During the November international break, Norwich City is presently ranked 14th in the Championship table following a run of six games without a victory and three straight losses.
After the Canaries went seven games without a loss in late September and early October, including a 3-2 victory at Derby County and easy victories of 4-1 and 4-0 over Watford and Hull City, respectively, things were looking up for them.
Johannes Hoff Thorup’s team is currently seven points outside of the play-off spots due to a lack of consistency, which is not ideal for a team trying to finish in the top six for the second time in as many seasons.
The Canaries, meanwhile, are home to Championship top scorer Borja Sainz, who has contributed two assists and 11 of his team’s 23 goals in the second division this year.
But it is impossible for the Norfolk team to expect the Spaniard to continue contributing more than 50% of his team’s goals this season, and Josh Sargent’s recent groin injury only makes things worse.
In light of Sargent’s condition, the Canaries should try to win over Leeds United.
Sargent had an outstanding return of four goals and five assists in 12 Championship appearances so far this season until he had his groin issue, which is expected to keep him out of play until the new year. This demonstrates how significant he can be when healthy.
However, fans of the Canaries are all too aware with the USA international’s injury woes, as he missed 28 games last season after undergoing ankle surgery.
Hoff Thorup needs to look for a different option come January transfer window in order to maintain a genuine play-off bid because the 24-year-old is obviously prone to injuries.
Leeds star Joe Gelhardt, who has only played nine minutes of Championship action this season and is obviously out of favour at Elland Road, is a good player the Canaries may sign to strengthen their attacking line.
The 22-year-old made just two league starts in 2023–2024 and has never been high on the West Yorkshire hierarchy since Whites manager Daniel Farke took over before the previous season.
His ability is still evident, though, as he scored three goals and provided three assists in 20 Championship games during a loan stint with Sunderland in 2022–2023, helping the Black Cats secure a play-off spot. He has also scored two Premier League goals for the Whites.
Gelhardt’s lack of playing time should be exploited by the Canaries to entice him to Carrow Road, but doing so would need a huge favour from the Whites.
The West Yorkshire team might be hesitant to give a talented player to a possible direct play-off competitor, regardless of whether the Norfolk team would want to recruit the 22-year-old on a permanent or loan basis.
After missing out on automatic promotion last season, the Whites may be confident this time around, but given Sheffield United’s outstanding play and Sunderland’s perhaps unexpectedly strong start to the season under new manager Regis Le Bris, it might be challenging to finish in the top two.
Gelhardt might be eager to relocate in January.
Gelhardt can play as a forward or a wideman, but his adaptability does not always work on a Whites team that has talented wingers like Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James, as well as forwards like Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph.
He is having trouble getting playing time at Elland Road, and if a team like the Canaries, who would presumably be able to provide him more playing time, came calling in January, he would undoubtedly be interested in a loan move or a permanent switch.
However, the Whites would have the last word and might be hesitant to effectively give a talented player who could aid the Canaries in their own promotion campaign to a fellow play-off hopeful.
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