Portland Timbers Preview & Transfer Round-Up

It would appear that Ricky and Ollson aren't too keen on their training kits?!

We are about 8 hours away from our final Pre-Season game of the USA Tour against Portland Timbers. So, what can we expect in tonight's game?

The EDP's resident Norwich Reporter Paddy Davitt (@paddyjdavitt), who is currently on tour with the boys reported early that Chris Hughton does plan to leave some players out tonight as a precaution against injury due to the fact that tonight's game will be played on a 3G pitch.

For those that don't know what a 3G pitch here is a little run down. As you might have guessed it is a synthetic / artificial grass pitch. 3G simply stands for 3rd Generation, it came about after recent developments in synthetic grass. The manufacturers say that the surfaces offers "maximum comfort under foot, exceptional ball bounce, ball roll characteristics" whatever the hell that is, as well as "good ball control".

That being said after watching interviews with Chris Hughton and more importantly Steven Whittaker, neither seem too keen. Chris Hughton said "the artificial surface is a different type of surface than what we are used to, but that's why we've come here to test ourselves and for these challenges... it really is a case of just getting used to it... with these 3g surfaces now they try to replicate it as close as they can to real grass... being here you can feel it is a lot softer under foot than they were a few years ago".

Steven Whittaker sounded slightly less diplomatic on the subject "we're not too keen on it... It's definitely harder, sliding is not as comfortable, you're wary of turning and your feet tend to burn up and get covered in blisters... It's not ideal but we'll try to take care of ourselves"

Chris Hughton also gave us a brief update on Michael Turner and Sebastian Bassong who he claims are both coming on very well back in England. He also confirmed that Bradley Johnson returned home yesterday to undergo some physio on this knee. He empathized that it was not a serious knock and he was expected to be back in training within a couple of days.

So with Chris looking to leave a few out tonight, what can we expect?

Well this is a tough question because he could be looking at it from two different angles. Firstly his thinking could be that he won't want to risk players whom he considers to be most important to the team! You would therefore imagine that in that scenario the likes of Ricky Van Wolfswinkel, John Ruddy, Russell Martin, Leroy Fer, Wesley Hoolahan, Robert Snodgrass and Anthony Pilkington would all be rested.

On the other hand (which is my preferred way of thinking) he could be thinking that he will leave those out that have had more match time than others. My reasoning behind this is that pre-season is all about fitness, Chris Hughton keeps telling us that as do the players. So far, out of the 3 matches; Wes, Leroy & Ricky (being the most notable) have only gotten 45 minutes of match time. Therefore I would be very surprised to see any of them left out of the squad for tonight's match. John Ruddy on the other hand I think will be rested. I suspect Nash will start in goal with Bunn coming on in the second half.

Across the back I think that Whittaker will start on the right, Javier Gariddo on the left with Ayala and Ryan Bennett across the centre.

In midfield I think Robert Snodgrass and Anthony Pilkington will both be rested. I can see Nathan Redmond coming on the right with Elliot Bennett taking the left. I would then see Leroy Fer and Wes Hoolahan starting in the middle with possibly Josh Murphy or Jacob Butterfield, Wes as always taking the free role in behind the striker, who I predict will be Ricky Van Wolfwinkel.

I think Howson will be used as a sub to replace Butterfield or Murphy depending who plays. Then either Butterfield or Murphy being used as a sub to replace Wes.

Fox could also feature in tonight's game and could well replace Leroy Fer at half time or vice versa. I do feel Alex Tettey will be rested however.

Personally I think Becchio will once again feature but I can see him only coming on for the last 20 minutes or so. I think the aim will be to get Ricky as much time as possible on the pitch. So far Becchio got 90 minutes against Dorados and 45 against San Jose whilst Ricky is lagging behind on 45 minutes only.

Surman will no doubt be in action again tonight although whether he will be used at left back again is very much unclear. I also think Gaffaiti will come on to either replace E Bennett or Nathan Redmond at half time or vice versa.

