Norwich Still Without Star Player For Crunch Game With Brentford

Norwich City will again be without Todd Cantwell for Wednesday evening’s (5.30pm) crunch game with second placed Brentford, Daniel Farke told the assembled media at his pre-match video press conference on Tuesday lunchtime.

The full team news update ahead of the visit of Brentford ⬇

— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) March 2, 2021

Cantwell missed Sunday’s win at Adams Park over Wycombe Wanderers and will definitely miss the big match against the Bees, he could also miss the visit of Luton Town next Saturday too, which is a particular blow for me as a mate of mine is a Hatters fan and he’s been a little too cocky this season, having seen his side beat us twice, so far.

Anyway, I digress, other than Todd being out there are no new injury concerns ahead of what looks like the biggest game of the season up to this point. Back in the autumn, Norwich grabbed a late equaliser, courtesy of Kenny McLean, in what was perhaps a slightly undeserved draw. In the first half especially, Brentford were very, very good and City will definitely have to be on their game if they are to beat the second placed visitors.

🗣 DF: "No injury news. All the players involved in the last game day are available for tomorrow."#NCFC pic.twitter.com/Urlp08Yzrf

— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) March 2, 2021

It’s worth noting how well City have done up to this point in what is a grind of a Championship season, something not lost on Daniel Farke:

“In order to be absolutely safe in the play-offs, you need 80 points and with 90 points, you have a chance to be in the top two. 

This league is so relentless. We have eleven points more than Leeds had at this stage last season, the lads have done very well.”

To have 70 points after 33 games is very impressive and there is no doubt that the Canaries have been the best side in the league, so far. It is worth noting though that we have lost to Bournemouth, Watford and Swansea, three of the major protagonists of the chasing pack. It is important, I feel, that we don’t lose to Brentford and realistically we just need to not lose this game.

Obviously it would be best to win it and that would then put us ten points clear of second place, rather than third. Win this game and it will drag Brentford back into the clutches of Watford and Swansea and the pressure will then be on all three of them as they fight it out for that second and final automatic promotion place.

This is the next test though and it sounds like Daniel Farke knows what his men need to do.

“Brentford are concentrated with their build-up with vertical passes through the press. They have different threats in the offence. Mbeumo has his pace, Toney is great in the box, Canos likes to cut inside. Against this side, you have to be there with a good all-round performance. We have to be good in possession because they are not used to running without the ball.”

“Teemu is very important for our press. He prepares things for his teammates. Emi Buendia wins many balls in the offensive half but that’s sometimes down to the work of Teemu Pukki. He is in a great physical shape now. He is sharp with and without the ball. It’s great to have him in his best shape.”

OTBC