Looking Ahead to Norwich with a Life Long Canaries Fan

As Manchester City get ready to travel again after a disappointing League Cup Semi Final performance I decided to take the opportunity to talk to my good friend, and life long Norwich City fan, about the upcoming FA Cup game against his beloved Canaries. A Norwich City supporter since age 4 (when they won the League Cup and were relegated in the same season) and a season ticket holder for the last 16, Craig ‘Cheezie' Elliott says his best moments of all time were winning the play-off Final last season. Here is what he had to say to me about Saturday's match up.

CJ: What were your expectations for your club before the season started?

CE: To survive.16th or 17th finish would be fine.

CJ: How would you assess the Canaries season so far?

CE: On course for our target, played some good football and achieved a memorable win at Old Trafford. Carry on like this, with a couple of additions in January, and we'll stay up.

CJ: Alex Neil joined the Canaries as Manager a year ago on the day our two clubs meet. How would you rate his first 365 days?

CE: Impressive! Took on a huge job but quickly won over the fans and seems to have the full backing and respect of the players. A derby playoff semi final win and successful trip to Wembley topped off with that win at OT, so far so good.

CJ: What has been the best moment of your season so far?

CE: Already mentioned it twice but the Man Utd win was a proud day and great early Christmas present for us ‘Yella's'.

CJ: Thinking as a neutral now, what do you make of your opponents Saturday?

CE: Not performing perhaps as well as they should be but have some dangerous and quality players in Yaya, Aguero and Kompany. Hopefully they will get a rest!

CJ: Which of your players should the Manchester City fans be looking out for in the FA Cup game?

CE: Dieumerci Mbokani, if he starts, but have a feeling some players may get a chance to prove their worth."Big Dave" as we call him though is a strong front man, wins a lot in the air, and works hard. Not many goals in him but not an out and out goal scorer.
Our own Joe Hart, Declan Rudd, is playing very well at the moment too, with 2 clean sheets in the last 2 games.

CJ: Which player from Manchester City's squad are you most fearful of and why?

CE: Sergio Aguero! He seems to like scoring against us.

CJ: What do you think the score will be?

CE: Hard to say without knowing what kind of teams will be put out. It was close last time in the league with a late penalty stealing it for Man City. With home advantage my heart says 2-1 to Norwich, but my head says we might get to concentrate on the league.

CJ: With it being the silly season and the January transfer window who, realistically, would you like to see come to Carrow Road?

CE: 1 deal already done (Jarvis), 1 almost done (Pinto) and 1 rumored to be close (Naismith) I don't think we need anyone else. Although it looks like we missed out on Ranocchia to Liverpool, so maybe another defender.

CJ: Finally, people would not know this but you were with me in Tenerife back in 1999 when City made it out of the third tier of English football thanks to two late goals and penalties. What do you remember of that game, because I seem to remember you were buzzing as much as I was!

CE: It's a bit hazy due to the San Miguel's but seem to remember a few Gillingham fans and City fans in the bar together but a good friendly atmosphere, Seem to remember a lot of hype over Shaun Goater and Nicky Weaver (not sure what happened to Weaver). I have a photo of us two that day somewhere I think. Although the highlight of the day for me was you being called Alan Partridge by Carol Vorderman and the Scottish girls!