Just when you thought it was safe…

I think I may have made a bit of a whoopsy. Like many City fans I’d all but put the 2007/2008 season to bed and was looking forward to a summer of lazing around the park and (hopefully) enjoying some sunshine. A tad premature it would seem.

After a tremendous thirteen game unbeaten run which lifted us from 5 points adrift at the bottom of the table to the dizzy heights of 12^th, four defeats in the last six matches have moved the Canaries back to within just 5 points of the relegation zone.

Coupled with the fact that most teams below us have at least one game in hand, our goal difference is pretty shoddy and the run-in includes matches against Bristol City, West Brom and Burnley – not to mention the small matter of the derby against Ipswich – and you might be excused for thinking that things are starting to become a little tense again.

More…

Sheffield United Preview

This afternoon Glenn Roeder’s men look to get back on track at Sheffield United.

The Canaries welcome Gary Doherty back from suspension, and Darren Huckerby could feature following injury. Roeder has called for his team to be more “ruthless”:

We need to get the same level of performance that we had against Stoke except this time when we make those sort of chances, and hopefully we do, we have to take them.

We didn’t show a ruthless streak the other night. We were too ‘airy-fairy’ if you want in trying to get the ball into the net rather than rapping it in and making sure the ball hits the back of the net.

United’s top scorer James Beattie is rated at 50/50 after picking up a groin injury midweek against Coventry. Manager Kevin Blackwell is impressed with the job Roeder has done so far at Carrow Road, but believes his Blades can get the job done:

It will be another tough game against Norwich but no matter when you play them they always seem to create plenty of chances and play some attractive football.

Glenn Roeder has done very well since going there and has made them a lot harder to beat, therefore bring consistency to their performances.

They will come to Bramall Lane looking to put the record straight and get back to winning ways after a disappointing defeat against Stoke in midweek, when they dominated for long periods.

Despite taking all that into account, I am sure we can continue to build on the last three matches and secure our third win.

A few facts…

League Position: Sheff Utd 15th, Norwich 18th.

Last Meeting: 8th December 2007 – Norwich 1 Sheff Utd 0.

Last Meeting at Bramall Lane: 26th December 2005 – Sheff Utd 1 Norwich 3.

Top Goalscorer: Sheff Utd – Beattie (15), Norwich – Cureton (11).

My Prediction: When I originally made my predictions I went for home win, but I’m determined to stay positive so I’ve changed my mind. Sheffield United 1 Norwich City 2.