please log in to view this image Round 32 please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Watford 0 - 3 Norwich City FT 90+0' HT 0 - 0Attendance: 18,602 Date: Saturday 21st February 2015 Venue: Vicarage Road Kick-Off: 3:00PM KIO's not606 Match Preview Alex Neil's Norwich travel to Vicarage Road tomorrow to take on the Hornets in a rich vein of form having won their last three Sky Bet Championship matches. Last time out in Round 31 the Canaries eased past Wolverhampton Wanderers with a 2-0 victory, a scoreline that arguably flattered the visitors. Lewis Grabban secured the points for City when he netted his 9th goal of the season midway through the second half. In form City midfielder Bradley Johnson had put the Canaries ahead in the 28th minute and from then on they appeared to be in total control of proceedings. Norwich ease past Wolves While the Canaries were putting the Wolves to the sword, Watford were playing out a seven goal thriller at the Macron Stadium against Neil Lennon's Bolton Wanderers in what was an incredibly entertaining match up. Watford snatched a 4-3 victory in the 90th minute courtesy of substitute Troy Deeney who fired home his 12th goal of the season after a swift counter attack. That result ensured that watford go into Saturday's game 5th in the Championship table 2 points ahead of the Canaries who are one place behind in 6th. please log in to view this image Troy Deeney fired home Watford's 90th minute winner against the Trotters New signing Graham Dorrans could make his Norwich debut tomorrow after the midfielder joined on loan from West Brom earlier this week. Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe could feature after a successful run-out in the U21's 2-1 victory over Manchester City midweek, Gary O'Neil (toe), Elliott Bennett and Ryan Bennett (both hamstring) remain doubtful. Watford defender Joel Ekstrand made his first appearance since November against the Trotters following a back injury and is available for selection. Midfielder Sean Murray (knee) remains sidelined while captain Troy Deeney could return to the starting lineup. Alex Neil's Match Preview “It’s a really important game – we know what’s at stake, but we’ll be approaching it in the same way we have in the last three or four matches, and hopefully we can play well enough on the day. “It’s going to be fiercely contested. They’ll be desperate to win the game, as we are.” Neil was pleased with how his team maintained their high levels against Wolves, and is demanding a similar effort from his players at Vicarage Road. “In other games we’ve played well for 60-65 minutes and been well on top, but then we took our foot off the gas a little bit and it cost us a couple of times.” “That was something we really discussed in depth, to make sure we limited it. Alex Neil previews tomorrow's game Slaviša Jokanović's Match Preview please log in to view this image "The squad has to be ready for this situation ahead and the signs I am seeing among my players is very positive. "We have made some steps up - but we have more steps to take. We must keep reminding ourselves of the circumstances we are in. This is a fight - a long fight. It is not one that we can win soon. It is not one that could be won before Christmas. It is one where we must keep the focus on what is important; and this is Saturday and a strong Norwich City team." Jokanovic believes that the teams who can be less "up and down" than the others hold the best chance of earning automatic promotion. "Better over a long time is important. The constant performance not the team which does one great thing and then one thing it should not do. "It's a tough schedule now for all of the Championship teams - not just us. Current Form Watford: WLWWW WATFORD HOME Watford have won 5, drawn 3 and lost 1 of the last 9 stagings of this fixture, outscoring their opponents by 17 goals to 11. Watford have scored in 90% of their last 20 home games. Watford have kept a clean sheet in 20% of their last 20 home games. Norwich City: LDWWW NORWICH CITY AWAY Norwich have won 1, drawn 3 and lost 5 of the last 9 stagings of this fixture, being outscored by their opponents by 17 goals to 11. Norwich have scored in 55% of their last 20 away games. Norwich have kept a clean sheet in 30% of their last 20 away games. Match History Historically the Canaries certainly do have the upper hand, in the 94 competitive meetings between the two sides they have 39 victories to the Hornets' 26 which equates to a 41.49% win ratio. Overall at both Vicarage Road and Carrow Road, there have been 29 drawn games. Watford's biggest winning margin was on 10th March 2001 in League Division One (2nd tier) where they beat City by 4 goals to 1 at Vicarage Road. Norwich's best win was a 6-1 drubbing of their opponents at Carrow Road on 7th April 1984 again in League Division One (2nd tier), this is also the highest aggregate score between the two sides. At Vicarage Road Norwich have a terrific record having won there an impressive 12 times, drawing 19 and losing to their hosts on 16 occasions. Their record at Carrow Road is even more impressive with 27 wins to Watford's 10 with 10 games finishing in a stalemate. There have only ever been four 0-0 draws so the odds are there will be goals tomorrow. In