Ipswich newspaper's jibe at struggling Championship rivals Norwich backfires as fans highlight error

An Ipswich-based newspaper took aim at the struggles of East Anglian rivals Norwich City on their frontpage, only for Canaries supporters to hit back by highlighting an error.

The Ipswich Star shared a front page story on Monday reflecting on the differing fortunes of rivals Ipswich Town and Norwich City.

Ipswich had earned a dominant 4-1 victory over Swansea City on Saturday to move up to seventh in the Championship table.

The Tractor Boys are now just two points off a play-off spot and six adrift of the automatic promotion places as they eye an immediate return to the Premier League.

By contrast, Norwich slumped to a Championship-record seventh successive home league defeat after losing 2-1 to Leicester.

The result left the Canaries second bottom of the table, four points from safety.

Norwich are only only above Sheffield Wednesday, who have been deducted 12 points due to entering administration.

The Canaries dismal form led to the club sacking head coach Liam Manning, who was dismissed after just 17 game in charge.

The Ipswich Star noted the fortunes of the two clubs with a bold jibe at Norwich, writing 'All smiles at Town - and Norwich S***y sack Manning'.

One Ipswich fan noted the newspaper 'revelling' in the ongoing crisis at Norwich.

Canaries supporters were quick to hit back at the outlet, with one labelling the headline as 'childish'.

Others in response noted that the jibe at the club was incorrectly spelled, stating the headline should have read as 's****' rather than 's***y'.

Norwich had confirmed the dismissal of Manning on Saturday following their defeat by Leicester.

The club's sporting director Ben Knapper acknowledged that results had 'not been good enough' and admitted they needed to repair their relationship with supporters. 

'We have tried absolutely everything possible to work through this incredibly challenging period but, unfortunately, given the recent run of results and performances, we have been left with no choice other than to make a change at this stage,' Knapper said.

'Liam and his staff worked tirelessly to move our football club forward. They are all fundamentally good people and we wish them the very best in whatever comes next.

'We very much understand the frustration and criticism from our supporters at this stage. So far, results and performances on the pitch haven't been good enough. We accept that responsibility, but it's now imperative that we start to repair the relationship with our supporters and do everything we can to give them something to get behind.'

First-team coach Ryan Garry is leading Norwich on an interim basis, supported by goalkeeper coach Tony Roberts and set piece coach Nick Stanley.

Norwich will next be in action when they face Birmingham on November 22.