The moment has
finally arrived, a long and eventful three and a half years of waiting suddenly
stops, farmers from all over the east have switched off their combine
harvesters and closed the farm shops for the weekend because it’s time for the
penultimate East Anglian Derby. A day where bragging rights for the best
footballing area in the east is won and lost, a day where champions are born
and reputations are damaged; The Old Farm derby proves the true legends in the
east of England.
Both Ipswich and
Norwich have had their fair share of wins in this contest in the past, some of
which have proven more humiliating than others but wins non the less. Since the
dawn of the match up back in November 1902, the two East Anglian elites have
squared up a whopping one hundred and thirty-nine times with this Saturday’s
fixture being the big one, four, zero and it pains me to say it but the Tractor
Boys have the upper hand. Fifty-nine
games have seen the boys in blue have come out victorious where as the Canaries
only have a slightly less, fifty-three; only twenty seven of which have been
draws. However after Saturday can Norwich get that one up or will Ipswich put
their feet in the ground and snatch the home win.
Being a lad from
Norwich and having grasped onto a season ticket for a few years at Carrow Road
I am obviously going to mention the most recent of match up’s which came
between these two, which was in the 2010/2011 season, and my goodness does it
boil a Tractor Boys blood. Back in the day, what seems like an eternity ago,
Norwich graced the grass in the Championship under a man named Paul Lambert;
the passion used to flow from the Barclay stand to the Norwich and
Peterborough, we were unstoppable. Big Grant Holt up front used to score for
fun and the surge for top flight was unassailable, so when the moment came to
play Ipswich, they seized it. I do recall a cushy 4-1 win at Carrow Road and an
oh, so easy, 5-1 at Portman Road, leaving Ipswich now being known as Holt’s
cannon fodder but we best not say no more as it’ll only upset them.
So fresh in the
start of a new season, there is really no better way to get your passion
cycling and your love for football going, a derby is a day to be cherished, not
to mention that both teams are full of talent and excitement. Just three games
into the championship and Norwich are already firing on all cylinders, aiming
for the top flight once again and I can’t see them halting at nothing. The start to the season wasn’t ideal but
Adams has some how managed to make the starlets pull their fingers out and
getting to work by bouncing back with two straight wins. Lets not forget the
signings they have made of recent, bringing in another profound premier league
striker Cameron Jerome and experienced defender Carlos Cuellar. It’s clear as
day that the boys in yellow are looking to make movements and I’m predicting a
speedy recovery to premier life. Judging the home team and Ipswich give off a
slight hit and miss scent; one won, lost one, drawn one, you can’t really take
much from that. All that aside and McCarthy’s men will be running of home
ground spirit which could see them stab a slight advantage and I must admit in
the first game of the calendar, they were quite a fruitful squad. Murphy gave
of signs of real promise upfront but will he be able to cope with the Pirlo
reminiscent Bradley Johnson and the brick like Martin at the back.
Make no mistake
about it, whether you’re from East Anglia or you just love football you should
be watching this game. The tackles will be meaty, goals will be a plenty and
who knows you might even see a red card or two. Pull up your socks, head down
the pub or switch on your goggle box because this is some classic football
action. An East Anglian Derby so unbearably overdue I can’t even contain myself.
Without further or do… come on you yellows.
My Prediction…
Lewis Grabban 1st
Goalscorer
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