Can Norwich City win two mini leagues to secure promotion?

The optimists among the yellow and green army will look with some cheer at the current Championship form table.

Let's leave aside Daniel Farke's Leeds, who have won their last nine games, scoring 22 and letting in just two and look good a decent bet to pip Leicester for the title.

Over the past eight matches David Wagner's men are joint second of in-form sides along with our noisy neighbours down the A140.

Both clubs have won five, drawn two and lost one and have a goal difference of plus eight (Ipswich have scored three more while City have conceded three fewer).

There's been a huge debate around the last two away games which have both finished in draws against teams much lower down the table after the Canaries have been leading.

Were they a point gained? We've got eight points in four matches and kept up the old theory of if you win at home and draw away and you'll be in a good place.

While you can't argue with the facts, there's no doubt that the fixtures at QPR and Blackburn were big missed opportunities to get maximum returns.

All teams can talk about ifs, buts and maybes through a season.

But if City had held on to three points in those journeys to West London and Lancashire, we would be in joint fifth place with WBA. 

The momentum would well and truly be there for a serious charge.

We're in the hunt. But it's going to be tough.

As we prepare for the visit of Sunderland to Carrow Road, the first of 12 big, big matches (yes, 12 cup finals), I'd say Wagner's troops are in a mini league of six clubs battling for two play-offs places. 

West Brom and Hull currently head that pack. There's a long way to go, though.

As well as Sunderland, City still have to go to one other team in the mini league - Preston on April 13.

We've got the daunting trip to Leicester on Easter Monday as well as the little matter of the East Anglian derby in NR1 a few days later.

The other eight matches are against teams from the bottom half of the table.

So what are the prospects of being able to fight the way through to the end of season bun fight?

In the past 10 years it has taken between 69 and 80 points to get to sixth place.

I sense it may be towards the higher end of that range this term - so you'd sense Norwich will need somewhere around 25 more points (yes, roughly two on average per game).

Is that possible? Definitely.

While I like to see myself as a pretty upbeat Canary, to prolong the season will mean lots of factors coming together.

The home form simply has to continue. The buzz has certainly returned to Carra in recent weeks as the goals have flown in.

That has to continue this weekend. More goals and three points will see the old ground bouncing.

Things must improve on the road. Being in 18th place in the away table simply isn't good enough.

We also need to be lucky with injuries for the rest of the season.

The impact of missing key players at key times has been so clear so far.

Johnny Rowe will undoubtedly be a miss.

We can't afford too many more lay-offs, especially with key men like Josh Sargent.

And we have to hope none of our mini league rivals really get it together or breaking into that top six could be a bridge too far.

So if we do get into the play-offs, what are the chances of winning a second mini league to get to the so-called promised land of the Premier League?

Let's assume the Tractor Boys and Southampton miss out on the automatic promotion places and take the third and fourth spots.

Unless they have considerable momentum from their remaining matches, I feel they could be on the back foot as they have been near the top for so long.

Think back over the years to how that has been a disadvantage once there's a level playing field in the May lottery.

City haven't been beaten by the Saints or Town this season - with all three of the games so far against them ending all square (or for that to continue on April 6).

Our record against the other challengers isn't bad either

We have won four, drawn five and lost only two of the 11 games.

Does that mean a lot? Possibly not.

But let's look at the positives and believe this weird season could end in a special way.

OTBC.

Who'll be City's top man?

With 12 league games to play (and possibly more if we get to the play-offs) there is certainly a huge chunk of the season to go.

Already the race to be City's player of the season is hotting up.

Josh Sargent is an obvious front runner. The US hitman has scored 10 goals in 14 games and has a remarkable strike rate of one every 89 minutes, far and away better than anyone else in the second tier.

The difference he makes to the Norwich team when he plays is so stark.

Johnny Rowe also has to be in the mix. He has 12 goals and two assists in his breakthrough season and has caused genuine excitement among fans. His injury is so unfortunate.

Angus Gunn said this week that he is in the form of his life - and I'd entirely agree with that.

He has made crucial saves in a number of games and the fact that City are still in the play-offs hunt says a lot about the gloveman, who is looking forward to a huge summer with Scotland at the Euros.

We also can't ignore Borja Sainz, who we eagerly anticipate how he can further develop.

However, as things stand, my vote is with Kenny McLean.

The term "Mr Consistent" is overused and actually doesn't do justice to the man who is an outstanding leader, terrific example and excellent player in whatever position he is asked to fill.

Quiz time

The Norwich City Fans Social Club continue with their excellent work supporting the Canaries and providing a range of events for fans.

The latest will be one of their ever popular quiz night extravaganzas at the Norfolk Lounge at Carrow Road on Wednesday March 27, 6.45 for a 7.15pm start.

As the NCFSC said, whether you’re a die-hard Canaries fan, a trivia enthusiast, or simply looking for a great evening out, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

There will be a wide range of trivia questions spanning from music to general knowledge and prizes galore as well as an auction including official Norwich City signed merchandise to exclusive experiences that money usually can’t buy.

The cost is £42 per table (maximum of six members per team) and every penny on the night will go to the Community Sports Foundation

To book a table and for more information visit the website www.ncfsc.co.uk.