top-six race – Norwich’s head coach wants his side to chase pressure and points as City’s rivals battle for the final top-six spot.
One last game with a twist: Norwich City’s head coach is treating Hull as the kind of fixture where the consequences ripple far beyond his own team.
With Norwich’s own faint play-off hopes ended after a Swansea stalemate. City may still influence the wider race for the final top six spot. with Tigers. Wrexham and Derby all left to fight for position.. Misryoum reports that Clement is focused on creating the right mindset rather than relying on other results. urging his players to “create our own tension” and to go into every match aiming for three points.
In this context, the message reads as more than motivation. It is about control: if Norwich cannot chase the play-offs directly, they can still set a standard for how their season closes, and how the squad prepares for what follows.
Ahead of the weekend, Clement also stressed how competitive training will need to be in the run-in.. He signalled that anyone appearing mentally checked out will not be part of pre-season plans. framing intensity and energy as non-negotiable qualities for the group.. The idea is simple: make the push for results now. while also building a selection race that carries into the summer.
There is also a clear thread of squad management in Clement’s approach.. With injuries shaping what is available. attention has turned to who can be ready for the next phase. including decisions around returning players and the risks of accelerating rehabilitation.. Misryoum notes that Clement described Oscar Schwartau as being limited to light training after an injury issue that cut his season short. while the captain Kenny McLean is also unavailable due to a back complaint.
For fans, this kind of game-season rhythm matters because it changes what supporters expect from the final whistle. Even if the table says Norwich are watching from the sidelines, the club’s choices about fitness and form determine the story heading into next season.
Clement also addressed the temptation to involve players returning from setbacks.. Lucien Mahovo. who has been sidelined with injury impacts this campaign. has returned to training with the squad for several days. but Clement said medical and performance staff are keeping him out of selection for now to avoid any unnecessary risk.. Meanwhile, Ben Chrisene is moving through shoulder rehabilitation after surgery, with Clement indicating a summer return as the safer timeline.
Meanwhile. Clement is also keen to send supporters away with something to carry into the off-season. including a final boost for staff departures within the club.. The head coach described a “family” culture that connects players. fans. and the wider structure of the club. adding that he wants the travelling support to feel the warmth of what the season has built. not just the outcome on the day.
At the end, Misryoum highlights what this final chapter represents: it is about identity.. When promotion hopes and league positions are no longer in play. the competitive spirit. the handling of injuries. and the respect shown to people leaving behind shape how a club is remembered as it turns the page.