Last night Norwich City beat Bristol City with another late show, to march forwards as the promotion race enters the final stretch.

With just nine games left in the season the Canaries find themselves in the automatic promotion places three points clear of the chasing pack.

The real story of tonight and the Canaries season though has been the impact of the abundance of late goals that Norwich have come up with time and time again to turn matches and scramble the points they need to stay in the promotion race.

Having scored 12 goals in the last five minutes or beyond this season Norwich have added at least nine points to their tally courtesy of their late endeavours. In February this included wins against Millwall and Reading after the scores were level heading into the last five minutes of the game.

These late goals which have given Paul Lambert’s men an edge and frazzled nerves to the point where fans may wonder if it is worth watching anything but the last 10 minutes of the game.
Tonight to make sure fans continue to get to their seats promptly the Canaries did pack the opening moments with action, with Grant Holt converting a penalty just 2 minutes in following a clumsy challenge from Liam Fontaine.

An Albert Adomah goal from Bristol City on the counter attack after 65 minutes clipped the wings of the Canaries, which combined with some fine goalkeeping and defensive resilence set up another thrilling finish at Carrow Road.

With 89 minutes on the clock Lansbury put the Canaries back in front with just one minute of normal time remaining and you would have been forgiven for thinking that his finish from Wes Hoolahan’s through ball would be sufficient.

However Andrew Surman thought otherwise taking advantage of late Bristol City forward momentum to equalise to make the game safe, whilst adding to the club’s impressive tally of injury time goals this season.

All the talk about the late goals here does not mean that Norwich do not play attractive football and they did more than enough to merit tonights victory, with their passing style to placate the purists.

Yet unlike previous seasons they seem to have found some resolve that may just fire them to the Premiership and I am sure that few in Nelson’s county would be complaining if promotion was sealed in the 93rd minute of the last game of the season.

Norwich City manager Paul Lambert has confirmed that Leon Barnett’s loan move from West Bromwich Albion is to be made permanent.

The defender who cost the Baggies £2.5m from Luton Town in 2007 was never able to prove his worth at the Hawthorns making just 45 appearances in three years.

However in just seventeen appearances at Norwich he has formed a strong partnership with Elliott Ward at the heart of the Norwich defence.

These towering defensive displays have also made the Luton born defender a fans favourite at Carrow Road as the club sit comfortably within the play off places in their first season after bouncing back from relegation.

The fans are obviously not the only admirers of the players talents with manager Paul Lambert being more than forthcoming with the superlatives when speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk.

“Leon has been colossal for us. He has become a big favourite at the club,”

These kind words have now been translated into board room action and although the value of the transfer has not been revealed however it is expected to go through at the opening of the transfer window on January 1^st 2011.

The twenty five year old is primarily a central defender but has the versatility to fill in across the back line, a skill which in a competitive and financially restrained league will make him an invaluable asset for the Canaries.

A sound piece of business from the East Anglian club that unveiled its seven year plan this week an interesting read that included a promotion within three years a relegation and immediate return as the club reduces its debts and chases the dream.

There is a headline somewhere about Norwich City having their local derby against Ipswich Town one week and a match against Derby County the next. Forgive me, but it is Friday afternoon and I can’t quite get there.

Regardless, it is an important fixture for Paul Lambert’s men. They had gone five games without a win before the 4-1 thumping of Ipswich last weekend and even though four of these these were draws, it was a victory they needed.

Now, it is time to push on from here. The players, management and fans will be in high spirits for the game at Pride Park and in a league as tight as the Championship, this is always something you want to make the most of.

When you put in a performance like Norwich did last weekend, you don’t want it to be a one off. Everyone at the club will want it to be the start of another unbeaten run – this time with a few more victories.

There is no reason why they can’t either. Past Norwich teams at this level wouldn’t go to somewhere like Derby County expecting to pick up three points. This team will go their demanding three points. That has been the attitude away from home this season and it has paid off with a decent away record.

Norwich have established the hard to beat tag already this season. Look at the game against Burnley last month for example. Trailing 2-0 with 20 minutes to go, the Canaries fought back for a point. It was the same against Leeds a couple of weeks later. 1-0 down, but never out as they salvaged a draw.

What the game against Ipswich did though, was suggest that Norwich are ready to move on from being just hard to beat. Don’t get me wrong, they have shown attacking flair plenty of times this season already, but there was something special about Lambert’s m en going forward last Sunday.

Arsenal youngster Henry Lansbury has no doubt influenced this as he adds to a team that already possesses the likes of Andrew Surman, Andrew Crofts, Wes Hoolahan (who came off the bench against Ipswich), Chris Martin and of course Grant Holt. There are several players here that many Championship managers would love to have in their team.

