This is the first time in a number of weeks I am able to write a match preview with a degree of relative certainty as to how many fans (including myself) foresee Saturday’s clash against Blackpool panning out. The Canary contingent has been far from unified in recent months regarding attitudes toward managerial and player performances, to the need (or not) for new signings in the January transfer window – and even whether or not the club have blown their chances of promotion at the first time of asking already. With that said, it is challenging to head into a game against a side who are ten points shy of clambering out of the relegation zone and currently sit, to use the heavily clichéd sporting term, at rock bottom of the table without a certain level of confidence. We made hard work of our away fixture against the Tangerines earlier in the campaign, succumbing to a one goal deficit almost immediately after the second half kick-off, which we then battled vigorously to amend, ultimately culminating in a 3-1 score line in our favour – capped off with a sensational strike from the young Jacob Murphy. Even with that praise, the vast majority of fans will expect a superior performance this time around.
Having struggled somewhat in our previous few matches, winning only two of our last five, both of those wins came back to back immediately after the appointment of Alex Neil; kick starting what has been a broadly successful spell at the helm thus far for the Scotsman. Neil also managed to bring ex-Hamilton attacking midfielder, Tony Andreu into the camp – the move to bringing an ex-player in seeming inevitable, but one who boasts 12 goals and six assists in 23 league appearances is certainly impressive. Moreover, this match will see the returning debut of the much missed Jonny Howson after the club’s appeal against the farcical red card which he received against Bournemouth was somehow rejected. Unfortunately though, the Yellows will likely be without Ryan Bennett, Gary O’Neil, Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe and the recently loaned out Kyle Lafferty who will be spending four months at Turkish side, Caykur Rizespor.
With that injury list in mind, I would opt for a starting XI along the lines of this:
Dex’s Preferred starting XI:
Ruddy in between the sticks is a nigh on certainty, while I sincerely hope Martin will revert back to his natural RB position in light of Bassong’s return to the squad at CB alongside Turner. I still maintain that Olsson is a superior LB to Garrido, but given the controversy surrounding his proposed deadline day move to West Bromwich Albion which nearly materialised, it would not surprise me if the Spaniard were to be named as a starter by Neil. Tettey and Johnson (when fit) should really be omnipresent in middle of the park in my view – at least until Odjidja-Ofoe is fit enough to play a decent stint of games so we can properly gauge his ability in the role. Being light on wingers as we are, Redmond is a sure starter on the right in my eyes whilst Howson would come in at the tip of the midfield triangle to replace Hoolahan who has been relatively uninspiring in recent matches. While I still believe that Grabban is a solid attacking option, he had a torrid time at points up front on his own against Birmingham last time out with E. Bennett on his left flank; and so I would revert to our most proficient offensive duo this season of Jerome and Hooper. I have written before of having Jerome play in sort of an inside forward role (as he did against Bolton) as he has the pace to hack it on the wing when it comes to beating his man, but also the offensive awareness to rapidly snap onto balls played through the middle and finish on his stronger foot. This setup would of course allow Hooper to draw defenders out of position, leaving gaps for Redmond and Jerome to capitalise on who would then hopefully go on either to score themselves or provide a well-positioned Hooper with a poaching opportunity.
Verdict:
In conclusion, I am feeling pretty positive going into this match. Let me make it clear, anything less than a few goals and a clean sheet is a failure; this is Blackpool after all and if we are serious about promotion this season we need to start dominating games a little more often. I forget exactly the score line which I predicted on this week’s podcast, but I am genuinely expecting a 3-0 or better from the Canaries.
