Norwich clash mutually appreciated
The Championship clash between Norwich and Wolves is a real mutual appreciation society – as far as the managers are concerned.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy and Norwich counterpart Glenn Roeder have a few things in common.
At 49 and 52 respectively, the McCarthy and Roeder were ball-winning centre-halves in an uncompromising era of the late 1970s and 80s. Both retired in the early 1990s before moving into management with the club they finished their playing careers with, Millwall and Gillingham respectively.
They never played together, but while McCarthy built his reputation with Barnsley, Manchester City, Celtic, Lyon and Millwall, Roeder plied his trade with Leyton Orient, QPR, Newcastle and Watford.
Through completing the Pro-licence together, they have formed a friendship in addition to their mutual respect earned as players.
McCarthy said: "Glenn's a pal of mine. I don't like to see him struggling and he'll be grafting his tail off, no question. I did my Pro Licence with him and he's good – I like him.
"He's just having it tough at the moment and Norwich are another one of those clubs that were in the Premier League not so long ago. They seem to be struggling a bit financially.
"I haven't seen them so I don't know (whether they're in a false position), but Glenn has had to sell a lot of players and has taken a lot of loan players in.
Roeder, who has eight loan players, knows his old mate will put him to the test.
He said: "I know Mick very well – we did our Pro licence together and we're a couple of old centre-halves who played in the same era. We've always got on particularly well.
"That doesn't mean we always do for the 90 minutes when we're in opposition, but Mick McCarthy is a good guy, a good football person.
"We've watched a fair bit of their play this year and they've played very well. But all teams at the top score goals and that's what they've done consistently. So we're going to have to be at our very best defensively."
Norwich may be forced to ring the changes tonight. On-loan Wigan striker Antoine Sibierski and defender Adam Drury were substituted before half-time of Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Bristol City with ankle problems.
City could well start with two different centre-halves, after on-loan Celtic man John Kennedy suffered another blow on the ankle on Saturday. So the new defensive line-up could be Dejan Stefanovic – available after a two-match ban – and Gary Doherty, who could start for the first time this season.