So, as the global footballing carnival heads towards its climax, it's a return to league duties for the Canaries. Our first game in a month sees us head off to south Wales to renew acquaintances with the Norfolk Cafu. Only a point separates the two clubs, with us in fifth and the Swans in eighth. Wafer thin margins in the top half of the table, with just 4 points between fifth and fourteenth! City have used the enforced break wisely, jetting out to Florida for a warm weather training camp (temperatures forecast to be around freezing on Saturday ) The city players found the camp beneficial, apparently - now they all know who those 2 middle-aged guys who gaze impassionately from the dug-out wearing track suits every game are! Team news etc to follow. And for old times sake, here's a Cafu special
There have been a some notable screamers scored by Norwich over the years but that effort from Russel Martin is one of the sweetest struck goals of all time. Good thread crab man.
These next two matches will be massive for Smith. If he wins them both, a lot of the pressure will go off him as people move towards the idea that he used a similar period of no matches to great effect when he kept Villa up after lockdown. Disgruntled fans may start to believe again. If he loses them both, the cry that we should have sacked him and brought in someone new at the beginning of the WC break will become deafening. A mixed bag, and probably more of the same. The club do nothing and the low-level grumbling continues among the fans. Crucial games.
Great thread and it's back to business with a bang, much like Rusty's goal (we hope). Has anything been said about Sargent's situation?
From the Presser: Josh Sargent 'touch and go' according to Dean Smith for this weekend. Missed the US World Cup exit to the Netherlands last weekend with a 'right ankle sprain'. Marcelino Nunez (hamstring). Very doubtful for this weekend. Played two games for Chile during the pre-World Cup phase. Jonathan Rowe underwent ankle surgery this week. Damaged ligaments out in Tampa. Out for at least two months. Had only returned to training after a long term absence with a shin injury before the World Cup break. Sam Byram (hamstring). Final stages of rehab. Missed the Rotherham and Middlesbrough games with some soreness in a tendon in his hamstring. Jacob Sorensen (foot) stress fracture. Another in the final stages of rehab. Trained in Tampa but indicated he was still 'weeks away' from being back in contention. Injured in the second half of Norwich City's Championship defeat at Hull City in August. Andrew Omobamidele. Available. Out since suffering ankle ligament damage in the closing stages of last month's 2-1 defeat at Watford. No surgery required. Adam Idah. Available. Trained at warm weather camp in Tampa. Had knee surgery in late September. Previously had fluid taken out of his knee earlier this season, after a knee problem curtailed his Premier League season at the start of 2022. MFW analysis of Swansea: https://norwichcity.myfootballwriter.com/2022/12/09/city-v-swansea-the-preview/
What a start! Pukki misses a great opportunity after a loose pass at the back from Swansea allowed Sinani to put him through on goal. Pukki then scores from the corner, arriving at the back post for 2 yards out and puts it in off the bar