As things stand, Norwich sit 5th in the Championship and it is fully deserved. Three points against 4th placed Derby, something they are more than capable of achieving (consider the fact they would have beaten leaders QPR at Loftus Road had Hoolahan converted a penalty) and they could go third.

So, as good as the win against Ipswich would have been for Norwich fans, it might not even be the highlight of their season.

Onwards and upwards for Norwich City.

Norwich City moved back into the play off places as they routed ten man Ipswich, as Grant Holt bagged a derby day hat trick which may just signal the end of Roy Keane’s tenure at Portman Road.

Recent snowfall and near freezing conditions did little to thaw a heated derby atmosphere, as a record crowd witnessed a fiery and incident filled derby that will put an entire city on a high as they return to work on Monday morning.. 

The tone of the afternoon was set as Norwich captain Grant Holt was booked for a crunching challenge that on other days would have been deemed worthy of a red card.  

Norwich started the game the stronger winning the 50/50’s and outrunning and outpassing Ipswich, putting pressure on the Ipswich defensive line and fully deserving the lead they gained on thirteen minutes.

The goal was calamitous and a disaster for defender Darren O’Dea who dallied with a through ball allowing Grant Holt to pounce and power his way through one on one with Marton Fulop who was unable to prevent Holt sliding the ball past him and into the back of the net.

However Ipswich responded well to going behind and hit back through Damien Delaney just over ten minutes later through a well worked move amid dismal defending from the Canaries.

However Norwich were still overall the better side and the signing of Henri Lansbury on loan has already paid dividends, as the under 21 international played a delightful through ball to put Grant Holt one on one with Fulop once again and the striker finished with aplomb.

Things went from bad to worse for Ipswich as just moments after the goal Damien Delaney was sent off for taking out Grant Holt around 35 yards from goal as he was about to break clear.

Ipswich were able to survive until half time despite Norwich chances and incessant pressure, the sending off putting Ipswich on the back foot in an overall poor half for Roy Keane’s men.

Ipswich were able to regroup at half time and game out more resilient and organised, but rarely threatened the opposition goal as the pace and drama lessened although Norwich still looked a threat going forward.

The final fifteen minutes of the game however poured salt into Ipswich wounds as Norwich found a killer instinct to secure victory against a tiring ten man opposition.

The third goal completed a Grant Holt hat trick as Chris Martin outfoxed the defence with some fancy footwork inside the area to set up his team mate who coolly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner of the net to complete a hat trick of composed finishes.

Just two minutes later Wes Hoolahan completed the misery for Ipswich with a chipped finished from a tight angle to put the game beyond any doubt and put Carrow Road in party mode. Much respect has to go to the Norwich fan who at this point decided to go topless whirling his shirt as he danced and sang gloating songs at the Ipswich fans in freezing temperatures.

Overall this was a comprehensive victory for Norwich, who were on their game from the first whistle, the sending off of Damien Delaney may have made the victory more comfortable but this was a worrying display for fans of the tractor boys who have now lost four games on the bounce.

Beyond the bragging rights of derby victory the underlying issue to emanate from the result today is the mounting pressure on Roy Keane’s position. Losing to your bitter rivals is difficult for fans to accept and this could be the result that convinces them and the chairman that now is the time for change.

Can Simon Grayson Bring Consistency and Promotion to Elland Road

Tomorrow night two of the promoted sides from League One Millwall and Norwich, face each other in a division where making the step up from the division below, does not automatically limit the ambitions of that club to securing safety.

This season two previously established Premier League sides and a London team at peace with it’s less than wholesome image, have set out to prove that in the Championship you are only as good as your last performance and that promotion can be more than a pipe dream in their first season back in the Championship.

So with a third of the season already under their belts how have the three promoted teams fared so far?

Norwich

Current position – 7^th

League Record  - Won 7, Drawn 3, Lost 5

Despite limited funds the club have put together a competitive squad that slowly edged itself towards the top of League One and the title.

Boasting a relatively young squad, comprised like much of the division with a blend of youth players, loanees and talented journeyman. Notable players include striker Grant Holt and the talented Irish playmaker Wes Hoolahan.

Despite lying 7^th in the table the team’s recent form has not been superlative, having won just one of the last five games causing a slump from an early season high of third in the table.

Long Term Prospects

Unlikely to take the division by storm, however under the guidance with Paul Lambert at the helm it is possible that a good run could put the club safely within the playoffs, if not the automatic promotion spots.

