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Jewell to Make Late Decisions Ahead of First East Anglian Derby
Jewell to Make Late Decisions Ahead of First East Anglian Derby
Thursday, 21st Apr 2011 12:27

Town boss Paul Jewell says he’ll pick his Town side for tonight’s East Anglian derby against Norwich after training this morning having assessed the fitness of midfielder Grant Leadbitter, left-back Mark Kennedy and a couple of unnamed additional doubts. Leadbitter suffered a head injury at Bristol City on Saturday, while Kennedy missed the trip to Ashton Gate with a tight hamstring.

Jewell says Leadbitter will be given every chance to make it as long as he gets the OK from the club doctor: “It was a nasty head injury, one of those where I don’t think he saw the other player coming. He stuck his head in and, a bit like Jamie Carragher on Sunday, he was out before he hit the ground.

“He’d prefer not to have done it but the commitment on Saturday was outstanding which carried on from coming back from 3-1 down against Middlesbrough. At one time we would have been dead and buried.”

The Town boss says he never considered appealing against Lee Martin’s weekend red card which rules the midfielder out for three games, starting tonight: “It was a sending off, no doubt about it.

“My only gripe about it was that Kalifa Cisse could have been sent off five minutes beforehand for a similar tackle on Josh Carson. Luckily enough Josh got out of the way.”

Mark Kennedy is getting over his hamstring problem and like Leadbitter will be looked at this morning: “He trained with the physio on Monday and Tuesday and he’ll train with them today [Wednesday]. He’s a doubt. In a high intensity game we’re going to try and get everyone as fit as we can. We’ll leave Mark Kennedy until as late as possible.”

Speaking at Wednesday’s press conference, where he was joined by coach Sean McCarthy, Jewell wasn’t giving any hints about his planned line-up: “I could tell you but, without being rude, I don’t want to tell you. I haven’t 100% made up my mind yet. We’ve thought about it really hard.

“We’ll probably do the team play this morning and we’ll probably be in tomorrow morning as well because we’ve got one or two late fitness tests to do, so the team won’t be decided until as late as then.”

In addition to Leadbitter and Kennedy, a couple of other unnamed players have also picked up knocks and will also be assessed this morning. Centre-half Gareth McAuley could be amongst them, the Northern Irishman having been limping during the Bristol City game.

City striker Grant Holt is a hamstring injury doubt for the Canaries and Jewell is clear that if he plays the 22-goal frontman is a significant threat at this level: “There’s no doubt about it. He’s got on the end of things in the box, he’s got good movement. Once the ball goes in the box he’s always on the move and he’s hungry.

“He might not be the most polished player technically, but he gives defenders a hard time and when they come off the pitch they know they’ve had a hard game.

“I think he’s an example to lads who are playing at a lower level that if you work hard enough and have the desire and a little bit of luck, you can go and play in the top level of the Championship and, who knows, maybe in the Premiership.”

The Town boss says he’s not crossed swords with Paul Lambert before and is aiming to put a dent in the Scot’s impressive win percentage this evening: “I don’t think I’ve come across him. I know he’s done exceptionally well.

“With the games he won last season to get them up and having carried on this season, I don’t think there’s another manager in the country with a better win ratio. If there is, I’d be very surprised.”

Recalling some of the derbies he has been involved in previously, Jewell says players need to be passionate in such matches but should retain their composure: “I think Notts Forest-Derby games are intense. This one will be intense. The fans really look forward to it and I’m aware that we lost heavily at Norwich.

“I think it’s important that the players have the passion, which will definitely be there because of the atmosphere of the ground.


“But we definitely need to keep our heads and play with our heads and make clear decisions and not let the occasion get to us. In derby games and other big matches you can let the occasion get to you.”

The Blues boss isn’t concerned about the Blues’ two teenagers being overawed by the occasion: “The ones you have to worry about less are Josh Carson and Connor Wickham. They’re the ones who take everything in their strides. I’m sure everyone else will be OK but I certainly won’t have to worry about Josh or Connor.”

Where to play Wickham is Jewell’s main dilemma ahead of tonight’s game. With Lee Martin missing, the 18-year-old will probably switch back to the left-sided role with Jason Scotland returning up front.

Alternatively, eight-goal Wickham, who is targeting 10 for the season, could play in the central striking role he occupied at Bristol City with Shane O’Connor or Jaime Peters perhaps coming in on the left, although the Blues boss has appeared less than keen to include either of those two since taking over. Andy Drury or Luciano Civelli might also be outsiders for that position.

