At the time of writing, Norwich City’s season ends in just two days. So I have decided to choose my all-time worst Norwich City XI. Now I will say, I was born in 2002, so there might be a few older players I’ve missed. But do let us know on our socials who would make your team.
Here we go:
Goalkeeper: Michael Theo(klitos)
Any goalkeeper who ships seven goals on their debut is never exactly going to go down in history, so much so that Michael Theo (changed his surname in 2012), left after just eight months in Norfolk and never played for Norwich City again after the 7-1 loss to Colchester.
Left-Back: James Husband
This was a baffling signing at the time, one made by Daniel Farke nonetheless. He never truly looked good enough for the Championship when played, and was displaced for an out-of-position Marco Steipermann after just 22 appearances.
Centre-Back: Marcel Franke
If I were to give an award to a player in this team for being the very worst, Marcel Franke would be right up there. Sent out on loan after eight Championship appearances, in which he looked lost at sea in all of them, and never looked comfortable when played.
Centre-Back: Carlos Cuellar
Signed to provide depth for the 2014/15 season, and was released the following summer after just 10 appearances and even scored an own goal on his debut in a League Cup win against Crawley Town. Overall, a very forgettable player.
Right-Back: Ben Marshall
After making just four appearances for Norwich after joining in the summer of 2018, Ben Marshall dropped all the way from England’s second tier to its 12th to play for Stoneclough FC. That says it all.
Left-Midfield: Przemysław Płacheta
Signed by Daniel Farke following relegation to the Premier League in 2020, and scoring in just his second game for the club, Przemysław Płacheta looked a signing of promise. But after no goals in his following 53 appearances, and showing very little quality when he did play, he left on a free in 2024.
Centre-Mid: Steven Naismith
A club record signing at the time, who only scored six goals in 44 games. Bought in with a big reputation to save Norwich from relegation, but didn’t do so and flattered to deceive in yellow and green.
Centre-Mid: Jeffrey Schlupp
Now I know he’s never played in this position for Norwich, but he has for Leicester City and Crystal Palace. Another player who came in with a reputation in English football, but never looked match fit when he played. After just nine appearances since joining this season, his time in yellow and green will be over in the summer.
Right-Midfield: Yanic Wildschut
Yanic Wildschut is the most baffling signing I’ve ever seen Norwich make. He cost the club £7m from Wigan Athletic, and scored just twice in 29 games. Safe to say Alex Neil and Stuart Webber had egg on their face after this one.
Striker: Ricky van Wolfswinkel
A club record signing of £8.5m at the time, and was the poster boy of the 2013/14 away kit. “Be afraid of the big bad Wolf” – that aged like milk. A goal on his debut against Everton, and then didn’t score again in the 24 games that followed. Robin van Persie told him to sign for Norwich. I wonder what he made of those words after City were relegated with 33 points.
Striker: Marley Watkins
Without a doubt, the worst player I’ve ever seen play for Norwich. Signed on a free from Barnsley in 2017, he scored one goal in 27 games and left after just a year at the club. At times when he did play, I forgot he was on the pitch – which tells you all you need to know. Somehow, the club sold him for £1m to Bristol City, which was probably the best thing he did in his time at the club.
