This post is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which features personal comments from FLW Fan Pundits on breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings, and more.
Norwich City are still in the Championship’s relegation zone, despite Philippe Clement’s arrival at Carrow Road nearly three weeks ago.
The Canaries hired the former Club Brugge, AS Monaco, and Glasgow Rangers manager last month after Liam Manning’s catastrophic five-month tenure at his hometown club came to an end.
Clement has already made a number of desired or forced tactical decisions that have influenced team selection thus far, and that continued on Tuesday night as the Norfolk side earned a point against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, with Djibril Soumare’s own goal canceling out Danny Ings’ opener 15 minutes earlier.
With the January transfer window opening on New Year’s Day, Clement will hope to make more changes to shape the Norwich squad into one he can truly call his own, as well as add depth as a result of an ever-growing list of key players who have suffered injury issues.
Such circumstances have prompted the 51-year-old to use the previously banished Tony Springett at left-back, as Ben Chrisene works his way back to full fitness after a three-month hamstring injury.
However, Football League World’s Norwich City fan analyst, Zeke Downes, believes Clement’s decision was just temporary, and he expects Springett’s minutes to be gradually reduced again before his contract expires in June 2026.
Norwich City verdict issued on ‘crazy’ Philippe Clement, Tony Springett’s selection call
Indeed, the 23-year-old returned from the cold to play left-back against Watford, replacing Kellen Fisher, who reverted to his natural position on the right side of Clement’s defence, before doing so again at Bramall Lane.
Prior to the club’s most recent management change last month, Springett had struggled to establish himself as a regular for the Canaries under Dean Smith, David Wagner, Johannes Hoff Thorup, and the aforementioned Manning, despite the fact that his own season was hampered by a back ailment.
Prior to Saturday’s 3-2 setback at Vicarage Road, the London native’s last competitive appearance for City was a 2-2 tie against Ipswich Town on December 16th, 2023, at Portman Road, in which he played just three minutes.
The Republic of Ireland youth international is primarily a right-sided winger, where he has spent nearly all of his 20 City appearances save for the last two, as well as underwhelming loan periods with Derby County and Northampton Town in League One.
While his current contract allows for a one-year extension, Downes believes Springett will be unable to secure a regular berth in the Yellows’ starting lineup.
“I think this whole thing is crazy,” Zeke told FLW. “All previous managers thought he wasn’t good enough.
“He hasn’t made many appearances, especially in his favorite position, despite the fact that we’ve had a lot of injuries.
“I think this was just a last resort,” Downes stated.
“He didn’t want to lose McLean in midfield, which has already happened, but we’re not sure how long his injury will last. Clement simply wanted a left-back who is a natural left-sided player so that he could switch Fisher to right-back, which has greatly improved his game and made him seem incredibly brilliant.
“I believe Springett at left-back will be a temporary solution. Chrisene will probably go back in there.
“Maybe not right away because he’s not 100% match fit. However, I don’t see Springett having a long-term future in that position or with the team.
“I believe he will go at the end of the season. He’s simply not at this level, regrettably.
Philippe Clement may want to address Norwich City’s left-back difficulties in January.
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