After the worst start in Premier League history, Norwich City look likely contenders for their sixth relegation from England’s top flight. Even before this season had seen a single ball been kicked, many punters were certain The Canaries would go down with little-to-no fight. Many believe they lack ambition. As a Norwich City fan myself, I’m used to the constant slander and stereotype of Norwich being a “yo-yo club” and with how recent seasons have faired, it gets harder and harder to defend my club.
After the first 11 games of this Premier League season, Norwich sit 20th in the league with five points, and five goals scored, with 25 conceded. Even the 2007/08 Derby County side who finished with 11 points after 38 games managed to have a better start than that, as they conceded 24 and scored five goals after 11 games, which emphasises how substandard The Canaries have been this season. To some assets of the media, they have been seen as nothing short of a disgrace to England’s top flight. Following this start, manager of four-and-a-half years Daniel Farke has been sacked. However, this isn’t the first time that Farke has experienced a woeful spell in the most competitive league in the world.
2019/2020 RELEGATION SEASON:
It’s safe to say the 2019/2020 season was nothing short of a disaster for The Canaries. They only picked up five wins and six draws throughout the entire season, resulting in only 21 points from 38 games. This points tally stands as the sixth lowest in Premier League history. In terms of goals, it wasn’t any better. Norwich managed a flimsy 26 goals and conceded 75 resulting in a -49 goal difference.
After the coronavirus pandemic halted Premier League football completely, “Project Restart” brought back the Premier League in June 2020. However, for all those concerned with Norwich City, they would’ve wished they were relegated before the last nine matches were even played. Norwich only managed to score one goal in a 2-1 loss away to Watford. In fact, they managed more red cards in one game (two against Burnley in a 2-0 loss) than they did goals in the remaining Premier League fixtures.
Norwich ended up being relegated with three games to spare following an embarrassing 4-0 home defeat to West Ham United after Michail Antonio scored all four goals.
Throughout the course of the season, Farke’s side sat 20th in the league for 19 consecutive matches, during which, they picked up a measly seven points from a potential 57 . However, there were some positives from one of the worst seasons in Premier League history. Many Norwich fans will remind you of a historic 3-2 win against Manchester City, and reaching their first FA Cup quarter-final in 28 years. Teemu Pukki scored 11 goals in his first ever season in the Premier League and even managed a hat-trick against Newcastle United, whilst Emi Buendia proved he could compete with ease in England’s top flight.
2015/2016 RELEGATION SEASON:
Another season where Norwich saw relegation was the 2015/16 season. However, this relegation was nowhere near as dismal as the more recent seasons for The Canaries.
Norwich City finished 19th in the league with 34 points, which was only five points off 17th placed Sunderland and Premier League survival after being promoted via the Championship play-off system. Also, despite being relegated with a game to spare; Norwich were only sat in the relegation zone for nine game weeks of the 38. So despite not being in the bottom three for the majority of the season, what went wrong for The Canaries that season?
Firstly, Norwich, at the latter stages of the season, went on a dismal run. From matchday 21 to matchday 30, The Canaries only managed two points from a possible 27 – a 2-2 home draw with West Ham in a game they were 2-0 up in, and also a 0-0 draw at Carrow Road with Manchester City.
Also, Norwich only scored 39 goals that season, whilst managing to concede 67 goals. Only 20th placed Aston Villa conceded more that season. The Canaries also lacked a true goalscorer that season, as Deiumerci Mbokani on loan from Dynamo Kyiv was top scorer with seven goals. Not exactly prolific.
The main reason Norwich were relegated, in my opinion, was their away form. Norwich only got three wins and two draws away from home, resulting in just 11 points from a potential 57. Whereas their home form was much better, Norwich got six wins and five draws at Carrow Road resulting in 24 points, they were ranked 18th in the league for away form that season. Only Newcastle United and Aston Villa, who were also relegated, had worse form away from home.
Will Norwich be relegated again this season? Or will The Canaries pull off one of the greatest escapes in Premier League history? We’ll simply have to wait and see.
