The conundrum of Norwich City’s away form has Jonny Howson scratching his head as much as anyone.
Two years ago under Alex Neil the Canaries were unbeaten and untouchable away from Carrow Road; this season has been a very different story.
Victory over Wolves on Saturday was City’s fourth in five home league games. Only four teams have picked up more points at home all season.
And yet only four teams have lost more games on the road than Norwich.
“We can’t play at Carrow Road every week,” said Howson. “Certainly against Wolves was a great performance and a good win, but over the past month or so we’ve had the odd good game.
“There’s no two ways about it that we need to improve our away form if we’re going to achieve something this season. We’ve shown we can do it – but sometimes that’s the most frustrating thing, when you then don’t. We cant keep talking about it. We’ve just got to go and do it.
“The main thing is we get focused on the next game and add a bit of consistency – whether it’s here, away, you’ve got to do it at both.”
The difference between now and 2015 remains stark. The reasons, elusive.
“If you could do, you’d try to fix it,” added Howson. “We’ve obviously tried a few different ways of playing. It’s about adding that consistency and doing it on a regular basis.
“So let’s not let Wolves be another one like it has been over the past few weeks – like against Derby, and then a disappointing one to follow.
“We need to make sure we go and follow up that Wolves win now, because if we don’t then it’s worth nothing in that sense.”
Saturday’s visitors to Carrow Road know all about elusive form.
Birmingham are yet to record a win since Gianfranco Zola controversially replaced Gary Rowett in mid-December.
The game will mark Alex Neil’s 100th in charge of the Canaries – with most of his recent outings coming under huge pressure to turn his side’s ailing fortunes around.
“It has been a damaging few months, there’s no hiding away from that,” added Howson. “We can’t get too carried away after Saturday and the only thing we can take care of now is Birmingham.
“We’re proving at this moment in time we’re better at home, for whatever reason. So it’s possibly a good chance to build on our momentum.”
• Follow Michael Bailey on Twitter @michaeljbailey and Facebook @mbjourno
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