Jacob Sinkins of Read Norwich has kindly answered some questions regarding this weekend’s crunch tie down at the bottom between Newcastle United and Norwich City.
Newcastle ran out 6-2 winners in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, where Gini Wijnaldum bagged four goals and Moussa Sissoko racked up four assists.
The teams down the bottom did plenty of business in the January window. Were you happy with what was brought in at Norwich?
I am overjoyed with Norwich’s January business. We made some crucial signings to plug our defence and bulked up our attack. For me, Timm Klose was the best signing in the division and Norwich may have to battle to keep him in the summer.
Norwich have certainly played some good attacking football this season and always created chances but lacked in defence usually. Is the defence going to be the primary concern if you are to stay up this season?
Defensive errors have led to lots of goals this, yes, however we have begun to iron them out – and back to back clean sheets have proven that.
The relegation battle is certainly going to go down to the wire, how many points do you think will be enough for safety?
I believe that between 38-40 [Newcastle are currently on 25, Norwich 28] points will be enough for a team to stay up this season.
Alex Neil took the job as a relative unknown and led the team to promotion, however, has come under scrutiny lately. Is he the right man to take the club forward?
Someone has finally told Alex Neil how to manage a football team. He has put an end to his love affair with Cameron Jerome and started playing strikers who can actually hit a barn door with a banjo. He is a project and I think that he could be the Norwich manager for a long time to come.
What is your opinion on the appointment of Rafael Benitez and how it will affect Newcastle’s remaining games?
The ‘Rafa Revolution’ has been too little too late in my view. Steve McClaren was in charge for long enough to ruin Newcastle’s survival hopes and Rafa will take his pay cheque and leave for a big European side in the summer, having done very little.
Saturday’s game is massive for both sides and 3 points could really set the tone for the final fixtures. What is your prediction for Saturday and how do you see the bottom half of the table finishing up?
Saturday will be a 1-0 Norwich win, and the bottom of the table will be as follows…
16. Crystal Palace 17. Norwich 18. Sunderland 19. Newcastle 20. Villa
