Hello Norwich type people - Bristol City fan in peace. I'm really looking forward to this. Lose, and whilst not fatal to us it probably rules us out of the race for an automatic spot, but win and we'll really be part of the conversation. The impression I get is that whilst our winning run has been noted by the likes of yourselves, Leeds and Sheffield United, we still haven't been regarded as a proper threat and that we will peter out. Whilst there's no doubt we can't maintain quite the same spectacular form (seven league wins on the trot and unbeaten in thirteen), the feeling here is that we shouldn't self-implode this year and will hopefully be good enough for a playoff spot, though with fingers crossed we can keep it going and gate-crash the top two. The concern from our end is that we don't score as many as we ought to - we haven't scored more than two in a single game since our visit to Ipswich in November (the first result in the unbeaten run). However, our defence has been very solid, with the central pairing of Kalas and Webster particularly impressive. Left-back has been shared between two youngsters Lloyd Kelly and Jay Da Silva, though the latter has been getting the nod more often recently, though right-back is an area where there is maybe something approaching a weakness. If fit, Eros Pisano is a tough nut who is also a handful for attacking corners (scored against Brentford and Blackburn, whilst also having one questionably ruled out against QPR), but if he's not, Bailey Wright will likely step in, who is really a centre back and is occasionally out of position, though far from a liability either. In midfield Pack and Brownhill will be nailed on for our central spots, though it's in the wide positions and attacking midfielder role where there's potential for us to mix it up and keep you guessing. Recent line-ups would say to expect Callum O'Dowda, Jamie Paterson and Andreas Weimann, though the latter missed our defeat to Wolves with a back injury. We have a tricky left-footer called Niclas Eliasson who will likely come off the bench and has recently made good impressions in scoring against Bolton in the Cup and QPR in our last league game. He's also got a good cross on him and is possibly unlucky to have not started more often. Kasey Palmer is also likely to come on for Paterson - fans had been calling for him to start ahead of Paterson following good performances from the bench, but he possibly didn't make enough of his start against Wolves to usurp him just yet. Don't think you'll likely see Marley Watkins as he's only just coming back from injury, unless Johnson is hoping he'd be extra motivated! Up front we'll have Diedhiou, who is a bit clumsy at times, but a handful who can bring others into the game. He probably doesn't have enough movement to cause much grief himself, but he might just cause enough mayhem for someone else to take advantage, and he can score headers, though not often enough for my liking. Think of him as a low-rent Olivier Giroud. Matty Taylor might be brought on to partner him if we're looking for a goal and injuries haven't forced our hand. Part of our success has been down to being able to adapt to different challenges. Johnson isn't afraid to make subs early, or even at half-time in order to try and change the game and his success rate this season has been good. Against some teams, we've controlled possession and probed, but in other games (Stoke away is a good example), we've ceded possession to contain and counter attack. I expect us to approach this game like the latter, though that in itself is risky as, even with our strong defence, it will be a big ask to keep out Pukki whilst he's in such red-hot form. We did change things up against Wolves having struggled in the first half though and were unlucky not to at least draw having dominated the second half, so if you're leading at half-time, expect us to 'go for it' in the second... Pushed to a prediction I think it's either going to be a 1-1 draw or a 2-1 Norwich win, though if we actually find our shooting boots ourselves we could cause an upset. I'm sure deep down you'd actually like that to keep the drama of this season going!
Thanks for all that useful info - it certainly saves Daniel Farke sending any spies down to watch you guys in training No, seriously, am expecting a tough, hard fought game - though we recently drew 2-2 with the Blades and beat Leeds at Elland Road 1 - 3. Plus a 1 - 1 draw away at the Hawthorns. I guess 5 points out of 9 against fellow top six sides is not to be sneered at
Either that or I'm feeding you false information... Though we all want our own team to run away with it, it's got to go down as one of the most interesting/exciting/closest run-ins in years. We're now currently in 6th but still harbour ambitions of finishing top two - I wouldn't be surprised if even fans of Frank Lampard's Derby County (tm) still think they might be able to reel you in!
Hmmmm. Completely agree that Bristol will pose us a significant threat and certainly a much tougher test than Bolton did, but I think you do have to look at the teams Bristol have beaten in the last seven and compare that with the teams we have played.... We have had Leeds, Preston , baggies, FL's Derby, blades and Brentford, against your swans, qpr, Blackburn, Stoke and Rotherham. After Saturday (which I class as a really tough match) we have a run of lesser teams to hopefully pull ahead of the pack. Though being Norwich, each has the capacity to become a banana skin! As you are about to take on a few of our closer rivals over the next few weeks I will reserve judgement on whether you pose a genuine threat to the autos. Pretty confident you will make the playoffs though.
True - you can only beat what's in front of you and the teams we have won points over shouldn't be disregarded, but it will be a true test of our mettle between now and the end of the season where we play most of the teams in and around the top seven. They could be our undoing, or possibly an opportunity to make even more ground.
Well I for one will be wishing you well on your quest to take points off the top teams (except us!) .....
Thanks for the insight. Tactics will play a big part. Bolton let us have the ball and we were able to pull their formation out of shape and create openings. Preston, Ipswich and Leeds denied us the ball (especially in the first half), forcing Krul to kick, winning the headers, and being first to the knock downs. We played on the counter taking our chances against Ipswich and Leeds, but not Preston. Looking forward to a very interesting fixture. Let’s hope we see some scintillating play and may the best team win.
So the Robins are just about to enter the run of fixtures that we faced in Dec/Jan. I predict that there will be significant changes in the top 6 by Easter!!!
This will be a tough test - as tough as The Blades, Baggies and Feeds. Bristol City are a good side who play nice stuff so we will need to be at our very best to get a win here. Looking forward to the game - should be a cracking match.
Going to this. Should be a cracking game of football. I am worried about the game. They are in incredible form and play some really nice football. You think their run must come to an end at some point, but I dunno. I think I'd be ok with a draw to be honest. Cracking game of football, and get out of it unbeaten would be enough for me. Both sides will be attacking for the win. Could be a real fast paced ding-dong. Could be a bit like the Leeds game. Lets hope we get the same result!
