West Ham celebrate their recent away win against Watford by welcoming Premier League returnees Norwich City to the London Stadium. We will be hoping that we can improve on our last home performance against a rampant Manchester City. Ahead of the game I spoke to Richard Voisey from Norwich City fanzine City of Yellows to discuss everything Claret and Blue and Yellow and Green.
Hi Richard: back in the Premier League after a 3 year absence – congratulations! At what stage of last season did you hope/think you would get promoted?
The real sense of belief that we could gain promotion was destroying Leeds United at Elland Road, 3-1 away in front of the Sky cameras and 36,000 fans at the beginning of February. United couldn’t get near the ball. Also at that point, City had only lost once in 18 games.
You certainly impressed us with your victory against on the opening day, and your performances against Chelsea and Liverpool, you must be thinking that this is all a breeze?
We are an attacking team that scores goals as well as conceding plenty. From three games, six for and eight against tells its own story. No Norwich City fan believes this will be easy. Daniel Farke wants results and not just plaudits. The key positives are that we have created chances and produced more at Liverpool than any opposition side during the whole of last season.
Tell us a bit about your manager Daniel Farke, he certainly seems to have you playing in a positive manner. How does he compare to your most recent managers, Chris Hughton, Neil Adams, and Alex Neil?
Chris Houghton was boring in the Premier League and his teams were not worth watching, Neil Adams is a true gent but was naive as a manager with woeful tactics. Alex Neil turned our season around to produce a magical promotion and success at Wembley at Middlesbrough with the ‘Smoggies’ being swept aside. Alex Neil has since been candid in admitting he was underprepared for the Premier League and made silly mistakes. He is making a good job at Preston, would have learnt a lot from the experience and I hope he gets them up. Farke is a class act. Excellent communicator, a brilliant relationship with the players and fans and has my total respect. With minimal funding, he and Stuart Webber have turned the club around in double-quick time.
What will be the main priorities for Norwich this season to ensure that they manage to stay up?
The club are prepared for relegation both contractually and financially. It would be nice to stay up and build a long term residence in the Premier League. We will need to pick up regular wins against sides outside the top six.
You’ve bought a couple of players during the close season, including our own Sam Byram, which of these players do you think will manager to become mainstays of the team?
I expect all of the new signings to be fringe players unless needs must. Only one in the new group has the potential to hold down a shirt. Defensive midfielder/centre back, Ibraham Amadou should we need to tighten up at the back. Sam Bryram, based on what I have seen is only ever likely to be cover for Max Aarons.
Are there any areas that you think have not been strengthened enough?
We have two centre backs out of action at the moment in Zimmermann and Klose. Hanley is getting some stick from fans although Amaddou could provide cover. Pukki back up is provided in Swiss International Josip Drmic, although he is also injured. That leaves us with Dennis Srbeny, who can’t score and unproven youngster, Adam Idah. If Teemu Pukki is injured, City can turn off the lights and lock up Carrow Road.
Which West Ham player would you like to see turning out for the ‘Canaries’, and why?
Haller would be my top pick. A superb finisher who has proven his quality at finishing in France, Netherlands and Germany.
We were certainly impressed by your centre forward Teemu Pukki, you must be pleased that he seems to have brought his goal scoring form with him to the Premier League? How does he compare to Dean Ashton, who of course graced Carrow Road and Upton Park for a few years before injury forced him to retire?
It is such a shame that Dean’s injury finished his career far too early. He would have gone to produce a glittering club and country legacy. Both players were/are natural finishers. Ashton was more robust and operated as a traditional number 9. Pukki is unselfish, works his socks off, backtracks to cover colleagues and peels off defenders. He does not need to look up when shooting. A proven International finisher for Finland. We are so lucky to have him.
What are you most looking forward to seeing, and what could you well do without coming across again in this first season back in the Premier League?
I prefer the Championship, 46 games and hope that you can win every game. The fanbase is also more genuine. There is plenty of Norwich City blog and forum chat at present about ticket allocation now ‘plastics’ have joined the fray. I don’t want to be thrashed in any games, want to be competitive in every game and hope injuries to key players do not disrupt what is a very thin squad.
Where do you think Norwich can realistically end up at the end of the season?
Somewhere between 10th and 20th
What position do you think West Ham will finish?
Somewhere between 10th and 18th
Who are your picks for the top four positions in the Premier League?
1st Manchester City, 2nd Liverpool, 3rd Arsenal, 4th Tottenham
Although it’s early, who are your favourites for the drop?
Sheffield United, Watford and Newcastle would be nice. My wish list would be Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton!
How do you think Norwich will line up against West Ham this weekend? Prediction for players and formation.
The same 11 as used against Chelsea subject to injuries. Pukki upfront, Stiepermann behind him, Cantwell and Buendia wide midfielders, Leitner and Tryball central. Handley and Godfrey centre backs with Aarons and Lewis as flying fullbacks. Tim Krul between the sticks. Amadou and Kenny McLean could force themselves into the first 11?
Are you confident that Norwich can have a successful return to the capital? Prediction for the score?
I have hope with head and heart that a City can head home with a result. 2-1 for the Canaries.
Well many thanks to Richard for his time. He does seem particularly optimistic about this fixture, but I am hoping for another three goals this weekend from West Ham, and so it’s another 3 – 1 victory. COYI