The announcement came 17 June:
Crystal Palace. Home.
Norwich’s return to the Premier League was confirmed, and now we’re on the eve of City’s 2015-16 campaign. Here are five things to look out for in a top flight curtain raiser.
1. Palace Pace
With Bakary Sako just signing for Crystal Palace on a free, the pace that the Eagles possess is threatening to the City backbone. Yannick Bolasie, Bakary Sako, Wilfried Zaha, and Jason Puncheon all feature in the Palace side. The Canaries hardly have the quickest defenders, so this could be a massive problem. Nathan Redmond and Bradley Johnson must track back if necessary, despite manager Alex Neil preferring an attacking lineup.
2. Closing Down
You could argue that this was Norwich’s biggest issue during our disastourous 2013-14 campaign (among other things).They failed to close down midfielders, allowing long range efforts to pelter John Ruddy. The relegation season saw plenty of quality attacking players such as Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling score from these areas. Closing down on holding midfielders was also poor. With Yohan Cabaye and Mile Jedinak both fitting the bill of players City could not deal with in their last Premier League season, they need to do better. Cabaye will pick out passes all day long if allowed, and Jedinak is capable
of striking from distance.
3. Lock It Up
Normally in these situations I would say go for the win. But if we find ourselves with the game being level with 10 minutes to go, I say we should just take the point.
Losing the opening game of the season at home is a huge confidence crusher. We
don’t want to be behind the eight ball this early. From a mental standpoint, we
just need to put a point on the board against a very good Crystal Palace team,
and then try for wins against Sunderland and Stoke to round out August.
4. A Measuring Stick
Crystal Palace are a perfect measuring stick as to where Norwich want to be this season. During their first season up, Palace finished 11th. They struggled at
the beginning of the season, but still managed to play good attractive football
while being tight at the back. In the second season they gained confidence, and
bumped themselves up to 10th. This year they have made even more signings, and
will now be wanting to push for the Europa League. If Norwich can follow the
Palace blueprint (minus their terrible start to their first season up), the future is bright in Norfolk.
5. Team Selection
The squad is deep, so Neil has plenty of options. The Premier League quality might not be there in every position, but there are choices. The logical choice would be to
put Cameron Jerome up top against his old club. Lewis Grabban could be given his Premier League debut, or even Gary Hooper cold make an appearance.
Perhaps Neil will opt to go two up top. Will Robbie Brady be moved to left-back? This game could go a long way to determining the team during this season.
With less midweek fixtures to contend with, form will trump fitness in choosing
the lineup. I’m fascinated to see what ‘super Alex Neil’ comes up with.
Those are the five things that I am looking out for in this match. After over 440 days
without Premier League football at Carrow Road, it’s back. We are back to what really counts. Come on you Yellows!!
