Norwich City’s Play-Off Hopes Dwindle Amid Inconsistency
Norwich City’s push for the play-offs has faltered in recent weeks, with their inconsistency preventing them from climbing the Championship table.
The Canaries appeared to be on course for a crucial victory on Tuesday night against Sheffield Wednesday, as first-half goals from Borja Sainz and Ante Crnac gave them a 2-0 lead.
However, a dramatic turnaround saw the Owls net three times in just 12 minutes, snatching victory from Norwich and allowing Danny Rohl’s side to leapfrog them into 11th place.
Although Norwich still have an outside shot at a top-six finish, a seven-point gap to Coventry City and a three-game winless streak make their chances increasingly slim. As a result, major changes could be on the horizon at Carrow Road this summer.
Borja Sainz’s Future at Norwich in Question
The Canaries’ season has been a tale of two halves, with Josh Sargent’s groin injury in November proving to be a turning point in their play-off aspirations.
Sainz, who had been in fine form early on, saw his performances dip following Sargent’s absence. With past transfer links already surrounding the Spaniard, speculation is growing that he could leave the club at the end of the season.
Football League World recently asked Norwich Fan Pundit Zeke Downes which player he believes is most likely to depart, with Sainz emerging as the frontrunner.
Downes told FLW: “I’d say the player most likely to leave is Borja Sainz. Earlier, it seemed almost certain he would go, but with his recent dip in form and Sargent returning to his best, it’s a bit closer now. I’d say it’s about 60:40 in favor of Sainz leaving.”
While acknowledging Sainz’s goalscoring ability, Downes also pointed out his inconsistency in overall play. He added: “If he does leave, he’ll be missed, but we could reinvest the money to improve the squad.”
Sainz’s Goal Drought Raises Concerns
Sainz made a flying start to the season, scoring six goals in his first seven matches, including a hat-trick against Derby County. By the end of November, he had netted 15 times, but his form declined sharply when Sargent was sidelined.
Although he managed to get on the scoresheet against Sheffield Wednesday, it’s evident that his impact has diminished compared to his early-season displays. With Norwich’s play-off hopes fading, there are concerns that Sainz may already be eyeing a move elsewhere.
Manager Johannes Hoff Thorup faces a challenge in retaining the 24-year-old, and if Norwich are to regain consistency, Sainz must build on his recent goal rather than letting it be an isolated moment of brilliance.
