You're the Boss - Norwich v Sunderland

Short piece on my team selection and reasoning behind it for Norwich v Sunderland, as a token Norwich fan for the day. (Norwich Evening News - 3 November 2006)

(4-4-2)

Gallacher; Drury, Shackell, Dublin, Colin; Eagle, Etuhu, Safri, Robinson; Huckerby, Earnshaw.
Subs: Ashdown, Ryan Jarvis, Hughes, Spillane, Thorne.

The draw with Colchester showed the importance of having Darren Huckerby and Robert Earnshaw fit and present. In spells, before they tired, their performance gave hope to the City faithful.

Etuhu will look to make it a hat-trick of three home strikes and should continue his central partnership with Safri, who was unlucky not to score from long range himself against the U’s.

Should, as feared, Gary Doherty and Craig Fleming fail late fitness tests then Grant should call for the experienced head of Dion Dublin to deputise ahead of the inexperienced, though promising, Michael Spillane. Dublin proved time after time on Tuesday his prowess in the air and, although naturally preferring a striking role, would relish a full 90 minutes against Keano’s Black Cats.

Adam Drury and Colin Jurgen continue to pick themselves but both need to push further up the pitch given the opportunity, with or without the ball, to offer themselves as an option or simply to draw markers to them and create the space for Earnshaw and Huckerby to attack.

Roy Keane will be looking to instill in his Sunderland side some of the steel with which he ruled the Old Trafford turf and knowing this, Peter Grant has made reference to “brains over braun”; but Norwich will need to hold their own and out-beef Sunderland, something Dublin, with his size and experience is perfectly placed to do.