' A NORWICH OPINION ON CCFC V NORWICH CITY '
Paddy Davitt, the Canaries' editor for the Norwich Evening News, opinion on Cardiff City v Norwich City this Saturday
Cardiff City v Norwich City this Saturday
How do you rate Norwich's season so far?
Patchy is the most polite word I can use. Norwich City started the season with a clear aim to challenge for an instant Premier League return.
When they beat Burton late September they went top of the Championship and Alex Neil was named manager-of-the-month shortly after. But the wheels came off before Christmas.
City lost eight games in 10 and Neil found himself under intense pressure from a growing number of disgruntled Norwich fans.
They’ve managed to halt the decline and remain very strong at Carrow Road but they head to Cardiff looking for a first away league win since October 1.
Are you confident Norwich can clinch a top six place?
Given the inconsistent nature of the season to this point, outlined in the previous question, you would be wary of confidently predicting anything from here.
If they pick up away from home and start to become much harder to beat then I would expect them to be fighting for the top six right until the end.
But that pre-festive slump leaves them playing catch-up and they have to go to the likes of Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday yet, as well as difficult tests at places such as Cardiff.
Which player(s) should Cardiff be wary of?
Norwich signed two Dutch players on deadline day. They brought in a defender from Ajax, Mitchell Dijks, and the Wigan attacker Yanic Wildschut.
Alex Neil let both Martin Olsson and Robbie Brady go in the window so I would expect a debut for Dijks.
Former Bluebird, Cameron Jerome, has scored two in the last three but Nelson Oliveira is back from suspension and was leading the line very well so the manager has a major dilemma up front.
Two guys make them tick, however, in midfield. Jonny Howson and Wes Hoolahan. If they play well, Norwich play well.
Which Cardiff player(s) do you think Norwich need to keep their eye on?
Anthony Pilkington, if he is back in contention. Norwich fans know all about him from his three-year spell at Carrow Road.
He struggled with injuries and towards the end of his time was out of favour but there was no doubting his ability. He looks to have bulked up at Cardiff and five goals in his last six games underline the threat.
Junior Hoilett is another attacking wide player who has been the scourge of Norwich in the past for Blackburn.
What sort of game are you expecting and do you think Norwich are capable of getting a positive result in Cardiff?
Alex Neil has labelled Norwich’s recent away form ‘poor’. He’s being kind. They have had four men sent off in six away games, which hardly helps the cause, but they also struggle to match the intensity and physical endeavour of opponents.
Neil likes to pack his midfield with technical, creative players but the signings of Yanic Wildschut and Mitchell Dijks is a clear signal he wants to add some muscle to his ranks. If Cardiff sit off, don’t press and let Norwich play the Canaries would fancy their chances.
If Neil Warnock’s side get in their faces then all bets are off. But clearly, the season is rapidly reaching a point of no return and if Norwich want to get back into promotion contention they need to go to Cardiff and get a result.
Predicted Norwich starting XI (4-2-3-1)
Norwich City XI: Ruddy; Pinto, Martin, Klose, Dijks; Howson, Tettey; Jacob Murphy, Hoolahan, Naismith; Jerome.
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