Never thought I’d be so happy to see a 0-0 draw.
To say we rode our luck at times is a gross understatement, but every credit has to be given to the defenders and goalkeeper John Ruddy for some sterling work at the back, despite being faced with some pretty supreme odds.
Try as they might, the Manchester Blues couldn’t find a way through and almost threw away the draw right at the death when Norwich broke clear, only for Nathan Redmond’s short cross to bypass everybody and get our hopes up.
It may surprise you to know that’s our Ninth clean sheet of the season already, just one off of our total from last season. Credit where credit’s due, it’s an issue that needed addressing and even though there’s still been the odd thrashing, those extra points will be all the more worthwhile in January.
Now, if we can just get the scoring part right, we’re laughing!
Pity we’re off to Upton Park then for this next one, to a team headed up by a manager notorious for a conservative style and a side who currently boast an impressive 3 clean sheets on the bounce.
I can’t see us getting much from the game going forward unless we can force a mistake from them, but equally I think they’ll struggle up front without the suspended Andy Carroll, despite Kevin Nolan banging in a few from midfield recently.
A 0-0 wouldn’t impress many, but it would represent a decent point against a difficult outfit to play away from home and a team picking up some form. A loss to them would undo the good work produced at the weekend and might even put us in the bottom three, which would almost go as far as to render the Man City display useless.
Defeat could put us in the bottom three. Victory and other results going our way could put us in tenth. This is one occasion where I do agree with Hughton’s way of putting things into perspective because everything’s so tight and the jumps up and down the table between winning and losing makes for nervy reading.
Here’s your usual bits and pieces:
Team News
Despite their constant protestation of his recent red card in the match with Swansea, Andy Carroll misses the game with a suspension. Joe Cole and Mohamed Diame are in contention after missing said Swansea game.
Robert Snodgrass will have a late fitness test for a groin problem. Jonny Howson won’t resume full training till next week. Ryan Bennett (thigh) and Jonas Gutierrez (calf) definitely miss out. Hooper looks to have overcome a knock on his ankle against Man City to stay in the squad.
Last time we met
Our last visit to Upton Park came on January 1st 2013, and sadly it set the tone for what was to be a very frustrating calender year for the Canaries.
Mark Noble put the hosts in front with a controversial penalty on just 3 minutes after Ryan Bennett was judged to have slightly nudged Winston Reid in the box, a decision which on reflection was very harsh and made it difficult for City to recover from.
The task was made all the harder when Joey O’Brien made it 2-0 and effectively sealed the game, in spite of a spirited effort from Norwich who saw Snodgrass hit the post with a decent free-kick effort.
Russell Martin did stick in a late goal to put the frighteners on the East Londoners, but ultimately the damage was done. Happy New Year, and all that.
Form Guide
West Ham – WLLDWW
The Hammers are making a real fist of this relegation battle all of a sudden, going into this match recording back to back wins (And Kevin Nolan scoring back to back doubles) against Swansea and Villa respectively, and recorded a 0-0 draw with Chelsea just before those wins. That’s also 3 clean sheets on the bounce and unless Norwich get their skates on up front, it could be four. Prior to that they earned a victory over Cardiff before succumbing to Man City in the Capital One Cup.
Norwich – LLWDLD
The 1-0 over Hull is the only winn in the last six, with defeats to Everton, Fulham (cup) and Cardiff coming in this run, but draws with Newcastle and Man City ensure we still get a few points to show for our efforts.
Head to head stat
Norwich haven’t won at Upton Park in the league since 1987.
What’s in store this time?
An away day in London? Your guess is as good as mine. But if such a good result against the Premier League title favourites doesn’t instill confidence in you, I’ve no idea what else will.
OTBC.
Share this article
