Keeping in line with the friendly rivalry we have established in the last few seasons I have been asked to present this week’s match day thread, so…….. Welcome to the match day thread v Swansea City v Norwich City Saturday 8th December 2012 – 3.00pm kick off Venue - Liberty Stadium, Swansea For two seasons these two fine teams, geographically on opposite sides of the UK have progressed in football in an almost uncanny way. Both promoted to the Premier League 17 months ago, both tipped by many to face instant relegation and both not only defied the odds but surpassed the expectations of most. At the end of last season the teams continued to mirror image each other as their respective managers moved on to pastures new. This mirror image has spread to the League Cup this season with both teams looking to reach the semi-final stage next week and current league placings are not exactly miles apart again this time round. This season, so far, has seen the Swans open up a small gap over the Canaries after a blistering start to the season. The opening day of the season could not have been more different. While Swansea City were in the process of demolishing the “improved” QPR team 5-0 at Loftus Road, Norwich were having the same done to them at Craven Cottage by Fulham. Norwich continued in poor form with home draws against QPR and West Ham while Swansea were all conquering in the early stages of the season. The wheels appeared to have come off for Swansea in September and October as they went on a run of 5 games, including 3 consecutive defeats, that produced just 2 points but they began to recover and start picking up wins again. The resurgence coincided with the transformation of Norwich City as they beat Arsenal, Stoke City and Man Utd at home; picking up draws on all their away games between. In the last 10 days though, Swansea have made a bit of a statement following convincing wins over an in-form West Brom and Arsenal at the Emirates but Norwich City are currently unbeaten in the last 8 games.. <table border="1" align="center" bordercolor="#FFffff" style="background-color:#FFFFFF" width="75%" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"> <tr> <td>Arsenal</td> <td width="5%">0</td> <td width="5%">2</td> <td>Swansea City</td> <td></td> <td>Norwich City</td> <td width="5%">2</td> <td width="5%">1</td> <td>Sunderland</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Swansea City</td> <td>3</td> <td>1</td> <td>West Brom</td> <td></td> <td>Southampton</td> <td>1</td> <td>1</td> <td>Norwich City</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Swansea City</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>Liverpool</td> <td></td> <td>Everton</td> <td>1</td> <td>1</td> <td>Norwich City</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Newcastle Utd</td> <td>1</td> <td>2</td> <td>Swansea City</td> <td></td> <td>Norwich City</td> <td>1</td> <td>0</td> <td>Man Utd</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Southampton</td> <td>1</td> <td>1</td> <td>Swansea City</td> <td></td> <td>Reading</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>Norwich City</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Swansea City</td> <td>1</td> <td>1</td> <td>Chelsea</td> <td></td> <td>Norwich City</td> <td>1</td> <td>0</td> <td>Stoke City</td> </tr> </table> Goals have been hard for Norwich to come by since tightening up at the other end by new manager Chris Hughton, but still a dangerous looking unit going forward. The defence is the key for the Canaries with Bassong pulling the strings they have become tough to break down and those that do, only do it once. Wes Hoolahan and Alexander Tettey have been very influential in midfield this season too. A long term injury to John Ruddy will see his more than capable replacement Mark Bunn between the posts. In recent weeks Chris Hughton has not been afraid to throw on strikers in the last 10-15 minutes to try and get a win from a drawing position. The Swans side has largely impressed this season with bargain signings Michu and Pablo with Wayne Routledge seems to have a new lease of life under new manager Michael Laudrup. As well as Swans have been as an attacking force the back line still has one or two concerns that remain from last season that maybe Norwich can exploit if they are on their game. Swans currently find themselves in 7th place on 23 points with Michu the leading scorer in the PL with 10 goals. Last season Norwich City did what many of the “top sides” could not do, they won at the Liberty Stadium, not only that they also beat them convincingly at Carrow Road earlier in the season too. It is hard to imagine Norwich will repeat that feat this time round but it’s a funny old game sometimes so the canaries will be hoping they are becoming a jinx team for the high flying Swans. Whatever the outcome here’s hoping for a good game and hope we can maintain our friendly rivalry throughout and beyond. Come on you Yellows!!!!!!!!!!
