Norwich vs QPR - Match Preview
Tomorrow's Premier League match sees Norwich City take on Queen’s Park Rangers at Carrow Road.
Tomorrow's Premier League match sees Norwich City take on Queens Park Rangers at Carrow Road. A game between two newly promoted sides which would usually connote a relegation six pointer. However, its only the home side that are really considered to be in and around the bottom three come the end of the season since Tony Fernandes splashed out in an attempt to buy the Rs Premier League survival. It seemed to have worked so far the Super Hoops win over Stoke City last week pushed them up to 9th place in the league. The label of relegation candidates hasnt deterred Paul Lamberts yellows though. They currently sit in 11th place after a narrow 2-1 loss to Arsenal. Lambert fancies their chances;
"If we win we can go above them. I always think our home games are vital and we will try everything we can to win."Rather... succinct. It is this determined attitude that has got them this far though, as well as a healthy dollop of team spirit. This is exactly what their Scottish maestro was hoping for, having shirked proven Premier League stars (not that they were likely to be queuing outside his office but theres always your washed-up veterans looking for one last chance in the big time) in favour of industrious, hungry lower league players. Norwich are looking like this seasons surprise package. They have however, failed to keep a clean sheet so far this season. Neil Warnock is without nihilistic philosopher and all round prat Joey Barton who would probably rather sit in his bedroom tweeting about the game than playing it anyway. Hes unsurprisingly picked up five yellow cards already this season. Itll be interesting to see how the Super Hoops get on without him. Says Warnock:
"I think we all know deep down that fourth from bottom will still do all of us at the end of the season. The first year is just about staying up and we might talk a bit of bravado, but I think that is the sole intention of all of us not just on the field but in the boardroom and everywhere."A Braveheart-esque rallying cry from the veteran gaffer. Still you have to admire his honesty as its very true. With 22 goals conceded, Rangers have the worst defensive record outside of the bottom three. Theres also the battle of the generally considered lower league target men doing surprisingly well at this level competition between Steve Morison and Heidar Helguson. The Welsh hitman has 4 in 11 so far, but Helguson is well in the lead with an incredible 5 goals in his last 5 games. Write either off at your peril. Team News:Queen's Park Rangers: Heidar Helguson may be out but hopes to play despite an eye injury. Luke Young and Danny Gabbidon are likely to be out. Barton's suspended. Norwich City: the Canaries are without the eternally injured James Vaughan and although Zak Whitbread, Ritchie de Lait and Daniel Ayala are all back in training, they arent fit enough to play. Expected Line-ups:Norwich City: Ruddy; Naughton, R Martin, Barnett, Tierney; Bennett, Johnson, Hoolahan, Pilkington; Holt, Morison Queens Park Rangers: Kenny; Orr, Hall, Ferdinand, Hill; Taarabt, Faurlin, Traoré; Wright-Phillips; Bothroyd, Helguson. Odds: Home (evens) Away (9-4) Draw (11-5) Referee: Mark Clattenburg My Prediction: QPR are good away, Norwich are good at home. On paper QPR may have the edge, in reality theyre very even. Ill go for a 1-1 draw (the standard I-have-no-idea-whats-going-to-happen wager.)