Hhmm… not sure where to start.
Even on a good day, it’s a fixture that makes the sphincter twitch. Even if Norwich were at full strength, with a squad bulging full of new signings, all fully fit and embedded after a full, testing pre-season behind them, we would still be more than a little apprehensive over what may unfold.
But with a squad still minus a couple of key figures in key positions and with a group that is probably at the four-games-into-pre-season stage of development, then it’s not just the collective sphincter that’s going ten to the dozen at the thought of going toe-to-toe with Abu Dhabi United.
It’s a fearsome task for anyone. Let alone ‘little’ under-prepared Norwich.
For the fixture computer to hand us this seemingly impossible task off the back of handing us an opener against the self-proclaimed champions of the Universe was cruel in the extreme.
But, here we are. It has to be done at some point, so why not get it out of the way as early as possible. And what better way to rid ourselves of the cobwebs than taking on one of the two richest clubs on the planet; one funded by an oil-rich Middle Eastern state with the sole purpose of winning trophies.
So wealthy is the owner of Manchester City and so skewed now is the playing field, the owners and fans of the other five in the ‘Big Six’ complain of how City have used their financial muscle to widen the gap. In Manchester City world, Chelsea, for example, see themselves as the have-nots!
I chatted with a son of talkSPORT three seasons ago as part of the preview for City’s FA Cup tie with Chelsea. He was unimpressed with City’s ability to spend the earth on new signings…
“Let’s face it they’ve got more money than everybody else and despite there obviously being a lot of it around everyone else has to think about how much money they spend”.
If Chelsea are accusing you of buying the title…
But by getting promoted we’ve earned the right to be on the same pitch as Manchester City, for all their financial advantages, we start level and currently have the same number of points.
Team Farke have also had another week in the open spaces of Colney to get into the bodies and minds of those who faced Liverpool but who were, in an ideal world, still two or three games away from kicking a ball in anger. I’m talking Hanley, Pukki, Giannoulis and Gibson in particular, but there is clearly not a player in that squad who wouldn’t have benefitted from more minutes in the bank.
In terms of who Farke will pick, it looks likely, injuries permitting, that he will go with a similar starting XI to the one that kicked off against Liverpool, although in terms of options from the bench it’s possible Christos Tzolis will have edged himself closer to some game time after completing his first full week at Colney.
Manchester City’s defeat at Tottenham last Sunday has done us no favours, even though Pep Guardiola had warned of a slow start to the season for his team given that most of his squad were involved in the summer’s Euros. A smarting Guardiola is not what we need right now.
Against Spurs, the Spaniard was without the services of the injured Phil Foden, while John Stones, Gabriel Jesus and Rodri were on the bench after having had only one week’s worth of training. Kevin de Bruyne too started on the bench for the same reason but came on and, unsurprisingly, made a difference.
And now they have Jack Grealish to produce moments of magic amidst the comedy falls and looks of indignation. Yeah, honestly, they signed him from Aston Villa – you’d have expected the tabloids and Sky Sports to have mentioned it.
Guardiola, not for the first time, played with a false 9 at Tottenham, in the form of Ferran Torres. so that’s something Team Farke will have been working on this week, with there being even more numbers in the centre of the pitch to overload us.
(Try not to think about it).
Our last visit to the Etihad, on the final day of 2019-20, ended in a 5-0 defeat; a result that was met with a sense of relief, such had been the brutality of our Project Restart. It was ugly but it could have been uglier.
For those who love stats, Man City have won their last three home Premier League games against us by an aggregate score of 14-1 and, in all competitions, we have won just two of our last 31 visits to the sky blue half of Manchester -seven draws and 22 losses. But, I think we all agree that the two wins – 2-1 in September 1997 and 3-2 in May 2013 – are the only ones that really count.
Oh, and one little extra nugget courtesy of BBC Sport: ‘In the Premier League era, the winners of the previous season’s Championship title have won away from home against the reigning top-flight champions only once’.
Make of that what you will.