Elsewhere, fitness concerns aside, it’s likely to be the same side which won at Ashton Gate. Mark Kennedy probably won’t be considered fit enough to play at left-back, so Darren O’Dea will continue.

At the centre of the defence Damien Delaney, fresh from signing his new contract, will be alongside Gareth McAuley, who has agreed his deal but is yet to formally sign. Carlos Edwards will continue on the right with one-time Norwich academy scholar Arran Lee-Barrett in goal.

In midfield Grant Leadbitter will probably play alongside Jimmy Bullard and skipper David Norris in the centre. If not, Colin Healy looks the most likely deputy. Josh Carson will be wide on the right. Left-back Joe Whight, 17, is again set to be amongst the subs.

Canaries boss Paul Lambert, a Champions League winner with Borussia Dortmund, says the match is as important as any he can recall with a victory taking his side back to second in the table ahead of Cardiff’s game at home to QPR on Saturday: "The team is playing really well - without fear, and confidence is really high.

"Teams can get edgy at this stage but my players seem to be thriving despite the position they are in. This will be a massive derby but it won't define our season. It's a vital match for supporters.

"It's as big as any game I have ever been involved in but that won't change our approach. There will be a lot of pressure but you get pressure in every game.

"If you don't have pressure you can't perform to your best. But my players won't buckle and won't wilt under that pressure - they will see it through."

Grant Holt is said to be a doubt with what Norwich are referring to as a torn hamstring but the striker looks certain to make it, his fitness having been similarly down-played prior to last week’s 2-1 home victory over Nottingham Forest.

Striker Chris Martin is back in reserves action after two months out with a hamstring injury but isn’t likely to return to the starting line-up. However, the Beccles-born frontman has a chance of being on the bench.

Defender Leon Barnett (hamstring) and striker Aaron Wilbraham (back) are both out for the season. Striker Oli Johnson has been recalled from a loan spell at Yeovil but isn’t likely to be involved this evening.

Town’s Ipswich-born keeper Arran Lee-Barrett spent time with Norwich’s academy having been released by the Blues as a schoolboy but never made a first team appearance for the Canaries.

Striker Kevin Lisbie, currently on loan at Millwall, has played for both clubs, but none of Paul Lambert’s squad has been a Blue, although striker Simeon Jackson spent time training with Town's academy as a schoolboy.

Town goalkeeper-coach James Hollman and academy manager Sammy Morgan both previously worked at Carrow Road.

Historically, Town have the better record in East Anglian derbies, winning 40 (38 in the league), losing 35 (29) and drawing 17 (14). The Blues have won each of the last three Portman Road derbies having gone behind.

In November at Carrow Road, a Grant Holt hat-trick condemned 10-man Town to a 4-1 defeat.

Holt appeared to handle the ball in the run-up to the opening goal, but the Blues quickly struck back through Delaney.

The Canaries striker added his second before Delaney was harshly red-carded for hauling down the Norwich skipper. After the break, Holt netted his third late on and sub Wes Hoolahan completed the scoring.

The last time the teams met at Portman Road was towards the end of Norwich’s 2008/09 relegation season with the Blues winning 3-2.

David Mooney put the Canaries in front before the Blues struck three times via Alan Quinn, Giovani Dos Santos (penalty) and Jon Stead with Sammy Clingan adding a consolation for the visitors towards the end, also from the spot. The match was Jim Magilton’s last as Town manager.

As of last night there were around 300 restricted view seats left, available on the phone and to personal callers to the Ticket Office from 9am on a first come, first served basis.

A crowd close to 30,000 expected at the first evening East Anglian derby for 13 years and the club is advising early arrival at the ground. Norwich have also sold 10,000 tickets for a beam-back to Carrow Road.

The Town team will take to the field in a sea of blue with the club placing coloured cards on every seat occupied by a home supporter.

The match is not on TV but there is live commentary on BBC Five Live in addition to the usual local outlets.

Tonight’s referee is Jonathan Moss from West Yorkshire, who has shown 80 yellow cards and eight red in 38 games so far this season.

Moss’s most recent Town game was the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace in August in which he red-carded Eagles defender Claude Davis for a professional foul and former Blues loanee Andros Townsend for a dangerous challenge.

Moss also took control of the 3-1 win at Derby in April last year when he sent off Rams’ midfielder Stephen Pearson for foul and abusive language towards the end.

