1. Norwich City. But not as we know it
There was a telling snippet in Philippe Clement’s post-match reflections after another Carrow Road win that was not all plain sailing.
When Josh Maja levelled for West Brom in the 68th minute there had been a growing inevitability the visitors would hit back, after a second half from the hosts in sharp contrast to the pomp and swagger of their opening 45.
Clement rightly pinpointed the drop in intensity and energy may, in part, have been to the number of starters who have had limited Championship exposure in a recent winning surge.
But the Belgian also noted when it went 1-1 that was a game City, three months ago, may have fallen the wrong side. Hard to disagree for those who had to endure the endless downward spiral that eventually led to Liam Manning’s exit and the arrival of a head coach with a pedigree and a presence to match.
Much like the Blackburn playbook seven days earlier, Clement turned to his bench and City’s squad depth – even in the midst of a stack of injuries – tilted a game in the balance back in Norwich’s favour.
This is a group who know how to win, who last the pace better, look stronger, have greater reserves of belief and do not need to find top gear for 90 minutes to get the job done. It is an intoxicating mix fermenting under the Belgian’s guidance.
2. Fast learner
Paris Maghoma was the catalyst for a vibrant opening stanza from Norwich on his full debut.
The 24-year-old glides across the turf with a balletic grace that on more than one occasion had two and three West Brom players for company as he went on weaving runs deep into enemy territory.
City’s opening goal came from his glancing headed flick, but rewind it a touch further and the Jacob Wright corner arrowed towards Harry Darling at the back post was a result of a drifting run from Maghoma, taking Kellen Fisher’s ball on the half-turn to advance and get a shot away that was deflected behind.
Clement had hailed his Oxford cameo in midweek but cautioned there was areas of his game he also needed to address.
Turns out one of those was his heading. You can be sure Clement is adept at setting homework, but in the ex-Premier League talent there is enough early evidence City have added a silky smooth creative option.
Clement also mapped out in his pre-match media the intense competition in that area of the pitch, but it is hard to see any of his number 10 rivals possessing quite the deceptive turn of pace or ball control to create space and opportunities in the final third.
Anis Ben Slimane responded in kind with a brace of late assists to continue his personal crusade against the ailing Baggies. The touchpaper appears to have been lit.
3. Captain. My captain
Ruairi McConville’s revival feels even more epic than City’s collective turnaround from the darkest recesses of the Championship’s basement.
The Northern Irish international centre back only made his first league start of this season on November 1, in the dying embers of Manning’s tenure. He sat out Clement’s opener against Birmingham, but has started every game since.
Including both FA Cup tussles against Walsall and now West Brom. A fourth round tie in which he captained the side. Which cuts to not only his rich seam of consistency but the leadership and character Clement has clearly identified.
Although his head coach was quick to downplay the armband element after this cup game. Nevertheless to turn to McConville when there was a more experienced partner alongside him in Harry Darling is another signal of where the composed centre back sits in the pecking order.
It is a personal story of perseverance and responding to the trust and faith this head coach has put in a player polished in the Brighton academy, but who opted to leave the comfort of a stable Premier League club environment in a quest for regular senior action.
McConville clearly felt it was time in his career to twist. He may have questioned that wisdom in the early phase of his Carrow Road spell, but you could argue he is the biggest beneficiary of Clement’s arrival.
4. Who needs awards?
An eighth win in the past 10 in all competitions is a remarkably rich seam of productivity. Enough to get Clement shortlisted for the Championship manager-of-the-month in January before losing out to Middlesbrough’s Kim Hellberg.
The title-chasing Teessiders are one of very few teams to have got the better of Clement or Norwich. That was a tight game in the north-east settled in truth by a poor decision with the ball at his feet from Vladan Kovacevic, and a belting finish from Hayden Hackney. Fine margins.
Clement does not strike you as the type who goes home of a night and counts the individual accolades in the trophy cabinet.
In response to a query after the 3-0 league win at Oxford about how exciting this seasonal finale could be for players, and fans alike, he retorted he has never got excited during a season. For him, pleasure comes with a job well done and the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of his labour measured in success.
Be it further FA Cup progress or targeting the top 10, and above, in the Championship it is hard not to be excited at both the accelerated rate of progress, and what can still unfold in a season that started full of promise but dissolved into recrimination and rancour.
The mood music around the Canaries is now very different. But Clement is striving for a much bigger legacy. He has embraced the Premier League vision set out by Mark Attanasio and Norfolk Holdings. It is what enticed him to Norfolk, and you suspect is a goal that will ensure no let up between now and May.