Norwich City v Ipswich Town
Saturday 16th May 2015 – 12:15 – Championship Play-Off Semi Final 2nd Leg
Carrot Road
Live on Sky Sports
Opening Thought – Jamma
24 hours after our first appearance in the play-offs for a decade and reflecting on Saturday's events still produces the tingle down the back of the neck which Mick McCarthy alluded to in his post-match comments. Personally speaking, it was my first 'live' experience of the play-off semi-finals and it certainly didn't disappoint! From Rob Chandler on the P.A. cranking up the atmosphere ahead of the match by challenging the four stands to outdo each other with their rendition of 'Singing the Blues', through to the show of mutual appreciation between players and supporters on the final whistle, it was a special occasion at Portman Road. With such hype around the so-called 'biggest ever East Anglian derby', there was a risk that the build-up would overshadow the main event, detracting from what was really at stake. But, once the first whistle sounded, it was clear that both teams were fully focused on the task at hand, resulting in an absorbing – if not always free-flowing – game of football. I won't go as far as to suggest anything approaching respect between the two sets of supporters but the usual levels of hostility even seemed to take a back seat to the importance of the football, which was played out in generally good spirits.
All the talk in the build-up was about how form and previous encounters would count for nothing, and that was epitomised by the pattern of the match. Ipswich came flying out of the traps and, if it hadn't been for a terrific double-save from John Ruddy, would have been rewarded with an early lead. The game ebbed and flowed, with neither side able to gain the upper hand. Although Norwich had started to show more intent in the final third, there was a sense of injustice about their goal, with Cameron Jerome using all his physicality to win the ball against Tommy Smith before crossing for Jonny Howson to convert. But the Blue Army had seen more than enough to encourage them, and only intensified their support in response to this setback. The ensuing 10 minutes before half-time were more like the final stages of a 2nd leg, as we pressed forward in search of an equaliser. Our attacking endeavour was rewarded in the dying stages of the half, as the lively Paul Anderson followed up on efforts by Freddie Sears and Daryl Murphy to send Portman Road into delirium. If ever there was an image of the so-called underdog hitting back to prove a point, it was this one. The second period was an understandably cagier affair, with the fans' anxiety on the terraces echoed down on the pitch, as the importance of not losing ground to our rivals took precedence over the prospect of taking a lead into the return fixture. It was almost as if both teams were sizing each other up, knowing that we were only approaching half time in the tie. We will go again at Carrow Road on Saturday, then, with the scores effectively reset to 0-0. The only difference this time, of course, is that there will have to be a result, whatever it takes...
The Opposition – Norwich City
Family Reunion
Norwich City F.C. was formed on 17 June 1902.
Following an FA Commission, the club was ousted from the amateur game in 1905, as it was deemed to be a professional organisation. Later that year, Norwich were elected to play in the Southern League and ,with increasing crowds, they were forced to leave Newmarket Road in 1908, moving to The Nest, a disused chalk pit. The club's original nickname was the Citizens, although this was superseded by 1907 by the more familiar 'Canaries' after the club's chairman (who was a keen breeder of canaries) dubbed his boys 'The Canaries' and changed their strip to yellow and green. During the First World War, with football suspended and facing spiralling debts, City went into voluntary liquidation on 10 December 1917.
The club was officially reformed on 15 February 1919. When, in May 1920, the Football League formed a third Division, Norwich joined the Third Division for the following season. The club went on to endure a mediocre decade, finishing no higher than eighth but no lower than 18th. The following decade proved more successful for the club, with promotion as champions to the Second Division in the 1933–34 season. With crowds continuing to rise, and with the Football Association raising concerns over the suitability of The Nest, the club considered renovation of the ground, but ultimately decided on a move to Carrow Road. The club was relegated to the 3rd Division just before the outbreak of the Second World War. The league was suspended the following season and did not resume until the 1946–47 season. City finished this and the following season in 21st place, the poor results forcing the club to apply for re-election to the league.
In the 1959–60 season, Norwich were promoted to the Second Division after finishing in second place. In 1962, Ron Ashman guided Norwich to their first trophy, in a two-legged final to win the League Cup.
Sixth place in the league was the closest the club came to promotion to the First Division during the 1960s, but after winning the division in the 1971–72 season under manager Ron Saunders, Norwich City reached the highest level of English football for the first time. Relegation to the Second Division in 1974 resulted in the resignation of Saunders and the appointment of John Bond. A highly successful first season saw promotion back to the First Division. Bond resigned during the 1980–81 season and the club were relegated, but bounced back the following season after finishing third.