So that's my predictions for tonight in terms of starting 11, but what about results and performance wise?

Well we need to first of all bare two very important facts in mind... Portland Timbers are currently mid way through their season and are currently flying in the MLS above LA Galaxy and currently sitting in 2nd. They will be a very tough opposition especially when you consider our match fitness levels, the pitch, the heat etc etc. However the Timbers coach has been reported as saying he sees tonights game as a chance to utilize more of his fringe and youth players, so I would highly doubt we will be facing the Timbers competitive starting 11. Nevertheless tonight's game will be very hard and certainly the hardest of the 3. I would love to see us get on the score sheet tonight, and personally I would like to see Ricky get his first goal in Green and Yellow, is this wishful thinking, probably. Yes he looked sharp against San Jose BUT unless the deliveries into him are better then it will be same old same old. However this is why I hope he starts with Redmond, Fer and Ricky. Fer's passing looked great and he will look to find Ricky. I also think Josh and Redmond could link up very well together especially if Hughton choses to play Josh down the flank allowing Redmond the free role in behind the Striker.

My result prediction would probably be a score draw maybe 1-1. I would love us to get a 3-1 win but I just can't see it happening at this stage.

On a big plus note I am reliably informed (by the Norwich Website) that tonights, well tomorrow mornings, game will be streamed live on the Timbers website www.portlandtimbers.com

Definitely one of my favourite pictures from the whole tour of little Wessi Hoolahan enjoying some colouring in with Crayons! Awww bless him!

Transfer news!!!

Just like herpes this story won't go away... The Hooper Saga continues to roll on and fucking on... SSN are reporting moments ago that QPR's bid has been accepted. However as I have said to a few people already, this in no way spells the end of the Saga. He may well decide he doesn't to play for QPR and doesn't want to play in the Championship in which case he goes back to Celtic until another offer comes in. It's been reported that he's supposedly said that he wants to come to Norwich BUT I haven't seen these reports and I'm not so sure they are true (if you can find them and prove me wrong then please do, I would love to see them). Time is going to tell on this one... but sorry guys the Saga isn't quite over just yet.

Another rumour that seems as persistent as a moth to a light bulb is the Maxi Lopez story. Reports now suggest that we have had a £3.5mill offer accepted by Catania and that we have offered a 3 year deal to the 29 year old. I'm still really unsure on this one, however for £3.5mill if he's shit it's not like we have broken the bank to get him.

Reports have also surfaced today regarding Udinese Striker Matej Vydra who spent last season on loan at Watford scoring 20 goals in 41 appearances for the Welsh side. Supposedly we are one of 3 clubs interested in him including West Ham and Southampton. As a side note though it is worth pointing out that the word on the street is a lot of this talk is being drummed up by his agent, hoping to get him a move to the Premier League.

Reports today suggest that we have missed out on Anderlechts central defender Cheikhou Kouyate. We were linked a week or so ago where it was believed we had tabled a £6.5mill offer for the 23 year old. However despite General Manager Herman Van Holsbeeck suggesting an offer from a Premier League Club was imminent, he has now said that the deadline for any transfer has passed and that he is looking to offer Kouyate a new contract to keep him at the club until 2016. Having said this it is believed that his agent is hopeful of resolving the situation due to his players desire to come to the Premier League so this rumour may still have some miles to run yet.

In terms of outgoings Doncaster Rovers have apparently tabled a £1million offer for defender Leon Barnett, this seems like a fair deal and I hope he gets his move. Reports suggest he has met with officials at Rovers and is currently 'mulling' over a deal, more on this as I get it.

Right that's all for today folks, hopefully I will see you all tomorrow for a positive and happy review of the Portland Timbers match.

Don't forget you can tweet me anytime if you have a question or anything you would like me to post about using the hashtag #asklondoncanary or by tweeting me direct @chrisdeighton

I will be up late watching the game tonight so feel free to tweet me during...

'till tomorrow...

ON THE BALL CITY!