Norwich v Watford Preview
Posted on | April 13, 2009 | No Comments
It now looks as though just one of these sides has something to play for this season, with Norwich desperately trying to fight the drop while Watford have now passed that unofficial 50 point safety mark.
At the start of the season, great things were expected of Norwich as they completely revamped their squad and aimed to make a real impression on the top half of the division. They had a manager with Premiership experience, and Glenn Roeder brought in a vast number of players through the loan system in a bid to change the club’s fortunes. Things haven’t worked to plan one bit though, with the Canaries having a nightmare of a season which sees them rooted in the relegation zone with just forty three points to their name. That total leaves them two points adrift of safety and at this stage of the season, that’s extremely worrying. There seemed light at the end of the tunnel not so long ago when they notched up two straight victories against Cardiff and Plymouth, but since then their fortunes have altered and they come into this game after back to back defeats.
Watford’s season has been turbulent, but the board at Vicarage Road will probably be reasonably happy with the way things have turned out after the dreadful start they had to the campaign. Aidy Boothroyd left the club early in the season and it was left to Chelsea youth coach Brendan Rodgers to come in with the aim of keeping the Hornets afloat. After a tricky start, it looks as though he’s achieved this, with the club now sat in 14th position on fifty two points which should definitely mean they’ll be playing Championship football next season. Obviously, after last season’s play off finish it’s hardly been a resounding success, but under the circumstances things could have been far worse and now all efforts must surely be going into preparing for a top half push next season.
One thing that will help the home side immensely in this one is their lack of injury concerns, with Bryan Gunn having no fresh injuries. It’s a much different story for his opposite number though, as Brendan Rodgers goes into this one with plenty of players missing. Don Cowie, Mart Poom and Gareth Williams are all set to miss out – meaning that Rodgers will have to do a fair amount of reshuffling.
Watford may be in good form and in a much healthier position at the moment, but Norwich know they have absolutely everything at stake. Considering their precarious position, we think the Canaries will put in a battling display that should just about be too much for the visitors here – 2-1 Norwich.
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