Philippe Clement has called on Norwich City supporters to generate a key Carrow Road roar for Wednesday's Championship clash with Southampton. The manager believes fan energy is essential to help his team snap a damaging four-game losing streak, a run that has left the club 19th in the standings with just nine points from their opening nine matches.
Clement's plea follows a 2-1 defeat at Swansea last Saturday, where he described the performance as a step forward from the chaotic 4-3 home loss to Bolton. However, the need for points is now urgent. "The players, the staff, everybody involved with the club, the fans. We all need that," Clement said. He pointed to the end of last season, where applause followed a committed display at Swansea, as evidence of the bond he wants to reignite. "I know our fans are like that."
The Belgian boss held extensive debriefs over the international break to address defensive frailties that have seen Norwich concede 19 goals, the second-worst defensive record in the division. He stressed collective responsibility. "I take the responsibility for that. Winning, losing, it's together," he stated, outlining a need for immediate in-game reactions rather than post-match regrets.
Facing a Southampton side sitting 13th but with strong home form, Clement knows the challenge. He rated the Saints among the division's top three this season and called for a performance built on bravery and structure. The aim is to return to the offensive, dominant football that brought success last term, avoiding a repeat of the Bolton chaos. He wants his players to restart on Wednesday with enthusiasm and quality from the first second, acknowledging the team's next fixtures are critical to turning their season around.
Clement is convinced a passionate home crowd can be the extra ingredient. He wants his players to feed off that energy to help secure a much-needed result. The match kicks off at 7.45pm at Carrow Road.
Further reading: OneFootball
