The key battles ahead of Sheffield Wednesday’s visit to Carrow Road
Saturday afternoon see’s the return of competitive football to Carrow Road after three months away as Carlos Calvalhal’s Sheffield Wednesday are the visitors. Like Norwich, Wednesday - last season’s defeated play-off finalists - began the season in victorious fashion as they overcame Aston Villa 1-0 in a close affair at Hillsborough, and it is expected that tomorrow’s match-up will be similarly tight.
Timm Klose vs Gary Hooper
It almost seems inevitable that Gary Hooper will score. Having received a lot of abuse over his (apparently misinterpreted) “what a shame” tweet following City’s relegation it would fit the script perfectly for the ex-Celtic man to come back to the home of his former club and haunt us. Whilst he had numerous spells in and out of the first-team, it was obvious that Alex Neil was never fully convinced of Hooper’s credentials, never once giving him a sustained spell in the side, and as a result the striker will be desperate to prove a point. This being said, it won’t be easy for him coming up against a defensive line that includes Timm Klose. Norwich supporters are well aware of Hooper’s limitations but there is no denying that, if he is presented with a chance, he will, more often than not, score. Unfortunately, even in such a dominant display as last weekend, City are almost guaranteed to give away at least one of said chances - something that we cannot afford to do on Saturday with Hooper lurking. If we, and in particular Klose, can prevent this from happening then Hooper can easily be nullified. Lacking in pace, a poor touch and an inability to do much with his back to goal; starve him of clear-cut chances and we have nothing to worry about. Over to you, Timm.
John Ruddy vs Keiren Westwood
The aforementioned defensive frailty that was displayed at Blackburn was exasperated by a questionable performance by John Ruddy - questionable performances that are, sadly, becoming far too common for the 29-year-old. It is still somewhat mystifying how a tame Anthony Stokes header managed to beat Ruddy, across his goal and into the far corner, whilst some poor distribution and weak handling made for a worrying display from the once reliable shot-stopper. Ruddy is undoubtedly going to be put under greater pressure during the Wednesday clash and a repeat of last weekend’s disappointing performance could prove crippling to our chances of picking up a positive result. At the other end of the pitch is Kieren Westwood who, at Wednesday, has developed into one of the division’s top keepers. City supporters know only too well of Westwood’s ability as he was in illustrious form during our 0-0 draw with Wednesday in the 2014/15 season - a season that saw him attain a club record 17 clean sheets and a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Year. If the Irishman is on the top of his game then City’s forward-line are in for a very tough afternoon.
Wes Hoolahan vs …anyone?
It is difficult to pin-point who will be the main opponent of our diminutive Irishman as, in typical Wes fashion, he will be drifting all over the pitch. What I do know, however, is that if Wednesday fail to stop Hoolahan then Norwich will win - it’s as simple as that. On the back of an impressive Euro 2016 tournament, a strong pre-season and a man of the match display in last weekend’s victory at Ewood Park, Hoolahan, at the grand old age of 34, is in the form of his life. The final three of our four goals at Blackburn last weekend all came about as the result of neat inter-play that, unsurprisingly, Hoolahan was at the heart of. Some of the attacking play during the game also suggested the beginning of an understanding between Hoolahan and the similarly impressive Steven Naismith - if this can continue to develop during tomorrow’s game then Wednesday’s defence will be in for a tough afternoon.