Ian Clarke: Crucial three weeks ahead for Norwich City

As our minds are turned away from domestic football and go through the first international break of the season, let's examine the Norwich City facts after the first month of the season.

Fifth place in the embryonic Championship table. Three wins, a draw and a defeat from the opening five games.

David Wagner's men have found the net 14 times in the league - more than anyone else - and have the best goal difference.

We all know what the Championship is like and it really is a case of everyone can beat everyone.

And already the unpredictability of the second tier can be seen clearly.

One of the favourites for promotion, Southampton, got a real hammering at Sunderland at the weekend.

Leeds have won only one of their five matches - and that was at Ipswich (who we all now know from their chirpy fans that they will be crowned champions by Christmas...)

City's loss at Rotherham was unexpected, disappointing and a wake up call in equal measure.

It's unfortunate that there wasn't a game sooner to get it out of the system - but that's football.

Once the league action returns in just over a week there will certainly be plenty of chances to put things right.

And in fact the three week period before the next international pause will be both crazily frenetic - and crucial in many ways in shaping the way this campaign will pan out.

In fact I'd go as far as saying it will have a lot to do in influencing the future of our club.

On the pitch the first game back sees the visit of Alex Neil's 16th-placed Stoke on September 16.

Four days later is certainly the biggest home game of the campaign so far as Leicester - still third despite their weekend defeat - head to Carrow Road under the lights.

There have already been a few long trips this term and the mileometer will definitely be ramped up with the journey down to last season's League One champions Plymouth on September 23.

Then there's a break from league action with the Carabao Cup third round tie at Fulham.

The match for the Craven Cottage outfit is sandwiched between Premier League London derbies against Crystal Palace and Chelsea.

They are certain to rest many of their first team regulars - but it will still be a massive test for David Wagner's men.

I'm sure after beating Spurs in the previous round that Fulham will fancy going deep into the competition.

With the potential for up to 6000 City fans down in West London as the whole Putney End has been allocated, it could be quite a night and a properly decent test against a top flight side.

Less than 72 hours later on September 30, high flying Birmingham are heading to Carra before successive away league matches as Swansea and Coventry.

Got your breath back yet? Fasten the seatbelts.

Oh and let's throw into the mix the little matter of the crucial meeting on October 2 where the Attanasios could basically become joint majority shareholders with Delia and Michael.

The backdrop to that meeting is pretty complicated and I would thoroughly recommend the explainer articles and video which my colleagues Paddy Davitt and Connor Southwell put together.

In essence, if things go the way they want, the Americans will take another big step towards eventually taking over the club.

I have to say I am very positive about the future with them at the helm.

We have so, so much to thank Delia and Michael for.

I remember as a reporter all those years ago writing the first article when they got involved in the boardroom.

Their incredible commitment and unbelievable dedication can never be forgotten.

There's no doubt that in the modern game more investment is needed - and the Attanasios have already shown they can inject the finance (as well as other crucial aspects) which have not been possible.

That meeting looks set to be really, really pivotal for our club.

Back to the on pitch issues and those upcoming games will show how City can cope without Josh Sargent.

He was definitely missed at the New York Stadium but the whole malaise of that day wasn't just down to the missing American.

Can Adam Idah finally find some consistent form and prove his potential as a number 9?

How quickly can Ui-Jo Hwang settle in? Is he the answer?

There's a good chance Borja Sainz could make a return soon and if he can fire and Jon Rowe is able to maintain his sensational start to the season, things could be promising for a proper promotion push.

Enjoy this late burst of summer sun - and get ready for quite a three weeks.

OTBC

Window madness

I'm frankly gobsmacked that the total nonsense of the transfer window shutting a month into the new season carries on.

Yes, we get carried away with the exciting soap opera of the last minute deals.

I was out with some mates on Friday night who are fans of various clubs and it certainly dominated conversations as we checked our phones every other second to keep up with every twist and turn.

But the craziness should stop.

Close the window the week before the new term starts and only allow emergency loans for teams in real need until January.

It was madness that a Premier League game was going on while all those 11th hour transactions were going through.

How can it be right that Norwich City officials were still completing paperwork in the early hours of the morning on Saturday, so close to a key league game?

I know there will be the argument that the coaching staff and players won't be affected - but I simply don't believe it.

By all accounts Andrew Omobamidele was in the team hotel in Yorkshire on Friday evening and suddenly went to join Nottingham Forest. That must have caused disruption.

On the ball Amber!

Norwich have certainly picked up a new fan this week - and she's worked musical wonders with some Canary favourite songs.

Amber T is a promising singer songwriter who has become a huge hit with City fans since performing a rendition of the Jonny Rowe song on national radio.

She is actually a Chelsea fan and went on a show where performers do versions of well known football chants.

After refusing to do a Spurs one, she agreed on a Canary song and it certainly went viral among the yellow and green faithful.

Rob Butler and Chris Reeve then invited Amber on to their BBC Radio Norfolk Scrimmage show on Monday, where they premiered her version of the Gabriel Sara chant.

Amber chatted enthusiastically about her new found support for City - and hopes to get a gig sorted here one day.

Get her in the Lower Barclay with her guitar next to the City Elite drum!!