INTRO
After falling to defeat in the Welsh capital last week, City host Wigan on Saturday in the early kick-off. Thanks for that one Sky Sports.
Both sides come into this fixture having failed to win their opening game – City losing 1-0 to Cardiff City (more on that later) and Wigan drawing 0-0 with Lancashire rivals Preston North End.
MATCH PREVIEW
The last time we faced Wigan it was another early kickoff at the DW Stadium and we came away with a 1-1 draw thanks to a late Teemu Pukki goal in a cagey affair. When we last hosted the Latics at Carrow Road there was a late winner from the penalty spot thanks to Mario Vrancic.
Another statistic that City fans might like – or see as a typical ‘Along Come Norwich’ stat – is that Wigan have not beaten us at Carrow Road since March 2015, and have only beaten us twice in the last 10 meetings. However, four of those meetings have been drawn.
But enough about the past – let’s have a look at the present and go into detail about how these sides performed in their opening games. I’ll try my best not to jump on the negativity bandwagon or make out that Wigan are there to be trampled all over.
Our attack struggled last week against Cardiff. Whether that was them being unlucky with the final pass or simply trying to do much is a different matter but some fans were quick to call for Dean Smith’s head as a result of his “lack of tactics”.
For me, it’s far too early in a long season to make judgements like that.
I admit the performance in Cardiff was lacklustre and was well below expectations against much poorer opposition, but results like that happen in the Championship every week.
However, it is clear that the players and team management need to work out their strengths and what areas can be improved to prevent a result that could turn Carrow Road toxic.
Wigan have only seen one summer arrival in Ryan Nyambe from Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer, and Gavin Massey leaving for Port Vale seems to be the only outgoing of note. They’ve kept the majority of the squad that got them up and they’ll be desperate to stay in this division.
Manager Leam Richardson has done a brilliant job since arriving in November 2020 – saving his side from relegation to League Two in the 2020-21 season following the club being entered into administration and then getting them promoted last season.
He’s the man trusted by the club’s owners and looks as if he’s taking them in the right direction. A direct contrast to Smith in the eyes of many punters.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Jamie got his predictions spot on for both sides last week in last week’s MFW preview, so I’ve a lot to live up to!
Norwich (4-2-3-1): Krul; Aarons, Gibson, Omobamidele, Giannoulis; McLean, Sorenson; Cantwell, Sara, Rashica; Pukki
I’m expecting two changes by Smith from the Cardiff loss – Ben Gibson to come for Grant Hanley due to his sending off and Gabriel Sara to make his debut in place of Josh Sargent.
I don’t think the back four should change apart from Hanley. Max Aarons has cemented that right-back spot for the entire season, Andy Omobamidele is the right player to start rather than throwing young Jonathan Tomkinson in at the deep end, and Dimi Giannoulis seems to be favoured more than Sam McCallum by Smith.
In terms of the attacking four, I think Sara has to start this game. He’s a club record signing and he’s fully fit and ready to prove himself to the Norwich fans and his manager that he was worth every penny. I do think it’ll be too early for Marcelino Nunez – but wouldn’t be surprised if he featured off the bench.
Todd Cantwell was our best player last week, Milot Rashica should, theoretically, breeze past their fullbacks (or you would like to think he would) and Sargent looked like a passenger last week, so it’s no good having him start when you have new signings who are desperate for minutes.
Wigan (4-2-3-1): Amos; Darikwa, Whatmough, Tilt, Bennett; Power, Naylor; Land, Keane, McClean; Magennis
I’m not expecting any changes from Wigan’s 0-0 draw with Preston, simply as this is their strongest XI, and that is exactly what they’ll need if they are to have any chance of getting a result on Saturday.
Former Ipswich Town man Will Keane could prove dangerous for our defence as he won the League One Golden Boot last season with 26 goals but if he is kept quiet, I can’t see Wigan getting a sniff. But, then again, I thought that watching Cardiff last week, and we’ll all know how that turned out.
PREDICTION
City have been the better side in this fixture historically but our current form isn’t good with three consecutive losses if you include the pre-season games in Scotland. The Canaries have a bright chance to get back to form against an, on paper, ordinary Wigan side.
Wigan have been playing well and had a decent pre-season, and will look to capitalise on this by making it hard for Norwich and frustrating them and the home crowd.
But I’m expecting us to win. We’ve got the better side, we’re at home, the players will be desperate to please the home fans and make them forget last week.
OUTRO
So, would you make any changes to my starting XI? And do you fancy City picking up their first win of the season?
Smith will be desperate to get the ball rolling sooner rather than later. But, Wigan could prove troublesome and cause a shock result like Cardiff did last week. Let’s hope that isn’t the case.
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Also, if you’re interested in listening to Allan Kemp and Val Tolhurst talk through City vs Wigan encounters of yesteryear, then ‘Al and Val’s We Meet Again’ podcasts can be heard on Spotify…
And on iTunes…
I don’t disagree with anything you have said – we are the home side and this is the first game at home since May, so I expect the atmosphere to be good and a Sara start will provide a lift for the crowd (at least until kick off 🙂 )
If Sara is a little short of fitness or needs time to adapt to the English game, it is better to find out early and be able to sub him in the 2nd half having let him get a feel for the pace of the game and then bring him on in stages over the next few games … but after last week, we are hoping for a lot more from the team and unfortunately for the individual, from Sara who is one of our new beacons of hope.
I expect Gibson to play with Tomkinson getting a run out against Birmingham on Tuesday so the Manager can see how both do … but the previous experience of Gibson in this league will give him the nod.
I think having Sargent on the bench is a good insurance – he did show some link up play with Hugill in one of the friendlies, so if it looks like the game is passing Teemu by, bringing on Sargent and Hugill together will give Wigan a different proposition to handle – but I am not expecting that to be needed. I do not think we will run away with the game, but I am hoping that we will show a big improvement over last week and win the game without having to bite our nails in the last few minutes and Teemu to get his 2022/2023 Championship goal scoring off the mark.
I’m not going to rain on your parade ole pal, but the most optimistic level I can rise to is 0-0, the same as I forecast for the Cardiff game. Wigan are a different kettle of fish thank goodness they will play football rather then spoiling delaying tactics, but we are still unsure going forward, and defence wise I think we are stable enough in this Division despite Hanley being unavailable.
I like your selection but yet again McLean isn’t doing it for me but being the teachers pet he will get time over those playing better than him, prime example last week Sorensen was possible our best player but gets hooked while the McLean who’s only contribution was a header on to the bar.
Smith after nearly 10months in the job hasn’t impressed me 1 bit and people saying he needs his own players in where will the money come from 10months no improvement in any player at the club.
Webber and all the Smith’s need to take a long hard look at themselves and if we lose this the Webber should be the first to go.
Followed three minutes later by the others.
Sorensen was absolutely useless at Cardiff. Even gave up the chance that led to the, admittedly rather freaky, goal. McLean was full of energy, dominated the midfield for long periods and even had what was one of our closest attempt on target (along with Cantwell).
Looks like Gibson is back and that Sara and Nunez might both get game time (the latter subject to paperwork), Dowell is also back.