Philippe Clement has handed Middlesbrough a notable compliment ahead of Norwich City's visit to the Riverside this weekend, stating publicly that the hosts deserved to win promotion last season. The Norwich head coach was speaking to Radio Norfolk on 11 September, and his words carry the weight of a man who has clearly done his homework on the opposition.
Clement sets the tone
Clement has made no secret of the respect he holds for Middlesbrough as a Championship force. His view that they merited promotion in the previous campaign signals that he expects a stern examination of his Norwich side this weekend, and it frames the fixture as one of the more demanding assignments in the current division.
That candid assessment also tells you something about how Clement approaches opposition analysis. Rather than downplaying a rival's quality before a match, he chooses to acknowledge it directly, a signal to his own squad that preparation must be thorough and focus cannot drop.
Norwich's form heading to the Riverside
The Canaries arrive at the Riverside carrying a mixed run of recent results. A 4-1 home victory over Burnley demonstrated their attacking capacity, and a first away win of the season at Sheffield United suggested the squad is beginning to find its rhythm on the road. However, a 1-0 defeat at Stoke serves as a reminder that Clement's side remains capable of going flat at the wrong moment.
Navigating those inconsistencies is central to what Clement is building at Carrow Road. A positive result against a Middlesbrough outfit that he himself rates so highly would be a firm statement of intent, both in the table and in the minds of rivals across the second tier.
What Middlesbrough will bring
Clement's remarks suggest he views Middlesbrough as a club with the infrastructure and ambition to challenge near the top of the Championship again this term. If his assessment of their promotion credentials last season holds, then the Riverside represents one of the more hostile venues Norwich will visit across the campaign.
Middlesbrough have had their own busy period of squad movement, with arrivals and departures reshaping the group that will line up against the Canaries. Clement will be acutely aware that the hosts will be motivated to underline their own credentials in front of their supporters.
The bigger picture
For Norwich, the trip to Middlesbrough is another data point in an early-season examination of where they genuinely stand among the division's contenders. Clement has spoken consistently about building a clear identity, and the manner in which his side manage the physical and tactical demands of a match at a ground like the Riverside will tell observers a good deal about the progress being made.
The head coach's willingness to praise Middlesbrough openly, rather than retreating into cautious pre-match language, also reflects his broader approach: he wants his players competing with clear eyes, fully aware of what the task in front of them demands. Whether that openness translates into a performance that earns points on the road remains to be seen, but the intent behind it is plain.
Kick-off at the Riverside is this weekend, with Norwich looking to add another away result to the one they collected at Sheffield United earlier in the season.
Frequently asked
- What did Philippe Clement say about Middlesbrough before their match?
- Clement said that Middlesbrough deserved promotion last season, speaking ahead of Norwich City's Championship away trip to the Riverside.
- When do Norwich City play Middlesbrough?
- Norwich City travel to Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium this weekend, with the match taking place in mid-September 2026.
- How have Norwich City been performing in the Championship recently?
- Norwich have shown inconsistency, with a 4-1 win over Burnley and a first away victory at Sheffield United offset by a 1-0 defeat at Stoke City.