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Match Preview: Norwich City v Leeds United - Can Leeds pile more misery on Canaries?
Friday, 4th Nov 2016 19:11 by Lucas Monk

After three consecutive wins in all competitions, Leeds United (9th) travel to Norwich City (4th) in search of a victory that could potentially spring them into the dizzying heights of the play-off positions.

There’s a feeling of satisfaction among Leeds United fans at present. The team are demonstrating a profound sense of diligence whenever they take to the field of play, the standard of their performances has been consistent, and points are mostly being garnered rather than dropped, in stark contrast to recent campaigns.

After a late lapse in concentration at home to newly-promoted Wigan Athletic on the 18th of October, United have indulged in the sweet taste of victory in every match they’ve contested since. Just days after the aforementioned disappointment that saw the Whites drop two points in an evidently winnable midweek fixture, Garry Monk’s side battened down the hatches to shut out Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, winning 1-0 by virtue of a Silvio own goal. Up next after that were tomorrow’s opponents Norwich who, despite taking the lead twice in 120 minutes of football at Elland Road in the EFL Cup tie last Tuesday, were eliminated from the competition on penalties after Leeds twice fought back through Marcus Antonsson and Chris Wood goals. And finally, in their most recent outing, United saw off the challenge of newly-promoted Burton Albion by way of a 2-0 scoreline. It is understandable then, that the happiness of the fans has been clearly underlined by the high standard of performances, as well as their side’s amassing of seven points in their last three league matches.

It is however, an entirely divergent situation at Norwich City. Groans of discontent from their followers are now presently common, becoming more amplified and audible with each defeat. The Canaries are currently five places above United, but three straight defeats in all competitions have culminated in the heat being firmly turned up on manager Alex Neil. The Norfolk club’s most recent embarrassment; a 5-0 humbling at the hands of a rampant Brighton and Hove Albion side, was greeted with calls for Neil to be relieved of his managerial duties, and although his sacking has not yet eventuated, it has been fervently argued that tomorrow’s game could be his last as Norwich boss - should they fall to defeat once more.

There is but one question to pose; do the Canaries, low on confidence, bereft of fight and defensive solidity in equal measure, take the points? Or will Garry Monk’s in-form Leeds spell the end of the Neil era at Norwich by clipping their wings once more? You can have your say by leaving a comment below.

Team News

Norwich City

The Canaries will most definitely be without at least five first-team players for this clash.

In particular, there are a deluge of midfield absentees at present; Jonny Howson, Matthew Jarvis, and Youssouf Mulumbu are all sidelined with injury, while Alex Tettey is suspended.

Graham Dorrans and Louis Thompson are therefore likely to be granted starts in central midfield.

Right-back Ivo Pinto could make a return to the squad after recovering from injury, but fellow right-sided defender Steven Whittaker will miss out as he is recuperating from a hernia operation.

Leeds United

United will again be without winger Stuart Dallas, who is still recovering from the calf injury he sustained while on international duty with Northern Ireland.

In addition, club captain Liam Bridcutt remains sidelined with a fractured foot, and defender Lewie Coyle is out with a knee injury.

Souleymane Doukara is expected to make the substitutes bench again tomorrow, after scoring as a second-half substitute in his side’s recent 2-0 victory over Burton Albion.

Probable Lineups

Norwich City (4-2-3-1) - McGovern; Martin, Bennett, Klose, Olsson; Thompson, Dorrans; Murphy, Hoolahan, Brady; Jerome.

Leeds United (4-2-3-1) - Green; Ayling, Bartley, Jansson, Taylor; O’Kane, Phillips; Sacko, Hernandez, Roofe; Wood.

Media: Leeds United head coach Garry Monk and striker Souleymane Doukara

Leeds United head coach Garry Monk sang the praises of defender Lewie Coyle earlier this week, following the 21-year-old’s decision to agree to an extension to his current contract at Elland Road. Coyle’s newly-signed deal will run until the conclusion of the 2018-19 season.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Monk urged Coyle to continue to give his very best for the shirt.

