Norwich City boss Philippe Clement is refusing to underestimate Sheffield Wednesday ahead of Wednesday night’s tussle at Carrow Road.
Norwich City head coach Philippe Clement has said his side cannot afford to underestimate Sheffield Wednesday ahead of their Championship clash at Carrow Road this evening, insisting his side must approach the game in the same way they would against any other opponent.
The Owls will make the long trip to Norfolk looking to give their supporters something to shout about after relegation became official after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Wednesday, who drew 1-1 with the Canaries at Hillsborough on Bonfire Night, are without a win in their last 27 league matches and have lost each of their last ten, meaning Norwich are strong favourites to claim all three points and bounce back from their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Birmingham City on Saturday.
The Canaries have made significant improvements since the aforementioned 1-1 draw at Hillsborough almost four months ago, so much so they have an opportunity to move eight points clear of the drop zone this evening.
But despite heading into the contest as overwhelming favourites to scoop all three points, Clement, who landed the Canaries job in November, has made it crystal clear that his side cannot expect to beat Wednesday without any questions asked, insisting his players’ mindset must be the same as if they were preparing to take on Barcelona.
"That would be the biggest mistake that we can make because it can liberate them also, they have nothing to lose in this game or in the games to come," Clement said, as quoted by The Pink Un. "It makes it more difficult to prepare what they are going to do but the good thing is that we prepare mostly about ourselves.
Clement won’t take Wednesday lightly
"Motivationally, there is no difference between playing against Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry, or Barcelona; it's about winning and giving everything to win this game as a team. There cannot be any difference between them.
"I count on the big support from the fans because in the end, it's about three points and that's important for all the fans where this club is at the end of this season.
"These three points are really important, but of the same importance as the points against Coventry, so I expect the same support, and the fans are happy the way the team is performing, so let's keep this synergy together."
Philippe Clement has overseen an impressive turnaround at Norwich City.placeholder image
Philippe Clement has overseen an impressive turnaround at Norwich City. | Getty Images
Although relegation became official at the weekend, Wednesday, courtesy of their off-field troubles, had been sentenced to League One football next season for months. Manager Henrik Pedersen has been forced to keep his players focused throughout an unprecedented period, and he has earned plenty of praise for his conduct and dedication throughout.
Clement has admitted he can only imagine how challenging it must have been for the Owls boss, adding: “Luckily, not as a manager. As a player, yes. I was a young boy (at Beerschot) where they could not pay the wages, but I still lived at home, so it was not a big problem for me.
"But I saw teammates with families, with children struggling that moment because they were not paid or when they got a cheque from the club, they drove quickly to the bank to check in.
"Sometimes there was no money in the account. I've seen those things, and it's really hard, so I can only imagine how hard it is to work like that as a manager."
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