The Old Farm Derby

Ipswich vs Norwich Preview and Predictions.

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…

Ipswich 1-2 Norwich City

Lewis Grabban 1^st Goalscorer

The Futures Bright, The Futures Yellow

Norwich City FC 2014/15 Season Predictions. 

To the tune of Michael Jackson, blame it on the boogie... Don't blame it on Gaz Hooper, Don't blame it Big Leroy, Don't blame it on Russ Martin, Blame it on Chris Houghton. After a fabulously disgraceful final season in the premier league, the canaries are finally back in the championship where I reckon we'll see more exciting times ahead. Not only can we now compete against every team in the league but we'll also witness some goals brought back in the Carrow Road nets. With the capability to compete for top places and a trophy an incentive to win will be rebirthed and let us not forget we have to chance to showcase why we are East Anglia's best. Adams has taken charge, signed some prestigious championship strikers and is looking to succeed so expect the canaries to bounce back with a bang. 

The Derby...

Kicking starting the article, I'm going to touch on a passionate point for all followers of the yellows, an element so rare that we haven't forseen the spark for three whole years; the special event I talk of is the East Anglian derby. Oh my have we missed it, the blood pumping tackles, the adrenaline, the winning. You can already feel the tension in the air as the fans banter each other online, it's as though this is all East Anglian football has wanted for the past few seasons. For fans and neutrals alike, derby days are fuelled by nostalgia and patriotism so let's pray that this can juice the boys up for the rest of the season, leading to a few more victories. When the question begs as to who will win this game, it's obvious isn't it? Norwich. 

League Finish...

As I said in the intro, Norwich are back in a league where they can realistically make movements and progress as a team; peaking at teams around the championship is obvious to see why. The clubs diversity in the ranks will claw away at teams with a stern ability to change up the tactics throughout; for example they have youngsters like Redmond with pace to burn and a veteran like Russell Martin who can prove brick like in defence. Attacking or defending, youth or experience, the canaries have it all and my mystic ball is showing wins. Few teams that might pose a problem for the boys in yellow in the championship are Derby, Forest, Wigan, Cardiff, Middleborough and Fulham as they have that similar ability to the East Anglian men. Overall I'm not seeing a stroll through Chapelfield gardens to get to promotion but it's got to be second or at least a play off place. 

Top Goalscorer... 

Lafferty or Grabban, it's got to be. Now that the Wolf has left the den, I don't think he'll be coming back and as an honest fan I think it's for the best. Fear not though because pre season has made our new striking signings look like a plan straight out of mastermind. Lafferty posses as a keen goal snatcher where as Grabban is more of a poacher likely to snatch up lose balls, either way they are both goalscorers looking to top a tally. Hooper on the other end of the spectrum is doubtful to get a look in and rightfully so after last seasons limp flop, he could do us a job in the championship but will he start?. Take your pick out of my two choices as I foreshadow at least double of last years goal difference and an unbelievable improvement on the attacking game. 

Player of the Season...

One man, a man who everyone thought would be flying off back to the top flight, a young speedster who has the a huge future... Nathan Redmond. The England under-21 was one of Norwich's better players last season in the premier league and could have easily left in the transfer market to return, however, the baller stayed. His blistering pace will cause denfences nightmares and I'm predicting all the opportunities will come through this man; tearing up either wing, shredding turf, thunderous shots and curessed crossing all come easy to him. In preseason he's scored a few and created a shed load of chances, not forgetting to mention his sublime summer for England where he even scored a hatrick. Redmond can cause some serious damage and will be a diamond in the City squad next season, this young starlet will smell blood and absolutely thrive off of weakness in the opposing defence. 

Norwich City - Forward Thinking

For three seasons Norwich city have been sailing a nervy, unstable ship into a blind future in the premier league. No ambitions, no passion and certainly no chance of sealing any silverware, all seen come to an inevitable end last year. Now, the Canaries are returning back to the Football League and it goes without question that everything has changed. Managers and players alike are a flip from Carrow Roads crowd erupting memories we once saw only seasons ago; all we can pray is that The Saviour in Adams can bring back those hair raising highlight's once again. The real question behind every Yellow fans lips is not will we get back to the Premier League but who will be the hero in the nest. 

Last season we finally got to see the board pull out the brief case and start to splash some cash, signing a couple of, what they thought, were superstar strikers (how wrong were they). Yet again, McNally has had a hot flush and decided to make it rain on the attack department by signing a few more forwards in the form of Lewis Grabban and Kyle Lafferty, not to mention the offload of Robert Snodgrass and Elmander. Overall this is totalling to be a bulk build up in strikers in the City Camp, so will we see more dumped off? Or will the boys in Yellow play attacking football for once in the hope of scoring a unassailable goal tally?. 

