Norwich City (A) | Match Preview
The Game
Norwich City v Argyle. Carrow Road. Good Friday, 29 March. 3pm. Sky Bet Championship.
The Opposition
Norwich are a formidable force at their home ground. The Canaries are unbeaten in their last 11 games at Carrow Road, winning nine and drawing two in that time. They have won their last six, scoring 18 and conceding four in that sextet of matches. Those wins have come against West Bromwich Albion (2-0), Coventry City (2-1), Watford (4-2), Cardiff City (4-1), Sunderland (1-0) and Rotherham United (5-0).
Away from home, things had not looked so good, as City had picked up just two points in four, before winning 3-0 at Stoke City in their last game.
Norwich have 61 points from their 38 games, and are in sixth place in the Championshiop table.
The Gaffer
David Wagner took over as Norwich City manager in January 2023, taking over from Dean Smith. Smith was sacked with the Canaries fifth in the Championship at the halfway stage. Although Wagner won six of his first nine games in charge, his new side only one of their last 11 league games.
German-born Wagner spent his playing career in the country of his birth, but he represented the USA at international level.
After returning, he took up coaching, and became the manager of Borussia Dortmund's second team, while Jurgen Klopp was first-team boss. Wagner became manager of Huddersfield Town in November 2015. His first full season, in 2016/17, saw Huddersfield get promoted from the Championship to the Premier League, via the play-offs. He kept the Terriers in the top flight, but left the job midway through the following campaign, with Huddersfield bottom of the league.
He spent just over a year with Schalke, which did not go well, as he was sacked and club was subsequently relegated. His next job was with Swiss side Young Boys, whom he took over when reigning champions. With his team second in the Swiss league, he was dismissed. Ten months later, he joined Norwich.
The Squad
Forward Josh Sargent (below) played in Norwich City's first four league games of the season - scoring in three - before an injury kept him out until late December. He was soon back in the goals, scoring in his second substitute appearance back, against Southampton, and has scored nine in his last eleven games, taking his seasonal tally to 13, from 20 games in total.
Gabriel Sara is one of only two players to have started every league game this season for Norwich. The Brazilian attacking midfielder signed in the summer of 2022, from Sao Paulo. He has ten goals from his 38 games this season.
Another ever-present in the City line-up is Kenny McLean. With 36 caps for Scotland, McLean will make his 200th league appearance on Friday, should he appear. Having made over 100 appearances for St Mirren then Aberdeen in the Scottish top flight, midfielder McLean joined Norwich in January 2018.
Earlier This Season
Argyle's biggest win of the season came against Norwich, in the campaign's eighth game. Argyle came into the game on the back of a 4-1 defeat at Bristol City, but soon put memories of that aside with a stunning first-half performance.
Morgan Whittaker scored twice, accompanied by goals from Dan Scarr and Finn Azaz, before half-time. Whittaker sealed his hat-trick on the hour mark, and although Adam Idah scored two in reply for Norwich, before Luke Cundle added a coup de grace in injury time to make it 6-2.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will be wearing their white away kit for this game.
Tickets
Tickets will be on sale on the day of the game, from Carrow Road, but are payable by card only.
Argyle TV
Commentary will be provided from Carrow Road by Harry Salvidge and former Argyle midfielder Karl Duguid.
Argyle TV’s pre-match show, hosted by Charlie Price and Ian Stonebridge, will begin at 2pm, and will be available to watch for free on YouTube.
The match is available for domestic and international supporters to stream on Argyle TV. Buy a match pass to watch the game, here.
