After Tuesday’s tame 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace, Norwich travelled to Hillsborough in need of a win. Going into the game, the Canaries were only four points above the relegation zone, so a loss here would have put the team into a perilous position.
Hillsborough isn’t a bad ground by Championship standards, but upon arriving at the away end it was surprising to see it so empty. It was not surprising then, that early on in the game the Norwich fans were by far the loudest. There was a good reason for this though, as the Canaries had started the game brightly.
Norwich’s passing game was in full flow and the team from Norfolk looked much the better team in the early exchanges. Sheffield Wednesday couldn’t get into the game and their boss Brian Laws must have been fuming. Sammy Clingan was again playing well and the dependable David Bell was also showing some good form. It was also encouraging to see Wes Hoolahan putting in a good display, playing just behind Leroy Lita. Hoolahan’s Norwich career started brightly, but seemed to tail off of late, so it was good to see the Irishman back to somewhere near his best.
Norwich were playing well but it looked as if all their dominance wasn’t going to count. Matty Pattison, again playing well had a good shot saved, but other than that Norwich’s good build up play didn’t lead to many clear cut chances. However, just before the break Norwich were awarded a penalty. Hoolahan was hauled down by Tudgay and Clingan made no mistake with the penalty, putting it firmly into the top right corner of the net. Things were looking up going into half time, and the cold Norwich fans had reasons to be cheerful as they went off for their half-time pies.
As the players came out for the second half the away fans were optimistic, but Sheffield Wednesday had clearly been given a rollicking and began playing much better almost straight away. It must be said though, that Norwich looked off the pace from the off. For a team who dominated so much in the first half, this was disappointing, but perhaps Norwich fans should have expected this from their team. If one was to sum up the season so far, the best word to use would be inconsistent, and this performance was just that.
It didn’t take the home team long to capitalise on the hapless Canaries performance, and after 51 minutes they had drawn level. Norwich conceded a corner and Tony McMahon was given a free header, which he gratefully accepted, putting the ball safely into the net. This was a poor goal to concede and Norwich needed to respond, but four minutes later Norwich had fallen behind. Once again Norwich’s defence had capitulated, with no-one taking responsibility for the loose ball in the area. As a result Leon Clarke did take responsibility and made sure of the Owls’ second goal with a neat finish past David Marshall.
Once again Norwich didn’t appear to have responded well to going a goal down, but against the run of play managed to claw a goal back. Leroy Lita hadn’t been having his best game in Norwich colours, but brought the scores back to 2-2 with a close range finish; the ball rebounding off the inside of the far post and into the net. This was a welcome tonic for the Norwich fans and no doubt the team, but ten minutes later things once again turned for the worst.
Wednesday’s Lewis Buxton put in a decent cross, which Marcus Tudguy headed past David Marshall with ease. Once again Norwich were caught napping at the back and they paid for it. Roeder would not have been happy, as he watched his team capitulate away from home. To make matters worse, John Kennedy was shown a straight red for pulling down Leon Clarke, just past the half-way line. The red card looked harsh, but as the last man, Kennedy had to go. It was a disappointing decision that leaves Norwich short of defensive options for Wednesday’s trip to Watford.
Last week’s away win at Nottingham Forest was a great performance, but this needs to happen again if Norwich are to get out of the relegation scrap, that it appears they are in danger of falling into. Time will tell if the Norwich team have the stomach for the fight.
Will Sargent.
