Match Day Thread NCFC vs Wigan Athletic, Aug 6th, 12.30 k.o.

First home game of the season, selected for showing by Sky, hence the bizarre kick off time.
Dean Smith suggests that South American duo Gabriel Sara and Marcelino Nunez could make their debuts this weekend.
“Sara has trained all week and is available. Marcelino is a bundle of energy and we’re just waiting on some paperwork for him, he should be available too. It’s nice to have a near full squad to choose from'' said Smith at yesterday's presser.

Smith will also have Ben Gibson and Kieran Dowell available after both missed the Cardiff opener.

David Prutton's prediction:-

Norwich boss Dean Smith bemoaned his side's lack of quality in the final third following the opening defeat to Cardiff, which was a feisty affair, by all accounts, with a late red card for either side. The Canaries created chances and forced plenty corners, but were unable to make the breakthrough. In fairness, with their opponents having made so many summer signings, they were something of an unknown entity.

Wigan have signed just one first team player this summer and remain one of the early favourites to go straight back down from the Championship to League One. But they looked a real threat in their goalless draw with Preston and racked up 20 attempts without scoring, five of which were on target. Norwich should edge this one, though.

Prutton predicts: 2-1

Looking forward to seeing what an injection of samba-style excitement can add to the mix. .
A quick blast of "Samba de Janiero" early on should help Sara feel at home!
OTBC.

 

Taking the kids tomorrow , hoping to see Sara make his debut

 

Team News for Tomorrow

https://www.canaries.co.uk/content/team-news-sara-and-nunez-in-contention-for-wigan

Nunez & Sara both in contention, Hanley suspended, Gibson available.
Rowe, Byram, Hayden - Out
Idah - Not Ready
Dowell - Available

 

I’m hoping we might see Rashica played off the right, I get the idea of him being an inverted winger cutting in on his right from the left but he’s not really done it and I think he could be more effective playing on the right

 

Looks good on paper..

Let's hope it's as good on the park.

 

Did anyone find any place to watch it?
Edit - I have found one
https://www.vipbox.lc/norwich-city-vs-wigan-athletic-1-live

 

http://www.hesgoal.com/news/109303/Norwich_City_vs_Wigan_Athletic.html

Always a reliable stream

 

Good start, but no cigar.

7 attempts

Our "set piece" coach is doing a good job

 

Krul keeps us in it.

Bad miss by Wigan

 

Gibson ****s it up.

Should be 2 down.

Smiffy out

 

Boos at half time.
Not surprised, poor show after a reasonable start.

We really don't seem to have a genuine playmaker.
Is Vrancic still available?

 

We played some really nice stuff for the first 25-30, clear style to our play and good patterns of play. Gibson then makes the big error for us to concede and everyone starts playing within themselves

 

Scouts from Borussia Mochengladbach supposedly watching Rashica

 

Gibson does that too often

 

69% possession 11shots
Final ball has been poor

 

It's bad enough gifting goals in the Premier league but Wigan ?

 

If we lose this Smith could be in big trouble. Yes Gibson made a mistake, but that was at the edge of the pitch. We didn't learn from the first chance that almost conceded a goal. Where was Omobamidele and the rest of the defence as McClean was given a free run on goal. Krul came close to saving it with his foot but he was cruelly exposed. We seemed to lose all conviction after the goal. Up to Smith to sort it out at HT or morale will go through the floor.

 

What's the crowd reaction like Dunc?

 

No changes at half time.

Smiffy ain't got a clue