- Expectations are high after Norwich’s strong end to the season.
- The Canaries have promotion in their sights for Philippe Clement’s second campaign.
- Several Norwich supporters are backing their side to achieve big things.
Philippe Clement’s Norwich City side narrowly missed out on the play-offs with a ninth-placed Championship finish this season.
Hull City, who beat a depleted Canaries side on the final day of the regular season, won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, beating Middlesbrough 1-0 in the final at Wembley.
Norwich should now be aiming to be one of the three teams promoted to the top-flight in the 2026/27 campaign, and we have spoken to several supporters to see what they expect from their club.
‘Very positive about our chances’
James Graver (@JGraver7) is hopeful that Clement’s team will have enough to compete in a difficult division next term.
He told Read Norwich: “In what seems like it will be a strong Championship next season, I’m still In what seems like it will be a strong Championship next season, I’m still very positive about our chances of competing at the top end of the division.
“Clement’s tactics stand us in good stead against the better teams in the division, and hopefully some better individual quality added this summer will lend itself to more consistent performances against every type of opponent.”
James is also backing midfield destroyer Pelle Mattsson to be an integral part of a promotion push for the Canaries.
He said: “I think Mattsson will be our star player because he takes our midfield to the next level off the ball which is key in those tough games.”
‘James Maddison or Emi Buendia at their best’
Former Read Norwich contributor and Canaries supporter Alex Murray believes that next season will not be a walk in the park for Clement’s side.
He said: “I think we could be in for one of the toughest Championship seasons of all time.
“The number of teams with strong backing and/or parachute payments means that, despite how we ended last season, it won’t be the easy ride some people seem to be predicting.”
The Yellows fan, who travels up and down the country following the team, is also tipping Oscar Schwartau for a big year.
Alex added: “I expect this to be the season Oscar Schwartau announces himself as a star. A full year under Philippe Clement and with a stronger supporting cast could see him produce a Championship season on the level produced by James Maddison or Emi Buendía at their best in a City shirt.”
‘Should be aiming for top four’
Norwich supporter @PeekyNCFC is hoping to see some key business done in the summer transfer window to build a team that can challenge for the top four.
He told Read Norwich: “I would like to see the club have a transfer window in which will feel similar to what Coventry’s summer 2025 window looked like. I’d like the club to aim to bring genuine consistent quality into the starting line up in areas where last season we were lacking, such as LW/RW/LB.
“Combined with this would be keeping the nucleus of those who have had meaningful contributions for 2025/2026. We will need to trim the squad in parts as a result, whether that be loans or outright sales.
“The club itself should be aiming for top four meaning a genuine chance of competing should we make the play offs and not just making up the numbers. We will hopefully see the end of the wretched winter and spring injury list as long as your arm meaning recent appointments in the medical area are having the desired impact.”
However, Peeky is not looking to set any predictions in stone until the squad makeup is completed this summer.
He added: “I will leave any predictions until seeing what the transfer window brings but with Clement in charge and providing he is backed with genuine quality, I see no reason the above couldn’t be a reality.”
‘Top eight has to be minimum expectation’
With the play-offs expanding to six teams for the 2026/27 campaign, Norwich supporter John Wilson says that finishing in the top eight should be expected.
John said: “I think top eight has to be minimum expectation, based on where the squad starts as a base going into the summer and the potential investment into key areas needed.”
The Canaries fan also believes that a full pre-season under the Belgian head coach could help to deal with the injury issues that have plagued the club for far too long.
He added: “With Clement leading a full pre-season, hopefully addressing fitness and integrating new signings I think we will finish top 4, getting off to a flier in the early months of the season.”
What we have learned…
It is clear from all of these responses from supporters that a promotion push is the minimum expectation for Clement and his side next season.
The supporters want to see the team pushing for the Premier League and genuinely believe that it is possible.
However, it is down to Ben Knapper and the recruitment team to deliver the final pieces of the puzzle so that Clement has all the tools he needs at his disposal.
Hopefully, the 2026/27 campaign is exactly what the supporters expect it to be…
