Norwich v County: Mission Impossible

So, eight years on from the dreadful relegation party at Norwich under the Pinhead Palmer era, we return to Carrow Road once again in disarray as a club.

There was congas and Mexican waves and a 2-0 defeat to confirm our relegation to the old Division Two (League One) in 2002 as The Canaries confirmed their place in the play-offs with the last-day win…and it was awful. A reminder of how bad we were, and I’ve got to say Monday promises to be no different…in my opinion anyways.

Time’s running out for Gary Ablett’s men to…oh I don’t even know why I’m bothering – we’re down and we know it.

A very depressed and fed up Editor.

Vital Quotes:

Gary Ablett: ‘I won’t be having a go at any of the players. We dictated the tempo throughout (against Walsall) and we were a constant threat.’

‘I think in our three most recent home games against Gillingham, Oldham and Brentford we created enough chances to have won five or six games, and after this result that pretty much sums our season up.’

‘We’ll go down their with a strategy and knowing that we’re playing with pride for the shirt and the fans, but I wouldn’t rule us out of the tie because you just never know with us.’

Norwich Team News:

Former County loanee Fraser Forster, who has impressed at Norwich all season, sits out after being sent off in Friday’s bizarre 3-1 defeat at Tranmere. Deputy keeper Declan Rudd will stand in.

It is unclear as yet whether Michael Rose can play any part against County, as a permanent deal for the left-back is not registered to go through until the summer, which means Rose is still a County player and we remain his parent club.

Oli Johnson is likely to start on the bench, but expect to see him quickly in the second half – the winger’s impressed a lot of people at Carrow Road as an impact player. Lazy git.

Player to watch: Grant Holt

The obvious danger. The 29-goal striker – 23 in League One – is the target man up front for The Canaries and the system has obviously worked well for our old rival Paul Lambert, who deploys Chris Martin and Wes Hoolahan in behind Holt.

County Team News:

There are no new injury concerns for Ablett – Danny Pilkington remains the long-term absentee with a broken leg, while Matty Mainwaring is training with the first-team full-time now, though it is unclear whether he will be risked until the last couple of games of the season.

David Perkins is a major doubt after limping off after 30 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Walsall at Edgeley Park on Saturday.

Player to watch: Jabo Ibehre

He’s here, he’s there…but he can’t score. Aside from a pretty good penalty smashed high into the Walsall net on Saturday, the big striker is becoming renowned for his strength, hold-up play…and woeful finishing.

Let’s see if he can prove us all wrong on the big stage.

Match Odds

Norwich – 1/5

Draw – 4/1

County – 10/1

Wow.

Match Prediction:

5/6-0.

I’m (half) joking…

Next Fixtures:

COUNTY vs Yeovil

Coca-Cola League One

Edgeley Park

Saturday 17th April ’10

3pm