Norwich City (4-4-2): Marshall; Otsemobor, Bertrand, Shackell, Pearce; Huckerby, Fotheringham, Pattison, Gibbs; Cureton, Evans. Subs (from): Gilks, Camara, Doherty, Dublin, Croft.
City boss Glenn Roeder proved once more that he always packed a surprise when travelling away these days and today's trip to Bramall Lane proved no exception.
For out of the first team picture went winger Lee Croft – and all after the 22-year-old had picked up the Man of the Match award against Stoke City in mid-week.
With Arsenal starlet Kieran Gibbs handed a start, that all ensured that Darren Huckerby's return to the first team fold would find the fit-again 32-year-old patrolling away on the right with 18-year-old Gibbs installed on the left.
In-between and with Darel Russell serving out the second game of his latest red card ban, so skipper Mark Fotheringham was once more paired up with Matty Pattison.
At the back Mo Camara found his way to the bench as Ryan Bertrand gave an England Under-18 left-side look to the Canaries, while on-loan Reading defender Alex Pearce kept Gary Doherty on the bench.
Up front and whether those 38-year-old limbs were starting to creak, but after two tough outings away to Coventry and at home to Stoke in a week, so Dion Dublin was another one to feature on the bench as Ched Evans and Jamie Cureton provided City's twin-strike threat.
Certainly someone, somewhere needed to grab a goal if next weekend's home clash with a seemingly-doomed Colchester United were not to suddenly assume large, relegation proportions.
Pick up a decent point – or, indeed, surprise us all with a Cardiff-style success on the back of Tuesday night's improved efforts, and this turbulent season could, almost, be put to bed as the Canaries close in on that 50-point safety mark with a half a dozen games to spare.
Third straight defeat and it all gets far too twitchy for comfort.
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