Bristol City Match Preview From A Norwich Fan Perspective

I have a soft spot for the Robins, related nicknames, great provincial cities with quality ale houses and both with superb characterful accents. After the trials and tribulations of battling for survival last season, I`m so pleased the club stuck with Lee Johnson which of course has been a wise move with a successful Championship season so far and a great cup run.

Any underdog who turns over Manchester United is a friend of mine. Having watched the highlights, the screamer produced from the Bristol City left back Joe Bryan is a definite goal of the season contender for me. Best wishes for the return leg with Man City.

Aden Flint always so good whenever I`ve seen him live or on TV, a big heart, leads by example and makes himself useful in the opposition box. It`s great to see Korey Smith doing well, he was always well received by City fans when wearing his yellow shirt. A recent old player who did a good job for both Cities was Aaron Wilbraham and way before that, Rob Newman – 483 appearances for the Robins and a Premiership and UEFA cup legend for the Canaries.

Overall the Canaries have a good record in this contest: 32 wins, 17 draws and only 20 defeats. We are also unbeaten in the last five contests, following five straight defeats before that. Older fans will know that between 1976 and 1980 both teams shared the privilege of playing together in England`s top league, then known of course as Division One.

Although Norwich City go into the fixture on the back of four games without defeat (W2 D2) having only won once in the previous 12 there has been turmoil this week with Alex Pritchard heading to Huddersfield heading to Huddersfield, by far our best player and Yanic Wildschut possibly off to Cardiff loan.

We have really struggled to score this season, both players, with the exception of Josh Murphy are the only ones who can genuinely run at defenders. The majority of the rest of the squad are currently more at home passing the ball sideways. Alex Pritchard will be missed big time and his absence could be the difference on Saturday.

Having said that, the Norwich City defence seems reasonably settled at the moment and is well protected by holding midfielders: Norwegian, Alex Tettey and German, Tom Tryball, so I`m going for either a repeat of September`s 0-0 or if the defences can be infiltrated, a 1-1 draw.

Born within a stone`s throw from the City Hall in Norwich and taken to Carrow Road by his grandfather and father as soon as he could walk, Richard from cityofyellows.com feels privileged and honoured to support his local team which not only represents its City but also its County. Richard shares his thoughts on City Of Yellows, a Norwich City blog and forum.