The 1984–85 season was of mixed fortunes for the club; under Ken Brown's guidance, they reached the final of the Football League Cup at Wembley Stadium, having defeated Ipswich Town in the semi-final. In the final, they beat Sunderland, but in the league both Norwich and Sunderland were relegated to the second tier of English football. This made Norwich the first English club to win a major trophy and suffer relegation in the same season.
City bounced back to the top flight by winning the Second Division championship in the 1985–86 season. This was the start of what remains in 2012 a club-record nine consecutive seasons in the top division of English football until they were relegated to the First Division at the end of the 1994/95 season.
English television cook Delia Smith and husband Michael Wynn-Jones took over the majority of Norwich City's shares in 1996.
Nigel Worthington took over as Norwich City manager in December 2000 following an unsuccessful two years for the club under Bruce Rioch and then Bryan Hamilton.
The 2003–04 campaign saw the club win the First Division title, and they returned to the top flight for the first time since 1995, but were relegated after one season.
Following this relegation, the club entered a 'dark' period with Worthington, Peter Grant, Glenn Roeder and Bryan Gunn all taking on the Manager’s role and achieving mediocre results, culminating in relegation to League 1 at the end of the 2008/9 season.
Following their relegation, their first game of the season resulted in a shock 7–1 home defeat against East Anglian rivals Colchester United. This was the club's heaviest ever home defeat, succeeding a record that had stood since 1946, and Gunn was sacked six days later.
On 18 August 2009, Paul Lambert was announced as the new manager, leaving his post at Colchester, and nine months later led Norwich to promotion back to the Championship as League One Champions, after a single season in League One. The following season saw Norwich promoted to the Premier League, finishing second in the table, completing the first back-to-back promotions from the 3rd tier to the 1st.
A generally successful season saw the club finish in 12th place in their first season back in the Premier League. Manager Paul Lambert resigned within a month of the season's close to take up the vacant managerial spot at Aston Villa, and was replaced by Chris Hughton.
The 2012–13 season started poorly and a bad run of form that was followed by a club record unbeaten run in the Premier League. A 1–0 home defeat to Luton Town on 26 January 2013 resulted in Norwich becoming the first English top flight team to lose an FA Cup tie to a non-league side in 24 years.
Norwich secured their third year in the Premier League with consecutive victories in the last two games of the season, to finish 11th in the league. However, they were relegated back to the Championship after finishing 18th in the 2013–14 season.
One To Watch – Sebastien Bassong
With this being the fourth derby clash of the season, I am just a flapping former England goalkeeper short of a Norwich City 5-a-side ‘dream team’...
As it is looking likely that Town will have to breach the Canaries’ backline again to progress, it is time to focus our attention on centre-back Sebastien Bassong.The experienced Cameroonian defender arrived at Carrow Road in August 2012, joining the club from Tottenham, where he had worked under Chris Hughton. Bassong had had a mixed 3 years at White Hart Lane, claiming the distinction of scoring Spurs’ first Champions League goal in their history in 2010 but making a total of only 45 league appearances. The writing appeared to be on the wall at the back end of 2011/12, when he was allowed to join Wolves on loan, and the man who had initially cost a reported £8m signed for Norwich for an undisclosed fee that summer. The change of scene seemed to do the trick, as Bassong played 34 times in the Premier League, scoring 3 goals, to help the club to an impressive 11th place finish. His individual form resulted in him being named City’s Player of the Season and given the club captaincy for the following campaign. Following relegation, the 28-year-old spent time on loan at Watford earlier this season but has since struck up a solid partnership with current skipper Russell Martin. The former France U21 international, who came through the famous Clairefontaine academy, switched allegiances to Cameroon in 2009 and has won 15 caps for his country.
The Gaffer – Alex Neil
A central midfielder, Neil began his career at Airdrie in 1999, making 16 appearances before joining Barnsley in 2000.
Neil spent four years at Barnsley and featured 121 times before, in 2004, joining Mansfield Town, where he spent only one season, although he played in 41 of that season’s matches.
In 2005, he signed for Hamilton Academical, where he saw out his playing career, making 211 appearances for the club.
Known for his aggressive playing style, he is a fans’ favourite for many of the Accies supporters. Neil won the Scottish First Division with Hamilton Academical in 2008.
After manager Billy Reid vacated his managerial position at Hamilton in April 2013, Neil was appointed player/manager on an interim basis. He was made manager on a permanent basis on 24 May 2013.
Neil led the club to promotion back to the top flight in his first full season, winning through the play-off system in May 2014.
Hamilton then enjoyed a good start to the 2014–15 Scottish Premiership, defeating Celtic away for the first time in 76 years.
