Norwich manager, Philippe Clement is anticipating a tough test at a “wounded” Derby.
Victories over Charlton and Watford in their last two Championship matches have lifted Norwich to 15th in the table, as they sit seven points adrift of the last play-off spot but just six points above the final relegation spot ahead of teir trip to second bottom Derby on Tuesday 3 November.
Clement however is aware that Derby have quality despite their poor form as he explained to the media in his pre-match press conference, which saw him compare their difficulties to that of Norwich’s at the same stage last season as he predicted a strong reaction from the Rams.
“Yeah, they’re not in a good spot, but it’s a team with quality, also with their manager, somebody with a lot of quality and also a really nice guy. So when you come in that position and this club was there last season, then fans become more negative, that can create tension in your group and on the pitch.
“It’s like a wounded animal and you always need to watch out with wounded animals because they can become really dangerous, so we need to be really prepared for that going there.
“But we will play our kind of football and they are very direct, they use their offensive players really well with the qualities they have in all the duels. So, I expect a game where we need to be really strong in the duels but not only that to be good on the ball also because if you don’t control the ball, you cannot control the game.
Clement also highlighted the ease in which a team can slide away from initial expectations if they get aspects of their play or selection wrong, especially given the competitive level in the second tier.
“Yes, that’s this league and that’s why everybody loves this league and following it. So, there’s never a game that is played before the game is played, never in this league.
“The first in the league can lose against the last in the league, it’s really competitive and you need to be on your toes and it’s relentless with a lot of games and a lot of periods with games every three days.
“Then you have the circumstances with injuries and missing players and then finding solutions. That’s why as a manager and for all of us in the championship it’s also really interesting because it’s never boring.
“There’s always something happening and all the teams are very competitive, and they battle really hard to get. You need a battle for every point.”
Derby are winless in their last nine matches and yet to win at home this season – having claimed two draws and four defeats at Pride Park this season, whilst they have lost two of their last three home games by 1-0 results so Clement expects a difficult test.
“Yeah, for sure and we know that we realise that, and we need to play a big game there to get the three points. It would be very important for us also if you can make three consecutive wins in a row, so that’s our target.
“But we know it’s going to be a tough game to win and we need to assess now really well how people came out of the game and how fresh they are.
“If you need to make changes and how many changes you need to make towards this game. So yeah, I’m looking forward to the game, it’s going to be a hard battle.”
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