please log in to view this image Round 29 please log in to view this image Norwich City 4 - 0 Blackpool FT 90+5' HT 2 - 0Attendance: 26,017 Date: Saturday 7th February 2015 Venue: Carrow Road Kick-Off: 3:00PM KIO's not606 Match Preview Tomorrow sees the Canaries welcome Blackpool to Carrow Road in Round 29 of the Sky Bet Championship season. After a disappointing display and result against Brentford at home where the Bees ran out 2-1 winners, City followed that up with a 0-0 stalemate at St Andrews against Birmingham City which has probably put paid to any hope of automatic promotion back to the Premier League this term. They currently sit in eighth position in the table four points adrift of sixth place and anything less than a victory against bottom club Blackpool could make even a play-off position an uphill struggle. The Canaries have new signing Tony Andreu available after his deadline day switch from Hamilton Academical and one would have thought that he will at least make the bench on Saturday. It should be noted that Blackpool have yet to register an away win in any competition this season. Alex Neil's Match Preview Alex Neil previews tomorrow's game The Football League loan window reopens on Monday February 9 and although Neil didn’t hide the fact that the Canaries had tried to do some additional business in January, he says the current crop of players represent a competitive group in the Sky Bet Championship. “Kyle’s away on loan in Turkey, and we’ve managed to bring Tony (Andreu) in, so the squad’s fine between now and the end of the season,” “I think it was no secret to anyone that we were trying to do some business in the transfer window, and there was a lot of hard work put in, but unfortunately some things you can’t affect, and ultimately that’s what it boiled down to. “We’ve got the squad that we’ve got until the end of the season, which I’m happy with. “Tony’s got good quality; he’s a versatile player and an attacking player. He can play in a variety of positions, and he’s certainly scored goals in the time that I’ve had him, so hopefully he can add that to the team.” please log in to view this image City's Deadline Day signing Tony Andreu please log in to view this image Johnny Howson could return for the Canaries Lee Clark's Match Preview Lee Clark says it would be a 'massive step' if Blackpool can make it consecutive victories with three points at Norwich City tomorrow. The Seasiders, looking to end an away day hoodoo, are aiming to secure back-to-back wins for the first time since August 2013, and the importance could be crucial. "It'd be a massive step to get back-to-back wins and our first away win of the season against one of the top teams in the division," the manager said. "If we could do that, it'd peg back the teams ahead of us and bring them even closer to us. If we could move ahead of one of the teams above us positionally that would be psychologically huge. please log in to view this image Blackpool boss Lee Clark "We've got to keep chipping away and take more points than the teams above us, and give everyone involved in the club that boost that we're still in there fighting. I think we're showing that." Bouyed by ending a 10-month wait for back-to-back home wins last weekend, all focus switches to building on recent results at Bloomfield Road. "We've got to start picking up more points away from home because our home form has been decent in the last few weeks," Clark continued. "We have to start getting a few more points on the road." Norwich is an area the manager knows well, having spent time on the coaching staff at Norwich City under Glenn Roeder in 2007/08. "We had a fantastic time, it's a brilliant club. I enjoyed my 11 months there and the only reason I left was because I got the chance to become a manager, which was always my aim. I've got really fond memories but I'm going there for us to get a result and that elusive first away win of the season." Team News Jonny Howson has now completed his three match ban following his sending off at Bournemouth and could reclaim his place in midfield. Sebastien Bassong will probably retain his place alongside Russell Martin in the centre of defence having come back into favour since the arrival of new City boss Alex Neil. Blackpool have no new injuries but ex Canary keeper Joe Lewis will be disappointed as he is likely to miss out through illness, youth team player Myles Boney may be on the bench. Defender Tom Aldred could make his debut after signing from Accrington Stanley. Current form Norwich City: LWWLD NORWICH HOME Norwich have won 0, drawn 1 and lost 1 of the last 2 stagings of this fixture, being outscored by their opponents by 3 goals to 2. Norwich have scored in 85% of their last 20 home games. Norwich have kept