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Grayson looking for big reaction after embarrassing cup exit. Ring any bells?

14th August 2008 By Latest News Leave a Comment

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If you thought crashing out of the Carling Cup at the hands of MK Dons was bad, then spare a thought for this weekend's visitors Blackpool.

They went down 2-0 to League Two Macclesfield and Seasiders boss Simon Grayson is looking for a big reaction from his players for the trip to Carrow Road, after what he described as an “embarrassing” cup exit.

It is way, way too early to be talking about 'must-win' games but, like the Canaries, they have started the 2008-09 with back-to-back defeats and neither side will want to come away from Saturday's fixture empty handed.

But Grayson is confident that his side can get some much-needed points on the board sooner rather than later ? starting this weekend.

“It is worrying that we've not scored in the last two games but the positive thing is that from box to box we've played well,” Grayson told the Blackpool Gazette.

“I'm pleased that we are creating chances and I'd be concerned if we weren't doing that but obviously we have got to be more ruthless and more composed in that area of the pitch and obviously a lot more determined to make sure we don't concede in our own penalty area as well.”

The Tangerines chief was under no illusions, however. They should not be losing to an outfit who are two divisions below them, whatever the competition ? and Grayson will not be tolerating any sort of repeat.

“It was a bad night and I think everyone should be embarrassed by the scoreline,” Grayson continued. “I can stand here and defend the players because the first-half performance was quite acceptable.

“We played well and created a lot of chances. Their keeper made some good saves, we hit the bar; a lot happened but things didn't drop for us.

“But I can't defend the players when we concede from two set pieces again. If you add in the one we conceded on Saturday that is three goals we've conceded now from set pieces.

“It is obviously something that we've got to eradicate because if we are making simple mistakes like that then it puts extra pressure on the strikers when they do miss chances.”

There is one piece of good news for Grayson though, with the return of Steve Kabba from injury, and the former Leicester hero may put his summer signing straight into the starting XI.

The man on loan from Watford is preparing for his Blackpool debut, even though he hasn't played for three weeks after suffering an achilles injury.

He has, however, been fit enough to take part in training this week and has caught the eye of his new boss.

With Ben Burgess the only fit senior striker ? and the Tangerines without a goal in their last seven fixtures ? the Pool chief must be tempted to hand Kabba his chance at Carrow Road on Saturday.

However, Grayson insists he won't take any risks with his front man and that Kabba must prove he has fully recovered from injury before he is unleashed on Glenn Roeder's men.

“He has been back in training this week and is in contention for the weekend,” revealed the Blackpool manager, who must just be hoping for Championship survival again this season after losing key men Kaspars Gorkks and City's very own Wes Hoolahan over the summer.

“It is a possibility to throw Steve straight in on Saturday, given our lack of striking options, and it's something I'll look at.

“He is nearly 100 per cent fit but I am a little wary because I don't want him to get injured again.

“We don't want a recurrence of his original injury so we've got to be careful. I'll analyse the situation in the next couple of days ahead of Norwich.”

One likely scenario is that Grayson will return to the 4-5-1 formation he deployed in their opening day defeat against Bristol City, with Burgess up front and Kabba on the bench.

Club captain Shaun Barker, who has missed the opening games with a thigh injury, could also be a surprise inclusion in the travelling party.

The defender got the all clear to begin full training today and with his old pal Hoolahan patrolling the City flanks, Barker might just get the nod despite his lack of match fitness.

But whoever Grayson goes for, at least he now has a few more options at his disposal?

“It's going to be a case of analysing it day by day but I am hopeful I'll have a few more options and that I'll have a selection problem for Norwich,” added the manager.

“That was a big problem at Macclesfield. Looking at the substitutes' bench there weren't a great number of attacking options.

“I need more options to be able to change it whenever I want and the quicker we get people back from injury the easier it will be for me.”

For City, boss Roeder will be hoping that Ryan Bertrand has made a full recovery from the knee injury he sustained in the pre-season friendly with Spurs.

But with Adam Drury making his long-awaited comeback against MK Dons on Tuesday night, it will not be the end of the world if the Chelsea loanee doesn't make it.

Elsewhere in defence, John Kennedy and Dejan Stefanovic look set to return at the heart of the backline, with Jon Otsemobor and Elliot Omozusi fighting it out for the right-back spot.

In attack, it looks to be two from three with Jamie Cureton, 'OJ' Koroma and Artuto Lupoli all desperate to open their account for the season. But with City still lacking some serious physical presence in that area, don't be surprised if Darel Russell plays some part of the contest in the 'Dion Dublin' role.

Tom Haylett


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