Middlesbrough welcome Norwich City to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, buoyed by an extra two days of recovery but wary of opponents beginning to hit their stride.
Norwich boss Philippe Clement believes his side sent out a clear message with their dramatic comeback victory over Coventry City on Monday night and insists that performance is only the start.
The Canaries overturned an early Romain Esse goal to defeat the league leaders, with Anis Ben Slimane and Ali Ahmed finding the net to seal a morale-boosting win.
It was a significant moment for Norwich, marking the first time this season they had won a home game after falling behind, and the result moved them four points clear of the relegation places.
They now travel to Teesside level on recent form with Middlesbrough, having taken four wins and suffered two defeats in their last six matches.
Clement praised his players’ growing toughness and confidence, admitting he sensed the Coventry result was coming. He said he had believed beforehand that his side could win if they continued to improve and execute their game plan properly.
The Norwich manager described the victory as a defining moment for the squad, highlighting their work rate, bravery and quality in possession. Clement also stressed his pride in the team, pointing out they had overcome a strong Coventry side led by a highly regarded manager.
He added that such a performance would have been dismissed months ago, insisting the win was no fluke but fully earned.
While allowing his players to enjoy the moment, Clement made it clear the focus has already shifted to maintaining standards as Norwich look to build momentum against Middlesbrough.
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