So here we are again back at CR after just a couple of days rest for our players, but at least the Wolves players are in the same boat. From today's presser there is some good news - AP should return to training in a couple of weeks and could return to playing in around 6 weeks time!!! Basil won't be in the squad for tomorrow's game, but could feature on Saturday and hopefully they'll get to the bottom of his injury-plagued season during the International Break. Excellent article on MFW re why we failed to score against Derby and I thought this excerpt was particularly relevant - "At the risk of using Cameron Jerome as a scapegoat for the defeat on Saturday, it should be pointed out there were chances which were wasted by others. Stiepermann had the goal at his mercy when Josh Murphy played him through early in the first half but instead of coolly slotting the ball in the corner and giving his side a 1-0 lead, the German went for power and cracked the crossbar. Stiepermann and Murphy combined again in the second half, when the young winger delivered an inch perfect cross only for Stiepermann to hit it straight at the goalkeeper. The strange thing about Saturday was that our best chances (apart from Murphy’s clear penalty) all fell to the players who are not known for their goal scoring abilities. Other than Stiepermann’s two chances, the only players that had clear cut opportunities to score were Christoph Zimmermann who nearly toe poked in from a corner and Tom Trybull who missed his kick at the back post in the second half. Then of course, the loveable Timm Klose rose above Craig Forsyth to nod in the equaliser, to show the attackers just how it’s done." Full article here - http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...-good-with-the-return-of-some-familiar-faces/ Edit - Don't forget to cast your vote and I'm going for a home win!!! Sky Preview - Norwich will be without forward Nelson Oliveira because of a calf problem for the visit of Sky Bet Championship high-fliers Wolves.Full-back Ivo Pinto will be assessed after taking a blow to his leg during Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Derby. Scotland forward Steven Naismith has returned to training after his ankle problem, while midfielder Alex Pritchard is also planning to step up his recovery from ankle surgery following the international break.Wolves will be without the suspended Romain Saiss for their game at Carrow Road. The midfielder picked up his fifth booking of the season in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at QPR and serves a one-game ban.Willy Boly returned to the squad as an unused substitute on Saturday after seven weeks out with a hamstring strain and is likely to travel to Norfolk. Helder Costa and Bright Enobakhare are pushing to start after coming off the bench at Loftus Road. Opta stats Norwich have won each of their last four home league matches against Wolves, netting 12 goals in those games. Wolves have only won once in their last nine league meetings with the Canaries (D3 L5), a 1-0 win on the opening day of the 2014/15 season. Diogo Jota has won eight points for Wolves this season with his seven league goals - Only Billy Sharp has won more points for his side (10). Angus Gunn has kept seven clean sheets for Norwich in the Championship so far this season, more than any other keeper in the league. Leo Bonatini has been directly involved in 12 league goals so far this campaign (8 goals, 4 assists), three more than any other player in the Championship - He is currently the Championships joint top goal scorer (8 - also Bobby Reid and Jarrod Bowen).
I've gone for a home win too, though I should point out that the only time I don't go for a home win is when we're away
What's the consensus, will we be sitting back looking to score on the break vs Wolves? DF indicated as much when he said expect Wolves to have a lot of possession.
1 loss since August is pretty bloody good and I'm hoping Derby was just a combination of bad luck fatigue and a blip. We usually beat Wolves
Basil is injured so CJ will start up front. Unlikely to score so who should we hope to put the ball in the net? Is Watkins back in contention? Expect Wilschut and Murphy to give pace and Madison to create. Hope Tettey is back but have read that Pinto is injured.
Martin on the bench klaxon!!! Bench: McGovern (GK), Martin, Zimmermann, Jerome, Hoolahan, Stiepermann, Cantwell Hanley finally gets his chance, Zimmerman has played a lot recently (as has Klose!). Surprised Husband starts over Stiepermann, unless that's a rotation thing too. Watkins preferred to Jerome is a big surprise, wasn't expecting that. Perhaps despite public support, Farke isn't as happy with Jerome's performances as the rest of us.
No Wildshut on the bench. Is he injured or out of favour? Can’t remember when either Basil or CJ didn’t start up front. Jerome not even on the bench. Don’t feel too confident about this team but hope I am proven wrong.
Jerome is on the bench! Not sure what's happened to Wildschut. I've got a feeling Alex Neil deployed Naismith as a lone striker once or twice in the lead up to his dismissal?
Todd Cantwell? Great to see youngsters coming through obviously but at this stage of the season suggests our paper thin squad is creaking under the weight of injuries
Second time he's made the bench this season I believe. If Wildschut is injured, I can't think of a fit attacking player that's absent from the squad.
Set piece soft goal which we seem to have got out of our system but the defense seems to have gone back to their old ways. Got to 6th recently but slipping down the table now. Why are we winning away but losing/drawing at home?
This match is showing just how far we are from challenging for a top two place. Wolves are moving the ball quickly and creatively and are looking like the home team. Hard to see us getting back into this one.