Norwich could fall further behind the Cherries

The pre-season favourites will visit Dean Court this weekend hoping to claw back some of their early-season form when bookies were in no doubt that they would be the team to beat in the Championship. The up and down form of the Canaries though has left them sitting just outside the play-off places in January and they face no easy task against a confident Cherries side that are revelling in being at the top of the league.

Norwich have seen Neil Adams resign on Monday following his side's cup exit to Preston North End and a run of form that has not been play-off level in way of a points return. That means Mike Phelan is expected to be be caretaker boss for the Canaries visit to Dean Court, while Alex Neil the former Hamilton Academicals' manager looks set to become the Canaries next full time manager. While that means the Norwich players will be told it's a new start, they could start to wonder what is happening with their season if they get a severe beating by the in-form Cherries.

Norwich are already 11 points behind the Cherries and have not exactly set the division alight with their away from of late winning just one of their last five matches. They have scored though in four of those games and they have plenty of options up front with Cameron Jerome, Bradley Johnson (shortlisted for player of the month) and our old favourite Lewis Grabban among the goals this season for the Canaries. I also like Nathan Redmond who came to Norwich from Birmingham a couple of seasons ago, but he has not really taken his game on that much in front of goal. Don't think that Norwich will be a push over though, they have drawn away at Derby in the last month and have handed out a 6-1 pasting to Millwall and 5-0 thumping to Huddersfield at home.

For all Norwich's quality though they are inconsistent and AFCB have been punishing teams that don't create enough chances against them. This match should have a super charged atmosphere as there are some big names in the Norwich team and the return of Lewis Grabban will have many fans eager to see this game. A win for the Cherries would underline that they are the strongest Championship team at the moment for me, and with Ipswich and Derby playing each other it could be an excellent opportunity for the Cherries to extend their lead at the top. 

Norwich Away Form
LLWDL

AFCB Home Form

WDDWW

Finally, congratulations to Eddie Howe for winning another manager of the month award.