Our visitors have started the season in blistering form and travel here off the back of a thumping 6-0 win in the league on Saturday. We are certainly expecting a tough game tonight and will have to subdue one of the hottest forwards in the league in Christy Finch, a player we know well from his time with us.

On Saturday we progressed in the FA Cup with a hard fought 1-0 win against a very good Newmarket side. Our 2nd half performance was particularly pleasing, defending set plays into our box resolutely. It was great for Alby Matthews to get his first goal for the club, but it was his all round game that pleased us the most, having settled into the club seamlessly. It’s always difficult for new players to join an established group but in Alby we have a very humble young man with a hungry attitude to succeed at the club. We now await the draw for the next round.

Whilst we know we won’t win the FA Cup, it’s a fantastic privilege to be a part of this wonderful institution and although criticised in recent years for Premier League teams fielding ‘weaker’ sides in the earlier rounds, for me it still holds a place in my heart. I applaud the BBC’s effort to encourage interest in the competition by streaming Preliminary rounds too this season. Any exposure for clubs at our level is welcome, along with the healthy prize money, in spite of COVID, that the FA still invest for progress in the competition.

I mentioned in my first programme notes of the season how important the appointment of our Technical Director, Toby Nickerson, has been for the club and you will have all seen first hand some of the impact of his work with our new kit provider Joma and principle sponsor Keeler Recruitment. These partnerships will be unveiled further in the coming weeks, but I think it’s important to note that these relationships are with the whole football club and not just the senior sides. These activities, evidence the importance of his work, in cohesively bringing the club together to benefit us all.

Enjoy the game.

Steve Eastaugh
Norwich United Manager