion as the leaders with 94 points in 46 games played. Their attacking prowess proved unbeatable as they scored 93 goals, more than any team since 2014/2015 season. The short visit to Premier League poked plenty of holes in Norwich’s system and return to Championship was imminent. Much of the same core of players still remain and Norwich were deemed one of the favorites heading into the new season. But, as four games into the season indicate, things are not always going according to the plan.
Norwich manager Daniel Farke was definitely ill-prepared for their Premier League journey, as there were no reinforcements added to compete in the top tier. The team was, and still is, good Championship quality but not enough to compete in the Premier League level. However, a lot of tactical lessons were definitely learned and the return to Championship was seen as a just another stepping stone for a more lasting future in the limelight.
The unconventional start to the season, with a short transfer window and abnormal preparation period has not treated Norwich well. They have been completely out of sync for the first games of the season, despite snatching a win over Huddersfield in their season opener. After that, it’s been a mighty struggle both defensively and offensively, and surprisingly so. Still boasting players like Teemu Pukki, Emiliano Buendia, Todd Cantwell and Marco Stiepermann, not to mention the young talent of Adam Idah, Norwich’s offense’s powder has been soaking wet as of late. They’ve only scored three goals in four games and gone two games without. Even with as solid defense as ever, Daniel Farke needs to figure out to way to unbind the offensive deadlock if the Canaries are to fight for promotion this season.
It does not seem likely there will be any assistance from transfers, since the window abroad is closed and most of the teams within the UK football leagues are done and dusted for now. Norwich does have what it takes to be an offensive force in the Championship, that much is certain, but they need to release the hand-break still on from their humbling visit to the Premier League.
