MATCHWATCH : Norwich City (a) sponsored by Delia Smith's cookery course

[Sutekh]

When :, Saturday, 17th March 2018, 3pm
Where : Carrow Road, Norwich, NR1 1JE
Capacity : 27,220
Away Stand : One side of the South Stand, on one side of the ground.
What might I see in the area : Mustard, Stephen Fry, Canaries, Phil Boyer


And the Reading bandwagon rolls into Norwich next, no idea how considering it must be down to one punctured wheel but it will nonetheless. Temperatures will be low. Could even be snow and ice and the possibility of a postponement if the expected winter weather gets extreme.

Now on a run of 1 win in 17 and 1 clean sheet in 18, Reading’s pathetic, yet strangely impressive and consistent, record faces a Norwich team who have nothing of any note to play for and it’s not even Easter yet.

Norwich are consistent though, they’re on a run of 6 games without a win but have collected 5 points from those games. Their last two home games have also yielded zero goals for either team so it looks like Reading are meeting another team in a bit of a slump just like Bolton, Birmingham, Leeds, Burton etc.

Norwich have injury concerns over Tettey and Oliviera while we have no idea who Reading will have fit for this one having seen Tuesday demonstrate only about 14 fit experienced players. As a result the team will probably pick itself again with possibly the only addition being Swift returning to the bench as the management gently ease him back into kicking a ball again.

Referee

Oliver Langford. Not good. the last 6 league games with Mr Langford have yielded a whopping 0 points and just 2 goals scored (with none at all in the last 4 games).



Previously

26 Dec 17 > Bristol City 2-0 Reading
28 Oct 17 > Reading 0-2 Middlesbrough
12 Jan 17 > Reading 0-1 Queen’s Park Rangers
03 Dec 16 > Fulham 5-0 Reading
04 Oct 16 > Portsmouth 2-2 Reading U23 (Checkacrowd Trophy)
27 Sep 16 > Brentford 4-1 Reading
19 Jan 16 > Reading 5-2 Huddersfield Town (FAC3R)
16 Dec 15 > Hull City 2-1 Reading
11 Mar 14 > Leeds United 2-4 Reading
14 Dec 13 > Huddersfield Town 0-1 Reading
06 Mar 12 > Reading 1-0 Portsmouth
27 Aug 11 > Hull City 1-0 Reading
16 Oct 10 > Reading 0-1 Swansea City
09 Feb 10 > Reading 1-0 Plymouth Argyle

Historically

There have been 69 league games between Norwich and Reading which makes this game the 35th league visit to the Canaries. Of the previous 34, 10 have resulted in wins for Reading while 16 games have gone the way of Delia’s boys. There have only been 2 goalless games in those 33 so odds are there will be some picking the ball out of the back of the net to be done at least one keeper - and more likely both as these teams do appear to struggle to keep clean sheets against each other.

Then there’s last season’s comedy 7-1 to avenge. Can they do it?

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel
2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
3. Ring/text a mate for updates
4. Use an iFollow subscription
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Hound]

assuming Martin and maybe Kelly will also be available as well

Even with the depleted squad this has to be one we really go for the win in. Norwich have just been outplayed by Hull and Barnsley and have little to play for. Not that I've any confidence we'll put in anything other than another cautious, defensive and inept display

[John Smith]

Norwich are a funny side with a funny manager. Some really good players on paper so will be interesting to see how bothered they are with this one. Any result is possible really

[Norfolk Royal]

They've got a proper injury crisis at Carrow Road ahead of this one, the main ones being Oliveira and Tettey who are almost certainly out, although there are other significant doubts as well.

It possibly means Hoolahan, who has been benched most of the season, will play from the start, a player who could mash us on his day.

However, Norwich are finding it very difficult to win at home, barely ever scoring more than one, so I see it as a surprise opportunity to pick up three points. Famous last words

If Norwich do beat us it is likely to be free kick from Maddison who is touted for a £30-million move at the end of the season. He is probably the best player in the championship tbf.

I can't go btw due to a prior commitment which is annoying for obvious reasons.

[Hound]

yep, be a good plan to set the 'reducer' Clement onto Maddison first up I think

[Old Man Andrews]

yep, be a good plan to set the 'reducer' Clement onto Maddison first up I think

If Clement is the 'reducer' what is Aluko?

[Sutekh]

yep, be a good plan to set the 'reducer' Clement onto Maddison first up I think

If Clement is the 'reducer' what is Aluko?

The superfluouser?

[Sutekh]

Norwich are likely to be without midfielder Alex Tettey, forward Nelson Oliveira and midfielder Moritz Leitner

Additionally Midfielder Marco Stiepermann is recovering from a hernia operation, while winger Matt Jarvis continues his rehabilitation from a long-term ankle injury, along with midfielder Tom Trybull (ankle/knee) and Louis Thompson (Achilles).

Reading will check on Liam Kelly (knee) and Chris Martin (illness) for the game while John Swift will probably be back on the bench.

[Hound]

wouldn't risk Swift at all for this is the weather is as rancid as predicted. Coming off from the bench in sub zero for a 20 min cameo doesn't sound like a good idea

wait a couple of weeks and try to have him 100% for the final 8 games on better pitches and weather

[John Smith]

wouldn't risk Swift at all for this is the weather is as rancid as predicted. Coming off from the bench in sub zero for a 20 min cameo doesn't sound like a good idea

wait a couple of weeks and try to have him 100% for the final 8 games on better pitches and weather

If we have a player in the squad that is that fragile then what the hell is he doing earning a living as a professional footballer in the Championship.

He can go. Along with Evans.

[leon]

I can't go btw due to a prior commitment which is annoying for obvious reasons.

Well those 6 inch nails aren't going to bang themselves into your bollocks

[CountryRoyal]

I can't go btw due to a prior commitment which is annoying for obvious reasons.

Well those 6 inch nails aren't going to bang themselves into your bollocks

I can’t go because I’m getting shit faced in London all weekend and last seasons Norwich trip traumatised me for life.

[LUX]

Hoolahan, a player who could mash us on his day.

Maddison is probably the best player in the championship tbf.

[John Smith]

Maddison is probably the best player in the championship tbf.

You've obviously never Joey van den Berg play then, have you

[JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo]

thanks

[leon]

thanks

[Norfolk Royal]

Hoolahan, a player who could mash us on his day.

Maddison is probably the best player in the championship tbf.

Do you disagree with that assessment Lux?

[Sutekh]

Someone's 4 year old nephew, a player who could mash us on his day.

Corrected for you

[LUX]

Hoolahan, a player who could mash us on his day.

Maddison is probably the best player in the championship tbf.

Do you disagree with that assessment Lux?

no, it just fills me with dread

[tidus_mi2]

I don't like that we haven't got revenge for them dicking us 7-1 last season, I don't hold much hope but please let us win this one.