Fulham vs Norwich City e-Football Preview

Article by e-Norwich City Correspondent Colin Rowe

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A new found sense of optimism has swept over Norwich this week following the replacement of under-fire Chris Hughton with former City player Neil Adams, even if the “expert” pundits were not as convinced.

England legend Gary Linker branded the club ‘bonkers and deluded’ (I’m sorry Gary but how many Norwich games have you watched this season?).

The fact is you only have to look at the league table, Norwich’s away form and the remaining games to see this was the best thing David McNally and the City board could do in this situation.

Hughton was a nice guy, but given our record on the road this season, the frankly awful recent displays at Villa, Southampton and Swansea and Norwich’s general aversion to playing at Craven Cottage there was almost no chance of him picking up the desired result at Fulham this weekend.

While Neil Adams has something of a mountain to climb, he does at least have a chance of getting something this weekend.

If Norwich were to win the Canary’s could be eight points clear, even a draw might not be the worst of results.

The new manager bounce and a loud supportive crowd might even see City go toe-to-toe with the big teams in the final four matches, something unthinkable under Hughton, particularly at Man United and Chelsea.

However, this all remains to be seen and all Y’Army members will wait with bated breath to see how Norwich perform under new stewardship in what is arguably the most important game of the season.

Tactically this promises to be a fascinating game with both teams hungry for the win.

How Adams will set his team up is completely up for discussion, but what is almost certain is we will see a more positively minded approach.

Although there has been speculation of recalls for the likes of David Fox, it is more likely City will stick with the same group of players and adjust the way they actually play.

Judging by the style adopted by Adams with the under 18s, expect to see greater emphasis on the wingers with more crosses going into the box, something which will hopefully benefit misfiring strikers Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Gary Hooper.

With this in mind Nathan Redmond and Robert Snodgrass will probably get the nod with Wes Hoolahan playing off a loan-striker.

Given the situation, it is unlikely Adams will go all-out attack, considering our problems on the road revolve around conceding far too many goals.

What would Norwich fans give to see a full 90 minutes of the desire shown by the City players in the opening few minutes of the FA Cup replay at Craven Cottage in January?

For now it is next to impossible to speculate what will happen, why and how during a fraught hour and a half on Saturday afternoon.

All I hope is the Norwich fans are in good voice and get behind the team and our new manager.

What Norwich need to achieve is far from impossible, but it becomes ever more likely if negativity seeps from the traveling fans onto the pitch.

Come 3pm on Saturday we must all be members of the Adams Family.

Predicted Line-Up – Ruddy, Martin, Yobo, Bassong, Olsson, Howson, Tettey, Remond, Snodgrass, Hoolahan, van Wolfswinkel

On The Ball City!

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