AFCB v Norwich Carabao Cup - Opposition view

This afternoon we have a guest post by Richard at City of Yellows who has kindly offered to give an opposition view of tonight's Carabao Cup tie between AFCB and Norwich City.

The Canaries have strong historic ties with AFCB.

My first memories of the Cherries goes back to 1973 as a 12-year-old. City were experiencing the top English league for the second season, which then resulted in manager Ron Saunders being poached by Aston Villa. As a result, Norwich persuaded the great flamboyant ex-West Ham and Torquay footballer, John Bond to head to East Anglia having cut his managerial career as manager of Bournemouth from 1970 to 1973.

The outspoken Bond took Norwich City from the backwaters into headline makers and really put the Canaries onto the national footballing map.

It must have been tough on Bournemouth, who received £10,000 compensation for losing not just Bond but also coach Ken Brown, Ken was also later a hugely successful City manager. There were strong playing movements at that time as Ted McDougall, Phil Boyer, John Benson and Tony Powell all went in the same direction following Bond.

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Coastal Garden Buildings

Jokes appeared in the local press to suggest if City needed to sand the goalmouths over winter that Bond would order the sand from the south coast rather than from Great Yarmouth, and that Bond had requested that the City second strip should be changed to the red and black stripes with black shorts!

A Wembley final is getting closer for the side who comes out on top on Tuesday evening. Based on the earlier rounds, both sides are once again heavily rumoured to play their second strings.

Norwich have enjoyed two 3-1 victories so far, initially at home to Stevenage and then impressively beating 'Premiership' Cardiff away. On both occasions Daniel Farke made 10 changes from the preceding league game.

The starters are likely to be current fringe squad members with McGovern in goal, defenders Passlack, Godfrey and Marshall (returning from injury) midfielders Tryball, Vrancic, Hendanez and Srbeny upfront.

Only potentially eight changes on this occasion due to injuries limiting the opportunity to use fringe players. I expect Zimmerman, Lewis and Rhodes to be asked to play again following the 1-0 victory over Brentford at the weekend, City's eighth victory in the last 10 outings.

These cup games are a complete unknown to call the predicted result. There is however a great togetherness building at Carrow Road amongst the squad and the fans. The system and style of play has so far enabled forced key changes in personnel without upsetting the balance of the squad.

It's great to see Bournemouth continuing to deliver quality performances in the Premier League with a stylish young manager who has remarkably produced a settled side that evolves seamlessly.

It should be an entertaining game with two footballing sides.

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