New Norwich City manager Philippe Clement was given a brutal introduction to the scale of the task facing him as his side were comprehensively beaten 4-1 by Birmingham City at St Andrew's. The defeat leaves the Canaries five points adrift of safety in the Championship, extending their winless run to 12 matches.
A Dream Start Turns Sour
Any hopes Clement had of a positive start were dashed as Birmingham dominated from the outset. The home side, celebrating their 150th anniversary, took the lead through Marvin Ducksch and never looked back. Jay Stansfield added a second before Norwich's Mathias Kvistgaarden gave the travelling support a glimmer of hope, scoring his third goal in successive games to make it 2-1.
However, any momentum was short-lived. Ducksch scored his second just before half-time, exposing a nervous and disjointed Norwich defence that lost 87% of their aerial duels in the first half.
McLean's Mistake Caps Off a Grim Afternoon
The afternoon's misery was compounded in the second half when Kenny McLean, fresh from his spectacular long-range goal for Scotland against Denmark, was dispossessed near the halfway line. Demarai Gray seized on the error and provided a perfect through ball for Jay Stansfield to score Birmingham's fourth and final goal.
This moment epitomised a back-foot performance from Norwich, with Clement later admitting his team "lacked intensity, duel power, and structure" in a dismal first-half display.
A Club in Crisis Under the Microscope
The result intensifies the scrutiny on the club's hierarchy, particularly sporting director Ben Knapper. Knapper has now dismissed three managers in his two years at the club, and fan discontent is growing over a recruitment strategy likened to 'Moneyball'.
Clement, who has won league titles in Belgium, pre-empted the defeat by stating the players are not fit enough—a concern echoed by the club's sporting director. However, defender Jack Stacey offered a different perspective, stating, "My opinion is, as a player, your body and your fitness should be 100% your responsibility."
With 10 players currently unavailable and the team winless at home this season, Clement faces a monumental challenge. He has vowed to make Norwich "the fittest team in the league," but acknowledged there are "no miracles in football." The immediate future holds crucial home fixtures against Oxford United and QPR, matches that could define Norwich's season and Clement's tenure before it has truly begun.
