Fans want Norwich to treat Leeds second-leg like a cup final

The first-leg of this championship playoff semi-final finished 0-0 on Sunday

Norwich fans outside Carrow Road, ahead of the first leg against Leeds
Author: Tom ClabonPublished 16th May 2024

Norwich fans are telling us that David Wagner's men must treat this evening's game in West Yorkshire like a cup final.

Norwich face Leeds away tonight in the second and deciding leg of their championship playoff semi-final- with a shot at the Premier League up for grabs.

The first leg ended 0-0 at Carrow Road on Sunday.

"It wouldn't surprise me if it ended up a draw after 90 minutes"

Lorraine Taylor has been a Canaries fan for nearly 50 years: "My heart says yes, we can do it in 90 minutes and book our place at Wembley. But my head isn't too sure. It's been a real rollercoaster following Norwich, this season.

Chris Newby is a Canaries fan that now lives in Portugal: "The longer the game goes on, the more both teams are going to have to go for it and take more risks. It wouldn't surprise me if it ended up a draw after 90 minutes and it went to penalties.

"The first one was more cagey and I think both teams were most concerned with feeling each-other out and not making a mistake.

Rob Sainty is chair of the club's official supporters group: "They Leeds can be easily got. Defensively, I thought they looked really uncertain in the first 20-25 minutes in the first leg. The goal-keeper got himself into a trouble several times.

"They are a quality team, though and that can be seen by them finishing 17 points above us in the season.

What have been the manager and players been saying?

Norwich head coach David Wagner feels the longer his side can frustrate Leeds in the second leg of their Sky Bet Championship semi-final will only help increase the pressure from an expectant home crowd at Elland Road.

Both teams cancelled each other out in a goalless first leg lacking clearcut chances at Carrow Road on Sunday - although Leeds did see an effort from Junior Firpo ruled out for a marginal offside call.

"Of course I would have loved to win it (the first leg)," Wagner said in an interview with Canaries TV following Sunday's game.

"But I have experience (of the play-offs) - and I know a draw at home is a good result where you can really put pressure on the opponent, especially away from home with the longer the game goes.

"We are fully in the race, so I have a positive mood. I know what we are capable of."

Scotland midfielder Kenny McLean - one of half-a-dozen current Norwich players from Farke's successful squad - feels there is plenty of life left in the tie.

"It is always cagey in the first leg of these games, nobody wants to lose and go in (to the second leg) with a disadvantage," McLean said on the Norwich club website.

"It sets us up for a really big game and one we are looking forward to. We are still well in the tie and confident we can do it.

"We will prepare as well as we can and give ourselves every opportunity."

Norwich continue to monitor top scorer Josh Sargent after the United States international was taken off towards the end of the first leg with an ankle problem.

Forward Ashley Barnes has been sidelined by a calf injury which ruled him out of the final game of the regular season and also Sunday's fixture, so it remains to be seen if he will be fit to be involved again at Elland Road.

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