I’m writing this with less than four hours to kick off and I’m sure it’s the same for you. I’m starting to feel nervous.
Can Norwich continue their unbeaten run against the Tractor Boys? Will the hosts finally break their Canary hoodoo? They almost did the last time we met, only for Timm Klose to save City blushes with about 7 seconds to go.
So, who will Daniel Farke pick to take on the blues in the white hot cauldron of Portman Road?
For What it’s worth, I don’t think he’ll make many changes and I expect him to go with experience rather than youth. However, if I was picking the team, this is what I’d do.
Michael McGovern – You’ve got to have an experienced keeper and I’d have no worries about giving McGovern his season league debut. He’s played in both League Cup wins and done well. Tim Krul on the other hand is struggling for form.
Jamal Lewis – The young left-back is first choice for a reason. Quick, getting more and more assured every day and he likes a tackle.
Grant Hanley – The Captain. He made his debut at Portman Road last season and has never looked back.
Timm Klose – He’s played in four derby games now and scored a dramatic last-second equaliser at Carrow Road. Has a good partnership with Hanley.
Max Aarons – The young man has arrived on the scene in a similar fashion to Jamal Lewis did last season. Ivo Pinto has always worried me defensively and had a poor game against Leeds. I’d throw Aarons in for a league debut.
Alex Tettey – Still nobody does it better. Aggressive, combative and a destructive ball winner par excellence.
Tom Trybull – Yin to Tettey’s yang. Can pass the balls that Tettey gives him and put in a great midfield performance against Cardiff in mid-week.
Onel Hernandez – City’s unpredictable match winner. The fastest man in the squad and has now started adding goals to his CV. A first choice pick.
Teemu Pukki – Can link the play between midfield and attack and has started the season well. He’s scoring goals and has a good engine.
Emi Buendia – A debut start would be on the cards if I was picking the team. The Argentinian winger can also play centrally and had an excellent game at Cardiff. He likes a tackle and has a bag of tricks too.
Jordan Rhodes – Although Srbeny scored a brace in midweek, Rhodes is still the main man. Ex-Ipswich and likely to take a load of stick from the home fans, he proved he can handle the pressure when he scored at Bramall Lane. I wonder what his celebration would involve should he score here?
The formation would be a 4-2-3-1 because it allows a better level of tightness away from home with two holding midfield players. With Buendia, Pukki and Hernandez, I think we’d have enough going forwards to cause trouble and the return to fitness of Buendia should be a big plus going forward.
Do I think Daniel Farke will play this? Well, I expect him to play the same formation but doubt he’ll be as bold as I’ve been.
Nothing ventured, Daniel…
OTBC