The primary school head teacher also refereed Town’s 2-0 defeat at Preston last season when Tamás Priskin had a goal harshly disallowed.

Moss was also the official who red-carded Plymouth’s Mathias Doumbe for a professional foul in the 78th second of the Pilgrims’ 2007 visit to Portman Road, the Blues running out 3-0 winners.

Norwich’s most recent experiences of Moss’s refereeing were a 1-0 home victory over QPR in January, in which he dismissed Rangers defender Matthew Connolly, and a 3-1 Carling Cup loss at Blackburn which ended 11-a-side.

Squad from: Lee-Barrett, Fülöp, Edwards, O’Dea, Kennedy, Whight, Delaney, McAuley, Brown, Norris, Bullard, Leadbitter, Healy, Carson, Peters, Drury, Civelli, O’Connor, Wickham, Scotland.


Photo: Action Images



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Rorschach added 12:35 - Apr 21
Holt is definitely 'hungry'......
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needhamblues added 12:36 - Apr 21
God I hope we dont revert back to playing Wickham on the left and Scotland up front. Everyone can see this does not work at all. Peters out on the left for me.
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JoshTheLad added 12:49 - Apr 21
peters in for kennedy, healy or drury in for leadbitter
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muhrensleftfoot added 13:04 - Apr 21
I suspect Wickham will be wide left and Scotland up front, but I would prefer to see Wickham up front with Civelli or O'Connor wide left but I think that's unlikely. One thing about PJ is that he doesn't spring too many surprises.
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pazelle added 13:15 - Apr 21
Really big game for Lee-Barrett! Apart from that I'm confident!
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StowTractorBoy added 13:48 - Apr 21
Not confident about the goalkeeper but think Scotland could cause more problems on the floor against Whitbread and Ward than Wickham. For that reason I think Wickham will be on the flank of a 5 man midfield. Not saying that Scotland is better then Wickam down the middle but would start Scotland there for this game. Def need a 5 man midfield to stifle the supply to Holt and Jackson. Looks very ripe for a sending off tonight with this Referee. Already started to get nervous.
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MAVERICK added 13:55 - Apr 21
http://www.freefootball.org/

This site may be showing game on internet !
0

itfc1878 added 14:23 - Apr 21
lee barrett
edwards McAuley DD o'dea

leadbitter bullard
norris
Carson o'connor
wickham
Best Team availiable^!
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ipsuefa added 14:28 - Apr 21
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Hungry_Badger added 14:30 - Apr 21
"unnamed doubts" hmmmmm last time he said that Jimmy Bullard was injured, lets hope its not the same this time and that he plays Wickham down the middle.
If he does that i can see us sneaking a 2-1 COYB!
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wazza added 14:32 - Apr 21
if leadbitter is out what about playing 2 up front - scotland and wickham
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Warkys_Tash added 14:41 - Apr 21
Guys whatever happened to 'Section 6'? Have they all disappeared?
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itfc1981 added 16:11 - Apr 21
Hey Lambert! 2 wins from 5 shows you are failing! It will be funny to see you buckle and wilt under that pressure tonight. I'am looking forward to the league derby next season.
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Ipswich24 added 16:42 - Apr 21
5-0 Come On You Blues!!!!
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Keaneish added 16:52 - Apr 21
Anyone know if this game is on a stream anywhere?
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Worcester added 16:53 - Apr 21
Keanish
I have heard all sort of rumours but I think the truth is radio only
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Keaneish added 16:56 - Apr 21
Can't believe it's not on sky!!
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michaeldownunder added 18:02 - Apr 21
Just hope for a good game tonight eg; Ipswich win
The way Norwich score late on we need to be 2 goals up in the 90th min

what are the odd's of 11 v 11 at the final whistle ? or by half time ?

I see that Chimbonda has left QPR, he did not start one game for them
another greedy player looses out, maybe he should have taken our 1 year offer on less money.
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dreblue added 19:24 - Apr 21
Anyone found a site to watch the game on line???
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cornishblu added 20:35 - Apr 21
.....cant believe the half time score!!!!....this is depressing!!
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AlpineBlue added 21:44 - Apr 21
If you haven't bought a season ticket then lucky you!!!
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TimmyH added 21:46 - Apr 21
oh dear oh dear! I knew Norwich have looked pretty good this season but that is just plain poor by us - that's 10 losses at home this season - pathetic!
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AlpineBlue added 21:46 - Apr 21
If you haven't bought a season ticket then lucky you!!!
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