It is five years since Norwich City were promoted at Villa Park.

It’s a day I remember well. There were few doubts that we would finish at the top of the league, but a loss for us and a positive result for Sheffield United would leave us in second place.

Teemu Pukki scored early on, only for Villa to equalise minutes later. Surely, after everything, we couldn’t slip at the final hurdle?

“STOKE HAVE SCORED!”

One of the most beautiful noises in football, a fellow fan keeping everyone updated on the scores around the ground.

We just needed to hold on to this draw: Sheffield United were a goal down against Stoke. In the end their result didn’t matter as Mario Vrančić cemented his reputation for scoring in big games with a goal at the death.

Immediate jubilation, not dying down until late the next day when the team completed a final victory lap at Wes Hoolahan and Russell Martin’s testimonial.

It was not a promotion anyone was expecting, which of course only added to the enjoyment. Achieving against the odds is always a sweet feeling – the chance to prove people wrong, the moment when it becomes clear that it might actually happen, the celebrations when it finally does. For me, that afternoon at Villa Park is a football memory that has yet to be surpassed.

The next promotion campaign was less unexpected. Although Norwich had finished rock bottom of the Premier League we retained much of our core talent, and were led by a coach with proven experience in the league.

This time it was less about battling against the odds, more about uniting fans in a season where few of us made it to Carrow Road. The 2020-21 campaign was the first full season to be completed during the pandemic.

It was an eerie feeling, knowing we had won the league at home but watching the players celebrate in an empty ground. I watched the game on a video call with my mates. It didn’t compare to the highs of actually being there, but at a time where so many aspects of our lives had been put on hold, it was enough.

Three years later, Norwich are in the play-offs and looking ahead to hosting Leeds United next weekend. For many external to the club, taking into account parachute payments and squad strength, this does not come as a surprise, but it was hardly a certainty to those who have actually followed Norwich closely this season.

Indeed the final day of the regular season succinctly summarised much of City’s approach to the league: we set up for a draw, lost the game, but staggered over the line regardless.

Norwich Evening News: David Wagner urges his team on during the home draw against Swansea

It does not feel like Norwich are battling for promotion. Mood around the club, while not quite as apathetic as it has been, is still teetering on the edge of ambivalent. Of course we want Norwich to do well, to win every game, but the thought of this team under this coach reaching the top flight is not hugely comforting. There have been too many times where poor decision making has led to points dropped, too many false dawns. I can’t imagine David Wagner’s comment that Saturday’s loss to Birmingham was “totally irrelevant” sat well with fans who had made the trip to St. Andrew’s, but it is indicative of a campaign that has felt more focused on the end point than the journey.

If promotion is achieved through the play-offs, Wagner will feel vindicated in the decisions he has made this season. Will that make up for the dodgy away performances, the sometimes questionable tactics, the boos and the disharmony? That’s a call for individual fans to make.

How does this (potential) promotion campaign compare to recent efforts?

The journey certainly doesn’t. If the end point is the same, perhaps we’ll be asking if that actually matters.