Burnley v Norwich Match Preview

[outwoodclaret]

It is very tempting to say that Norwich are this year’s GB Eurovision Song Contest entry gaining “nil points” so go on I’ll say it. But that said there is a lot to like about this no frills East Anglian outfit. They, like Burnley, are run on sound business lines and under the guidance of head coach Daniel Farke have bounced straight back to the Premier League following relegation to the Championship at the end of the 2019/2020 season. And bounced back in style as Champions with Teemu Pukki leading the way with 26 goals. At Premier League level however they continue to struggle scoring only two goals so far this season (Pukki 2, 1 pen). His chief foil Emiliano Buendia was sold to Aston Villa for a reported 38 million in June of this year to help balance the books at Carrow Road and it is hard to see where the Canaries will find enough goals to keep them in the PL this time around.

The last time these two sides met in the PL in July 2020 summed up the Canaries top flight struggles. Buendia (violent conduct) and Drmic (serious foul play) both received first half red cards before Chris Wood opened the scoring in added time at the end of the first half. A second half own goal from Ben Godfrey compounded the misery for the home side. Norwich boast the unenviable record of having lost their last 16 PL games (the final 10 games of season 2019/20 and the first 6 of this). Results in their last three PL seasons indicate that where Norwich concede the first goal they almost invariably lose so the Clarets will be looking to take a lead and then keep it for the first time this season. 10 points dropped from winning positions against Brighton, Leeds, Everton and Leicester gives Clarets fans serious cause for concern.

The hamstring injury that forced Maxwel Cornet off at Leicester is likely to keep him out until after the international break. Connor Roberts has been included in the Wales squad for their World Cup Qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Estonia but must be rated very doubtful for this Saturday. Wayne Hennessey is also in the Wales squad and should be available for selection this weekend probably as back up to Southgate reject Nick Pope. Matej Vydra should also have recovered from a back strain and if so will start up front with Chris Wood.

The trials and tribulations of Ben Gibson during his time at Burnley are well documented but he will surely be relishing the opportunity to show off his skills in front of the Turf Moor crowd albeit not now in a Claret shirt. Todd Cantwell may be an absentee for the visitors who are doubtless envious of the starts made by fellow promotees Brentford and Watford. Norwich will be desperate to put at least a first point on the board and Burnley’s home struggles in this calendar year will give them some encouragement.

The match referee is Kevin Friend with Craig Pawson on VAR.

[Swissclaret]

I see this as a must win game. A clean sheet will be a good start! None of the lapses that have characterised the matches so far.

I hope that Norwich do not “park the bus”. Without Cornet we will not find it easy to unlock their defence if they get 10 men behind the ball every time.

Similarly, I hope that if we score early, we don’t try to defend it for 80+ minutes but go on to try to get more.

[Deadlydave]

I see this as a must win game. A clean sheet will be a good start! None of the lapses that have characterised the matches so far.

I hope that Norwich do not “park the bus”. Without Cornet we will not find it easy to unlock their defence if they get 10 men behind the ball every time.

Similarly, I hope that if we score early, we don’t try to defend it for 80+ minutes but go on to try to get more.

Agreed. We can't defend for 70 mins etc can we. I fact i'd rather not score in the first half so we are less likely to mess it up!!!!

[Swissclaret]

Agreed. We can't defend for 70 mins etc can we. I fact i'd rather not score in the first half so we are less likely to mess it up!!!!

Yes, that is a good thought! At least if we score in the last ten minutes, even we could defend that.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Yes, that is a good thought! At least if we score in the last ten minutes, even we could defend that.

I'll bet sinkov would not bet on that!

[sinkov]

I'll bet sinkov would not bet on that!

As always BT it would depend on the odds, at even money I'd be on.

[malwayne]

H

I see this as a must win game. A clean sheet will be a good start! None of the lapses that have characterised the matches so far.

I hope that Norwich do not “park the bus”. Without Cornet we will not find it easy to unlock their defence if they get 10 men behind the ball every

Similarly, I hope that if we score early, we don’t try to defend it for 80+ minutes but go on to try to get more.

[malwayne]

H

Hasn’tthere always been 10 players plus the goalkeeper between you and your opponents goal ?

[Swissclaret]

Hasn’tthere always been 10 players plus the goalkeeper between you and your opponents goal ?

Indeed so, but there is a difference between transitioning quickly so they do not have time to get back into their shape and laboriously passing it sideways and backwards, giving the opposition time to get back into shape.

[Altobelli]

Had trouble with my VPN through McAfee so been talking to them for an hour.

Seems there have been 5 bookings although Ref Friend didnt see Vydra getting abused in the face with a punch