Cooking up a tasty away day, or Norfolk n chance? Norwich v BWFC 24/2/18 3pm

[bristol_Wanderer3]

We are back on it again for our fifth game in two weeks on Saturday as we take on Delia Smith's Norwich at Carrow Road.

Norwich are in good form. In their last ten games they have W5 D4 L1, and that includes draws away to high flying Wolves (last night) and Derby, and excellent away wins at Brentford and Bristol City. Indeed throughout the season Norwich have been better away from home, particularly against decent sides with wins earlier in the season at Middlesbrough and Sheffield United. Overall this season, their away record of P17 W7 D4 L6, is marignally better than their home record of P16 W5 D6 L5. This form has been achieved despite a January transfer window where sales were the main order of the day as they try and downsize from their Premiership relegation in 2015/16. Alex Pritchard went to Huddersfield for £12m, whilst experienced striker Cameron Jerome went to Derby for £1.5m, and £7m 2017 JTW signing Yannick Wildschutt went on loan to Cardiff. and £10m Premiership signing Steven Naismith left on loan for Hearts. Some cheaper, less experienced signings, including three from the German 2nd division and Austrian leagues were signed in replacement. Norwich have invested in the German model this season with ex Broussia Dortmund B team manager Daniel Farke installed as head coach.

We are really struggling at the moment with three dire performances in the last three games, although thankfully one of them was a victory against toothless Sunderland. For this game Karl Henry's yellow card fetish (he collected his tenth yellow card in 23 games on Tuesday) means he now serves a two match suspension. A number of players such as Robinson, Walker and Burke should be ready after not playing on Tuesday, whilst Pratley might be ready to come in to the midfield. And it seems we are in talks to sign ex Sunderland defensive midfielder Jan Kirchoff who would be a welcome replacement for Henry. Therefore it is anyone's guess who will line up for us.

All things considered this looks like a defeat but there are glimmers of hope. As stated above Norwich aren't great at home and do struggle to score with only 34 goals in 33 games all season, and only 17 in 16 home games. Also they have drawn at home with Hull, Burton and Barnsley and lost at home to Sunderland already this season. And they tend to falter after difficult midweek games, with their only recent defeat at home to Sheffield United coming on the back of an away FA cup replay at Chelsea, and they also struggled earlier in the season when they got to the fourth round of the Carabao cup and had to play a lot of games in a short space of time. This was when we beat them fairly comfortably at the Macron.

It is going to be hard, we are going to see very little of the ball, we will miss Henry's organizing and general ruthlessness, but I am going for a dogged 0-0. COYW.

[Prufrock]

Henry is so so vital for us. Think we'll get beat without him. Otherwise nick a lead before an inevitable last minute equaliser

[TANGODANCER]

With no Henry, looks to me like Pratley will have to come in and add a bit of "teeth" to our midfield (unless Koats-off comes in of course) . We're away with a weakened and out of form side, no Henry, No Vela, no striker (looks like Sammi will get point man spot, maybe with Walker, as Willbraham didn't impress) and a game of Cluedo to pick the rest. I reckon Robinson will come back in and Karajan will be hard to leave out after Tuesday. the rest..???

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Not sure on Robinson, even if he's back fit again. There's no doubt he carries more threat than Taylor, but it literally works both ways: in his 23 starts we've had only four clean sheets. We've had three in Taylor's 12 starts, including two in his last three, and we also hadn't conceded before he went off at Fulham.

Horses for courses and it depends on the system, but for me Clive I'd stick with Taylor to start at Norwich – Robbo on the bench if fit so we can chase if need be.

[Harry Genshaw]

Can only see a heavy defeat. 0-4

[TANGODANCER]

Can only see a heavy defeat. 0-4

Disgraceful....take that...

[BWFC_Insane]

We're at a point where I'd almost say don't risk anyone for this game, throw kids in if necessary and protect people for crucial games to come.

[TANGODANCER]

We're at a point where I'd almost say don't risk anyone for this game, throw kids in if necessary and protect people for crucial games to come.

All that makes any game crucial is whether you win it or lose it. There's no differentiating about that.

[nelson66]

Its a confidence thing - and our lads must be developing buckets of the stuff - and good luck to em
I'm going for a 2-0 to us..
COYWM

[Lost Leopard Spot]

You've outdone yourself Bristols. I've dobbed you in to the Pun Police. I think you're looking at a minimum of five years for 'norfolk in chance'. A minimum...

[Lost Leopard Spot]

If we start with Karakarakaracan and the Hoff and the 67 year old and the Zach we'll have a decent chance. If we don't we won't.

[BWFC_Insane]

If we start with Karakarakaracan and the Hoff and the 67 year old and the Zach we'll have a decent chance. If we don't we won't.

Hoff won't play yet as he's nowhere near match fit according to Parky.

[bristol_Wanderer3]

You've outdone yourself Bristols. I've dobbed you in to the Pun Police. I think you're looking at a minimum of five years for 'norfolk in chance'. A minimum...

Guilty m'lord

I hope you are ready to take over during my incarceration

Your Burton effort suggests we should be in safe hands.

[Bruce Rioja]

2-2. An excellent away point. SammiAmmi and ALF for us.

Played for both clubs - Asa Hartford, David Cross, Hugh Curran, Marc Tierney and Butter somebody a couple of seasons back.

[jmjhb]

2-2. An excellent away point. SammiAmmi and ALF for us.

Played for both clubs - Asa Hartford, David Cross, Hugh Curran, Marc Tierney and Butter somebody a couple of seasons back.

Don't forget Johan Elmander

[Bruce Rioja]

2-2. An excellent away point. SammiAmmi and ALF for us.

Played for both clubs - Asa Hartford, David Cross, Hugh Curran, Marc Tierney and Butter somebody a couple of seasons back.

Don't forget Johan Elmander

Well, I HAD, but then you came along..................

[TANGODANCER]

Bit chilly round the nether regions today. Just back from dog walking. All set for a " COME ON YOU WHITES" ...

[Armchair Wanderer]

Tierney was a real shame. I think I was at the game he got injured in, surprisingly.

[TANGODANCER]

We're in the famous White shirts, away or no, so that's a plus. Coin tossed and....we're away with the sun behind us. Come on....

[TANGODANCER]

They take possesion and sally forth. They come...then retreat, are they trying to make us seasick? Pas, pass....repeat ad infinitum, then a sally and we get a throw. A long one for Alf, they recover it and Reid advances. They come again and a Murphy shot flashes wide.