Norwich City v Stoke City Saturday 8th March 2014 Kick Off: 3.00pm at Carrow Road Last weekend saw Norwich City feature in another painful away collapse, having started the game so well. The 4-1 defeat at Villa park was particularly hard to take as the 2nd half never really showed any desire to make the scoreline look a little respectable, with the only real chance falling to Hooper with a one-on-one with Guzan, and his shot appeared to be hit without a great deal of confidence, making the save easier than it could perhaps have been for the Villa keeper. The other talking point, which I have skillfully kept out of this week, is the goal 'celebration' of Wes Hoolahan. Maybe too much has been made of it, but I cannot make up my mind to be honest. Enough of that, and on to this weekends match.... The Canaries play host to a Stoke City team that just don't win on their travels (okay, once in 13 attempts this season), and with Norwich being hard to beat at Carrow Road, it does appear on paper at least like a real opportunity to collect 3 points, which would make a 31 point the haul for the season to date, leaving perhaps just 6 points to secure their PL status for a 4th consecutive season, and leap-frog Stoke City in the process. Leroy Fer will once again be missing from the midfield, and maybe this week Johnny Howson will get a chance to start, although it is possible that Wes may get the nod ahead of him. RVW is once again 'crocked', so it looks like Gary Hooper will start alone up front (I do hope so). Charlie Adam will miss the game following an FA ban of 3 games for stamping on an Arsenal player (Giroud), which will hopefully tip the scales a little further in favour of the mighty Yellows. However, if Stoke play the way they did last week, then Norwich are not going to find it easy to break them down, although Stoke may not threaten the Norwich goal much either. It is also worth nothing that most of the Stoke away defeats in recent weeks have been with a 1-0 scoreline, although during 2013, much bigger margins were quite common. Personally, I don't think we can afford to lose this game and even a draw could be damaging, with just two more (nice looking) home games remaining after this weekend.
Sterling work Thai. Kinda unrelated, but I'll stick it here anyway. Here's a crappy 'vine' of Redmond's goal for the U21s: http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideo...ond-gives-england-u21s-the-lead-v-wales-vine/
I kinda like doing them, so if unless anyone has any real objections, I will continue for the remainder of the season, and perhaps in to next season (unless someone else wants to take up the challenge)
good effort thai i'm making the journey to norfolk for this one, i'll probably need to give my son a briefing on Stoke's perceived "style" of football on the way up there. in terms of the result, a defeat would be a disaster, a draw probably ok with a lot of work still to do.
Sterling effort, Thai. Just a thought, as my nerves will doubtless be in bits between now and the end of the season - as will many other Canary fans, maybe we should call it a 'match day shred' from now until May?
Here's (slightly) longer FA highlights - otherwise known as the Nathan Redmond appreciation society The goal was a carbon copy of his winner vs Saints early this season. [video=youtube;ZFQbPiFJdRw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ZFQbPiFJdRw[/video]
Is anybody going to the game and willing to buy me a programme, we can swap addresses by PM and I'll send you the money including postage? I would be eternally grateful!
Good effort Thai, thanks for doing this. I have a really minor favour to ask as I'm a bit boss eyed (One eye in Nottingham, the other in Cotteringham) - any chance of formatting the text so it's block alignment rather than centre aligned? I keep losing the next line. Maybe it's too many beers this evening!
Nice to finally have a nice welcome can't say anything like that about the Gunners that came on our board but thanks for the welcome Dunno how to call this as we are both in moderately good form having recently beaten big teams and played well against City. But we have injury concerns and you are at home so it seems the result might swing your way but I am sure the travelling fans will make a lot of noise Good luck! and hope it is a good match 2-1 either way or a draw I say Thanks
I think it will be a tight game and hopefully we just shade it, we do have injuries but our squad is much stronger than last season and I cant see a big concern with Ireland coming in for adam and Odemwingie who has played very well for us coming back in. Heres to a good game. Im just a bit gutted about Norwich only allowing us 990 tickets for the game.
Thanks chippy, I'll PM you my address, if you PM yours to me L'll send the cash to you! Thank you very much!
My wife and little ones have just come home from swimming at Sprowston mannor. Your team have just arrived and are taking over the place, she texted me to say she was standing next to Crouchy and did I want an autograph ? My Reply was " I'd rather you cropped him with a stamp to the foot?" Unfortunately she did neither so I guess he'll have a stormer tomorrow and I can blame her !
I like it. As for the game obviously I am hoping for a long overdue away win but I cannot remember the last time we won at Carrow Road, certainly not recently. Norwich do seem to be OK at home, though disastrous on the road so I would think you could be favourites tomorrow. However our recent performances have been good and having beaten the Gunners last week we should be confident of getting something tomorrow. I'll sit on the fence and go for a 1-1 draw but hope that Stoke do nick it. IMO there is one relegation place going (Fulham/Cardiff are gone) and I am hopeful that it won't be us.
okay me ol' china, i'll bear it in mind for the next one, even if it is down to your consumption Welcome aboard Stokies - good to have you here
