Match Day Thread Cardiff City v Norwich City, Sat July 30th. ko 1500hrs

Well, here we go again.
After probably are most disappointing season, we should at least see some entertaining games this season.

More to follow.

 

Yes, a renewed enthusiasm leading up to the beginning of the new season. just how long that lasts remains to be seen

 

I predict it will last for..............46 matches.

 

I'm not really holding my breath. It feels like we're going into this season unchanged. Whilst losing several players, we've brought in a couple of additions who can't play right now anyway. The most refreshing aspect of pre-season was seeing some youngsters and loans coming in (back in) looking like improved, hungry new additions. I have no real idea how DS and Shakey plan to set up or what style of play we're gunning for this season. I predict our usual slow start to the campaign and a baptism of fire at Cardiff.

(Hoping we pump them 0-4)

 

Hugill on the scoresheet against his former [temporary] employers?

 

Let's hope so. I think he deserves to start . He seems better then ever , and if his pre season performances are anything to go by, perhaps he is another centre forward who peaks in his thirties.

 

Every start of a Championship season is filled with 24 optimistic sets of supporters

 

Just had a look at the signings that Cardiff have made this transfer window, they have brought in roughly 15 new players. One name caught my eye - Ebou Adams, who used to be part of our academy. I believe he was released and picked up by non-league Ebbsfleet, then moved on to Forest Green Rovers and now Cardiff. Nice to see a player that has dropped down the leagues build themselves back up again

 

We usually start off slow with a draw or loss but I think we will have too much for Cardiff

 

Sky pundit David Prutton

Cardiff vs Norwich, Saturday 3pm
Cardiff boss Steve Morison has been given plenty of room to manoeuvre in the transfer window this summer and he has brought in 10 players as a result, only two of whom have commanded transfer fees. I'm really intrigued as to how the Bluebirds are going to get on in Morison's first full season in charge.

Norwich, meanwhile, have looked pretty sharp in pre-season and prioritised attacking reinforcements, with Isaac Hayden and Gabriel Sara sure to offer them a new look going forward. I have to say that I can't see past Cardiff for this one, though it could well be tight.

Prutton predicts: 2-1

 

Golden Boot contenders

The overwhelming favourite is Norwich's Teemu Pukki. The Finnish international is a different animal in the Championship as opposed to the Premier League, with his two second tier seasons producing 54 goals combined, compared to 22 in his two in the top flight.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...or-burnley-bow-and-a-wide-open-promotion-race

Championship 2022/23: Sky Bet odds
To win the title: Norwich 4/1, Watford 11/2, Middlesbrough 7/1, Sheffield United 7/1, West Brom 8/1 Burnley 9/1

To be promoted: Norwich 5/4, Watford 13/8, Middlesbrough 2/1, Sheffield United 2/1, West Brom 5/2, Burnley 11/4

To be relegated: Rotherham 6/4, Birmingham 13/8, Reading 13/8, Wigan 9/4, Blackpool 10/3, Bristol City 10/3

To win the Golden Boot: Teemu Pukki 6/1, Joel Piroe 9/1, Ben Brereton Diaz 10/1, Daryl Dike 14/1, Dwight Gayle 16/1

 

From the pre-game presser, it doesn't sound like Sara's ready for a run out just yet...

On Sara… DS: “He’s been a bundle of energy and trying to impress us. It’s a long season, so to push him into this weekend would be a risk and one I’m not prepared to take.”​

No Gibson, Byram, Springett and of course Hayden too. Dowell also a doubt.

 

Very true, but the good news re Sara and hopefully Núñez as well means change is coming. Like you, I'm also pleased that those returning from loan have done so well in the pre-season as they're like new signings, especially Cantwell.

 

In a later comment, Smith said Sara and Dowell may possibly make the bench.

 

My prediction of a point a piece seems to be pessimistic compared to the view of the majority of Bluebirds fans. They seem a pretty decent bunch btw.

 

Latest team news:

https://www.canaries.co.uk/content/team-news-late-decisions-on-sara-and-dowell

 

Not sure what sort of line up to expect tomorrow. With our new signings injured and a serious lack of CMs, will most probably be:

Krul
Aarons Omobamidele Hanley Giannoulis
Mclean Sorensen Cantwell
Sargent Pukki Rashica

Although, Id play Hernandez over Sargent as it gives a bit more balance

 

Agree with the lineup, but I'd go for an attacking 4-2-3-1:

Krul
Aarons Omobamidele Hanley Giannoulis
Sørensen McLean
Sargent Cantwell Rashica
Pukki

Subs: Gunn, Tomkinson, McCallum, Sara, Sinani, Hernandez, Hugill

 

Smith on Sara:

"A bundle of energy. I think Shakey (Craig
Shakespeare) already had the chat with him about trying to over impress us, just play your normal game. It's natural for a player who's come in to try and impress in everything he does. But he'd been a bundle of energy and good fun. In my head already I am erring on the side of caution. I've said it's a long season, so to push him for this weekend would be a big risk. One I'm probably not prepared to take. But you know, as I say, it's a long season, he won’t have experienced a 46 game season before so 45 is plenty."

https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...an-smith-marcelino-nunez-rashica-sara-9177166

 

I believe Sao Paulo played 76 games in the last season, and he was in about 47 of them Rick. By comparison to their schedule ours is sedate, so he will not find it any harder here.