1. Fuel injection
What you see is not all you get with Philippe Clement. The Belgian projects an air of calm detachment and authority for the most part in his public persona. You would expect the same behind closed doors.
Clement hinted in his post-match media he had delivered home truths to some of his under-performing players at the interval.
But that passion burnt brightly at full-time after masterminding arguably the best win of his tenure in taking the scalp of leaders Coventry.
Maybe it was not the goal fest of the Hawthorns, but it was every bit as impressive. Norwich fell behind and for a brief spell in that first half, after the Sky Blues’ opener from Romain Esse, looked to be on the ropes.
Vladan Kovacevic parried from Haji Wright to prevent the visitors’ doubling their lead. But that character and resilience shone through again, wrapped around genuine quality and precision in the creation and execution of a second half salvo from Anis Ben Slimane and Ali Ahmed.
Ephron Mason-Clark’s header thumped the Norwich bar from Viktor Torp’s free kick, but this was no rearguard action, or repeat of the corresponding draw at the CBS.
This is a different Norwich under a talismanic figure who appears to be able to inspire players and fans in equal measure.
Clement was hugged by his inner circle of coaches at the final whistle, before accepting the invitation for the first time to lead the fist-pumping choreography in front of the Lower Barclay.
After hammering West Brom, he reiterated this was not a relegation salvage mission he had accepted but the start of a project that ends in the Premier League.
To watch the smiling Belgian bask in that full-time glow after sinking his old club was to witness a head coach who already seemingly feels at home, and ‘aligned’ with those in the boardroom and executive.
If it feels this good now how much better lies ahead?
Anis Ben Slimane levelled for Norwich City against Coventry from Ali Ahmed’s pass (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)
2. Double A side
Frankly, the numbers Slimane and Ahmed have conjured in the last three league wins are ridiculous.
A combined eight goal contributions, and a real feeling the duo are already on the same wavelength.
Ahmed threaded a ball through for Slimane to open the scoring at Wrexham. Slimane returned the favour at West Brom for Ahmed’s landmark strike, following his recent move from Vancouver. But the link up for City’s leveller against the Sky Blues was a bit special.
The weight on the slip pass from Ahmed matched by the composure and balance from Slimane to round Carl Rushworth and slot high into the net.
Clement is stockpiling case studies in double quick time of individuals who have responded to his methods.
None more so than Slimane, who is chasing not only a starting role for his club but the dream of a World Cup appearance with Tunisia. Ahmed would appear to be part of the Canadians’ set-up for a home tournament.
And to think there were some worried Norwich fans who felt City had sourced another player not fit for duty when Clement held him back from FA Cup involvement against Walsall, as he tried to crowbar in an off-season between finishing in the MLS in December and his move across the pond.
Clement appeared to be managing expectations further when he highlighted Ahmed’s goal return was an area for improvement shortly after his arrival.
Not only is the 25-year-old a speedster down the Norwich left, and capable of ghosting into the penalty area at the right times to slot at West Brom and now a Carrow Road bow against Coventry. He is also a fast learner.
3. Destination, Paris
For Ahmed perhaps read Paris Maghoma, the latest January window addition for Norwich.
The attacking midfielder’s permanent move from Brentford was rubber-stamped a couple of hours or so before kick-off.
“There’s no doubting Paris’s ability,” said Bees’ boss Keith Andrews. “He’s a very talented young player who has probably been frustrated with a lack of game time and is at an age now where he really needs to go and play football.
“His talent should allow him to have a really good career, so we wish Paris really well at a very good club.”
Part of that frustration will have been a couple of lengthy periods out with hamstring injuries.
Clement alluded to the checks and balances that have underpinned Norwich’s move for an England Youth international who fits the profile, and the player trading model, to a tee.
Had Maghoma been injury-free in the past 12 months, and operating in Brentford’s Premier League set up, he would have been well outside City’s sphere of influence. Go a little further back in Maghoma’s early career and he was a key figure in Bolton’s march to the 2024 Wembley play-off final.
Clement revealed his first awareness of the player came back in that Trotters’ spell, and when the name appeared on City’s recruitment radar the tipping point was ‘a long personal chat’ that left the Belgian convinced Maghoma is one not for the here and now, but the mid to longer term.
The hope for all concerned his Clement’s hunch is right.
4. Don’t look back in anger
Hard to escape that gnawing sense what might have been had City opted for a head coach shuffle when Liam Manning’s tenure first began to tilt south. Which is perhaps leaning too heavily into the benefit of hindsight.
Both Mark Attanasio and Ben Knapper subsequently made it clear they wanted an irrefutable body of evidence before they were willing to dispense with Manning.
For his part, Clement himself explained at his unveiling in late-November the timing might not have been right for him any sooner, with part of his extended break from Rangers due to health issues around hip surgery.
Norwich’s third consecutive league win at the expense of Frank Lampard’s side further eased any relegation fears.
If Clement is able to maintain this level of output over the run-in the real measure of progress will be how high they can clamber up the Championship standings.
But even at this current rate of acceleration it would take quite the chain of events to eat away at an 11-point gap to the final play-off spot.
After demolishing the Baggies Clement both appeared to rule out a realistic promotion bid this season, and then caution ‘never say never’ in life. Such ambiguity hints at a feeling Norwich could be a crossroads.
An all-out assault on those play-off places or full steam ahead to build the foundations for an all-out assault next season. Either way there is excitement to be had over these coming months instead of the jeopardy had Clement not pulled Norwich out of a spiral.