If Norwich are able to secure all three points in today’s clash with Bournemouth, the boys will have achieved a somewhat momentous feat, one which (even as a long term supporter) when I cast my mind back I can’t recall the exact point that it last occurred – 5 back to back wins. Any apprehensions weighing on the minds of the fans from the Wolves game have surely all but dissipated as the Canaries are flying! With 10 goals in our previous four outings, it would be reasonable to expect the net to ripple somewhat in this fixture; especially when you consider that the Cherries have conceded 5 in their last 2 league games. Something that promises to be particularly exciting for both contingents of fans will be Norwich’s currently prolific striker, Lewis Grabban playing against his former teammates for the first time. The Englishman’s current record of a goal a game is delighting Yellows everywhere and Adams will doubtless ensure that he shows know mercy come 3pm.
Going into the game, the Canaries boast a relatively limited injury list with the only serious one being Ryan Bennett’s ankle ligament damage which could see him sidelined for up to two months. Jonny Howson and Gary Hooper are back in light training but are still a week or so away from full fitness, while Javier Garrido and Gary O’Neil face fitness tests after missing the Capital One Cup game against Crawley midweek. City’s two new signings this week – Conor McGrandles and Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe are also unlikely to feature in the match day squad considering how recent their respective arrivals were. In addition, Martin Olsson (although now free from suspension) will not feature in Adams’ plans this time out due to a family bereavement and on behalf of Read Norwich, our thoughts are with him and his family in this difficult time.
The boys will kick off enveloped by the cacophony of cheers from all four sides of Carrow Road, buoyed by the securing of a relatively convincing 3-1 win against Crawley Town on Tuesday night despite fielding a heavily inexperienced team which featured 9 of our academy products in the 18 man squad. It’s quite likely a few of the youngsters that featured in that game will be included in Adams’ plans this weekend.
PREDICTED LINE UP
The only real alternations to what we can probably now refer to as our ‘usual starting XI’ will be in the defensive area of our side due to the injuries to Ryan Bennett, Javier Garrido and the absence of Martin Olsson. I reckon Carlos Cuellar will come in as a straight swap for Bennett although I have some minor concerns about the lack of pace in our central defence if he and Turner are to play together – obviously Russell Martin will now be pushed out to his former full back role to allow Whittaker to cover LB if necessary. I’ve spoken in previous articles regarding my desire to see Sebastien Bassong return from the cold to the heart of our side but he now seems totally ostracised by Adams – something which I feel could prove to be a mistake. This game is a prime example of how he, in my opinion, still very much has a place in the team – I’d feel far more comfortable with a more athletic defender such as him partnering Turner, despite Cuellar’s multitude of good traits. I’m presuming Garrido and O’Neil won’t feature but if they’re fit I’d imagine they’d come in for Toffolo and Surman respectively.
VERDICT
One thing that’s been particularly refreshing about our Championship campaign so far is that I’ve been able to predict the outcome of games with relative confidence. Some notable names in Bournemouth’s side are wide man, Junior Stanislas as well as strike partners Yann Kermorgant and Callum Wilson – the latter of the three narrowly missing out on a hat-trick on the opening day of the season after signing for the Cherries instead of us despite reportedly strong interest from Adams. Like any game in this league, nothing is a certainty but I believe that we’ll grab the win here. We’re on a great run as it is, we’ll be in front of a home crowd and are currently scoring goals for fun. I’m going for 2-1 to the Yellows!