this particular fixture Watford have scored 74 times an average of 1.57 per game, the Canaries not far behind on 68 an average of 1.45 per contest. The most memorable encounter at Vicarage Road, well certainly for City fans, was a 1-1 draw on 27th April 1972 which secured the League Division Two Championship title and a place in the top flight of English football for the first time. At a rain soaked Vicarage Road on a quagmire of a pitch, over 10,000 City fans saw Dave Stringer put the Canaries in front on 9 minutes heading in a Kenny Foggo free kick, before already relegated Watford equalised early in the second half. Watford had had a wretched season going into the match on just 18 points rooted to the foot of the table with the lowest goal tally since 1920. please log in to view this image City celebrate winning the Division One title at Vicarage Road in 1972 At Vicarage Road Watford 16 wins, Norwich 12 wins, Draws 19 At Carrow Road Norwich 27 wins, Watford 10 wins, Draws 10 Highest Watford Score Watford 4 Norwich City 1 Highest Norwich City Score Norwich City 6 Watford 1 Highest Aggregate Norwich City 6 Watford 1 Club Connections There have been quite a few here are some of the most notable: MALCOLM ALLEN Norwich signed the Welsh international from Watford in 1989 MATT JACKSON The former City captain joined Watford from Wigan in May 2007 MALKY MACKAY Former City legend who played for and managed the Hornets GLENN ROEDER Much maligned City boss who also played for and managed Watford IWAN ROBERTS Welsh international striker and City legend began his career at Vicarage Road please log in to view this image City legend Iwan Roberts ROBERT ROSARIO Had an unsuccessful trial with Watford as a youngster TIM SHERWOOD Joined City from watford in 1989 before going on to win a Premier League title with Blackburn Rovers MIKE WALKER Legendary Norwich manager was Watford custodian between 1968 and 1973 playing 139 times. Listen to full match commentary on BBC 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 Daryl Russell please log in to view this image ..........and don't forget to tune into Canary Call post match ! OTBC
Great thread KIO and let's hope for at least a point - a win would be AMAZING!!!!! Will be listening on Radio Norfolk. I wonder if they'll let 'Peter' through on Canary Call this week???? PS - the 'Matchday threads' are coming thick and fast over the next 12 days and I wonder what the league positions will be by the time we've hopefully beaten Wigan!!!!
Good stuff here KIO. I hope that both teams really turn on a great display for what should be a full house. Anyone interested can find the Watford view of the game here: http://www.not606.com/threads/watford-v-norwich.292562/ Any comments will be welcome.
Thanks KIO - hope all you boys have a safe journey down to the Vic. Must say I am really nervous but it's definitely the game I have most been looking forward to this season.
Cheers KIO - brilliant again. Thank our lucky stars that Robert Rosario had an unsuccessful trial at the Hornets and graced Carrow Road with the tenacity of a race horse on ice skates (I'll never ever forget the wonder goal against the Saints though). I spotted a minor error "That result ensured that watford go into Saturday's game 5th in the Championship table 2 points ahead of the Canaries who are one place behind in 6th." I think it's 3 points (unfortunately)
Morning Guys, please log in to view this image 'D' Day today WE MUST NOT LOSE ! Defeat and we can forget any hope of the autos, even a draw would make it extremely difficult. Just my opinion but I can't bear the thought of another season in this Godforsaken division OTBC
This is the most excitement we've had since our last promotion push from this division. Don't get me wrong I want up, but this league is brilliant.
Hi Dan best of luck after today & I would like to see both Norwich & Watford go up you guys are a good bunch.
Nice work KIO I hope you don't mind, but I tweeted a link of this to Gary Gowers, columnist for 'My football writer'. He was impressed and retweeted it to his 1756 followers! Not saying it will generate more input on here, but no bad thing if a few new contributors show up (but not Carla ) @cromercanary @Gary_Gowers Mornin' squire, wasn't sure if you've seen the #Not606 #NCFC matchday threads before. Fact-laden! #OTBC not606.com/threads/watfor…
You really put your heart and soul into these KIO. Well done! Is Carla's alter ego still on twitter? Not seen him for ages!
Always look forward to your match threads, KIO, and they just keep getting better and better. No calm today - it's CRUNCH TIME!
Impressive thread, Kio! Thanks for confirming my feeling that you guys are a bogey team for us ( yeah, thanks very much!) though Bolton's Boots puts another slant on it on our match thread. Anyone else remember the John Deehan goal that has stuck in my mind (in the that a fish one sticks in the throat, perhaps?). You would have all been in the old Rookery; early- mid 80's. Pretty sure you won that game. Anyway have a good trip down, and perhaps a quiet trip back reflecting on what might have been...
Certainly would! It would annoy the heck out of my missus who follows another team from E Anglia who by courtesy should rename nameless on this board!
