I would like to congratulate Cardiff taking the field once again in Blue! What was that all about? It simply will never, never, never happen where Norwich turn out at Carrow Road not wearing canary yellow colours. A lot of Norwich City fans feel success is missing us because we have no foreign 'money bags' investment. Instead we stick with Queen Delia and are attempting to self finance through continually reducing costs especially as the Premier League cash runs out at the end of this season. I'm not sure foreign owners are always the answer, you I'm sure will have a better idea.
What can we expect on Saturday? I am only prepared to bet on one outcome. I don't believe Norwich are capable of producing a clean sheet. If the Blues throw the kitchen sick at the lanky Angus Gunn in goal, expect your boys to find the back of the net at some stage. As to the final result, a couple of things are worth debating. What sort of bottle have Cardiff got for the run-in? Fulham big time and to a lesser extent, Villa are in hot pursuit. As for Norwich, based on the last two games, I can report that the boys are not on the beach based on an excellent win at home to Villa and a draw midweek with Sunderland where according to our Manager we created 20 100% scoring chances. Maybe Daniel was getting carried away, I would suggest a dozen very good opportunities.
Previous to those games, we lost 4-1 away at QPR and were dreadful although having been 1-0 up. Four changes were made for Villa and we turned on the style. Surprisingly and dumbfoundedly, we turn up at the Stadium of Light and revert back to the QPR lineup, then look quite good and create chances before making two unforced half time changes along with a fiddle with the formation, start playing defensively and end up pulling off a late, late draw in the 89th minute. I don't think it's possible to place a prediction of the outcome of this game or what team takes to the pitch.
I believe Cardiff pulled a master stroke in taking on Neil Warnock, a very successful guy who gets the most out of whatever he has to work with. He always gives good interviews and with a glint in his eye and with some of his tongue in cheek remarks. Very much a marmite sort of guy… thinly spread on hot buttered toast, it's works for me. A shame though that he got worked up in the Wolves game. The unbelievable finish to the game had everyone on the edge of the seats and with Santo, who also wears his heart on his sleeve, forgetting to shake hands and instead throwing lots of shapes on the pitch with his players, it was fully understandable. It's a shame Neil didn't accept his apology. There will be plenty of Canary fans on Saturday hoping for the usual banter near the dugouts as usual at 3pm with the entertaining NW.
The Canaries have a very impressive record having won 30, drawing nine and only losing 15 of the 54 contests. Until the 3-1 reverse in December where Norwich were 1-0 up before conceding a penalty, Norwich had been victorious in the previous four contests. A game that stands out for me is September 2014 at the Cardiff City Stadium where Norwich came from 2-0 down at half time through Ralls and Gunarsson to win 4-2 with Olsson, Hoolahan, Turner and Jerome netting.
Olsson is now at Swansea and they look like staying up so it could be two Welsh outfits next season? Newport are back on the scene and got top headlines through their FA Cup exploits. What odds would you get for all three in the Premiership one day?
So to my prediction for Saturday. Cardiff need to win for the automatic place. This will play in Norwich City's hands. We play better against sides who come at us. I expect a 2-1 home victory and just hope Daniel Farke puts out a side with the tactics to achieve it.
'written by Richard'