Middlesbrough's Homecoming: Kim Hellberg Prepares for Norwich Clash
Kim Hellberg is counting the days, not the miles.
After five away trips in six matches and a draining Carabao Cup exit at Crystal Palace, the Middlesbrough head coach cannot wait to walk back out at the Riverside on Saturday – and he wants the place crackling again when Norwich come to town.
Back to the Riverside, back to the noise
Those long coach journeys have taken a toll. Three games in a week, most of them on the road, have tested legs and focus. Home, for Hellberg, now feels like a reward.
“Norwich are a very good side. I remember that game last season, it was a brilliant atmosphere and I remember the last five minutes were absolutely crazy,” he told BBC Radio Tees, thinking back to the night Hayden Hackney’s goal sent Boro joint top of the Championship.
That memory lingers. So does the noise.
“It will be a very tough game but the atmosphere in all our home games has been very good,” he said. That’s the foundation he wants to lean on again.
What has changed since that last wild night against Norwich is the sense of unity. Hellberg sees it every day.
“After everything that happened last season, everyone has got stronger together. Everyone has raised their level – players, supporters, coaches – everyone together to go to a higher level.
“I think the atmosphere has been very good in every game we have played and I am looking forward to being back against a very good side.
“We need the supporters being on our side and doing everything they can to help get us over the line against a very good opposition.”
Respect for Clement’s Norwich
Norwich arrive with momentum after a shaky start, and Hellberg’s respect for Philippe Clement is clear.
“Philippe Clement has done a brilliant job, he's a very good coach, builds a strong and well-coached team,” he said. “He turned the season around for Norwich last year - they were in danger when he arrived and have built through that. He's a top coach and will give us a lot of different and difficult challenges.”
Two organised teams, two coaches who value structure and intensity, under the lights of a Saturday afternoon. Hellberg likes the sound of it.
“I think it is going to be a very good football game, two good teams against each other, brilliant kick-off time on a Saturday and we are looking forward to it.”
Lankshear leading the line – and the culture
Up front, Will Lankshear has quickly become a symbol of what Hellberg wants this Middlesbrough side to be.
The 21-year-old missed out on the Championship Player of the Month award on Friday, but seven goals in eight games since arriving from Tottenham tell their own story. Hellberg is not measuring his value in trophies.
“I think he has done brilliantly, he's a good boy and has come into the team perfectly. He works very hard on and off the pitch and that's the culture we are trying to create here.”
That word – culture – matters. Hellberg insists the group has shifted since he walked through the door.
“I have seen a massive difference in the group, how they have progressed from the first day here to how we have gone forward and take care of each other in a very good way.
“I have so many good players here who compete in a brilliant way to try and help Middlesbrough win games and Will is one of them and it helps when you score a lot of goals.”
Norwich, a top coach in Clement, a Boro side finding its edge, and a Riverside crowd Hellberg wants right on the front foot.
After all those miles, this is exactly the kind of homecoming that can shape a season.
