Such is the delicate nature of the battle for Premier League safety it is a nervous time to be a Norwich supporter. With just four points and four places separating Chris Hughton’s side from the bottom three the pressure is piled on them to secure a win that would almost guarantee a third straight season in the top-flight. One win in their last 16 has dragged the Canaries into the dogfight and have been sliding ever since their 10 match unbeaten streak came to end just before Christmas. Back then they dreamt of European qualification, but now nightmarish visions of dropping back into the Championship are becoming all too real.
Reading approach the game knowing their fate could be sealed by five o’clock if results go against them. Most expect the Royals to be a second tier club by the time the referee’s whistle is blown at Carrow Road and, with the need to score a victory weighing heavy on Norwich, that could work in their favour. Nigel Adkins has brought with him a bright optimism since arriving at the Madjeski Stadium and refuses to believe that all is not lost despite needing maximum points from their remaining games to have a chance at surviving. He’ll hope to break his winning duck this weekend and will take heart from their goalless draw with Liverpool last time out.
Team News
Bradley Johnson (dead leg) is a major doubt for Norwich, who can welcome back Anthony Pilkington and Wes Hoolahan after the missed the defeat at Arsenal last week. Goalkeeper John Ruddy is back to full fitness and is pushing for a start.
Reading could have Jimmy Kebe fit enough to return after overcoming a groin injury, while fellow winger Hal Robson-Kanu (knee) has a chance of featuring. However, the game comes too soon for Adam Federici and midfielder Hope Akpan (both ankle).
What the managers said…
“There’s no perfect opponent. The only perfect ones are the ones you get results from and we need to make sure we get a result. We’re still in there fighting and at this moment we have another 15 points up for grabs and we’ve got to get as many as we can. To go the Emirates and play as well as we did shows a lot of character. We felt they have had some elements go in their favour, but we have to dust ourselves down.” Chris Hughton rejects the idea that Reading will be pushovers (Eastern Daily Press)
“We’re on letter A of the alphabet and we’ve got to get to letter Z. It’s been a good three weeks, you’ve seen where we were to start off with and where we are now and there’ s a lot of things we’ve implemented in a very, very short space of time. There’s so much more that needs to be done. “ Nigel Adkins admits he still has a lot of work to do at Reading (readingfc.co.uk)
Pre-match Statistic: Reading have tasted defeat in just one of their last seven league meetings with Norwich.
Prediction: Norwich City 1-0 Reading
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