Southampton v Norwich City Saturday 15th March 2014 Kick off - 3.00pm at St Mary's Stadium Once again Norwich did not lose at home last week, but the draw with Stoke City came as a bit of blow, especially as Stoke were not really offering much of a goal threat after the first 20 minutes, and less after Norwich took the lead. Captain Seb was once again the culprit for offering Stoke a chance to score by giving away a penalty, and for me he now needs the captains armband removed, if not left out of the starting line up for a few weeks (although I appreciate that could kill off any remaining confidence he has). Perhaps we shouldn't complain or be completely surprised by the result with Stoke, as the Canaries have been showing all season just how aimless and fragile they are for the majority of games (or at least large chunks of games), and if you had not noticed before, you could not have failed to have seen it last week. That one point leaves Norwich City just 4 points ahead of Cardiff City in 18th, and West Brom in 17th, a very precarious position indeed, and although it is possible that to finish in 17th may need as few as 35 points this season, I am sure most of us would like us to hit something like 37 or 38 points. So on to this weeks game, and a trip to Southampton. The saints had a great start to the season but for whatever reason have tailed off quite a lot since early December, although they have still had some good results in recent weeks. Historically, Norwich have never had an easy time while visiting the south coast team, indeed in my 5 visits the best I ever saw was a 0-0 draw in an FA Cup game. Saints sit in 9th place, some 11 points clear of West Ham, so are guaranteed PL football next season, and almost certainly a top 9 finish, but unlikely to be playing in Europe. One chink of light we can look to is the current goal scoring rate of the Saints, as it is not much better than ours at the moment. That said, there is still a considerable danger ever present in the shape of Lambert and Rodriguez Alex Tettey is reported to be okay after having his kneecap smashed by a high tackle from Jonathan Walters, so the starting line up is quite likely to be the same as that for the Stoke game. It has all the makings of being another disappointing away day for Canaries fans although games with the Saints in the last two seasons have been very tight, with Norwich just edging it in terms of points - 3 more this weekend will be more than just a little welcome although I would be very happy with even just 1 point.
Good stuff once more Thia. I'm off to the game with the wife & kids for this one, think we're in for a tough one personally & I'd be very happy if we come away with a point. All depends on how we set up up, will we go there for a point or do we go there & try & win it? And how generous will Bassong be feeling?
Strewth guys...I came onto this site expecting to have a decent natter with you guys.......what do I find...your all still in bed asleep!! .... Never mind perhaps I will pop back when a few more of you are awake.......
Sorry, but I can't see a result better than a draw at Southampton. My confidence in this team is pretty well drained. Suspect issues in the dressing room that we are not party to. Bassong needs to be kept away from the starting eleven and talk of him losing confidence is, IMO, far from the mark. He gives the impression of somebody who doesn't believe in what the team is trying to achieve - Premiership status.
Good stuff Thai! Re: Bassong - I wonder if CH will drop him. Bassong does have the look of not caring too much - and although I respect him for his comments in an interview a couple of months back, when he said something like there are more important things in life than football, I'd like him to refocus his priority to the cause for the run-in. One player should not be blamed for potentially sending a team down.
When was your 0-0 Thai? I went to one at the Dell when they still had Shearer, Flowers and Terry Hurlock playing for them - around 1991 / 2 I'd guess?
hughton has come out and backed bassong, so it's unlikely he is going to drop him. i just hope our heads don't drop if and when saints score, like in the villa game. if we don't fall apart like that, we stand a chance.
1992 - Alan Shearer played that day, but I wasn't impressed with him and couldn't see what all the fuss was about at the time.
Agreed. I couldn't understand why City fans on the open Archers terrace were getting showered with coins after a 0 - 0 draw Who'll ever forget Chris Sutton's extra time winner in the replay, when Flecky got his ribs broken? I bet Robert Fleck won't
I didn't see any of that on the day. To be honest I have never seen any trouble of any nature when we visited the Dell. I always went in to the Winston PH at the rear of the ground before and after games, and again never had any bovver from the Saints fans (admittedly they normally won so were happy)
Last time I went to The Dell, Ron Davies was playing, and Alan Shearer was about two years old (he wasn't playing)
I was at that one, it was our cup run to the semis and I went to every match in the competition that season. My abiding memories of the game were of what a crappy little death-trap the Dell was (wooden stands with just two exits and a 40ft drop in the event of a disaster) and of a certain middle-aged, female celebrity chef who was sat behind me in her scarf. At that time I had absolutely no idea she was a City fan let alone was destined to be our future owner, she turned up on Fantasy Football League Show a week or two later to confirm it. If memory serves me correctly we won the replay at home with Saints ending the game with nine men, I remember Barry Horne being sent off but don't recall who the other one was - probably Terry Hurlock Edit: quick bit of research tells me it was Le Tissier who was the other one sent off
Both of our Defensive midfielders (Cork & Wanyama) are looking like they are out of this game. Really gives you boys a chance, we are a lot more vulnerable without either of these two in the team. Should be tight, I fancy both teams to score, just have to pray we manage to score more than you!
Shouldn't be too difficult bor, we've only scored 2 goals in a league game twice this season (once away from home), and only scored 3 once (that was at home)! We are generally very poor away from home.
I think it will be a tight game....although it does depend on the line up Pochettino puts out. If he gives young Garragar a start it could be interesting as that means he will have gone for a 442. That could be a problem for you guys. Mind you he hasn't for a while so we will not be holding our breath...hope it's a good game.
from the guardian, decent analysis. Will hughton go for it? http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/mar/14/football-10-things-weekend 6) Adventurous Norwich. Or not … Norwich's 2-0 defeat at West Ham last month was unforgivable. They outplayed West Ham for long periods, comfortable in defence and occasionally inspired in attack, and were denied four times by excellent saves by Adrián. But then Chris Hughton settled for a point. He took off Gary Hooper after 76 minutes and Nathan Redmond after 81 minutes; they had been the best players on the pitch. Removing them handed the initiative to West Ham, who had been atrocious, and Norwich promptly conceded two scrappy goals in the final six minutes. It was a defeat that summed up Hughton's tenure. His natural caution has made him deeply unpopular with Norwich's fans, who would be glad to see the back of him even if their side stays up. Yet with Norwich four points above the bottom three and facing an arduous run-in, now would be a good time for Hughton to embrace a more adventurous approach. A trip to Southampton is not easy but Mauricio Pochettino's side have only won once at home since November and have little to play for now that they are safe in mid-table. There is no excuse for Norwich not to exploit the situation and attack. They have the players to score goals, if only they were let off the leash. Jacob Steinberg
