Opposition Camp: What to expect from Norwich City - With Gary Gowers

The Whites are hoping to build on their 1-0 win over Cardiff City last weekend, but Steven Schumacher's side will face a tough test against the Canaries, a team that are tipped to finish in the play-off positions this season.

The get the lowdown on what to expect from Sunday's opponents, we spoke to Editor of MyFootballWriter - Norwich City and Sports Journalist, Gary Gowers.

Norwich City were tipped to push the play-offs after a good run to finish off last season. Do the fans believe it can be done this season?

"Hhmm. They did. Rarely have City fans – notoriously guarded and cynical – been so optimistic before a ball had been kicked. Since Philippe Clement’s arrival, last November, we had been statistically one of the best sides in the division, and with some obvious weaknesses in the squad being addressed over the summer, we were all confident. Overly so.

"Now the season is a month old, reality has kicked in. We’re not as good as we thought we were. It just hasn’t clicked. Those who were good last season, like Pelle Mattsson and Kellen Fisher, haven’t been as good this season and we just look a little bit disjointed and missing something.

"Unfortunately, none of us, including Clement, have been able to identify what that something is. So, playoffs? Well…. We’re not one of the best eight sides in the division at the minute … that’s for sure."

The Canaries have conceded 13 goals this season, joint second most in the Championship, what’s going on with the defence?

"Another good question that we don’t know the answer to. Even at our best last season, we never looked rocked solid – partly because they commit numbers forward – but we’ve taken it to another level this season.

"We don’t have a clean sheet in us, so your travelling fans tomorrow will almost certainly have something to cheer. Pretty much the same personnel as last season but just not clicking as a unit and with the two 6s (McLean and Mattsson) offering a shield that’s sometimes non-existent, we concede for fun at the moment."

With two defeats in a row, albeit one against Manchester City, do you think the team can easily bounce back?

"Not convinced, albeit I guess we have to write the City defeat off as just a bad job – Clement made nine changes from the team that lost at Boro. So bounce back? … maybe. Easily? … definitely not.

"We rarely do things the easy way and the confidence will be fragile after a bruising week. And I dare not even contemplate the impact of an early Bolton goal... (Can you sense my anxiety?)"

Norwich have a lot of players that can do damage to Bolton, but who do you think will cause Wanderers the most problems?

"Mo Toure is a handful for defences even when we and he are not playing particularly well, and waiting in the wings is Jovon Makama, who’s still being managed carefully after a long-term injury.

"If Makama comes on, your centre backs will soon know all about it, but he’ll not play more than half an hour, I doubt. Two of our summer signings – Andre Brooks and Anthony Musaba, both wingers – are decent too."

Finally, what’s your score prediction for Sunday’s game?

"Oh god, do I have to? Hearts says a sphincter-twitching 2-1 for City; head says a Desmond."