Cardiff vs Norwich (preview)

The main talking point this weekend will be the return of former city favourite Robert Earnshaw in his first competitive game back at Ninian Park since his £3.5m transfer to W.B.A. 2 seasons ago. Earnie has played in a friendly and Andy Legg testimonial match and received a warm welcome both times.
Earnshaw has been speaking of the game and has promised to 'do the Ayatollah' on request of the Cardiff fans. It seems unlikely he will perform on every request or he's have no time to play! Hopefully he will not score and the famous somersault will not be seen at Ninian Park this weekend but Earnshaw will be confident having scored 2 late goals in a 3-2 win over QPR last weekend. Another former City player may return this week in the form of Peter Thorne who joined Norwich at the start of this season when City needed to cut the wage bill dramatically. Thorne has played only a bit-part this season as he has spent a lot of time sidelined with various niggling injuries. Thorne played a huge part in Earnshaw's success at this club with his fantastic flick-ons and intelligent support play and our defenders would need to be wary of his leaps at the back post where he stays airbourne for at least a minute! Thorne may not recover in time for the match from a hamstring problem.

Dave Jones has indicated he will be using several youth players in the remaining games so Joe Jacobson, Byron Anthony, Curtis McDonald, Jamal Easter and Darcy Blake could all make the squad while reserves prolific scorer Andrea Ferretti may again make the subs bench.

Purse, Whitley and Boland are all out with Neil Cox set to continue at centre-back while the midfield gap may be filled by Koumas (Parry & Cooper on wings) or by moving the versatile Joe Ledley to central midfield and Barker coming in at left back.

The final home game in a good season for the Bluebirds and against a club playing in the Premiership last year and the return of the prodigal son of Cardiff in Robbie Earnshaw should make for a good days entertainment. Don't Miss it.

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