Match Preview - Norwich City v Birmingham City. 29/1/06

Is this the biggest game in the Capital Canaries' history? There are arguments to say that it is...

Sure, last year's cup final was huge - and a great day out, but the fact was that the yellows were massive underdogs that day as they faced a Hibernian team who had swept all before them for the previous two years. That day the performance was outstanding from Norwich, but the quality was not quite there.

This weekend the capital Canaries face Birmingham City in the Quarter-Final of The Dave Baister Cup. As things stand Andrew Higgins' men sit in second place in the Apfscil league on a run of three successive victories culminating in an 8-2 victory over Crewe Alexandra at the Civil Service last week. Norwich are top of the form table, Higgins has just won manager of the month and their veteran stopper Peter Harris is back from his honeymoon in Australia. The fact is that at the moment, Norwich City are joint favourites to lift the Dave Baister trophy at even money alongside Hibernian.

Many pundits have been talking about their respect for the way Norwich City have changed their style and formation this season, and stuck with what they believe in despite some disappointing early results. This week Alan Hansen said... "Defensively they are sound, they have a solid back three marshalled expertly by Daniel Taylor, a player I very much admire".

David Pleat was also heard to say "I admire their blend of youth and experience, Higgins has put together a side capable of challenging for the league next season, and with one or two additions in key areas there is no reason why they cannot rule the Apfscil for the next few years"

And in Swindon, Ron Atkinson took time out from his new television documentary to say.... "There is one thing I like especially about the Capital Canaries squad but I don't know if it's in my best interests to tell you what that is".

So why is this the biggest game in the club's history? The answer is simple - they now have the quality, the desire, the drive and the opportunity to win this trophy and lay down a marker to the rest of the division that the yellows will be a force for the next decade. However, no cup games are easy - and the team must take this opportunity to show the doubters that nothing will get in their way and that they have a true "winning mentality".

Venue: Fullers Sports Ground, Chiswick
Kick-Off: 2pm

Squad (From)

Bennett
Boucher
Davies
Gallagher
Harris
Howard
Higgins
Parling
Perrett
Seecharan N
Semple
Slater
Stephenson
Taylor
Utting
Wilson