Prediction – 8^th -10^th

Leeds

Current position – 8^th

League Record  - Won 7, Drawn 2, Lost 6

After three years in the League One wilderness following a painful period of decline fuelled by financial mismanagement, the West Yorkshire club has finally climbed one of two rungs required to get the club back to where the fans will feel it belongs.

Managed by Simon Grayson the club may have lost their star striker in Jermaine Beckford over the summer, but Davide Somma and Luciano Becchio have each maintained a goal every two games ratio to the pain of his loss.

In defence Alex Bruce and Richard Naylor provide experience and stability with the young but much travelled but talented Kasper Schmeichel holding the gloves.

Lying 8^th in the table Leeds are on the edge of the playoff places but currently lack the consistency that is endemic throughout the division.

Long Term Prospects

With a strong squad Leeds have the ability to do more than hold their own in the division, with a little consistency they will do damage, expect a move between now and Christmas.

End of Season Prediction – Playoffs    

Millwall

Current position – 16^th

League Record  - Won 5, Drawn 4, Lost 6

The weakest of the sides promoted this season, Millwall are a team that have bounced between the League One and the Championship in recent years.

With an experienced squad including players with David Schofield, Neil Harris, Kevin Lisbie and Darren Ward it is a squad likely to survive but not set the division alight as their current position suggests.

I do not think that Millwall fans should be alarmed by their current position in the table, the experience they possess will be key in the latter stages of the season should they hit a tight spot.

Long Term Prospects

Unlikely to threaten the upper echelons of the league, however stranger things have happened, mid table security is the most likely outcome for the Lions.

Prediction – Mid table safety

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No-one can deny the impact that Craig Bellamy has had on Cardiff City this season. The man on loan from Manchester City has given the whole club a lift and helped them make an excellent start to this year’s Championship campaign.

Dave Jones’ men sit level on points with Queens Park Rangers at the top of the table ahead of this weekend’s game with 4th placed Norwich City.

To say that this is all down to Bellamy would be incorrect. Cardiff didn’t need too much of a lift to ignite their promotion push as they have been there or thereabouts for a while now. Bellamy is just the extra element to proceedings that gives them their best ever shot at reaching the Premier League.

Some may remember the impact Darren Huckerby had on Norwich’s promotion bid back in 2003/2004. The Canaries had a decent squad of honest, hard-working players – Huckerby provided the spark that led them to the title. Bellamy is similar. He lifts everyone in a squad that was pretty well equipped for success anyway.

Cardiff boss Jones was keen to stress how much of a team effort it is ahead of the weekend’s game and on the back of an excellent 4-0 victory at Elland Road. He said the Bluebirds are ‘certainly not a one man team’ and that ‘there are some good players besides Craig.’

This certainly is the case. Just look at that win against Leeds United most recently. Yes, Bellamy was influential, but it was Jay Boothroyd that stole the headlines with two goals that took his total to eleven in all competitions this season. The former Coventry City man has been in inspirational form this season and has made himself just as important to the side as Bellamy.

The talent doesn’t stop there either. Michael Chopra, Peter Whittingham and Chris Burke are all excellent players. You can certainly see why Jones’ men are up there and you would be a brave man to do anything other than back them in their promotion charge. To be honest, they look even stronger than QPR because you can see Cardiff getting better and better. After all, Bellamy has still got to hit goal scoring form yet!

All of this means that Cardiff go into tomorrow’s game with Norwich City as favourites to pick up three points. It won’t be easy for them though in what is the pick of the games for the Championship this weekend.

Under Paul Lambert, Norwich have performed above expectations this season and could go within three points of their hosts with a win on Saturday. This is testament to the start they have made.

Especially away from home, the Canaries have made themselves extremely hard to beat. The 0-0 draw at table topping QPR proved that. They would have won the game had not been for a Wes Hoolahan penalty miss too.

It isn’t just about being hard to beat for Norwich either. They have an in-form striker in Simeon Jackson, one of the most creative players in the league in Hoolahan and one the hardest strikers to play against in Grant Holt.

Further back, they have a hard-working midfield and a centre back pairing of Leon Barnett and Elliot Ward that has worked extremely well so far this season.

They will be up against their biggest challenge yet this weekend though as Bellamy and co look to run riot in front of their home fans.

The presence of Bellamy is a side plot to this game actually. He started his career at Norwich and is still held in high regard by their fans, so should receive a warm reception from them.

All in all, it should be a cracking contest between two good teams pushing for a win.

Prediction? An entertaining 2-2 draw.

Enjoy your weekend.

