Kim Hellberg Calls for Riverside Roar as Boro Face Norwich

Kim Hellberg has barely stopped travelling since the season began. Five of Middlesbrough’s last six games have been on the road, three of them crammed into the last week, and Tuesday’s Carabao Cup exit at Crystal Palace only added to the mileage.

Now he finally gets what he wants: a Saturday back at the Riverside. And he wants it loud.

Norwich City arrive on Teesside with momentum after steadying themselves from a shaky start, and Hellberg is under no illusions about the size of the task. The Swede is leaning on memory as much as form – specifically, that wild night the last time these sides met on this ground, when a Hayden Hackney strike sent Boro joint top of the Championship.

“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,” Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees. “It will be a very tough game but the atmosphere in all our home games has been very good.”

That atmosphere, he insists, has been forged in adversity. Last season’s turbulence has, in his eyes, hardened everyone connected to the club.

“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,” he said. “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.”

If the crowd is one pillar of Boro’s push, the man in the opposite dugout is another major factor in the contest. Hellberg has plenty of respect for Philippe Clement and the job he has done at Carrow Road.

“Philippe Clement has done a brilliant job, he's a very good coach, builds a strong and well-coached team,” Hellberg 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.”

“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.”

One of the main reasons Boro can look forward to it with confidence is Will Lankshear. The 21-year-old striker missed out on the Championship Player of the Month award on Friday, but his start to life on Teesside has been explosive: seven goals in eight games since his summer move from Tottenham.

Hellberg is not bothered by the lack of an individual trophy. The goals, and the attitude, matter more.

“I think he has done brilliantly, he's a good boy and has come into the team perfectly,” the head coach said. “He works very hard on and off the pitch and that's the culture we are trying to create here.”

“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.”

A tiring week on the road, a dangerous Norwich side, and a striker in form. Hellberg has his challenges, but he also has his stage back. Now it’s up to the Riverside to sound like it did on that frantic night against Norwich last season – and maybe even louder.