This is the first time in nine years that Norwich City have fallen to five straight defeats outside of the Premier League.
The last time came between October and November 2016 under Alex Neil, when Norwich were beaten by Preston, Brighton, Leeds United, QPR and Derby. That run followed a burst of six wins from seven that probably illustrated that group's inconsistency.
At this stage last season, all three teams that went on to be relegated in Cardiff (12), Luton (11) and Plymouth (12) had more points on the board than Norwich (eight) currently do after 12 Championship games.
That is also true in 2023/24, when Rotherham (nine), Huddersfield Town (12) and Birmingham City (18) also bettered City's points return. In fact, over the last five seasons, no side relegated have got fewer than Norwich's eight after 12 games - only Wycombe (20/21), Barnsley and Peterborough United match it (21/22).
Even compared with the infamous group of 08/09, when City last dropped into the third tier, they fall short: Glenn Roeder's side amassed 11 points from their opening 12 matches.
Across the last decade, 14 teams have taken eight points or fewer at this stage of the season, with exactly half of them being relegated to League One. Norwich are in a relegation scrap.
### 2 – History maker
A fifth straight defeat for Liam Manning now means he has the lowest win percentage (16.7pc) of any Norwich City boss, bettering Gary Megson (1995/96 - 18.5pc), Charles O'Hagan (1920-21, 19pc) and John Deehan (1994/95 - 22.4pc).
Manning also has the most defeats, joint fewest wins and lowest points return of any City manager/head coach in their first 12 games this century. Bryan Hamilton is the next nearest with 10 followed by Dean Smith, who took 12 - although those arrived in the Premier League.
It's only the second time in Manning's managerial career that he has lost five league games in succession, with the last coming during his second season at MK Dons in October 2022, but that was punctuated by two EFL Trophy victories.
A run of six defeats in seven games is as bad as it has been in recent jobs, but six losses in seven mean this is the worst spell of his career, which now accompanies his slowest start to any senior coaching job.
More broadly, a run of two points from eight league games is City's worst eight-game run in the Championship since 2007 before they went onto secure survival - they had three managers during that spell in Peter Grant, Jim Duffy (caretaker) and Roeder.
The numbers make for bleak reading. It is the fewest number of games to reach eight defeats of any City boss in the last four Championship seasons; the next closest was David Wagner, who lost the same amount in 15 matches before reviving the campaign, ending in play-off defeat.
### 3 – Headscratcher
Liam Manning had seemingly corrected Norwich City's early struggles in South Wales by adapting his 4-2-3-1 shape into a narrow 4-4-2 that involved Jovon Makama partnering Josh Sargent in attack.
After an opening 25-minute spell that saw Swansea dominate territory and create chances, which included Zan Vipotnik's opening goal, Norwich wrestled control of the clash, with Makama's goal the end of a 19-minute spell that saw them play with greater fluidity and rhythm.
It also saw Norwich limit Swansea to very little in front of goal. Ethan Galbraith's blocked effort in first-half stoppage time was the only effort from the hosts between minute 26 and the half time whistle.
Having altered the game in City's favour, Manning then changed shape again - returning to the 3-4-3 system that he utilised at the beginning of the season.
In the second half, as a result of that change, Norwich had just two shots in the entire half - one from Jeff Schlupp and the other a speculative Mathias Kvistgaarden header as they sought to chase the game after Vipotnik's winner.
Swansea produced more expected goals, had more shots (five) and won more duels. It sapped the energy and momentum from City's performance, with Manning citing a desire to tweak their press as the driver behind the change. It did not yield the rewards Norwich were hoping for.
Norwich City changed to a back three in the second half at Swansea. _(Image: Jeremy Landey/Focus Images Ltd)_
### 4 – Second half issues
There are plenty of issues for Liam Manning to delve into as he seeks to chart a course to improvement, but one has to be the drop-off in performances in the second half of Championship matches.
Norwich have only scored four goals in the second half of matches this season, compared to the 12 that they have conceded.
Six of those have come between minutes 45 and 60 after the interval, which raises significant questions about how they restart matches after half-time. That was the case in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat to Derby, with David Ozoh's winner coming in the 55th minute. On average, their most common time to concede a goal is the 56th minute.
Across this season, in the seven away matches played in all competitions against 10 men, Norwich have lost every game by a 1-0 scoreline.
It reflects the broader concerns about their fitness levels, which seem to fade within matches. That should be a cause for worry given the volume of matches in the Championship more broadly, but it is hard to correct in-season.
Work needs to be done on their regression within matches—the numbers prove that the longer they are on the pitch, the worse their performances and results become. That is an alarming trend that needs to be arrested rapidly.
Jakov Medic had the most touches of any Norwich City player at Swansea. _(Image: Jeremy Landey/Focus Images Ltd)_
### 5 – Groundhog Day
There are few more challenging roles in English football currently than playing in an attacking position for Norwich City - the service is non-existent and the supply line severely limited.
City's seven touches in Swansea's penalty area is the lowest in any of their opening 12 matches this season, beating the previous record of 10 in that 1-1 draw to Coventry.
Once again, the service to the front three was limited. Josh Sargent had 24, Jovon Makama 22 and Oscar Schwartau 19. The 65 combined touches are fewer than Jack Stacey (82), Harry Darling (92), Kenny McLean (108) and Jakov Medic (115) all had as individuals.
Goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic once again had more touches (35) than any of City's attackers, including Liam Gibbs (31). Only three players - McLean, Gibbs and Stacey - completed passes into Swansea's penalty area.
Norwich had more touches in the middle third of the pitch (385) than in any of their other Championship matches. In only three matches have they had less of the ball in the final third, highlighting their struggles at progressing up the pitch.
These ball progression issues are becoming a regular feature of their Championship matches, with their average positions map resembling a horseshoe. Manning needs to unlock their work on the ball.
Norwich City majority shareholder Mark Attanasio is poised to fly to England amid Norwich City's crisis. _(Image: Adam Harvey/Newsquest)_
### 6 – Inertia
Such is the state of Norwich City's crisis that majority shareholder Mark Attanasio is poised to jet into England ahead of a BBC Radio Norfolk appearance on Wednesday.
Supporters will be afforded the opportunity to put questions to City's owner about the current malaise and wider issues that have led to this horrendous Championship start, leaving some fearing this season is poised to become a relegation battle.
Attanasio's visit wasn't pre-planned and comes before the AGM, which is pencilled in for the start of December. It speaks volumes about the state of play, just 12 games into the season, that the American is set for a state visit.
At this stage, no change is expected before City's Carrow Road clash with Hull next weekend, but it is a chance for Attanasio to offer an explanation and support for those in positions of power at the club who seemingly retain his confidence.
Those words will mean little if not backed up by an improved offering on the pitch next weekend. This City team has continued to find ways to lose games—if that continues on Saturday, the pressure dial will be notched up again.
That sense of inertia is doing little to quieten down the levels of anger currently being felt by City's fanbase, who are questioning whether those in charge understand the gravity of the situation or the club itself. A big week awaits.