Joe Pateman on what might have been for Norwich City

The initial optimism that accompanied our early results in August dimmed, akin to the fading sunlight. It wasn't, however, just the leaves that fell to the ground during the autumn; it was many of David Wagner’s key players.

When we have been at full strength, or close to it, we aren’t just winning games; we have blown teams away. Since the turn of the year, which coincides with the restoration of Josh Sargent to the squad, we have scored 25 league goals. For context, Leicester City and Leeds have 27 goals each in 2024, while Southampton and Ipswich have scored 28 and 26, respectively.

With Sargent having a strike rate of one goal every 83 minutes, I have little doubt that at least West Brom would be looking up to us had our number nine been fit for the entire season.

Likewise with Angus Gunn, who left the field injured with the side 2-0 up against Leeds. Of course, we ended up losing 3-2 and went on to concede 11 goals across the six games that Gunny was absent.

Operating without skipper Grant Hanley and his centre-back partner Ben Gibson had proved difficult too; the only loss the pair have endured when playing side by side this season was Middlesbrough away, which City were in cruise control until we were reduced to 10 men.

Nobody can argue that we have been incredibly unlucky with injuries; it would also be hard to argue what a great job Wagner has achieved in spite of those injuries, with the Canaries currently occupying one of those all-important play-off spots.

If we can maintain our position, it would be two full seasons of Championship football for Wagner and two out of two for the German finishing in the top six at this level. Not a bad record at all.

We were a delight to watch last Saturday; the football was flowing, and there were two standout contenders for goal of the season - Gabriel Sara and Borja Sainz.

Bobby Madley (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Sainz, of course, had justice on his side after his red card, which was courtesy of shocking refereeing from Bobby Madley, was rescinded. This was Madley’s fifth game attempting to referee Norwich; it was our fifth loss in his presence.

Saturday’s 5-0 thumping of Rotherham would not have been possible without the outstanding performance down the right from Jack Stacey. The full-back added his fifth and sixth assists against the Millers, meaning that only Sara has set up more goals for his team-mates this term.

I’m a big fan of the summer recruit from Bournemouth; he is so positive and energetic in his play, which causes the opposition all kinds of problems. Stacey has received more progressive passes than any other Norwich player this season; he is always on the move, always looking to make something happen. The defensive side of his game is also excellent; no City player has won more tackles than the 27-year-old.

The width that Stacey provides will be absolutely crucial across the next few games. With Jonny Rowe at least a month away from fitness, Onel Hernandez ruled out for the season, and now Dimi Giannoulis ruled out for weeks, our options are fairly slim.

The international break could not come at a better time; this should give Wagner the opportunity to test and assess his options in wide areas. Whether that is developing Finley Welch or another stroke of genius similar to that of playing Kenny McLean in central defence.

With many sides around us still playing each other, we are in a favourable position at the time of writing. If our away form can come close to matching our home form, then we will certainly make the top six. But, as we know, the Championship is a crazy division, and there will be plenty of twists and turns to come.