Following their surge through League One last season, expectations were mixed for Norwich as they entered the Championship again. Opponents Barnsley on the other hand have grown used to the relegation tag they’re handed at the start of every season, although as it stands these two sides are on the exact number of points. Norwich sit a few places higher on goal difference, but both managers will be very happy with the return of seven points from their opening four games.
In general, expectations were relatively high amongst supporters at Norwich and it appears as though very few expected the relegation struggle that most newly promoted side’s experience. With the highly regarded Paul Lambert as boss and a huge fan base as well, many of their supporters thought that they could more than hold their own in the division. As it stands, that appears true and the Canaries currently sit in 7th place following two victories, one defeat and one draw. They are unbeaten in the league since the opening day of the season and having not lost at home to Barnsley since 1937, they should feel confident about that run extending in this one.
Barnsley also lost their opening league game and just like Norwich, they haven’t looked back since. A 4-0 opening day thrashing to QPR put them at the bottom of the league, but since then they’ve managed victories over Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough as well as an eventful draw with Bristol City. The Tykes are always regarded as relegation candidates although after turning their fortunes around last season, Mark Robins will be hoping he can defy the odds again in this campaign. Just like his counterpart Lambert at Norwich, Robins is seen as an excellent young manager and should he manage to keep the Tykes afloat, he may have several suitors later on in the season.
As for team news, Norwich have been hit with several problems heading into this one and could be without three players. Michael Nelson, Steven Smith and Zak Whitbread are all on the treatment table and have already been declared unavailable. On the positive side, Andrew Crofts could feature having fully recovered from an ankle problem. The visitors on the other hand have just the one concern in Hugo Colace. The Argentine is struggling with a calf strain although former Hull City man Nathan Doyle is waiting in the wings to replace him. Striker Garry O’Connor, signed on loan from Birmingham on Friday, could feature if the relevant paperwork is completed in time.
Every team has a bogey team and for Barnsley, it appears to be Norwich. The Tykes have a dismal record at Carrow Road and while they have hit some good form recently, we think this will be a relatively straightforward game for the Canaries
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