Match Day Thread Stoke v Norwich

After the 5-0 drubbing of Rotherham we now travel to Stoke hoping to put our startling away form to bed with a good performance and most importantly 3 points! No doubt we would have done so against Middlesbrough if not for some poor officiating.

This is the final Sky Bet Championship fixture before the international break for Norwich City, as they travel to Staffordshire to face Stoke City (KO 3pm). The Canaries made it six home wins on the bounce with a 5-0 win over Rotherham United on Saturday, with Josh Sargent, Gabriel Sara (2), Borja Sainz and Jacob Sørensen on the scoresheet. Three points saw David Wagner's side move into the Championship play-off places, time now to create a bit of distance from those below.

The Opposition
It's been a disappointing campaign for Stoke so far this season, as they currently occupy 19th place in the Championship.
Stoke will look to drag themselves away from a potential relegation battle towards the end of the season, and have won two of their last three league outings.
They come into this fixture on the back of a 2-1 win away to Preston North End.

One to Watch
Ki-Jana Hoever
Born in Amsterdam, Ki-Jana Hoever spent time in his youth at both AZ Alkmaar and Ajax, before making the switch to Liverpool. He made four senior appearances for the Reds, before joining Wolves in September 2020. The Netherlands Under-21s international joined PSV Eindhoven on loan during the 2022/23 season. Hoever first joined Stoke on loan in January 2023, impressing during his short stint. He returned to the Potters on a season-long loan for the 2023/24 campaign.

The Manager
Steven Schumacher
Steven Schumacher became Stoke manager in December 2023, replacing Alex Neil. After a playing career that included spells at Bradford City and Bury, Schumacher worked under Ryan Lowe at both Bury and Plymouth Argyle. After Lowe's departure from the Pilgrims, Schumacher became Plymouth manager in December 2021 and guided the side to the League One title.

Last Time Out
Back in September, the Canaries claimed a 1-0 win against the Potters at Carrow Road. Jack Stacey scored his first goal for the club just before half-time, as Norwich claimed all three points

Positive vibes!!!

ON THE BALL CITY!!!

 

Gianoulis is set to be out until April, so it’s a really good opportunity for McCallum to get a good run of games in the first team and potentially secure a new deal

 

One player we won't need to watch tomorrow is Wouter Burger, who collected his 10th yellow card last weekend and triggered the automatic 2-match suspension that threatened our McLean against Rotherham. Burger is Stoke's 4th highest rated player according to WhoScored, one ranking place below Hoever. Every little bit helps, as they say.

 

Vitally important game to keep our fate in our own hands with a 3 point lead and goal difference over Hull.

 

This (like all games it seems) is a key test of our away form. I mean we were dominated Middlesbrough until Sainz's since rescinded red card, but getting some away points is badly needed as we have been a bit naff away for a while

 

We've talked a lot about Sargent picking up where he left off on his return from injury, but Sainz is another who missed a lot of matches through injury and then had to fit into a new team on the pitch. That took time, but he's now beginning to look like a young Buendia in his first season in a strange country. Emi was a more complete player on both sides of the ball when he arrived but Borja is adding to his all round game with each passing match. He also has that 'edge' that Emi had, taking risks and pushing hard.

With the ball both are excellent at making the right pass to progress the ball up the pitch and then cutting in to create scoring chances with similar rasping shots. It's early days yet, but we might have finally found Emi's replacement. With 4 goals and 1 assist from the 16 games he's started, how he develops from here could be a key aspect to the rest of the season, especially when Rowe returns from injury and they can play off each other.

 

team news?

 

No wonder I can't find a stream; the game hasn't started , yet. I forgot about the time change!

 

please log in to view this image

 

Three U21s on the bench as Waylon Renecke has been brought in as backup at LB. Here's his background profile:

https://www.canaries.co.uk/content/academy-insight-waylon-renecke

 

He must be left-footed. Could be the left-footed CB you wanted, Rick.

 

http://www.fawanews.com/

 

Goreham - Thanks Bure.

 

The Sarg puts us 1 up

13 goals in 18 appearances

 

Loverly pass from Kenny!

 

My pleasure.
This is by far the best site

 

Who's the team in yellow and green?

Sara!

 

2up to the S men
Sara again

We are all over them. This is brilliant

 

Anyone know why the BBC isn’t awarding Sainz an assist for that? It looked like a clear set up from Sainz to me