Do you remember Fortress Carrow Road?

There were halcyon days when teams feared coming to NR1. The place was rocking, City racked up dozens of points every season and there was a never-say-die mentality on our home turf.

In the first few months of this season, Carra has become an annoyingly happy hunting ground for far too many teams.

Norwich (A) must been seen a decent trip for so many clubs who see a positive result as being very realistic.

The statistics say so much about what happened under Dean Smith up to now in 2022/23.

City played 14 games on home soil under the old boss. Just five had ended up with maximum points, while four have been draws and five have been defeats.

Even more damning has been the fact that four of those victories were in the first five matches of the season - meaning there's just been one triumph in the past nine.

That 3-1 victory over Stoke was a rare success in a really gloomy period during late autumn and early winter.

Looking back over the past two successful promotion campaigns, things have been so different.

In 2018/19, the Canaries piled up 49 points in NR1 - with 15 wins, four draws and just four defeats. The goal difference was a mighty impressive 51 scored, 34 conceded.

Two years later, 48 points were secured on home soil - made up of 14 wins, six draws and only three losses. The goal difference was 39-15.

So even if David Wagner's men win all the remaining nine home matches this season, the team already can't reach the total from either of those previous two campaigns.

That shows the scale of the job which City's hugely likeable head coach has been left with.

I love to be ambitious and of course Burnley and Sheffield United can be caught.

But even someone like me who generally wears yellow and green specs, the play-offs have to be the most realistic hope we now have.

This Saturday's lunchtime mouth-watering TV epic at Carrow Road against the table toppers should really get the pulses racing.

Excitement, expectation and confidence have all sky rocketed since DW strolled through the door last month.

The FA Cup loss to Blackburn can only be seen in the context of a gentle introduction to life in Norfolk.

The transformation of style, tempo and fortunes in those two four-goal victories at Preston and Coventry have been remarkable.

There has to be the realisation that both wins were against average teams.

Vincent Kompany's men will pose a massively different test this weekend.

And for me this is such a key barometer on how far the boys in yellow and green have come.

A continuation of the free-flowing, high press football and three points will really make us all start believing.

The importance of home form cannot be under-estimated if the Canaries are going to get up a head of steam and seriously push for promotion.

Five of the next eight league games are at Carrow Road.

After Saturday's visit of Burnley, City travel to Bristol City before hosting Hull on Valentine's Day.

A trip to Wigan is followed by the rearranged home match against Birmingham and then Cardiff come to town.

Norwich go to Millwall at the start of March before Sunderland head to NR1.

The Championship table is crazily congested with only eight points separating Middlesbrough in third and Reading down in 16th.

City are currently in the middle of that pack, so a run of decent results in this next six weeks is essential.

Wagner is certain to have those players really up for it on Saturday, especially after the terrific first two wins and having had the extra time for preparation due to the enforced break due to the FA Cup.

Having had so many dreary days at Carra, us fans are desperate for some "get on your seat" moments again.

The announcement of season ticket renewal information this week is also crucial for the club and another reason why the lads have to turn it on big style at home.

OTBC
 

Angus or Tim?

With no game last weekend, one of the big talking points among City supporters was around who should wear the number one shirt.

Earlier in the season, Angus Gunn seemed to have secured the position between the sticks after Tim Krul was less than convincing at times.

Since Wagner has come in, the Dutch international has started all three matches and the boss said he had "a hunch" that he is the main man.

My colleague Connor Southwell wrote a really interesting piece on the battle for the gloves.

After reading that, I did a quick and very unscientific straw poll in the office asking City followers who they would choose.

The unanimous verdict was in favour of Krul.

I tweeted that out (and included Connor's article) and got a much more mixed view.

Even City legend Bryan Gunn joined in the lively debate (no prizes for guessing who got his vote!)

I think we are hugely fortunate to have two such great keepers at our club and there can't be any Championship team which has such a good choice.

For what it's worth, I'm in the Krul camp. I think at the moment his experience and vocal influence are so key as we try to build up the momentum for a promotion push.

Encouraging signs for Todd

As there was no City match to follow, I took close interest in how Todd Cantwell got on in his debut for Rangers.

Even before the match, I got a very clear sense from Dereham's finest that the size of the Glasgow giants had somewhat taken him by surprise.

As an indication, the news of his arrival at Rangers was read by 10 times more on the club's Twitter feed than the departure was on Norwich's.

There's an ongoing debate about how good (or otherwise) Scottish football is.

But what can't be doubted is the huge following Cantwell's new employer has.

I was pleased that he had a promising debut, including a part in the second goal.

And the comments from supporters was generally positive.

The real test for Todd will come when Rangers play the games that really matter up there - the Old Firm derbies.

I believe Todd has got the talent to flourish and sincerely hope he does.