"Impossible situation" - Chris Sutton issues concerning Norwich City prediction | OneFootball

Chris Sutton has given his view on whether Norwich City will reach the play-offs in the Championship this season.

Former Norwich City striker and pundit Chris Sutton does not believe the Canaries will reach the play-offs in the Championship this season.

Norwich finished sixth in the table last season, but they suffered heartbreak as they were beaten 4-0 by Leeds United in the play-off semi-finals, and head coach David Wagner was sacked shortly after the defeat at Elland Road.

Johannes Hoff Thorup has been appointed as Wagner's replacement, and the 35-year-old has brought in four new signings this summer as he looks to rebuild his squad.

However, much of the summer at Carrow Road has been dominated by departures, with a host of senior players leaving the club, including the likes of Ben Gibson, Danny Batth, Sam McCallum, Dimitris Giannoulis, Christos Tzolis and Adam Idah, and the Canaries suffered a huge blow earlier this month when star man Gabriel Sara completed a move to Galatarasay for a fee that could eventually rise to £22.5 million.

Marseille are said to be closing in on the signing of Jonathan Rowe for a fee of £14 million, with a further £3 million in bonuses, while Abu Kamara has handed in a transfer request, and last season's top scorer, Josh Sargent, is reportedly attracting interest from Bournemouth, St Louis City and FC Cincinnati, so there could be further exits before the end of the window.

It has been a disappointing start to the season on the pitch for Norwich, and they are still searching for their first league win of the campaign after being held to a 2-2 home draw by Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

Chris Sutton delivers Norwich City play-off prediction

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, via Instant Withdrawal Casino, Sutton said that given the disruption Norwich have faced this summer, it could be tough for them to challenge for promotion this season.

Asked whether he believes Norwich will finish in the play-offs, Sutton said: "I think Norwich are still getting ready for the season, as are other clubs.

"That whole situation makes you wonder what on earth is going on with that?"

Promotion push looks unlikely for Norwich City this season

It is difficult to disagree with Sutton that it could be tough for Norwich to reach the play-offs this season.

The departure of Sara, who scored 14 goals and provided 13 assists last season, is a huge blow for the Canaries, and with uncertainty remaining over the future of a number of the club's key players, the squad could be depleted further before the end of the window.

Sutton is right that Thorup is working in challenging conditions, but it has been a poor start to the campaign for Norwich, and having conceded two or more goals in every game in all competitions so far, the head coach urgently needs to address his side's defensive problems.

The Canaries are reportedly set to sign Rakow Czestochowa striker Ante Crnac for €11 million (£9.4 million), but given that he has scored just nine goals in 40 games for his current club, there are question marks over whether he will be able to deliver in the Championship, making it essential that Sargent remains at Carrow Road.