Norwich City head coach Liam Manning has urged calm after a tough start to the season, insisting it would be “absolute madness” to panic following a third straight home defeat.
The Canaries were beaten 3-0 by Southampton in the EFL Cup second round at Carrow Road, adding to league losses to Millwall on the opening day and Middlesbrough last weekend. That run leaves Norwich 17th in the Championship after three games, with just one win so far, at Portsmouth.
I don’t like losing, I don’t like conceding goals like we have done, Manning told BBC Radio Norfolk after Tuesday’s setback. He credited Norwich’s first-half display, saying the team created several chances and caused real problems for their visitors, but were unable to convert.
A sloppy turnover just before halftime, followed by a superb finish, put Southampton 1-0 up and the pattern continued after the break. Although Norwich still had moments in the second half, the final finishing touch was lacking.
Moving forward, Manning stressed the need for a more ruthless edge in attack, noting that four of 10 shots on target fell short. Learning to win, he added, involves sharper transitions and finishing in the box. There is a recognition that a lot of work remains, but he remains confident the team will improve and that panicking early in the season would be counterproductive.
We will improve and we will get better, he said. I am quite clear and quite strong on that; you don’t want to be panicking four or five games in — I think it would be absolute madness to do that.
For fans craving more insight, Manning’s full interview is available on BBC Sounds.
What this means for Norwich
– The focus is on converting chances in the first half and reducing costly turnovers that lead to goals.
– Improvements in attacking ruthlessness and finishing are seen as key to turning early-season results around.
– The manager’s message is to maintain composure and build confidence rather than overreact to a difficult spell.
Editorial perspective
Norwich’s early-season form has been a setback, but Manning’s approach—acknowledging the problems while emphasizing continued belief and a plan to improve—offers a constructive path forward. If the team can translate the promising first-half performances into goals and tighten transitions at the back, they have the potential to rebound in the Championship.
Summary
Norwich City is navigating a challenging start, with three consecutive home defeats and a lean goal return. Manning stresses patience and practical fixes, underscoring that a strong response is achievable with continued work on finishing, transition discipline, and maintaining a positive mindset.
Optional positive note
There is optimism in the idea that the squad’s capable moments in the first halves show potential; with targeted improvement, Norwich could begin to climb the table as they adjust and grow stronger through the season.