Norwich City: PinkUn podcast on top six, Sara and Sainz

Host Connor Southwell was joined by Adam Harvey, Samuel Seaman and Paddy Davitt for episode 578, recorded after a thumping 5-0 win over Rotherham at Carrow Road moved the Canaries back inside the Championship top six.

The panel discussed some majestic goals and tried to pick their favourite out of the bunch. They also dissected an eventful few days for Borja Sainz, after his red card in the previous game at Middesbrough, and successful appeal to overturn a four-game ban.

We also came up with some novel 'Bring the Heat' suggestions in this latest episode, in association with our sponsors - Colman's of Norwich.

CS: Paddy, it was quite the week for young Borja. Red card, successful appeal and a stunning strike. Almost like a Hollywood script. 

PD: Which is how I put it to David and he just laughed. Wagner clearly felt the player had done nothing wrong in that incident at Middlesbrough. But no doubt he would still feel he'd let people down, let his team mates down and that must have stoked the fires. 

Not just the goal, but he was very good all-round; very intelligent in his use of space in those pockets and on the same wavelength as a player like Gabby Sara. He just needs to do what he is doing on the pitch, and don't allow individuals or opponents to almost test his temperament. I sense that's where we are at now.

There was an incident earlier in that Boro game when Luke Ayling, another experienced player, has gone through him and basically tried to rile him up. Maybe off the back of the West Brom red, when teams are doing their homework on Norwich, they look at him as a player they can perhaps get under his skin. We've been here before not all that long ago with Emi Buendia. But Norwich need that talent on the pitch right now.

CS: In a word, Sara or Sainz? I don't think it is even a debate.

SS: I know you think Sara. I think Sainz. The first touch is unbelievable. The way that he takes that in while it's mid-air, and then he runs 15 yards, and then that finish. The Sara finish is better, but as a goal I would probably have the two straight down the line. But if you make me pick one then it would be Sainz. Sara's is unbelievable, but I just think the Sainz one, even Jon Rowe at Hull, incorporates loads of different things and different skills put together.

CS: On the home record, Adam, six straight league wins. Let me say it's the first time since January 2010 they've been able to go on a run like this. But actually if you think about their Carrow Road form more broadly, probably since fans returned after the pandemic up until the start of this year, it has been pretty woeful.

But the transformation on the pitch, but also the transformation I think in energy and the feeling around it now, makes it feel there is a real confidence now about playing at home. 

I don't want to look too far ahead into the future. But if you do begin to turn your mind at some point in the next nine games to a play-off battle, particularly given the likelihood they'd play a first leg at home, and the importance of continuing to build this over the course of the rest of the season.

AH: It kind of has that fortress feeling around it. Last season you sort of went to Carrow Road almost dreading what you're about to go and watch. You felt that around the place, a lot of apathy and fans didn't really want to be there. The players would not have been enjoying that feeling and obviously the performances weren't good either.

Now it is a much better place to be. They have pretty much dealt with everyone since Blackburn at home in November with relative ease. But now the challenge is to do it away, starting with Stoke.

CS: Sam, what do Norwich need to do to get that elusive away win this weekend?

SS: You'd like to see Norwich go and take the same initiative they did at Middlesbrough. Get a grip of it and dominate possession, as they did for that first half an hour against Middlesbrough. Because technically and tactically, there's not much evidence that Stoke should really be competing with Norwich, based on how both teams have done this season.

The momentum Stoke are building, and probably the increased support that will mean from their fans, makes it a slightly more difficult test than it would have been a couple of weeks ago, but I think we have to look at it in the same way that we did at Boro. 

For me this is now about mentality and tactics, because I think if they get those right, then that should be another three points.

- You can  listen or watch the full episode of the Pink Un Podcast above - and don't forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE button to ensure every episode downloads via your chosen podcast provider

To get in touch with the podcast, send any comments and questions via an email to norfolksport@archant.co.uk or get in touch with us @pinkun on Twitter/X, where our direct messages are open.

If you're interested in sponsoring the pod, or placing an advert in one of our future episodes, email connor.southwell@newsquest.co.uk