Speaking exclusively to EFL Hub, former Norwich City player David Bentley has expressed his belief that having Ipswich in the division above will spur the Canaries on.
It’s rare for the Tractor Boys to be on top in the Old Farm rivalry – the last time Ipswich were in the league above Norwich was 2009/10, when the Canaries ended up winning League One.
However, under Kieran McKenna, they’re rumbled into the top flight after a four-season stint in League One, and Bentley believes that will help drive standards at Carrow Road.
“Local rivalry is good as from knowledge of Arsenal and Spurs it can spur you on to push on as a club and close the gap between you and your neighbours,” said the 40-year-old, who spent the 2004/05 season on loan at Carrow Road.
“The East Anglian derby is good and competitive, like most of the derbies, and Ipswich now in the Premier League will get those from Norwich looking to improve their Championship form and push for a play off place and go from there.”
At present that is looking like it might be a challenge – new manager Johannes Hoff Thorup has had a tough start to life in Norfolk, winning one of his first four matches to languish in 13th place in the table.
Bentley, who also appeared for Championship side Blackburn Rovers during his career, believes strikers are the key in the second tier, and that’s where Thorup needs to focus his attentions.
“Strikers are key in the Championship and Norwich need to find goals from their squad,’ he added.
“It may take time, but Norwich have been there before, so they know what it takes. It’s arguably even more competitive now.”
Pundit David Bentley is best known for his impressive spell at Blackburn Rovers, where he quickly became a key player after joining from Arsenal in 2006. Known for his crossing ability and flair, Bentley made 102 league appearances for Rovers, scoring 13 goals, including a famous hat-trick against Manchester United.
His standout performances earned him an England call-up and a move to Tottenham Hotspur in 2008, though his best footballing years were undoubtedly at Blackburn.
Site Opinion: Goals Really Are Key
It’s so easy to say that goals are key, but it’s actually accurate in the case of Norwich. They’ve had a player score 20 or more goals in each of the four times they’ve been promoted to the Premier League over the last 14 seasons – Grant Holt (23 in 10/11), Cameron Jerome (21 in 2014/15) and Teemu Pukki (30 in 2018/19 and 26 in 2020/21). Outside of that, only once has a player hit more than 20 in a season – Holt hit 30 the year they won League One.
Whether having Ipswich in the Premier League really is a motivation remains questionable. For supporters, there’s zero doubt that it will be a driver, but for Norwich City players, probably not so much. The two sides have barely met in recent seasons, so for them it will be just another game. Perhaps three or four years in the same division might change that.
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