“”It is great news, Lewie has been working very well since day one of us being here and he is another young player with potential at this club,” he remarked.

“Lewie has an attitude and desire to get better as a player and fit into what we are trying to do here.

“He deserves the new deal at this stage of his career and it is a great show of faith from the club.

“Lewie now needs to be grateful for the contract and repay the club with the determination and improvement he has shown to date.”

In other news, Monk himself received praise from striker Souleymane Doukara, who has regained his place in the matchday squad in recent weeks.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post on Monday, Doukara opened up about his own relations with the United head coach.

“He’s been good to me,” Doukara explained.

“At the beginning of the season I wasn’t fit and he said that I needed to get back fit because I could do something for us and I could play a big part in the team.

“I think I can play a big part this season and we want to do something this year.

“I was waiting for this goal because I’m a striker and every striker wants to score goals and make the difference.

“It’s one of my best moments. I didn’t score (at home) since January so to score in front of the home crowd is a very good thing.

“I’m not the best player but I have big determination and that’s why I came on strong.”

Match Facts

Norwich have lost once in their last 11 home league matches against Leeds (W7 D3), losing 1-0 in August 2005 courtesy of a Robert Hulse goal.

Leeds, who emerged victorious from their last away league game against Wolves at Molineux, haven't won back-to-back away games since March.

Norwich have failed to keep a single clean sheet in their last 12 league matches, conceding no less than 23 goals in the process.

Star Men

Norwich City: Wes Hoolahan, Attacking Midfielder (7.27 WhoScored rating)

Tomorrow, the 34-year-old Irishman will make his 300th appearance for the Canaries in all competitions since joining from Blackpool in 2008. Whilst it would be fair to say that the Republic of Ireland international, christened ‘Wessi’ by the support at Carrow Road, no longer possesses the same quantity of deftness as he did in his younger years, his vision and creative ability are both key attributes of his that have stood the test of time and have refused to dissipate. Despite his advancing years, Hoolahan remains an expert at unlocking Championship defences with incisive, splitting passes and he therefore presents one of Norwich’s most potent attacking threats.

Fact: Hoolahan has recorded no less than four assists in his 14 appearances so far this season, more than any other Norwich player.

Leeds United: Pontus Jansson, Central Defender (7.63 WhoScored rating)

The 25-year-old has unquestionably been one of United’s most influential players since his arrival on loan from Serie A side Torino in the summer. The Swede has developed a prosperous partnership with Kyle Bartley at the heart of the Leeds United defence and he played a major role in helping the Whites enjoy a highly successful October. His spirited, touch-tackling style, along with his aerial proficiency as well as his sheer passion and commitment to the cause has made him a hit with Leeds fans - and when he plays well, Leeds play well.

Fact: Jansson has made an average of 9.4 clearances per game, the fifth-highest number of clearances per game in the entire division.

Writer's View

After a fruitful October in which we rose to ninth in the Championship table as well as progressing to the quarter finals of the League Cup, we kick off November with a trip to Norwich City, who we incidentally defeated on penalties last week in order to set up our clash with Liverpool.

Make no bones about it, Norwich City are in disarray after a succession of dismal performances and results that have largely left Alex Neil’s reputation in tatters. Simply put, there could arguably be no time more convenient than tomorrow to play the Canaries, who are not only ravaged by a deluge of injuries, but who also appear to be bereft of both confidence and fighting spirit in equal measure.

In striking contrast, we’ve been on something of a roll in recent weeks. Our last three outings in all competitions have yielded six points in addition to the previously mentioned quarter final berth in the League Cup. Garry Monk has settled on a formation (4-2-3-1) that sufficiently accommodates our brightest attacking talents while also providing us with defensive solidity.

Taking the respective form of both sides into account, as well as the multitude of injuries that plague Norwich at present, I can only envisage one winner - ourselves. I’m confident that we will capitalise on our opposition’s evident defensive flaws and kick off November with another victory.

Prediction - Norwich City 1-2 Leeds United

Statistics derived from WhoScored.com

Photo: Action Images



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