PA sports reporter Jim van Wijk lifts the lid on Saturday's visitors
Press Association Sports Reporter Jim van Wijk lifts the lid on Saturday's opponents
Six games into the season and Norwich have eight points, what have you made of the Canaries so far?
“Apart from the Crystal Palace result, I think Norwich will be pretty pleased. It’s hard to know at the moment if beating Sunderland is any kind of benchmark but it was a good confidence booster and important to get that first win early on.
“They played ever so well against Stoke and the fact Jack Butland was Man of the Match speaks volumes. They were slightly disappointing against Southampton but the performances against Bournemouth and Liverpool were excellent.
“I think Alex Neil’s side have shown enough to suggest Norwich will give staying up a good crack. However there’s still a question mark about where the goals are going to come from.”
Who has stood out for the Canaries recently?
“Wes Hoolahan has been the star man. He’s no spring chicken but he is now an integral part of the team. A while ago he had the option of leaving but he stayed and the fans love him for it. It was a surprise that he didn’t play against Liverpool but credit to Alex Neil because the team he did put out certainly did a job.
“New signing Robbie Brady has also impressed since joining as has Matt Jarvis. I know he can’t play today but he has added another dimension to the side.”
How do you expect Norwich to set up?
“So far Norwich have approached each game, home or away, pretty much the same. They like to be solid in midfield with Alex Tettey and Graeme Dorrans in the middle while Jonny Howson has the freedom to attack.
“I think they’ll be slightly more open than they were against Liverpool and I expect them to go for it. They’ll have seen how Leicester and Bournemouth fared here, so why not?”
You have covered many games here over the years, what are your standout memories?
“I’ve been very fortunate in that I’ve seen a lot of great games here. One memory that stands out is Dean Ashton’s unveiling when he joined West Ham in 2006. The welcome he got was incredible. He was asked to wave to the Bobby Moore stand and you could see he didn’t know which that one was, but it didn’t really matter.
“The thing about the Boleyn Ground is when the fans pull together; it is a very daunting place to come to. It can be an overwhelming atmosphere, Bubbles is an iconic anthem.”
Finally, what is your prediction for Saturday's score?
“I’ll go for an entertaining 1-1 draw. That probably suits Norwich slightly better but it wouldn’t be a bad result for either side.”
Six games into the season and Norwich have eight points, what have you made of the Canaries so far?
“Apart from the Crystal Palace result, I think Norwich will be pretty pleased. It’s hard to know at the moment if beating Sunderland is any kind of benchmark but it was a good confidence booster and important to get that first win early on.
“They played ever so well against Stoke and the fact Jack Butland was Man of the Match speaks volumes. They were slightly disappointing against Southampton but the performances against Bournemouth and Liverpool were excellent.
“I think Alex Neil’s side have shown enough to suggest Norwich will give staying up a good crack. However there’s still a question mark about where the goals are going to come from.”
Who has stood out for the Canaries recently?
“Wes Hoolahan has been the star man. He’s no spring chicken but he is now an integral part of the team. A while ago he had the option of leaving but he stayed and the fans love him for it. It was a surprise that he didn’t play against Liverpool but credit to Alex Neil because the team he did put out certainly did a job.
“New signing Robbie Brady has also impressed since joining as has Matt Jarvis. I know he can’t play today but he has added another dimension to the side.”
How do you expect Norwich to set up?
“So far Norwich have approached each game, home or away, pretty much the same. They like to be solid in midfield with Alex Tettey and Graeme Dorrans in the middle while Jonny Howson has the freedom to attack.
“I think they’ll be slightly more open than they were against Liverpool and I expect them to go for it. They’ll have seen how Leicester and Bournemouth fared here, so why not?”
You have covered many games here over the years, what are your standout memories?
“I’ve been very fortunate in that I’ve seen a lot of great games here. One memory that stands out is Dean Ashton’s unveiling when he joined West Ham in 2006. The welcome he got was incredible. He was asked to wave to the Bobby Moore stand and you could see he didn’t know which that one was, but it didn’t really matter.
“The thing about the Boleyn Ground is when the fans pull together; it is a very daunting place to come to. It can be an overwhelming atmosphere, Bubbles is an iconic anthem.”
Finally, what is your prediction for Saturday's score?
“I’ll go for an entertaining 1-1 draw. That probably suits Norwich slightly better but it wouldn’t be a bad result for either side.”