Norwich City (4-4-2): Marshall; Otsemobor, Bertrand, Shackell, Pearce; Huckerby, Russell, Fotheringham, Pattison; Dublin, Cureton. Subs (not used): Camara, Doherty, Gibbs, Evans, Croft.
City boss Glenn Roeder stuck firmly by the troops that should, by oh-so many rights, have earned at least a point at league leaders Bristol City last weekend when he announced an unchanged team for this afternoon's home clash against play-off hunting Burnley.
The fact that he had Gary Doherty fit again after missing that 2-1 defeat at Ashton Gate with a back injury made no difference to his thinking as Alex Pearce and Jason Shackell were handed the nod again. In fairness, both excelled against the promotion hopefuls.
Likewise, the fact that the Canaries went to town against their hosts in the second period once Lee Croft was installed on the right and Darren Huckerby switched over to the left cut no ice with the City chief.
Speaking ahead of today's game in Thursday's pre-match Press conference, Roeder made it clear that playing two out-and-out wingers left – in his opinion – his side way too open and given Norwich's need to make sure that they got something out of today's game, so it was safety first; keep it tight with Matty Pattison offering a more defensive-minded individual on the left.
The changes came on the bench where Roeder started to develop a new 'home' formula by doing without a substitute keeper for the second successive match as Matthew Gilks made way for Doherty's return.
There was also another chance for on-loan Arsenal starlet Kieran Gibbs to top up his game-time whilst in Norfolk as the 18-year-old replaced the luckless Maceo Rigters on the bench.
Widely lauded by Roeder as “one of the most intelligent footballers” at his disposal, Roeder admitted that the Gunners' youngster had not seen as much action as he might have liked; today, and the City boss would perhaps look to right that wrong.
For the visitors, still with at least one eye on sneaking into the top six, boss Owen Coyle made at least one, significant tactical switch as the widely-rated Kyle Lafferty came inside and off the left-wing to play, reportedly, straight down the middle. That might make life interesting.
As would a second-half appearance by Jamie Cureton's one-time Trowse youth team pal Ade Akinbiyi whose endless wandering through the corridors of the Championship today found him back at Burnley and back on the bench for today's return to Carrow Road.
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