Lewis Grabban already has an awesome record in the Football League after his stint last year at Bournemouth, scoring a net busting 22 goals. In the two years Grabban was at Bournemouth he nailed an astounding 35 goals meaning Norwich have picked him up in a career peaking moment. Hopefully next year the twenty six year old can be Grabban all the goals for us. 

Pre-season has showcased some promising soccer for Kyle Lafferty after he's bagged himself three goals in two games so far. The Nothern Irish striker can link up with fellow countryman Hoolahan on the field and the bonded relationship will create chaos for opposing defenders. How can I not mention this man's experience either,  as his CV is home's to a wide range of clubs, bulstering his diverse footballing ability.  From Sion in Switzerland, Palermo in Italy to Rangers in Scotland this starlet has a solid record and at only twenty six, he's still got some miles to go. I can see Lafferty being a big part of the Canaries, helping us back on the way to success. 

Let us not forget last seasons not so hopefuls, Ricky 'The Wolf' Van Wolfswinkle and Gary Hooper. Much to many's suprise the one goal a season, millions of pounds man hasn't been shipped out and has now poteinally earned himself a second chance saloon;  he's managed to score two in pre-season already. As part of the not so old guard, these two limp forwards have a job to do and have to prove to the fans and staff that they are what were once of thought of them, by being goal machines. Labelled as the better half of the droopy duo, Hooper can hold the torch and guide the way because he has possiblities to be something special; his few clinical finishes and Celtic track record should grip him to rip through Football League teams. All in all, if we see another drought from next months start, these fellows will be cashed out quicker than muck off a shovel.

At the current time and in this summer spell we can understand that we are moving up. Transfer talks are going on and transfers have been complete, the clubs managerial departments have changed and the fans are all upbeat. Next seasons start is just around the corner and with two comfortable wins in pre-season against Dereham and Braintree things are shaping up nicely. It seems Mr.Mcnally is the man with a master plan and it won't be long until we really see him work his magic. So let's hear it from the snake pit, the Barclay and the Jarrold stand... 'Kick it Off...'. Next month. Wolves. Be there. 

Desperate Canaries Sack Hughton

With only five league games to go Norwich City FC have made, what could be a crucial choice, to sack manager Chris Hughton. The Canaries ex-manager had been at the helm of the club for the past twenty two months, where we witnessed him dodge the bullet multiple times as he won potential job costing matches at home. After suffering a 1-0 loss at home against West Brom, Norwich head into the final weeks of the season just five points above the drop zone with a nightmare of teams ahead of them. Not only do they have to face known bogey side Fulham, also fighting for survival but they need to fend off Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, so points may be few and far between. In the last six games the Carrow Road men have scored only four goals and their top goal scorer for the season is Scottish midfielder Snodgrass which straight away shows that the attack force is failing.

Fans of the club now have well known local radio analysist and ex-player Neil Adams in charge of the team, who was up until now, the under eighteens manager. Many supporters have been fuelled with ethusiasm after the appointment, giving them belief that if they do get relegated, it will be with a decent fight. Mr.Adams, who won the youth F.A. Cup with his boys last year, has made a statement saying "People know what this club means to me, and so it goes without saying that we will be doing everything possible to ensure that we maintain our top-flight status for next season"; after hearing this, perhaps some passion will be injected back into the stands at Carrow Road. 

In my personal opinion I think the decision to get rid of Hughton is unbelievable seeing as their is only five games left, I really cannot understand why they just couldn't wait until the end of the season. The clear problem at the club is obviously the gutless board as out cries to get rid of Hughton have been circulating Norwich since the poor start at the beginning of the year, McNally and Co need to solidate a backing for the team to boost morales all round. When making decision's boardrooms need to be more ballsy as indecisiveness just leads to rash, last minute, rushes of blood as we've witnessed here. 

Managers all round deserve a lot of respect as they have so much pressure of them, fans around the country seem to forget that the men behind the teams are human too. One side of me really feels for Chris Hughton as I feel he's been shown utter disrespect by a few brainless fans and also the cowardness of the board. Earlier in the season the board at Norwich released a statement about Hughton's job security, so they constantly had him worrying about his future and also on Saturday groups of fans pelted the pitch with clappers, some of which struck Hughton. By all means express your opinions by vocals and comments but their isn't really no need for abuse with projectiles. 

Finally my last point is how the loss of Hughton is going to cause a major rift in the English footballing leagues because their is no longer a single black manager in the top five footballing leagues. This doesn't prove that managerial positions are chosen on racial terms but it certainly is going to arise a series of question and debates in the coming weeks.