Charlton face another tough test at The Valley tomorrow afternoon when they play resurgent Norwich City. At the beginning of the season I had this down as a 1-3 win for the Canaries.
Norwich did lose against another resurgent club, Southampton, midweek but just by 1-0. The Saints had to work hard for the win as the Canaries dominated the second half.
Norwich have been rejuvenated after changing their manager, picking up 42 points from 23 games. Former Rangers gaffer Phillipe Clement replaced Liam Manning when Norfolk's finest were in the bottom three before Christmas. They've collected more points than any other team in 2026. They have averaged nearly two goals a game. They are top of the Championship form table.
At St, Mary's Norwich were the better side for much of the second half with Southampton keeper Daniel Perhetz pulling off fine saves to deny Kellen Fisher from close range and then keep out Ruairi McConville's goalbound header at the death.
Writing in The Football League Paper, Adam Virgo stated: 'Under Liam Manning, they'd win possession, go sideways and backwards, and then build up again. It was very regimented, with no room for individual expression, and it didn't suit a squad of very talented players.'
'With Clement, you still have to work hard and be disciplined out of possession. But the attitude is very much" Can we play that ball forward first?"
'Their January window was arguably the best in the Championship. Ahmed came in from Vancouver Whitecaps and has hit the ground running. Best of the lot is midfielder Paris Maghoma, whose £800,000 move from Brentford looks an absolute bargain. He's exciting, he's inventive. He makes things happen. He's got a deceptive pace about him and he's just a very intelligent footballer.'
BTW, congratulations to my Saints supporting friend Joe the Saint on his forthcoming civil partnership with Cheryl. Saints supporters who tie the knot are required to wear a Portsmouth shirt at the nearest home game.
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