So, one of those hope-rather-than-expectation type afternoons where you wish more than anything to emerge with spirit and belief intact and are ready to go again in seven days’ time. To have played some decent stuff and enjoyed a few good moments would also be nice.
If that’s how it pans out, I suspect most of us would be happy. As glorious as that bloody nose we gave them in September 2019 was, they don’t come along too often.
I was going to steer clear of offering up a prediction as I hate ever having to put head before heart where the Canaries are concerned, but I will just say I don’t expect the score to be as gloomy (from our perspective) as Mark Lawrenson will no doubt predict later.
Never Mind the Danger.
Norwich are better than most football league clubs but the top six are better than most international teams. We are going to lose regardless of how ready we are, just got to soak it up and remember the good times.
Hi Gary
ManC the worst or the best
They are the worst for conceding fouls and now with Grealish they look more like a acrobatic troop than a football team last week he spent more time lining up free kicks than actually trying to play football.
Best when they do play they really do have a couple if the best players in the premiership and I don’t count look at me I have been fouled Sterling.
Coming from an era when football was a pure physical sport watching alot of today’s players I just wonder how Chopper Harris, Tommy Smith and Dave McKay would have reacted to this type of play.
Before anyone say it yes there were a few artistic players that took a tumble ie Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowls both of QPR and ManC fame so the story with a similar trend.
Grealish saw he is the most fouled player in the league I would say he puts himself into a situation where a coming together happens and he gets the benefit of doubt from the Ref.
I would like to see more Ref’s book players for simulation and arguing over a decision again Grealish would top both lists.
As for Saturdays game if we see a Norwich play like the first 20mins I think we could this week see how we are progressing, ManC lacked certain players last week but didn’t have many clear cut chances and lost to a breakaway chance.
Without a No9 ManC are looking for tap ins, penalties or fouls outside the 18yrd area to create chances and being at home will be gifted with those a plenty Grealish and Sterling will draw fouls be in the Ref’s face to get decisions.
Let’s hope for a strong Ref and 2 assistants that aren’t conned or over come by the supporters.
This could be a close call 2-0 to ManC
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay Healthy and Keep Safe
Lawro has predicted 3-0 to Man City. I’d take that and hope it’s not more….
I agree Mark; anything closer than 0 – 3 given both sides preparation, and (rather) diverse finances, I take as a moral victory!!!
O T B C
Perhaps it is time for Farke to use his brains and approach the game to try to preserve a valuable point rather than sending the fullbacks up the field to try to outplay them. I am not an advocate of park the bus but a bit of pragmatism wouldn’t go amiss.
I would like to see the the lads just go out there and just enjoy the game Gary and give it a real go.
Obviously follow Daniel’s game plan, but is there anyone out there who thinks we can win ? so this really is a free hit.
People like Martin Samuel cannot criticize the club for not spending this time around and with all these new players it will take time for them to bed in. Especially with the pre-season we have had.
And lets not forget that wonderful 3-2 victory of two seasons ago. Lets be honest with the injury crisis we had at the time to say we were fearful is an understatement. But just look at the performance we produced, so who knows as I am sure on that glorious evening the team weren’t convinced of victory.
I would just like to see us get more players into the box than we did against Liverpool, and yes I know that is were Manchester City are at their most dangerous with lighting fast breaks but lets give it a go. And if we get walloped it would surprise no one.
It is fantastic tomorrow that the Away Supporters are back on their travels, at last.
With us facing Manchester City and Leicester next and Arsenal up against Chelsea and Manchester City in their next two games the Arsenal/Norwich fixture is building up to be a real relegation 6 pointer.
still pre season for us in reality . We should be ready to go all guns blazing after the international break.
I’m not optimistic and we could have a real hiding on the cards. I just cannot see where a goal is coming from. Which probably means we’ll win 1-0 🙂
What Farke has to prove against any of the EPL sides is that he has learnt from his mistakes of two seasons ago. Otherwise, even with us actually spending some money this time around, he has show flexibility.
We were far too easy to play against before – that cannot be allowed the happen again.