Hello ReadSunderland fans, I’m Alan Cole coming over from ReadNorwich. It’s safe to say that you guys did not have the best of times on the opening day of the season at the King Power Stadium. We did not have a great game either, as Crystal Palace ran out of Carrow Road with a 3-1 win. With both teams in need of a win, this is a huge early season game. Here is what you can expect from Norwich at the Stadium Of Light.
What To Expect From Norwich:
Last week, our two biggest weaknesses were dealing with pace, and just overall defending. If you watch the goals, in all three of them there was visibly shocking defending. Two of the three goals saw a Crystal Palace player unmarked at the back post. Your best chance to score is by weak Norwich defending. Our defense is just not up to the Premier League standard, so you will be able to make openings. With a few well-worked set pieces or good runs, our defense shouldn’t be too hard to unlock.
From an attacking standpoint, Norwich held lots of possession in the first game, but failed to do anything without. Our best successes though came through wide play. Weather that was in the first half through Steven Whittaker and Jonny Howson or in the second half with Nathan Redmond running the show, it was all about the wide play. We did make some good chances as well, but Lewis Grabban fluffed his lines. Look for possession, wide play, and then crosses. Seeing as three of the four goals you conceded last week originated in wider areas, this area could be a huge advantage for us.
Key Player: Cameron Jerome
Last week, Cameron Jerome did not start. We ended up paying the price for that big time. Grabban started, and missed a big chance early on that could have changed the game. Jerome came on in the second half and had an instant impact, and only had an overhead kick ruled out by referee Simon Hooper. Sunderland did not deal with crosses at all last week, and a big man in the middle could prove vital. He will be hungry for a goal after what happened to him last week, and I expect him to bag one in this game. With Grabban pretty much out of the picture, I would be shocked if he does not start up top.
Predicted Lineup:
I would expect the team to be somewhat different from last week, but still the same in most areas. John Ruddy will stay in goal, and the back four will look close to similar. Steven Whittaker will start at right back, and Robbie Brady at left back. Sebastien Bassong will be at one center back, but the other one is up for grabs. Russell Martin had the place last week, but he was dreadful. Personally, I would pick Andre Wisdom. However, Alex Neil might put faith in his captain for another week.
The midfield was set up in a 2-3 formation last week, and I doubt that will be waivered from. Alexander Tettey and Graham Dorrans would be my two in the defensive midfield role. Tettey was not bad last week, and Dorrans completed more passes than any other Norwich player with 51 last week. The midfield three is slightly tricky to predict. Nathan Redmond will definitely start on one wing, and Wes Hoolahan will in the middle. The other winger will probably be Bradley Johnson, but that position seems the most questionable in the midfield. Cameron Jerome will all but certainly be playing up top. Here the team I would play:
Prediction: Sunderland 2-3 Norwich
I’m feeling confident. We played some good football last week, but were undone by the referee. Both of our defenses are not very good, so I can see plenty of goals in this one. I think that we have some better attacking players. We need to control Jermaine Defoe though, he looks dangerous. As long as Redmond and Jerome start, we should be fine. It will be a good contest though.
That’s it from your East Anglian opposition! Good luck in the game, hopefully it is an entertaining, well refereed contest. It should be a great atmosphere with it being your first home game of the season. Come On You Yellows!
