West Brom V Norwich at The Hawthorns : Match Preview

21 December 2012 14:01
West Brom V Norwich - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Mulumbu suspended for Baggies

West Brom will be without suspended midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu for their home Barclays Premier League encounter with Norwich.

The DR Congo international will serve a one-game ban after incurring his fifth yellow card of the season against West Ham. His midfield partner Claudio Yacob (hamstring) remains doubtful.

But goalkeeper Ben Foster is pushing for a recall after his return to training this week following two groin operations which side-lined him for six weeks.

Steve Clarke has warned of the dangers of complacency as West Brom look to ensure their season does not fizzle out after a flying start.

The Baggies climbed to third place in the table before a run of one point from the last four games that has seen them drop to seventh position.

Clarke is still happy with the overall picture, but he knows the importance of West Brom building on their solid foundations.

Clarke has been impressed with the form shown in recent weeks by Norwich under Chris Hughton.

He said: "They have been fantastic. Chris has gone in there and done a great job.

"He probably took a few games to get his message over about how he wanted the team to play and approach the games, but since they've picked up what Chris wanted them to do they've been great.

"They defend well, they're strong, they're comfortable in the league and they're always a threat and look like they can score a lot of goals.

"They're also confident. It's a challenge for us but I think it's one we're ready for."

Hughton knows in-form Norwich are only as good as their next game.

The Canaries head to the Hawthorns on the back of a superb 10-match unbeaten run which has seen them climb away from the wrong end of the table.

It is a remarkable turnaround in fortunes, which has included home wins over Arsenal and Manchester United, and in stark contrast to before the October international break, when four defeats from seven games had seemingly left a long hard campaign ahead for the Norfolk club and their new manager.

However, despite all of the plaudits now heading Norwich's way, Hughton knows things can quickly turn again as he prepares his squad for a tough Christmas schedule which also includes home clashes with Chelsea and Manchester City before a trip to West Ham on New Year's Day.

"To be on the run we are is testament to the work the players have put in. However, you don't like to dwell on it too much, because it is all about the next game," Hughton said.

"We have four very tough games coming up in this [Christmas] period, but we are in confident mood, and there would be something wrong if we are not because we are in a very good run."


Source: PA