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We have just passed the quarter mark on the season and it’s time to take a look at how the clubs are faring.  This is the first of three installments covering each of the 24 clubs in the nPower Championship.  I hope you will feel free to add your comments to each club.

First up?  Queens Park Rangers.  Neil Warnock has led QPR to the top of the table with 29 points and a goal difference of 21.  Last weekend’s come-from-behind draw at Bristol City showed great spirit and the club has to be considered a favorite for promotion.

Even with QPR on points but behind in goal difference is Cardiff City.  The high flying Welsh team is looking to roar into the Premier League next season led by recent loan signee and hometown product Craig Bellamy.  Manager Dave Jones has his team looking strong after an impressive 4-0 win away to Leeds United.

Sitting third in the table is the other Welsh side playing in the league, Swansea City.  With 23 points, but only a +5 goal difference, Swansea City has been inconsistent so far.  They have put consecutive league wins together only once this season.

Also sitting in the playoff position at fourth is last year’s League One Champions Norwich City.  Having spent only one year outside of the top two flights of English football in the last 50 years, Norwich City made wholesale changes to club management which saw them bounce right back and have them right in the mix for promotion to the Premier League.  They are even with Swansea City on points with 23 and only one behind in goal difference.

At fifth is Watford on 21 points and +7 goal difference.  A club with pedigree going back almost 130 years, and even playing in the UEFA Cup in 1983, Watford has struggled to stay at the highest level, having been promoted to the Premier League and bounced right back the following season twice in the last ten years. Watford’s fine run of form came to an end at home in a 2-0 loss to Scunthorpe United.  Watford will look to get back on track away to Derby County this weekend.

Coventry City is currently holding the final promotion playoff spot even with Watford on points but with only a  +4 goal difference.   A 3-0 defeat of visitors Barnsley this past Saturday saw Coventry City climb into the sixth spot, although it took the entire 90 minutes to put away a struggling Barnsley side.

Burnley is just one point off of a playoff spot, relinquishing that spot due to a 4-0 defeat at home to Reading.  With a trip this weekend to top of the table QPR, Burnley must be looking for at least a point, as there are several teams right behind them in the table.

The team immediately behind them in the table, and our final club for this first article is Reading.  They are the first of four clubs with 19 points and lead that pack due to their +7 goal difference.  The aforementioned 4-0 win on the road at Burnley propelled them to shouting distance of a playoff spot.  Hosting Doncaster this weekend, another of the clubs on 19 points, could help clear up the logjam a little.

Your comments are welcome and encouraged.  I read about these clubs, watch highlights when I can, and occasionally get to see the actual matches, but your opinions count at least as much as mine.  What do you think about these eight clubs?

St Mary's Stadium will host League One football next season

Sheffield Wednesday, QPR, Manchester City, Wimbledon (aka MK Dons), Leeds, Oldham, Nottingham Forest, Swindon, Leicester, Barnsley, Bradford. Soon to be joined by another two and probably three in Charlton, Southampton and Norwich. All these clubs have tasted the sweet nectar of life in the Premier League only to later sup at the workaday bitterness of League One. In Bradford’s case, even League Two.

If Norwich go down, as seems likely, that’s 14 teams who have played against the best and slipped to the third tier of English football in the last 17 years. In a game full of startling statistics, that seems pretty mind-boggling. It might hearten fans of Saints and Addicks that a decent portion of those teams have at least made it back to the Championship. Indeed, this time last year Leicester were belly-up and now they are like a horny young salmon, leaping back upstream to play with the bigger boys and girls once more.

In a sense, this shows the outstanding strength in depth of the English leagues. Unlikely teams including Bradford, Swindon, Hull, Stoke, Wigan and Reading all made huge strides in the last decade and a half to reach the top of the mountain. Yet it does not take much to find yourself back at base camp in double-quick time.

It can be put down to poor money management. It can be blamed on carelessness and poor decision-making. But the shocking thing this year is that two clubs who have often been held up as excellent examples of how a medium-sized club should be managed are either already down or simply waiting for the trap door to open.

When Sheffield Wednesday, Man City, QPR, Leicester and Leeds fell into League One, the structure at the clubs was poor and all of them had dealt inadequately with the money the EPL gave them. But Charlton and Norwich do not seem to fall into this category. Charlton have cleverly developed a fanbase from all over Kent and steadily improved a stadium that was derelict 20 years ago. Norwich had more than their fair share of problems in the boardroom in the 90s, but they have a city dedicated to the team, a real sense of community and Delia Smith providing heart and soul as well.

For those two clubs, the short term might be unpalatable, but the feeling is that the long term might be rosy. They are sensible clubs. If they cut costs, appoint the right managers and keep expectations sensible, they could return a stronger unit, like Leicester appear to be doing.