In January 2015, Norwich City obtained permission from Hamilton to speak to Neil about their managerial vacancy.
On 9 January 2015, Neil was confirmed as Norwich City manager, making him the youngest manager in the English Football leagues.
Past Match - Video Highlights - Trev
Trev's Trivia
Players to play for both Ipswich and that lot:
Clive Baker Ipswich 1992-1994, that lot 1977-1984
Trevor Putney Ipswich 1980-1986, that lot 1986-1989
Andy Marshall Ipswich 2001-2004, that lot 1994-2001
Alan Lee Ipswich 2006-2008 2013-2014, that lot 2009 loan
Kevin Lisbie Ipswich 2008-2011, that lot 2005 loan
John Deehan Ipswich 1986-1988, that lot 1981-1986
Media Watch - K L Blue
A reclusive millionaire football club owner has broken cover by posing for a photograph with a young fan.
Marcus Evans, who has a reported wealth of £765m, has owned Ipswich Town since 2007 but the club has never released any photos of him.
Darren Shenston said he saw him after Saturday's play-off semi-final against Norwich at Portman Road and asked if he would have a photo with his son Jake.
"I thought how nice and pleasant the chap was," Mr Shenston said.
Events management tycoon Evans has kept his identity a closely guarded secret since taking over at Portman Road. He rarely gives interviews and when he has it has been on the proviso that no recording would be used.
A photo purporting to be of Evans has circulated around the internet, and three years ago footage of him playing in a golf tournament was broadcast on Sky.
"We saw a nice Bentley and we saw him talking to one of the players, Stephen Hunt," he said.
"I said 'excuse me, are you Marcus Evans?' And he said 'yes',"
As well as posing for the photo, Mr Shenston's 13-year-old son asked him to sign his shirt.
"He was gobsmacked," he said. "He didn't think anyone would want a signature on a shirt - just the footballers'."
However, the club said Evans was not changing his stance on keeping a low profile.
Steve Pearce, media manager, said: "Marcus has always preferred to stay in the background and that won't change.
"He is not one to seek publicity and thinks the attention of the fans and the media should be on those on the pitch."
Carl Day, from the Ipswich Town Supporters' Trust, welcomed the interaction with fans.
"It's good to see he's embracing the fans," he said. "It's obvious that he's become a fan of the club since taking over."
Stat Time
Head to Head
Norwich Wins................32 (37.65%)
Ipswich Wins.................38 (44.71%)
Draws.........................15 (16.67%)
Norwich Goals...................99 (ave. 1.16/match)
Ipswich Goals...................130 (ave. 1.53/match)
Head to Head at Norwich
Norwich Wins....................18 (42.86%)
Ipswich Wins.....................23 (35.71%)
Draws..............................9 (21.43%)
Norwich Goals...................53 (ave. 1.26/match)
Ipswich Goals....................49 (ave. 1.17match)
The Predicted Teams
Norwich
01 Ruddy
02 Whittaker
05 Martin
30 Bassong
23 Olsson
27 Tettey
41 Dorrans
22 Redmond
08 Howson
04 Johnson
10 Jerome
Ipswich Town
Anderson or Tabb?
33 Bialkowski
04 Chambers
05 Smith
06 Berra
03 Mings
17 Bru
08 Skuse
11 Anderson
27 Bishop
20 Sears
09 Murphy
Match Referee – Roger East
Final Thought - Frosty
Not a lot I can add really, it’s either the last game of the season or the penultimate match before our biggest fixture in a decade.
The draw from last weekend certainly gives one real hope that the return semi-final leg is not beyond our abilities.
The first leg was classic finals football and except for a 10 minute period or so in mid-way first half where Norwich looked dominant, particularly down the right flank, I felt it was basically anyone’s game. If anything, I feel Town can go into this second leg with more confidence than the opposition as I would have been picking that Norwich would have felt that they could have come away from PR with a win.
It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise if this match came down to penalties as it’s clear from the first leg that free flowing football probably won’t be the order of the day and one can expect more of the same. It will be interesting to see how this match is refereed versus last Saturday and whether the home crowd will make a difference.
Either way, and regardless of the outcome, I am really proud of the progress the team has made this season and no-one can argue with any conviction that it has not been a successful one.
If you are travelling up to Norwich, safe journeys and I am sure excitement is already building inside for what is going to be an extremely tense 90 or 120 of football with the real possibility of penalties to follow.
NORWICH CITY 1 IPSWICH TOWN 1
Scum 0 Town 1, 
and I have booked my Wembley hospitality place for the 25th 3pm us versus Boro
Now that's not very positive!