Credit: Imago, Sky Sports

Simon Thomas reveals one-word text message he's received to sum up Norwich vs Blackburn

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at Reach PLC and PA Media; University of Central Lancashire graduate. FOCUS Fan-engagement content and match analysis across the Premier League and Championship. THE INSIGHT Oliver utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified reporting and fan-first content. He provides the human stories behind the results to ensure fans get the full picture as it happens.

Published on:

07 Feb 2026, 9:50 am

Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday host Simon Thomas highlighted how poor both Norwich and Blackburn were during their Championship clash by reading out a text message live on air.

The Championship relegation battle is forming ahead of the season's run-in, with both Norwich and Blackburn heavily involved as it stands.

Leicester were deducted six points on Thursday to pull them into trouble at the bottom, with Rovers sat just one place below them and one above the relegation zone on goal difference before kick-off.

Valerien Ismael was sacked as Blackburn boss following their 1-0 loss to Hull City last weekend, while interim boss Damien Johnson led them to a vital win against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.

Philippe Clement's Canaries had won three of their previous four games ahead of kick-off, and they emerged victorious at Carrow Road despite it being a tough watch for both sets of fans.

Simon Thomas' friend described Norwich vs Blackburn as 'rancid'

This battle between the 18th and 21st-placed Championship sides was never set to be a classic, and neither side were able to register a shot on target in the first-half.

Thomas explained live on Sky Sports that he had received a message midway through the second half to effectively sum up what supporters were watching, as he said: "I've had a friend who is at the game, and he texted me one simple word to sum it up: 'rancid.'"

What a moment 🤩 pic.twitter.com/30GuEKm1KY
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) February 7, 2026

Norwich soon took a vital lead through Anis Ben Slimane in the 73rd minute, while Mohamed Toure doubled their lead five minutes later and it ended 2-0 to the hosts.

The result saw the Canaries move up to 17th at full-time, while Rovers could slip into the bottom three by the end of the day, depending on other results.

Who is in the running to be the next Blackburn manager?

Blackburn are in desperate need of a lift to pull away from the second-tier's relegation zone, with a new boss set to be appointed before they face QPR on 14 February.

Football Insider revealed last week that Robbie Savage is a contender to be Blackburn's next manager, as he impresses while in charge of Forest Green Rovers.