Norwich v Southampton Preview

Posted on | January 27, 2009 | No Comments

This is another big midweek fixture as two sides fighting relegation go head to head. To make matters more intense, both club’s have disposed of their managers in recent weeks following bad starts to the season. Since their dismissals, both clubs have appointed new managers until the end of the season with Bryan Gunn taking over at Norwich while Southampton have opted to hand the reigns to Dutchman Mark Wotte.

Norwich’s season has baffled many as despite signing a large number of players through the summer, the Canaries have never really got going and sit just two points above the relegation zone. This early poor form cost Glenn Roeder his job a couple of weeks ago and with Bryan Gunn masterminding a fantastic 4-0 thumping over fellow relegation candidates Barnsley in their last game, he was quickly given the reigns until the end of the season. With Gunn having absolutely no managerial experience before this job it remains to be seen how things pan out and it’s definitely another risk on the part of the Norwich board. After this game they face Doncaster so the relegation fixtures are flying in thick and fast and it’s vital the Canaries build on from that Barnsley game.

As for Southampton, it’s been an even worse season for them. In fairness, many of their supporters expected a struggle after minimal spending during the close season yet the club’s board feel they have drastically underachieved and Jan Poortvliet left his job earlier in the week. Chairman Rupert Lowe said his departure was due to the club’s dismal home form and looking at the results, you’d struggle to disagree. At St Mary’s Saints have been horrific yet on the road, they haven’t been too bad. The final straw came at home to Doncaster in their last fixture when they went down 2-1, yet if new manager Mark Wotte can continue to build on results away from home this evening, there’s a small chance Saints will exit the bottom three tonight.

As for team news, it all looks good for Bryan Gunn who looks set to keep the exact same team following the 4-0 victory over Barnsley ten days ago. Gunn has no new injury concerns and after the romp, you can’t imagine any changes whatsoever. It’s slightly different for Mark Wotte who will be without Matthew Paterson and Andrew Surman who both sit out this one through suspension. However, influential midfielder Adam Lallana could return after recovering from an ankle problem.

In terms of a prediction, it’s got to be a draw. Both sides will be playing under the new manager effect and with that we think they could cancel each other out. Both will play free-flowing, entertaining football and that will make this one a great game for the neutral – 2-2.

Related posts:

1. Preston v Norwich Preview
2. Doncaster v Norwich Preview
3. Charlton v Norwich Preview
4. Blackpool v Norwich Preview
5. Norwich v Cardiff Preview

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