Successive home games against Derby County and Preston North End were supposed to be Norwich City's big opportunity to gatecrash the top six. It ended up being a typical Championship reality check.
With Josh Sargent fit and firing, Borja Sainz returning from a six-game ban, Marcelino Nunez recovered from injury and Czech winger Matej Jurasek finally cleared to make his debut, the stars appeared to be aligning for boss Johannes Hoff Thorup.
However, the resolute defences of Derby and Preston stifled the usually prolific Canaries.
Norwich are the only other team in the Championship aside from leaders Leeds United to have registered 50 league goals this season.