The Canaries, who were the 3rd place finishers of the Championship last season, are in danger of being demoted back to England’s second division association football competitions if they will not be able to string some wins from here on.
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Four points now separate the two sides, although Norwich have played a game more.
Allardyce said on the Norwich win: “The players who’ve been here before have said that one result has changed the whole of the last few games”.
The Canaries are now a single point away from the relegation zone with their opponents breathing down their necks, and Neil admits his side are in for a scrap in their final four games, but believes they have what it takes to avoid the drop.
Duncan Watmore’s return gives Sunderland a fully-fit squad.
And on Borini and Defoe, Crooks continued: “I love striking partnerships and I know Big Sam tends to be more cautious away from home, but Fabio Borini and Jermain Defoe’s performance at Carrow Road may be the start of a attractive friendship”. Norwich City now occupy that slot and Sunderland are desperate to snatch it from them by season’s end starting with be a six-point belter in the matinée kickoff Saturday at Carrow Road.
Timm Klose will face a late fitness test on his knee injury, with Neil admitting the defender will be given every chance to prove he is ready for action.
As it turned out, Villa were defeated 1-0 by Manchester United sealing their exit from the Premier League.
“I think the referee let a lot go in the game, and a lot of them didn’t balance out in our favour if I’m being honest”. A draw will most definitely not be enough, while defeat will leave them needing a miracle.
Neil has told his Norwich players to keep control of the contest to ensure they are not the ones chasing the game as the clash unfolds. Here’s what to expect from the showdown at Carrow Road.
Norwich were thrashed 3-0 by Sunderland on their home turf, blowing open the relegation scrap.
Sunderland created their first chance on 17 minutes after Kirchhoff headed down for Borini who flashed a shot across goal as Sunderland started to come into the game more. “So it was definitely a pen and I took it how I know how to take it”.
This match will be Sam Allardyce’s 462nd in the Premier League; taking him to outright fourth in the list of most PL games managed behind Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Harry Redknapp and one ahead of David Moyes.
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“We have five other hard games where we have the chances to go above them”.
