Ahead of Wolves vs Norwich, we spoke with Richard from City of Yellows about the history of the fixture.
Unlike the large majority of City fans who seem to take a dislike to Wolves, created I believe, by the agricultural, infamous Kevin Muscat tackle on a young flamboyant Craig Bellamy, I have a long standing soft spot for Wanderers.
Like the Canaries, Wolves are blessed with unique kits as the canary yellow is not dissimilar to the famous old gold colours and thus creating the bygone tradition of wearing the second kit for each contest rather than the modern phenomena of multiple kits being changed annually to cater for the club shop tills.
As a 70’s teenager I was influenced by the great striker John Richards (385 games, 155 goals) everything you would expect from a number nine. Having family in Northern Ireland, another Wolves legend I was interested in was Derek Dougan (255 games, 95 goals).
I also loved the club badge monogram containing the two W’s and a Wolf leaping above… truly a classic emblem. I also have memories as a 10 year old watching Wolves play in the UEFA Cup and getting to the final, they are strong recollections as 1972 coincided with Norwich having their first ever season in the top flight. In that historic season, it finished 1-1 at Carrow Road with Norwich City losing 3-0 at Molineux. Norwich having generally gone home empty handed when travelling back from the Black Country, the record so far shows only 13 wins, 15 draws and an unpleasant 30 defeats.
Another great Wolf worthy of mention is of course the clinical finisher and legend Steve Bull (474 games, 250 goals). I saw Steve representing England at Wembley in a friendly against Uraguay, had Wolves operated further up the league pyramid whilst Steve was playing, I’m sure the International record would have had had a bigger impact on his career and England’s success.
On a recent wet Sunday afternoon, I fancied some more City nostalgia and visited YouTube to watch grainy, vintage City games. I came across seven minutes of the Anglia Sunday football highlights ‘Match of the Week’ and relived a 4-0 home defeat to Wanderers which included top players including Andy Gray, Jon Parkin, Kenny Hibbitt and Richards. At that time my all-time favourite City player and World Cup winner Martin Peters (206 games, 44 goals) was strutting about in midfield and ghosting into goal scoring positions… just not in that particular match.
The footage is more significant for me as it shows me pushing a sweets trolley complete with Tea Urn around the touch line – see if you can spot me when City get a corner up the old River End terrace.
Fast forward this season, Wolves are by a country mile the best side to play at Carrow Road. We were well and truly beaten. The pace of movement, the directness and the way Wanderers attacked in numbers helped to produce an easy win. Norwich City fans were still seeing their team find their way under new management, a new playing style and with many new recruits.
The current Norwich way is a very slow build up with three at the back, two holding midfielders, the roving Maddison and Murphy and Oliveria trying hard with little reward up front. One goal a game is currently the best we can hope for. Therefore unless Wolves can contour up the same performance as earlier in the season, expect a 0-0 or a 1-0 which could go either way.
If City can hold out, we get stronger as the game progresses which is built on double training sessions and lots of running. The defence is far stronger than the one which travelling Wolves fans witnessed at the Carra.
Best wishes for your assault on the Premier League next season.
City of Yellow is a Norwich City blog, bringing news and opinions from the East Anglican club. Check out their blog here – https://cityofyellows.com
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