Hard game with a nice undercurrent of edginess / mutual respect ,we owe you one and although this is now Mr Laudrups team he'll be aware of our previous results against you..You are on a good run but so are we but if we play as we have recently we will win but i expect a hard game & you won't make it easy 3-1 to us
Difficult game. Worried about defending set pieces against Norwich. Bassong seems to be fired up lately. Like Everton, Norwich will seek to make midfield a wasteland. They are very fit, strong in the tackle, well organised and disciplined. If we can find a way to play this will be further evidence to me of our growth as a team and Laudrup's tactical astuteness. The result will depend on how it goes in midfield and I for one can't predict the outcome.
I am in the same camp, absolutely anything can happen in this game and on our prediction league have opted to sit on the fence with another 1-1 which would suit us just nicely. I wont be disappointed with a defeat but will be if it's a poor performance. If we play well and Swansea win then it will be richly deserved.
Great thread, the very first line says it all for me. Long live the friendly rivalry in the Premier League between both sets of fans
good thread Thai, tough to go either way but will with a 2-1 win to us however not confident, you seem a bogey side like everton
Don't expect a result for us against the (all-too-solid-at-home) Swans this year. Just hoping for a great game with no unfortunate incidents, so the friendly rivalry between us can continue.
Canary Worf - what a fantastic name! It looks like it will be a low scoring game given Norwich's record of not scoring many and not conceding many. I will go for a 1-0 home win. Nice thread Thai, cheers
Nice one Thai. We are both playing well at the moment, so it makes for a good game. Who`s going to win? Far too close to call, you have the advantage of doing the double over us last season. Both teams have slightly altered the way of playing, so anything can happen. I`d like to win this game, obviously, but I have a feeling that it`s more likely to be even stevens. please log in to view this image
Every week now I think our unbeaten run will end,and this week is no exception.If we do lose I am consoled by the fact that it will be to Swansea,the other Prem team I wanted to do well this year.
I like Norwich City and I want them to have a good season apart from the obvious of course. Of the ones I've met I would like Wigan and Fulham to do week too, all very good fans and very friendly. QPR can go and fcuk themselves, hope they go down. As for Saturday I think we will edge a very tough game 2-1
i think if Chris Hughton plays the same XI again we could get unstuck - one or two different faces in could freshen it up a bit as the boys are looking a bit tired. Holt isn't a slim as last time we came to your place for sure. i'm hoping your two injured wingers aren't fit enough to start! If we lose, there's no embarassement to losing to a very good Swansea side. All the best.
If we play like the first half against WBA and end like we did against arsenal that would be 5-1 to us. I'd take that! Realistically it's gonna be one of our hardest games this year and a very tough game. 2-1 win to Swans says my heart but 1-1 says the head. **** it go with your heart! COYS! Good luck for the rest of the season too Norwich, all the Canaries I have met in the flesh have been really sound, the ones on here seem cool too. How's about a trade off? We'll hate Ipswich if you hate Cardiff!
Tough game against a decent and improving team. I expect there to be only a goal in it, to us, and I echo the sentiments of mutual respect between both sets of supporters. Nice to see.
It's odd how mutual empathy/antipathy seems to exist between various teams.I suppose between teams like Norwich,Swans,Reading,Saints it's due to our situation.There seems to be a good relationship between us and both Sunderland and Newcastle too.I think the Fernandes link with QPR combined with the bragging of a section of their fans on here kicked off the bad feeling.
nice thread Thai, i have a soft spot for Norwich and their fans as well. however we do owe you a beating and i'm confident this weekend we're going to do it. 3:1 to the Swans! good luck for the rest of the season
Good work Thai, certainly a lot more quality content than the Match Center! A well written thread for, what should be, a well played game! Come on you yellers!
Excellent thread Thai. As everybody has said this game is probably harder than last weeks game against Arsenal. Nobody expected us to win, but this week at home we expect a result. Going to be a tough game against two contrasting teams, I fancy us to get a win, but we need to be on top of our game to get the win.
A banana skin yes but if we play like we have been doing then with home advantage and michu on fire then i think we will take all 3 points with a 3-1 win...
