Dung Beetle Thread

Due to popular demand, this thread has been created to pay homage to "BBC Football Expert" Mark Lawrenson.

Good ol' BBC Expert Mark Lawrenson has astonished the City Faithful over the years with his deep analysis of all things East Anglian, and his Mystic Meg like ability to pull the most prescient of predictions

The Format of the thread is simple. Will BBC Expert Mark Lawrenson predict a Norwich win this year?

Thus far, his predictions have given him a 66% success rate with the following:

Liverpool 2-0 Norwich (Correct Result)
Norwich 1 -2 Newcastle (Incorrect Result)
Norwich 1- 2 Chelsea (Correct Result)

Today's game sees Mark going with his gut again:

West Ham 2-0 Norwich

Fellow Not606ers - when do you predict Mark will predict something in our favour? Answers below the line.

 

Correct score today.

 

Only because the referee forgot to bring his red card

 

His first, no doubt of (how) many?

 

Going out on a limb here, but I predict Mark will predict 3 nil in favour of Man City.

 

Lawro predicts 2-0 to Man City

 

Norwich v Man City (17:30 BST)
Norwich do not lack a goal threat with Teemu Pukki in the team, but it is a concern to see them concede so many - 10 goals in four games so far.

That is especially worrying when they have to play Manchester City next, because we know how good Pep Guardiola's side are going forward.

It would be massive confidence boost for the Canaries if they can pick up a point here, but I just don't see it happening.

Lawro's prediction: 0-2

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49594630

 

We are joint 4th in terms of goals for though thus far with Arsenal, Chelsea, Leicester and West Ham. Given our opposition in the first 4 games that's not too bad.

 

I'm astounded that anyone would plumb for such a low scoreline. Our only hope as far as I can tell is that with their side pretty much exclusively made up of international players, they will all have returned jaded, with several of our boys fresher for not having gone away.

Bah!

 

I have to agree General and I'll be amazed if we keep the GA below 5 in this game, especially considering our depleted defensive players.
#strangerthingshavehappened

 

Did he think we would lose again?

 

Damn - I should have gone to the bookies and put £2 on 3-2. I'd probably have got about 30-1 or better!!

 

Mark Lawrenson has been asked for a comment on his prediction. He will let us know on Friday when he has recovered and his ghost writer has given him a script he can swallow.

 

I hate Lawro, but beating up for predicting we lose to Citeh by only 2 is closer than most of us got. I'm sure he will continue to back our oppo and if we can follow up this result with some more wins, then I think he can be fully castigated.

Bah!

 

The Clarets might not be great in terms of creativity but they give everything for their manager, Sean Dyche, and I can see them making life very difficult for the Canaries.

It's not all bad news for Norwich, though. I have gone for them to draw a blank - so that normally means Teemu Pukki will score.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Sam's prediction: 3-2

 

Mark was also quite generous:

Norwich's win over Manchester City last week was a fabulous performance and result, and one of the biggest upsets we have seen in the Premier League for a long time.

Forget how poor Manchester City were at the back, because Norwich's gameplan was absolutely perfect, and they stuck to it. Well done to them.

 

Mark on the Money

 

Crystal Palace v Norwich
Crystal Palace had been in total control last weekend but were left to rue a massive mistake by Joel Ward that handed Wolves a last-gasp equaliser.

Norwich, meanwhile, were out-played by Burnley and I see this as being a very similar test for the Canaries because Palace boss Roy Hodgson has a similar, forensic, approach to Clarets manager Sean Dyche.

Goals are the big problem for Palace - they are the joint-lowest scorers in the top-flight with four from six matches.

But apart from Watford, who conceded eight at Manchester City last week, Norwich have conceded more than every other team - so I think Hodgson's side will get some chances this time.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1