Tony Dorigo has revealed what Norwich City’s first-team coach Andrew Hughes told him during a “quick chat” following Leeds United’s 0-0 draw with the Canaries at Carrow Road.
Daniel Farke faced his former club Norwich for the third time this season, having previously won 3-2 at Carrow Road and 1-0 at Elland Road, but Leeds were unable to make it three wins from three.
However, the 0-0 draw puts Leeds in control on Thursday night, as the Whites have home advantage after preventing David Wagner’s side from winning in East Anglia on Sunday afternoon.
Hughes, a former Leeds defender, was in the Norwich dugout alongside Wagner after joining the Canaries in the summer of 2021 and was elevated to first-team coach following Wagner’s arrival in January 2023.
Hughes played with Norwich for two years before joining Leeds in 2007, totaling 79 games. He subsequently spent the next four seasons with Leeds, where he made 139 appearances.
Dorigo spoke to LUTV following the draw, where he acted as a co-commentator, and relayed what Hughes told him during a “quick chat” with Norwich’s first-team coach. Here is what he stated:
Dorigo explains what Hughes informed him regarding Norwich’s chances.
Leeds are now strong favourites to reach the final at Wembley Stadium on May 26. This is due to the Yorkshire club’s outstanding home record in 2023-24, whereas Norwich underperformed away from home.
Leeds won 16 of 23 Championship matches at Elland Road, earning 53 of a possible 69 points. Norwich was the 19th-best away team in the league, with only six wins in 23 games.
Dorigo confirmed Hughes’ statement to LUTV: “We will undoubtedly be favourites, but we are capable of carrying that burden. “We had a quick chat with Andrew Hughes as he walked past,” Dorigo told LUTV.
He said, “Don’t write us off yet,” and he’s absolutely correct. It’s only halftime. They’ll be thinking about getting an early goal, the fans, and things like that. “We need to put that to bed,” Dorigo said after speaking with Hughes.
What Chris Sutton and David Wagner say about Norwich’s chances.
So, while the odds are stacked in Leeds’ favor heading into the second leg of the semi-final encounter ahead of the final at Wembley Stadium on May 26, Chris Sutton and David Waner are optimistic that Norwich will win.
When asked if Leeds are favourites, Sutton answered that he has a “feeling” that Norwich can go to Elland Road and knock Farke’s side out of the promotion race.
Wagner, for his part, feels he saw enough in the first leg to be confident in going to Yorkshire and getting a win, despite their away record this season and the fact that Leeds had previously won twice against Norwich.
