Match Day Thread Battle of the Birds (No bees involved Cromer!!!)

So, let’s hope the Canaries ‘chirping’ can stop the Bluebirds ‘singing’ as their fans make the long journey back to Cardiff. IF we can put in a performance akin to the one we put in against the Villains, as opposed to the one we put in against the Black Cats, then I would hope we could do no worse than share the points – on the other hand ……… a win to heap even more grief on Colin. (It seems even the MFW writers don't like him whilst respecting his achievement in getting clubs promoted.)

Cardiff have to win to keep their faint hopes of going up automatically alive, so they won’t be able to ‘park the bus’ and should be quite an open game, but our defence CAN'T afford to be giving out gifts.

Sky Preview -
Norwich will check on forward Marley Watkins following his recent illness ahead of the visit of Sky Bet Championship promotion chasers Cardiff. Winger Onel Hernandez has been sidelined since before Easter because of a hamstring problem, so he will also be assessed. Canaries boss Daniel Farke made four changes for the midweek draw at struggling Sunderland, but could again revert to a back three with Timm Klose coming into the heart of the defence while midfielder Alex Tettey may return to the starting XI after being an unused substitute.

Cardiff head to Norfolk on the back of successive defeats which has seen them drop out of the automatic promotion places behind in-form Fulham. Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock made two changes for the 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Tuesday night, with midfielders Marko Grujic and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing both returning to the starting line-up.

Defender Callum Paterson had been sidelined after taking a knock to the chest, so continues to be assessed. Midfielder Joe Ralls has been out since the end of February with a hamstring problem but is closing in on a return while defender Jazz Richards (ankle) also continues his recovery.

 

Not a Colin fan personally, but I'm not sure their automatic promotion hopes are faint yet, are they?

Current form is not great, but mathematically things are still in their hands if they want it.

Edit: Of course, once we've thrashed them convincingly, it may look a little different!

 

Fair comment gandy and 'faint' is probably too strong a word - 'fading' is more accurate.
Fulham have an easier run in and a game FEWER -


IMO, the only tricky fixture for Fulham is Millwall who are on a good run, whereas Cardiff's away games at both Derby and Hull could be tricky.

 

I'm not sure there is any such thing as a championship fixture that isn't tricky, I bet Villa thought we would roll over for them as we did for QPR.
Brum, and Sunderland are fighting relegation (Though Sunderland might well be down by then, might that make them more dangerous?) And both Millwall and Brentford are in or challenging for a playoff spot, neither assured of a spot yet. They are all potentially tough, Cardiff have: Us, forest, Hull and Reading all potentially on the beach. Derby are fighting for their playoff place, but have been rubbish for weeks.
My moneys on Fulham but it could very easily go the other way.

Bah!

 

Sky Preview added to OP.
Early news from today's presser - 'Marley Watkins is back in team training, the same as Marco Stiepermann. They are available' #don'tgettooexcited
Tettey and SirBenny could both be in the starting 11.
Bad news is Hernandez is still injured.
DF: "There is pressure on Cardiff to win this game if they want to reach automatic promotion. They will be desperate for three points. I'm full of respect for Neil Warnock. He has so much experience and many promotions. I'm full of respect for his work this season." #totallegend
or should that be #bellend ??


The plan is for Matt Jarvis and Marco Stiepermann to play in the Under-23s game on Sunda V Wolves Under 23s. TICKETS ARE FREE!!!

 

The moment when Donovan Blake almost calls Neil W by his proper name live on air!

 

Come on city!

 

They're both City!!!!

 

He meant the ones with birds as nicknames...


...oh, wait ...

 

4 at the back with Reed at right back Srbeny leading the line

 

Whoscored has the formation as a 4-3-3 formation with Srbeny flanked by Murphy and Maddison and Vrancic, Tettey and Leitner across the middle. Good call IMO.

 

This ref is absolutely hopeless.

 

Even MB on 'Canary Live' is saying he bad the referee is!! #nothingchanges

From MB - 'Quick thinking as Murphy is slotted in, but he scuffs his early shot from a wide angle.' #normalserviceisresumed

 

Kudos to all the players for keeping their heads because the ref is letting everything go.

 

At the end of the day, I'd settle for 0-0 and Fulham winning, as it means Cardiff slipping further away from the automatic places.

 

1-0 Cardiff glad I didn't go

 

Sounds like a defensive error!!! #nothingchanges

 

That's that then - now losing 2-0!!!!