Imagine telling Norwich City fans when they were 23rd in November that they would have a faint shot of the Championship play-offs in early April. They’d have laughed. Imagine if Philippe Clement had been appointed earlier. When he arrived on Nov 18, Norwich had 9 points from 15 games. They are now 9th with 58 points from 41 games. Highly unlikely but not impossible that Norwich could make the play-offs. 6 points off with 5 games remaining. Still a long shot. But Clement has transformed Norwich.
He's improved fitness levels, defensive concentration and mood. Improved recruitment, too, and credit to sporting director Ben Knapper: Mohamed Toure, Randers, £2.6m, scouted by Knapper since 2022; Paris Maghoma from Brentford and Ali Ahmed from Vancouver.
Knapper’s appointment of Clement has been inspired (and may have saved Knapper’s job). Clement has authority, presence, good decision-making and deals with adversity. He lost Makama to injury, and Sargent to a sulk and Toronto FC. He had 10 players injured going into Friday’s game with Portsmouth, drawn 1-1. Norwich trailed 1-0 to Millwall at a sold-out Den today, but Clement’s subs turned the game around: Mohamed Toure 2x assists, Schwartau the winner. Clement has restored hope to Norwich. #OTBC
🚨BREAKING: Zia Yusuf says Reform UK will repeal the Online Safety Act and attacks Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick.
"The people who did this by the way were the Tories. Including the ones who now present themselves as against all this."
"People like Suella Braverman, people like Robert Jenrick, who in my view, represent the most insidious form of politician."
This is correct. If Bucs can beat the Saints, Falcons and Panthers in their next three games, they'd clinch the NFC South title. They'd be 10-5, and Panthers could match them but would lose out on division record.
Former Bucs running back Doug Martin has passed away at age 36.
A statement from his family: "It is with great sadness to inform you all that Doug Martin passed away Saturday morning. Cause of death is currently unconfirmed. Please respect our privacy at this time."