Don Goodman Points to Defensive Frailties as Key Factor in Norwich City’s Promotion Struggles
Don Goodman has pinpointed Norwich City’s defensive shortcomings as the main reason they’ve failed to mount a serious promotion challenge this season.
Despite being one of the Championship’s most prolific attacking teams — second only to Leeds United with 63 goals from 42 matches — the Canaries have struggled to convert that firepower into a play-off push.
Their attacking output, averaging 2.5 goals per game, should have seen them contending for a top-six spot. However, a 2-1 defeat to Burnley on Friday has left them nine points behind Coventry City, with only four games left to play.
Goodman Breaks Down Norwich’s Struggles
Speaking to Football League World, Goodman criticized Norwich’s defensive lapses and poor record against top sides as the major flaws holding them back under manager Johannes Hoff Thorup.
“I watched them lose 2-1 at Bristol City a few games before the Burnley defeat, and what I see is a team that’s excellent in possession — especially in midfield and attack,” Goodman said.
“But they keep sabotaging themselves by trying to play out from the back and making basic errors that lead to avoidable goals. You just can’t challenge at the top with a defence like that.”
He also pointed out Norwich’s dismal record against the Championship’s elite, having lost seven and drawn three of their 10 matches against the current top five — further evidence, in his view, that they’re not ready to compete at that level.
Thorup Faces a Crucial Summer
Thorup’s debut season has been a mixed bag, and he’ll need to reflect and rebuild ahead of the next campaign — assuming he stays in charge.
While concerns remain over the potential departures of key attackers like Josh Sargent and Borja Sainz, the manager has proven his side can score goals. What remains is fixing the leaky defence and cutting out the costly errors that have plagued them all season.
If Thorup can’t shore up the backline, a sustained push for promotion next year will be an uphill battle.
