Norwich must treat Leeds second leg like a cup final, say fans

The first leg of this championship playoff semi-final ended 0-0 on Sunday

Norwich fans are telling us that David Wagner’s men need to treat tonight’s game in West Yorkshire like a cup final.

Norwich face Leeds away tonight in the second and deciding leg of their Championship play-off semi-final with a shot at the Premier League.

The first leg ended 0-0 at Carrow Road on Sunday.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if it was tied after 90 minutes”

Lorraine Taylor has been a Canaries fan for nearly 50 years: “My heart says yes, we can do it in 90 minutes and book our place at Wembley. But my head isn’t too sure. It’s been a real rollercoaster after Norwich, this season

Chris Newby is a Canaries fan who now lives in Portugal: “The longer the game goes on, the more both teams will have to go further and take more risks. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was tied after 90 minutes and it went to penalties.

“The first one was more daring and I think both teams were most concerned with feeling each other out and not making mistakes.

Rob Sainty is chairman of the club’s Official Supporters Group: “Leeds are easy to get. Defensively I thought they looked very shaky in the first 20-25 minutes of the first leg. The keeper messed up a number of times in trouble.

“However, they are a quality team and it shows in the fact that they finished 17 points above us in the season.

What did the manager and players say?

Norwich head coach David Wagner believes the more his side can frustrate Leeds in the second leg of their Sky Bet Championship semi-final, it will only help increase the pressure from an expectant crowd at Elland Road.

Both teams canceled each other out in a goalless first leg with no clear-cut chances at Carrow Road on Sunday – although Leeds did see an effort from Junior Firpo ruled out for marginally offside.

“Of course I would have liked to win it (the first leg),” Wagner said in an interview with Canaries TV after Sunday’s match.

“But I have experience (of the play-offs) – and I know that a draw at home is a good result where you can really put pressure on the opposition, especially away from home the longer the game goes on.

“We’re fully into the race, so I’m in a positive mood. I know what we’re capable of.”

Scotland midfielder Kenny McLean – one of half a dozen current Norwich players in Farke’s successful squad – feels there is plenty of life left in the tie.

“It’s always understanding in the first leg of these games, nobody wants to lose and go into (the second leg) at a disadvantage,” McLean told Norwich’s club website.

“It sets us up for a really big game and we’re looking forward to it. We’re still well on our feet and confident we can pull it off.

“We will prepare as best we can and give ourselves every opportunity.”

Norwich continue to monitor goalscorer Josh Sargent after the United States international was ruled out towards the end of the first leg with an ankle problem.

Striker Ashley Barnes has been sidelined with a calf injury that ruled him out of the final game of the regular season and also Sunday’s game, so it remains to be seen whether he will be fit to be involved again at Elland Road.

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