A bit about you
Name: Ian Russell
Current home town: Leigh-on-sea, Essex Birthplace: Southend-on-sea, Essex
How long have you supported your team? Over 30 years
Overview of your club:
We are very fortunate to have few teams in the area and we enjoy incredible support – 20,000 season ticket holders and Carrow Road rarely has many empty seats. Known as a ‘family’ club and rightly so – the board are quite uniquely close to the supporters. The Norfolk public like to see good football and, traditionally down the years, Norwich has been known for their passing teams.
Favourite thing about your home ground: Always a good atmosphere at Carrow Road. I love to see the yellow and green all around the ground.
Favourite match played by your team & why: Difficult to say because there’s probably been a few. I was only 12, but was at the Milk Cup Final in ’85 (1-0 winners over Sunderland) and that naturally sticks in the memory. We had a great game at home to Middlesbrough (last time in the Premier League – ‘04/’05) where we came back to draw 4-4. A 5-0 win away at Colchester last season was pretty satisfying also.….
Favourite player of all time who played for your club: When I was growing up I was a big fan of goalkeeper, Chris Woods. In recent times, it’s often been great to watch Darren Huckerby of course.
About our forthcoming match against you:
After bouncing straight back as champions last year, the Norwich team has some momentum under the guidance of Paul Lambert. The team is suffering from a few injuries at the moment and new additions are still bedding in. Saturday’s game was disappointing, but Norwich didn’t particularly play badly. I am sure they will be looking to bounce back on Tuesday.
Your favourite current player in your squad and why? We’ve bought in a lad from Brighton called Andrew Crofts who seems to have settled in very quickly and we’re blessed with a decent squad this year. For me, though, it has to be Grant Holt. He doesn’t allow a defender to settle for a moment and is constantly looking to make something happen. His goalscoring record speaks for itself.
Player in your squad we should most fear and why? Other than Holt, Wes Hoolahan is the man to be aware of. A tricky playmaker who, when Norwich are playing well, can be a real threat. Great player to watch and a real menace to defences on his day.
Player in our squad you most fear and why? I would say Matt Fryatt but I understand he’s not had many games recently. I think Steve Howard can be a threat on his day, but Andy King is a player I think can cause opposition teams problems. I understand he’s an all round good midfielder who knows where the goal is.
Up and coming prospect in your squad? We have a few. Chris Martin has bags of ability and is a confident player full of goals. Korey Smith was a regular in last season’s promotion campaign and is an excellent talent for such a young man.
Where do you think you'll finish this season? Top ten would be a great achievement. I truly think that the team has potential to go a little further, especially if a couple of players can be added in January. However, most City fans would be pretty happy with a top half finish.
How do you think you'll do against us? The team didn’t play badly Saturday, but never really got going. They will want to bounce back and will fancy their chances after Leicester’s poor result on Friday night. I shall go for a home win.
Any other comments I do hope that Sousa can turn things round for your team. He may need to be given a few games to do so, but I would think the squad is good enough to start moving up the table over the next couple of months.