Injury hit Newcastle travel to Norwich on Saturday looking to get their season back on track after suffering two defeats in their last three games following their 11 match unbeaten run.
The Magpies will face a tough task of overcoming Paul Lambert’s side at Carrow Road who have started their first Premier League season in seven years surprisingly well. Despite being predicted to struggle before a ball had even been kicked the Canaries have made the step up from the Championship look seamless. It’s astonishing to think they were playing in League One less than 18 months ago and are now sitting 11th in the top-flight. All the credit has to go to Lambert who has revolutionised the club since is appointment in 2009 securing back-to-back promotions and their place in the Premier League. Whilst supporters will be happy with the teams performances so far a run of one win in six threatens to undermine their strong start to life back in the big time. A team built using lower league players has prospered thus far but their top-flight inexperience has become evident in recent weeks with their defensive frailties costing them dearly. Despite the impressive performances of Steve Morison and Anthony Pilkington in attack problems still remain at the back with the Canaries yet to keep a clean sheet in their 14 league games.
Achieving their first shut out of the season will be a difficult task against a Newcastle side who will be spoiling after their defeat to Chelsea last weekend. Alan Pardew’s side incurred their first loss at St James’ Park this season conceding three against the Blues in a game that could easily have swung the Geordies way. Despite the negative result Pardew will have been happy with the performance from his players who once again matched a team who finished in last season’s top four. Their 11 match unbeaten run prior to their games against the two Manchester clubs and then Chelsea saw them rise to third in the table much to the surprise of anyone in the football sphere. A solid and consistent defensive unit has been the cornerstone for Newcastle’s success so far this season but the wheels came off against Andre Villas-Boas’ side last week. Captain Fabricio Coloccini limped off before half time and looks likely to be sidelined for a few weeks whilst Steven Taylor is out for the season after rupturing an Achilles just before the final whistle. With no first team cover at centre back Pardew has a big decision to make as to who will partner James Perch in the heart of defence. Davide Santon and the out of contention Tamas Kadar are the likely candidates with one of them set to play at Carrow Road on Saturday. More importantly it will be interesting to see how Newcastle respone to losing Taylor and Coloccini who have been formidable this season. With relative rookies coming in to replace them the Toon Army could be in for a tough afternoon.
Norwich City – 11th
Last Five: Lost 5-1 v Manchester City (A), Won 2-1 v QPR (H), Lost 2-1 v Arsenal (H), Lost 3-2 v Aston Villa (A), Drew 3-3 v Blackburn (H)
Potential Starting X11: 1. J. Ruddy 23. M. Tierney 20. L. Barnett 2. R. Martin [C] 25. K. Naughton 7. L. Crofts 4. B. Johnson 11. A. Surman 12. A. Pilkington 14. W. Hoolahan 5. S. Morison*
Injury News: Apart from long term injury victims Zak Whitbread and James Vaughan manager Lambert has no fresh injuries in his squad.
Key Player: Steve Morison
A goal at the Etihad Stadium and another bustling display from the Welshman saw him leave Manchester deserving to be on the winning side. Sadly Norwich were thumped by City and Morison will be dead set on helping his side recover from that by providing the goals to beat a weakned Newcastle. His physical approach up front will be important against the Magpies who will be without their two key centre halves for the trip to Norfolk.
Match Fact: Norwich last met Newcastle at Carrow Road in 2005 beating them 2-1. Infact the Canaries have won two of the three Premier League meetings between the two sides in Norfolk.
Newcastle – 6th
Last Five: Lost 3-0 v Chelsea (H), Drew 1-1 v Manchester United (A), Lost 3-1 v Manchester City (A), Won Everton 2-1 (H), Won 3-1 Stoke (A)
Potential Starting X11: 26. T. Krul 5. D. Simpson 14. J. Perch 3. D. Santon 16. R. Taylor 18. J. Gutierrez* 15. D. Gosling 4. Yohan Cabaye 25. G. Obertan 10. H. Ben Arfa 19.D. Ba
Injury News: Captain Coloccini is out for the next few weeks with a thigh problem whilst defensive partner Taylor has been ruled out for the season after rupturing his Achilles. Danny Guthrie could be out for the next six weeks joining Sylvain Marveaux and Cheick Tiote in the treatment room
Key Player: Jonas Gutierrez
Oh how Newcastle missed the Argentinian’s unselfish work rate down the left against Chelsea last week. His red card at Manchester United ruled him out for the game and what an impact it had with Daniel Sturridge giving Ryan Taylor an afternoon to forget. Gutierrez’s return will be key to victory on Saturday with his defensive minded approach and ability to hold the ball up field when the pressure is on an important facet of Newcastle’s play.
Match Fact: Despite losing on their last visit to Carrow Road Newcastle have a decent record overall against Norwich in the Premier League winning three and drawing one of their six encounters,
Last Time at Carrow Road
Premier League 20 April 2005
Norwich 2-1 Newcastle
Safri (68) Ashton (90)
Kluivert (89)
Attendance: 25,503
Referee: Andre Marriner
PREDICTION
Despite their strong start to the season and comfortable mid-table position the fear of sliding into trouble will be on every Norwich mind over the festive period. Starting their Christmas campaign off with a win against Newcastle will prove to be a major confidence boost. However it won’t be easy against the Magpies who will be desperate to return to winning ways after three defeats on the trot. Despite losing their first choice centre halves Pardew’s men are still dangerous up front and will fancy their chances against the Canaries who haven’t kept a clean sheet this season.
Score 1-2
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