Vladan Kovacevic has been Norwich City’s number one since joining the club in the summer. (Image: Matt Wilkinson/Focus Images Ltd)

GOALKEEPER

City completely revamped their goalkeeping department in the summer, adding Vladan Kovacevic, Dan Grimshaw and Louie Moulden to their stop-stopping department.

Kovacevic has filled the gloves vacated by Angus Gunn at the end of last season, combining some fantastic saves with moments of pure chaos. Without those moments of brilliance, Norwich would sit on fewer points in the division. The next challenge is to find a stable consistency in his game.

Given the options available to City behind the Serbian, it is not a position that needs to be under consideration heading into the January window. There may be an option to sort loan moves for some academy options like Caleb Ansen.

Jack Stacey and Kellen Fisher – two solid right back options. (Image: Matt Wilkinson/Focus Images Ltd)

RIGHT BACK

Arguably one of the strongest positions that Norwich have throughout their team currently with two quality options at Philippe Clement’s disposal in Jack Stacey and Kellen Fisher.

It has long been debated who should take the starting vacancy when both are fit, but they are very different players with contrasting strengths. Stacey’s running power is a threat whilst Fisher’s technical quality provides variation down the right side.

Stacey signed a new contract in the summer, whilst Fisher has been one of the big winners since Clement arrived, rediscovering the form that saw him named runner-up in last season’s player of the season. Not one that needs re-visiting.

Do Norwich City have enough quality in centre defensive areas? (Image: Jeremy Landey/Focus Images Ltd)

CENTRE BACK

This is an interesting one. Purely in terms of head count, Norwich have more than enough first-team options in Harry Darling, Jakov Medic, Jose Cordoba, Shane Duffy and Ruairi McConville.

But the question is whether they have the depth of quality required to stay in the division. Only Sheffield Wednesday and Hull have conceded more goals than City’s 33, with Clement and predecessor Liam Manning struggling to settle upon a settled partnership.

Medic has struggled against pace in the division, Duffy’s presence continues to be divisive whilst McConville and Darling have shown flashes of quality in moments. Cordoba, who Clement tried to sign ahead of City at Rangers, is yet to feature under the Belgian due to injury.

Could Norwich be tempted into another reinforcement? There is an argument that more quality could be beneficial, but they need to free up some slots. Duffy attracted interest in the summer but failed to secure a move, whilst the other four are projects still to refine for Clement.

Ben Chrisene made his long-awaited return against Sheffield United in midweek. (Image: Matt Wilkinson/Focus Images Ltd)

LEFT BACK

Ah. The problem position for the Canaries.

Ben Chrisene’s long-awaited return from injury in their midweek draw with Sheffield United has eased some pressure, but the England U21 international will require some building up over the busy festive period.

Lucien Mahovo and Jeff Schlupp remain sidelined, with Norwich requiring temporary options like Kellen Fisher, Kenny McLean and most recently Tony Springett to hold the fort in their absence.

When all are fit, City will have three capable options to choose from. That isn’t a luxury they’ve been afforded this season, but with Mahovo’s and Chrisene’s development a priority internally, it seems unlikely they’ll target a position this month that risks making them top-heavy in the long-term.

Pelle Mattsson and Jacob Wright – the central midfield future for Norwich City? (Image: Matt Wilkinson/Focus Images Ltd)

CENTRAL MIDFIELD

If it weren’t for Pelle Mattsson’s revamped form, there’s a case to be made that City could have done with an extra option in this area.

With Mirko Topic ruled out for the rest of the season, Kenny McLean battling with a hip issue and Liam Gibbs’ frustrating injury history continuing to cause selection headaches for Clement, perhaps there still is. Anis Ben Slimane’s return is welcome whilst Jacob Wright seems preferred higher up the pitch.

Is there a vacancy for an addition in that area? There is certainly an argument for a midfielder in Clement’s preferred mould. Norwich’s recruitment has left the frontline options feeling somewhat identikit, with a hole for a box-to-box player in their midfield ranks, especially with McLean entering the final six months of his deal – although there is a year’s option to extend.

Perhaps a loan move to provide cover and depth may be optimal given Topic’s absence or someone with more Championship nous to help manage McLean’s minutes.

Matej Jurasek – yet to get his big Norwich City break. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

WIDE AREAS

This feels like one of the biggest priorities heading into January. Beyond Matej Jurasek, Norwich don’t have natural wide options at their disposal with Jovon Makama, Oscar Schwartau, Errol Mundle-Smith and Amankwah Forson all filling in over the recent weeks.

Jurasek has struggled for a break since his big-money move last January and is struggling to justify that business. City have lacked pace and creativity in the first half of the season – they will look to address that next month.

City had first refusal on a season-long loan for Lewis Dobbin in the summer before opting against a renewed deal for the Aston Villa winger, who is now excelling at Preston. Papa Amadou Diallo’s injury has left them short, with the Senegalese expected to be out until the New Year.

There could even be an argument to add another two bodies to that area, given their struggles – especially if one could double up as a striking option in light of Mathias Kvistgaarden’s injury. That may require some difficult decisions to free up space if so.

Emi Marcondes is one of the few natural number 10 options available to Norwich City. (Image: Matt Wilkinson/Focus Images Ltd)

NUMBER 10

Emi Marcondes has grasped the number 10 mantle at Norwich City since Clement’s arrival, having impressed the Belgian in training and in some performances, most notably QPR at home.

But City are short of natural options in this area. Jacob Wright has emerged as a potential alternative, but looks more comfortable in deeper areas. Amankwah Forson and Oscar Schwartau have also shown improvement under Clement and could be viable solutions if wider areas are addressed.

It feels likely Norwich could add a more frontline number 10 option in January, especially with Clement settled on a 4-2-3-1 formation. They have lacked creativity and support, with Josh Sargent often left feeding on scraps and looking isolated.

It could potentially hinge on Clement’s assessment of the available options after work in wider areas – but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Norwich were active in this position next month.

Josh Sargent and Mathias Kvistgaarden are Norwich City’s two striking options. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

STRIKER

Prior to midweek, City’s striker situation felt like one of significant strength with Josh Sargent and Mathias Kvistgaarden as their frontline options, plus Jovon Makama as a backup.

But Kvistgaarden’s knee injury, thought to be serious and expected to be confirmed by Clement at tomorrow’s press conference, has left Norwich light in that area and overreliant on Sargent again.

If the Dane’s injury is as severe as first thought, they may have little choice but to dip their toe into the market for another forward option to support Sargent. It may even be possible that a wide recruit who has the capability of doubling up as a central option could be targeted.

Any pursuit of a striker would be testing given Sargent’s presence in the side – as Norwich found when adding Sydney van Hooijdonk to their ranks in January 2023 – it can be hard to find quality to offer support.

One to watch as the month progresses. It cannot be ruled out that Sargent himself won’t command interest from elsewhere.