a clean sheet in 20% of their last 20 home games. Blackpool: LWLLW BLACKPOOL AWAY Blackpool have won 1, drawn 1 and lost 0 of the last 2 stagings of this fixture, outscoring their opponents by 3 goals to 2. Blackpool have scored in 60% of their last 20 away games. Blackpool have kept a clean sheet in 10% of their last 20 away games. Match History In twenty-five league and cup encounters the Canaries and the Tangerines are neck and neck with 10 wins each. At Bloomfield Road City have 6 victories, Blackpool 5 and there have been 2 drawn games. Blackpool have edged it at Carrow Road 5 wins to 4 with 3 stalemates. Blackpool have managed to score more than 2 goals only once in this fixture, that was in a 2nd round 1st leg League Cup tie in September 2000 at Carrow Road where the game finished 3-3. In the 2nd leg at Bloomfield Road City ran out 5-0 winners their best ever win against the Tangerines. Back in their Second Division title winning season in 1971-72, City also put 5 past Blackpool the 5-1 victory being most notable for a Graham Paddon thunderbolt that left John 'Budgie' Burridge rooted to the spot. Graham Paddon fires past John Burridge in 1972 Highest Norwich City score: Blackpool 0 Norwich City 5 Highest Blackpool score: Blackpool 2 Norwich City 0 Highest aggregate: (6) Norwich City 5 Blackpool 1 Norwich City 3 Blackpool 3 They played for both clubs So how many players have turned out for both the Tangerines and the Canaries ? Well quite a few actually and they include; Ashley Ward (Blackpool loan), Mike Walsh, Mike Sheron, Zesh Rehman (Blackpool and Norwich loan), Mike Milligan, Jason Jarrett, Matt Jackson (Blackpool loan), Grant Holt (Blackpool loan), Alan Gow (Blackpool and Norwich loan), Matthew Gilks, David Fox, Adrian Forbes, Shaun Elliot, Robert Earnshaw, Paul Dalglish, Wes Hoolahan, Jacob Murphy (Blackpool loan), and of course …...............Michael Theoklitos ! please log in to view this image Canaries legend Grant Holt once had a loan spell with the Tangerines Other club connections Former Norwich City Championship winning boss Nigel Worthington cut his teeth at management at Bloomfield Road, former City Captain and first team coach Mike Phelan followed ex Canary Gary Megson to Blackpool as assistant manager and Norwich goalkeeping coach Tony Parks was once custodian for the Seasiders. Team Line Up Norwich City please log in to view this image Listen to full match commentary onBBC Radio Norfolk 95.1 & 104.4FM, 855Mhz and DAB Digital Radio with Chris Goreham please log in to view this image and guest match summariser Adrian Forbes. please log in to view this image ...... and don't forget to tune into 'Canary Call' post match ! OTBC
Well done KIO Hopefully we will race in to a healthy lead and chuck Tony Andreu on - I really want to know what this guy can bring to the party (I am a little excited about this signing)
Good Match Day thread KIO. Longing to see the starting 11 and if we can come close to replicating the form we showed against Cardiff for the first 60 minutes, but this time keep it going for the full 90!!!!
I don't care if it sounds like arrogance we should be beating teams like Blackpool on our own turf . I'm hoping for the same back 4 a clean sheet again & plenty of goals today This should be a nailed on home victory anything less will be a disaster if we have any ambition to gain promotion. 4-0
Banana skin of a game isn't it, but hopefully an early goal will put us on the way to a convincing win. Just need to avoid any costly mistakes e.g. Penalties, red cards.
They are a band of misfits playing for a club owned my Millionaires that seem content in letting themselves spiral into another Coventry, we are a side that has the core of a Premier league outfit packed with Internationals & charging the highest price for entry to loyal fans that follow the side on mass home & away. They are yet to pick up a single point away all season & If we lose the "unlucky" excuse simply will not hold up. Brentford outclassed us & Brum nullified us this is a MUST WIN game. Alex has to show his "born manager/leader" credentials today or face the firing squad of canary callers. Spanking Millwall was talked down by the anti Adams brigade as "papering over cracks" so losing to a lesser side will amount to total collapse. Even that useless twonk Grabban managed to fluke a goal last time we played that rabble, they are a terrible side .
Looks like Hoolahan is now surplus to requirements and McGrandles seems to be becoming more thought of. Team looks far more balanced than last week. Would still like to see Martin at RB and Turner & Bassong at CB with Whittaker on the bench. It will be interesting to see if Garrido can take his chance. Everyone seems to be being given a chance to prove themselves.