Bolton Wanderers twice came from behind to win 4-3 at Carrow Road on Sunday, and the supporters of both clubs have plenty to say about it. BBC Sport gathered fan verdicts in the immediate aftermath, and the themes were consistent: open football, leaky defences and, depending on which end you were sitting, either elation or a mounting sense of dread.
Norwich fans alarmed by the numbers
For Norwich supporters, the reaction was less about celebrating a good game of football and more about confronting some uncomfortable arithmetic. Thirteen goals conceded across the last three matches is the kind of figure that focuses minds sharply. One supporter, Mike, drew a pointed comparison: only one side in the division had conceded more at this stage of the season, and they were bottom of the table. The implication was clear enough without spelling it out.
Several Norwich fans directed frustration at manager Clement's in-game decisions. Stephen was among the most direct, arguing that Bolton's right flank caused problems throughout and that the Bolton manager had identified and exploited a specific weakness. The full-back Cordoba was named as a vulnerable point, and the suggestion was that Clement had been out-thought tactically rather than simply out-played. "This one is on Clement," Stephen wrote. "The honeymoon is over."
Keith pointed to goalkeeping as a separate concern, arguing that the goalkeeper had been beaten at his near post repeatedly and that the issue needed urgent attention. The broad picture from the Norwich end was one of a squad that has improved its attacking options considerably but remains structurally fragile at the back. "Eight goals in two matches is relegation form," wrote Alan. "On current showing they will struggle all season."
Whether Clement would agree with that assessment is another matter, but the volume of criticism suggests patience among the Carrow Road faithful is already wearing thin, at least in some quarters.
Bolton fans encouraged but not complacent
The mood among Bolton supporters was considerably brighter, though not without its own caveats. Paul described it as a thoroughly deserved first away win and praised the effort levels throughout. Michael struck a similar tone, framing the result in the context of what the club is trying to achieve: consolidating a first season in the Championship on a tight budget. "Manager deserves credit for working on a shoestring," he wrote, which is about as pointed a piece of praise as you tend to find in a fans' verdict piece.
Chris captured the particular anxiety of watching a Bolton side that is capable of scoring freely but equally capable of giving goals back. "It's hard on the nerves," he admitted. "The defence is rather suspect and our inability to shut out the opposition has already cost us points this season." The fact that Norwich's defence was, on this occasion, rather more suspect than Bolton's was acknowledged as something close to good fortune.
Simon and Graham both zeroed in on defensive structure and set-piece vulnerability. Graham noted that Bolton have already conceded five goals from set pieces this season, which at this stage of the campaign represents a pattern worth addressing rather than a coincidence worth dismissing.
What it all means in the table
Both clubs now carry question marks into their next fixtures. Norwich drop into a run of games with their defensive numbers under genuine scrutiny. Bolton, for their part, have shown they can win away from home in the second tier, but the manner of victory, requiring a comeback twice over in the same match, suggests they will need to be more robust if they are to sustain a push for mid-table stability rather than a relegation scrap.
Three points is three points, as Michael says, and Bolton will take them. For Norwich, the analysis coming from their own supporters is rather more searching than anything a reporter could write.
Frequently asked
- What was the score in Norwich vs Bolton on Sunday?
- Bolton Wanderers won 4-3 at Norwich City, coming from behind twice in a seven-goal Championship thriller at Carrow Road.
- How many goals has Norwich conceded recently?
- According to fan reaction gathered after the Bolton match, Norwich conceded 13 goals across their last three Championship games, which supporters described as relegation form.
- Was this Bolton's first away win in the Championship this season?
- Bolton fans described the victory at Carrow Road as their first away win of the Championship season, with one supporter calling it thoroughly deserved.
