Chris Sutton’s ‘gut feeling’ prediction about where Norwich City will finish in this ‘relentless’ Championship season

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Norwich City are gearing up for the start of the new Championship season, with the Canaries set to host Millwall in the opener at Carrow Road.

Liam Manning has been fully backed by those in charge of the club, with the new manager bringing in a number of signings, with the latest being Mirko Topić.

The manager is also hopeful there is some movement out the door from some of his squad, with Shane Duffy being one player in particular destined to end his time at Carrow Road.

Despite their business in the transfer market and the hopes Norwich can make a return to the Premier League after being relegated in 2022, the club have been predicted to finish 12th in the Championship this season.

Chris Sutton has weighed in on how he believes his former club will perform this season in the second tier.

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Chris Sutton believes it will be ‘probably similar’ to last season.

Norwich City will be hopeful of reaching the play-offs this season following the investment they have made, and as a fan Chris Sutton would hope they can too.

However, writing in his column for the Pink Un, Sutton believes that the new campaign will be similar to their season under Johannes Hoff Thorup.

Sutton said: “I don’t really want to sit on the fence, but time will tell. But my gut feeling is probably similar to what it was last season. I’m not so sure they’ll quite make the play-offs, but I’ll be happily proven wrong with that. I hope they can get there.

“The start is crucial, so that the squad actually believes in whatever system Manning opts for, the way they’re playing, and in the manager himself. That early momentum can be invaluable.

“But we also know how difficult the Championship is – and it won’t just be the clubs coming down from the Premier League that provide the challenge, but those coming up from League One in Birmingham and Wrexham that also do that.”

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The difference that may give Norwich an advantage

Further in the column from Chris Sutton, the former Norwich City striker pinpointed how the club can exceed his expectations for the campaign.

Sutton believes that holding onto Josh Sargent will be crucial in their bid to reach the play-offs, as he views him as the best striker in the division, with the American being linked with a move to Wolfsburg.

He said: “Clearly, another key factor will be Sargent’s future. All summer it has felt inevitable he will leave – but he is still there.

“Sargent is the best number nine in the Championship. I have been surprised that there hasn’t been more Premier League interest beyond Burnley and Leeds. In truth, I don’t really see where else he could go. “Sargent staying at Norwich doesn’t feel so inconceivable anymore. It may be unlikely, but it’s not impossible. If he is still at Carrow Road come September, I would push Norwich up in my predicted table.”