All, Sincere apologies. I am currently stuck in Devon with no laptop. I actually DID write and post a match day thread before setting off, however, it seems I suffered from some IT gremlins and once I got to Devon realised that the thread didn't actually post for some strange reason. The summary of the thread was that our opponents this weekend are free scoring but also porous, so if we can keep our shooting boots on. On that note, there may be some clever psychology to come in the form of Reindorf. It seems he is now a first team squad player from now on, and I'd fully expect him to be on the bench against the team that rejected him. Once again, apologies for the failure, I need to be a little more cautious before switching off the laptop in future! please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Well, it’s been a while since we’ve gone into a game thinking ‘must do better’, but after dropping points against the Baggies last Saturday, that’s precisely where we find ourselves – I’m just not used to us not picking up maximum points any more!! This Saturday sees us receive visitors from Norfolk in the shape of the ever friendly Canaries of Norwich City. Johannes Hoff Thorup’s men will no doubt provide another stern test of our mettle following our battling point at West Brom and with them being in fine scoring form (more on that shortly) it’s almost guaranteed that our recent run of clean sheets will be put under some serious pressure. Bring on the battle of the Birds!! (P.S. Apologies, this is a slightly condensed thread – time is a little tight at the mo – a bit like our back 4!!). Who Are You? Is it just me or are Norwich City one of those clubs that are hard to dislike (unless you are an Ipswich fan of course)? Head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup (nope, I’ve never heard of him either) was appointed back towards the end of May, picking up the challenge of lifting the Canaries following their play-off defeat to Leeds under David Wagner. Thorup joined Norwich from FC Nordsjaelland, having guided them to a second-place finish in 2022-23 to earn a spot in the qualifying rounds of the Europa Conference League, and last season he took the club to the group stage of the European competition and a fourth-place finish in the Danish Superliga table. He is now tasked with trying to Lead Norwich back the Premier League with them having been relegated from the top flight in 2022. So far this season they have been free scoring (2nd only to Sunderland) but have been distinctly average defensively, conceding 16 goals in their 12 games (just 2 less than we have) Squad wise, as you’d expect from a team not too long out of the top flight they have plenty of experience and quality throughout. At the back, the likes of Shane Duffy, Jack Stacey & Jose Cordoba will be a challenge for whoever leads the line for the Bluebirds, and up front/out wide they have the league’s top marksman in Borja Sainz, a player signed from Turkish side Giresunspor who’s scoring record before this year had been pretty unremarkable (best was his 10 in 34 for the Turkish side). Last year saw him score just 8 in 39 but this season sees him on 11 in 14, quite some record and a real challenge for whoever comes in to replace Perry Ng! On the plus front, key midfielder Kenny McLean is suspended for this one, however there is still plenty of quality within their squad for the Bluebirds to contend with. Last Time Out & Form The last time we faced the Canaries it became something of a humbling experience for our boys in blue, further denting any glimmer of hope we may have had that a sustained play-off challenge may be possible. The City actually took the lead at Carrow Road via a rare Jamilu Collins strike, sadly though that hit from the ‘Commander’ only served to rile our hosts and their Sargent took over thereafter as the yellow clad troops marched on to a comprehensive 4-1 win courtesy of 2 (Josh) Sargent goals plus a strike each from Gabriel Sara and Christian Fassnacht. The result was the Bluebirds 3rd defeat on the bounce and was the 5th defeat in 6 games, pretty much ending our interest in the season as we slipped to 14th spot in the table. Form wise, by their own standards you could say the Canaries are on a bit of a blip, having ‘faltered’ the 3 draws in a row, however they are also unbeaten in their last 6 and haven’t tasted defeat since a slip up away at divisional minnows Swansea City back in mid-September with their only other defeat coming on the opening day of the season away at newly promoted Oxford. As mentioned above, despite scoring for fun the Canaries are also a little porous at the back, so maybe, just maybe, with our new found shooting boots on we may just be able to get something out of this one? (Gotta stay optimistic eh?) please log in to view this image In, Out Or No Sign Of Them About Sadly, for the first time in a while, we will need to shuffle our pack. The ever innocent Perry Ng harshly picked up his 5th booking of the season in our draw away at West Brom and so has to sit this one out. Lots of speculation on who could/should replace him, personally I’m inclined to agree that it is likely to be Chambers moving to right back and Daland coming into the centre rather than risk a young ‘un against the in form Sainz. In saying that, Omer Riza could spring a bit of a surprise and name Will Fish as a direct replacement for Ng to save disrupting a blossoming pairing in the centre? Up front is another concern with Callum Robinson carrying an Achilles knock, he is 50/50 to start and will be a bit miss if unavailable, however this also this opens up opportunities for others. Just who Riza will turn to though is a puzzle as no-one else in the squad is in decent form apart from (drum roll please) Michael Reindorf – the ex-Norwich man being in very fine fettle for the U-21’s. Could there be a little bit of psychological cleverness from Riza on this one with Reindorf apparently now training permanently with the 1st team?? Personally I reckon a place on the bench is likely, with Kanga being given another chance (and a confidence boost hopefully). Our midfield continues to pretty much pick itself given the injuries to Ralls and Rambo so no real change expected there. Predicted Starting 11 Alnwick Chambers Daland Goutas O’Dowda Tanner Colwill Turnbull Robertson Kanga El Ghazi The Odds Bods Magic hat at the ready…… absolutely top guy for the Bluebirds but alas couldn’t soar to the same heights with the Canaries. please log in to view this image Match Day Melody Let’s hope the Canaries are a little laid back on Saturday. Blooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds!!! please log in to view this image
Not an issue BB, you know your usual pre match excursions are things of beauty so the odd abbreviation will not bother anyone In fact this short version is still a good read. Reindorf comment spot on. But I'm expected to say that, aren't I?
Here it is.............. https://not606.com/threads/season-2024-2025-match-13-norwich-city-home.415076/
Nice one Brizzle. As you state Norwich have drawn their last 3 - 1-1 2-2 and 3-3 so what chance a 4-4 today If Sainz gets an eye on goal watch out - the brace he netted last weekend were stunning.
Fantastic yet again Brizzle. When is your book coming out again? Gone for a draw myself so could it be four on the bounce for the Canaries?
Well done Brizzle An excellent read as always. Perhaps Sparkey can do some wizardry to get the piece home? Anyway Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
No can do clingo. My mod tools only work on the Cardiff site to move threads and posts around - I have no such powers on the Norwich board.
I think the same would apply to a Norwich mod the other way pal. Unless Resurgam across there is still helping brb as a supermod, then he might be able to do it with his extra powers?
it being over there is a good excuse for a visit. We could build inter avian relationships. Blue and yellow, that would be green.
Excellent Brizzle and I am sure our feathered friends at Norwich will have enjoyed your unexpected contribution too. There are worse places to be stranded than Devon, so enjoy your stay there and look forward to a Bluebird victory
When Masky of Llandaff wrote the match threads we never had issues, always on time, concise and inclusive Brissle, hope your stay in Pucklechurch is short and you get out soon...as usual no offence intended pal! Masky Of Llandaff and Todge
