Norwich City column: Tide is turning with Canaries back in the Championship play-off race after win at Watford

Despite all of the trials and tribulations this season has brought with it (and there have been many), make no mistake about it – Norwich City are back in the play-off race.

Last Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Watford moved Johannes Hoff Thorup’s side to within two points of the top six, with 16 games still to play.

Like most, I thought this season was drifting towards mid-table mediocracy, but an upturn in results since the Christmas period has delivered renewed hope.

And why shouldn’t we steer into that optimism? After all, it feels like all parts of the jigsaw are starting to fall into place.

I wrote last week about the importance of Josh Sargent’s return from injury and the USA international once again proved his worth at Vicarage Road, scoring the only goal of the game.

A tap in maybe, but being there in the right place at the right time is such a crucial skill for a striker.

It’s not in isolation either. The hope is that both Marcelino Nunez and Anis Ben Slimane will be fit for action when Derby County visit Carrow Road on Saturday.

Nunez in particular is a massive part of this side and the key to any success we might have between now and May.

That’s before you even mention the new signings as well as the fact Borja Sainz only has one game of his suspension remaining.

Following the January transfer window, it has been incredibly positive from Ben Knapper, both in terms of signing exciting young players and moving on high-earners, whose best days are behind them.

The headline arrival has to be Matej Jurasek. The Czech international is another who is now available for action, having had to wait for almost a month to enter the country.

Much of the discourse around this season has been about players who are unavailable, whether due to injury or suspension and how that has hampered us. It has been deeply frustrating.

However, it is starting to feel like that tide is turning, bringing with it a wave of positivity.