Southampton, though, could be a different story. Not so long ago they had a new stadium, Gordon Strachan had taken them to the Cup Final and they were the latest in a long line of clubs hoping to break into the top six of the EPL. Now the money is gone. The stadium is not being filled. The stars of their youth system have almost all been sold in an effort to balance the books. Rumours of a takeover notwithstanding, it seems likely that Andrew Surman and Adam Lallana will now have to be sold as well.

Around this time of year a lot of pundits make long faces and say it’s a shame for this team or that team to go down. They are saying it about Newcastle now, but is it a shame when clubs the size of Southampton are relegated to League One? Would we prefer to see the smaller clubs, like Doncaster or Blackpool, get relegated, to keep the status quo?

I don’t think so. I think it’s a healthy situation that big clubs occasionally taste life in the bottom half of the Football League. It’s good for football that so-called small teams like Peterborough can play at Championship level.

With dreams of winning the Premier League unrealistic for fans of all clubs except perhaps five – six at a push – the dream has perhaps been downshifted to glory in the Championship and a chance to merely get in the ring with the big boys.

The difference this season compared to others is that three clubs who have all played at the top level within the last four years are (probably) heading down. Not only should that be a lesson to clubs currently happy in the Premier League, it should be a warning. There are at least half-a-dozen Premier League clubs who could be facing the same crisis as Southampton in three or four years time.

The season is almost over and other then Charlton Athletic, the final relegation spots are still up for grabs by two unlucky clubs. While it has not been made official, it is only a matter of a couple more matches before Charlton’s relegation to League One is confirmed leaving two more slots for two more unlucky teams. While there are 10 teams within 9 points of the relegation zone, with a couple of wins in the last 6 matches 4 of those teams will be safe.

Teams that only need 2 more wins to guarantee safety:

Doncaster Rovers: 49 points, with one more win they will pass the 50 point barrier which usually is the points needed to stay safe in the Championship

Watford: 47 points and have one game in hand. With the game in hand, Watford should be able to secure safety with two more wins at minimum.

Derby County: 47 points and two games in hand Derby are in good position to secure safety this season. While their form has been up and down they have enough talent to secure safety by April.

Blackpool: 47 points, they have been mid-table all season and after just securing their future last season, Blackpool know what it takes to survive in the Championship and I think they will do it.

Teams in immediate danger of entering the drop zone:

Barnsley: 44 points, two games in hand. If Barnsely can win their two matches in hand and pull off another win and a couple of draws that should be enough for them to stay in the Championship for another season.

Norwich: 43 points, while they are only two points away from the drop zone, Norwich have picked up their form getting 10 points from a possible 15. If they can keep this form up it will be an uphill battle but it should be enough to secure safety.

Plymouth: 43 points, Unlike Norwich, Plymouth are on a horrible run of form and that doesn’t look like that is about to change. Plymouth need to dig deep and find a way to win or all too soon they could find themselves playing football in League One next season.

Team in the Current Relegation Zone:

Nottingham Forest: 41 points, Forest have struggled to adapt to the Championship all season and have endured more then a couple of thumpings this season. They have hovered around the drop zone all season and unless they find something inside them and a few results go their way they will be making an immediate return to League One.

Southampton: 40 points, 1 match in hand. Southampton have been around the relegation zone all season and they need to find a way to start winning, and winning fast. They need to basically win all their remaining matches and hope that some results go against those four teams above them if they are to pull off an escape.

Charlton: 29 points, 1 game in hand. At this point it really doesn’t matter what Charlton do, they are headed for League One next season. All they have to play for is pride and finishing off the season as best they can. Its amazing to think only three years ago they were a mid-table Premiership team and now they will be in League One next season.

My relegation predictions: Charlton, Nottingham Forest, Plymouth. I think Southampton will escape.

Glen Roeder was the latest Championship Manager to be sacked joining the growing ranks of the unemployed. Watford, QPR, Charlton, Derby, Nottingham Forest and now Norwich have all made changes in the managerial department. Here are who were the managers and who has replaced them. The bookies have Aide Boothroyd as the man who may replace Roeder at Norwich but as of now there is no permanent replacement named.

Norwich City- Glen Roeder: No Replacement

QPR: Ian Dowie replaced by Paulo Sousa

Watford: Aide Boothroyd replaced by Brenden Rodgers

Derby County: Paul Jewell replaced by Nigel Clough

Nottingham Forest: Colin Calderwood replaced by Billy Davies

Charlton: Alan Pardew replaced by Phil Parkinson