Big Match Preview: Norwich City away

Friday, September 22nd 2017

Having progressed into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup in midweek, City return to Sky Bet Championship action tomorrow when they travel to Norwich City.

The Canaries also secured their place in the Carabao Cup 16 - now facing a trip to Arsenal - and will hope to continue their commendable home form which has seen them lose just twice in 19 outings at Carrow Road.

Here’s a look at tomorrow’s opponents.

FACTFILE

Formed 1902
Nickname The Canaries
Website www.canaries.co.uk
Twitter @NorwichCityFC
Ground Carrow Road
Capacity 27,244

Honours
Football League Second Division 1971/72, 1985/86, 2003/04
Championship play-off winners 2015
Football League Third Division 1933/34, 2009/10
League Cup 1962, 1985

Last season
League finish: 8th
FA Cup: Third round, lost to Southampton
EFL Cup: Fourth round, lost to Leeds United
Top Scorer: Cameron Jerome, 16 goals
Average attendance: 26,355

HOW DID THEY GET HERE?

The Canaries are in good form, especially at home, with only a 3-1 loss at the hands of Sunderland the blot on their copybook.

Recent wins on the road at Sheffield United and Brentford have put them in a strong position heading into tomorrow’s clash with City back on home soil.

It’s 16 months since the East Anglia club dropped out of the top flight and their expectant fanbase, who always pack out Carrow Road, will be hoping their absence from the Premier League isn’t a prolonged one.

Daniel Farke is hoping to achieve promotion at the first attempt

MEET THE GAFFER – DANIEL FARKE

Farke played the majority of his career with SV Lippstadt 08, with whom he had three spells, playing his whole career in the lower levels of German football.

The former frontman was appointed as the head coach of Norwich City in the summer.

The 40-year-old joined the Canaries from Borussia Dortmund II on a two-year deal, having led the German giants’ reserve team to a second-place finish in the Regionalliga West in 2016/17.

Regarded as one of the most highly-rated young coaches in Germany, Farke had previously spent six years with SV Lippstadt 08.

Since arriving at Carrow Road, Farke has a 54.5% win ratio and will hope to take his side into the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Marley Watkins will come up against his former boss at Carrow Road

STAR MAN – MARLEY WATKINS

Watkins joined the Canaries on a free transfer in the summer, following the expiration of his contract at Barnsley where he spent two successful seasons.

Originally involved in Swansea City's youth team, his breakthrough came at Cheltenham Town, becoming the club’s youngest ever league player.

Prior to the 2013/14 campaign, the versatile attacking player moved north of the boarder to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, where he notably won the Scottish Cup.

A year later, he returned to England under Lee Johnson, penning a deal with the Tykes. Whilst at Oakwell, Watkins played an instrumental role in Barnsley winning the Johnstone Paint Trophy as well as earning promotion to the Sky Bet Championship via the play-offs.

Watkins scored his only goal of the campaign so far the last time he featured at Carrow Road and will be desperate to add to his tally, albeit at the expense of his boss.

SCOTT MURRAY FIRES CITY INTO THE LEAD AT CARROW ROAD in 2007/08

MEMORABLE MEETING 2007/08

Norwich City 1-3 Bristol City

McIndoe 48, Huckerby 82, Murray 85, Trundle 90.

Bristol City substitutes Lee Trundle and Scott Murray scored late goals to condemn managerless Norwich to their fifth defeat in six games.

Michael McIndoe headed into the top corner to put City ahead just after the break but Darren Huckerby restored parity when he drilled home an equaliser eight minutes from time.

In dramatic fashion, Murray restored City's lead in the 85th minute with a 30-yard shot which hit one post and then the other before nestling in.

With momentum in their stride, Trundle secured maximum points for Gary Johnson’s side with a last minute curling effort beyond the keeper from close range.

Norwich: Marshall, Otsemobor, Shackell, Murray (Croft 67), Drury (Spillane 29), Jarvis, Lappin, Russell, Huckerby, Hartson (Martin 77), Strihavka. Subs Not Used: Gilks, Cureton.

City: Basso, Orr, Fontaine (McCombe 87), Carey, McAllister, McIndoe, Elliott, Johnson, Noble, Sproule (Murray 80), Byfield (Trundle 67). Subs Not Used: Henderson, Skuse.

Attendance: 24,125