Norwich City

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Dutch football writer Michael Statham says that there is quite a big difference between former Canaries striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel and City new-boy Sydney van Hooijdonk.

"Van Wolfswinkel has had a great career in the Netherlands and in other countries but he lacked size and presence - van Hooijdonk has more about him in a physical sense so that's what makes me think he'll succeed better in England," said Statham.

Van Wolfswinkel played just one season for the Canaries in 2013/14, where he scored only one Premier League goal.

"To compare him (van Hooijdonk) with a player who's played in the Eredivisie and English football, the first one that comes to mind is Sebastian Haller. He's physical, great in the box, scores all kinds of goals, can head the ball too," said Statham,

"I think people will notice his physicality - the first thing you saw (for Norwich) was him clattering into a player so he's going to get stuck in - he wants to get involved," he added.

Van Hooijdonk turns 24 today!

The latest Scrimmage podcast is available now.

Joe Dean and Chris Reeve learn more about new striker Sydney van Hooijdonk from Dutch football expert Michael Statham.

Plus, studio guest Will Grant shares his punditry around Norwich City's youth team.

Head here to download and subscribe.

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Norwich City striker Josh Sargent scored his sixth Championship goal of the season in the win over Coventry on Saturday.

While the Canaries have tasted defeat 12 times in the league this season, Sargent has only been on the losing side twice.

The USA international missed 20 Championship matches after suffering an ankle injury against Huddersfield Town in August.

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On this day - 5 February 2022

Kenny McLean scored a first-half winner as Norwich beat fellow Premier League side Wolves 1-0 in the FA Cup fourth round.

Scotland midfielder McLean flicked in a header into the far corner from compatriot Billy Gilmour's cross.

Dean Smith's side went on to face Liverpool in the fifth round, where they lost 2-1 at Anfield.

BBC Radio Norfolk's Norwich City fanzine show The Scrimmage is back at 18.00 GMT on Monday.

Chris Reeve and Joe Dean are joined in the studio by Canary fan Will Grant, he knows his stuff when it comes to the club's Academy players.

Plus, Dutch football expert Michael Statham is on the show - he will run the rule over Sydney van Hooijdonk's arrival at Carrow Road. The Dutchman made his debut on Saturday against Coventry.

Listen live at 18.00 GMT here.

Norwich City midfielder Gabriel Sara hasn't worked with new striker Sydney van Hooijdonk for long, but the Brazlian reckons the Dutchman will be a success at Carrow Road:

Earlier we had a quiz question based around Norwich City players who have never scored for the club despite making over 75 appearances.

Our thanks to Steve Sanders for providing these interesting stats:

It's been quite a few days for Norwich City midfielder Borja Sainz.

The Spaniard scored a cracker in the FA Cup defeat at Liverpool, and followed it up on Saturday with a brilliant winner against Coventry.

His team-mate Gabriel Sara thinks his Championship goal was the pick of the two:

You can hear a full interview with Gabrial Sara here.

Norwich City head coach David Wagner is clearly enjoying proving a few people wrong, as the Canaries mount a serious Championship play-off challenge.

Here he is speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk's Chris Goreham:

Cedric Anselin's thoughts on Norwich City 2-1 Coventry City

Norwich City came from a goal down to beat Coventry City 2-1 at Carrow Road. The win puts the Canaries within one point of the Championship play-off places.

Former City midfielder Cedric Anselin was the guest summariser on BBC Radio Norfolk, here's some of his full-time thoughts:

"We (Norwich) didn't start very well in the second half and went one nil down, but we managed to find a way to stay in the game and get our noses in front with two beautiful goals.

"Good build-up and the second one from Sainz - incredible strike from outside the box."

He continued: "We stopped Coventry's momentum with their 12 games unbeaten. It's good for David Wagner to step-up and keep that momentum right till the end, and we will see where we finish."

You can hear more from Cedric Anselin on Canary Call, hosted by Rob Butler.

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Here's the answer for our quiz which was set by BBC Radio Norfolk's Chris Goreham. A reminder of the question:

Ben Gibson scored his first goal for the Canaries last Sunday in his 106th game.

That means since 1990 there have been just two Norwich outfield players with more than 75 first team appearances who haven’t scored a single goal. Can you name them?

The answers:

Shaun Carey (1995-2000) - 76 appearances

Dimitris Giannoulis (2021-present) - 93 appearances

Thanks to everyone who joined in.

The team news is in and new signing Sydney van Hooijdonk is on the bench for the Canaries for their Championship game against Coventry at Carrow Road.

Here's the Norwich side in full:

Gunn, Stacey, Duffy, Gibson, Giannoulis, Nunez, McLean, Sara, Fassnacht, Sainz, Sargent

Subs: Long, Fisher, McCallum, Hanley, Sorensen, Hernandez, Gibbs, Barnes, van Hooijdonk

You can listen to full live commentary on BBC Radio Norfolk FM, DAB and Freeview.

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Here's some stats from OPTA ahead of the Canaries taking on the Sky Blues at Carrow Road on Saturday (15.00 GMT):

• Norwich City are unbeaten in their last seven league games against Coventry City (Won 4 Drawn 3) since a 2-1 defeat back in February 2009

• Coventry have won just two of their last 25 away league visits to Norwich (D12 L11), winning 2-1 in January 1989 and 2-1 in February 2009.

• Norwich City are unbeaten in their last six home league matches (W4 D2), last enjoying a longer unbeaten run at Carrow Road between October 2020 and April 2021 under Daniel Farke (18).

• Coventry City have won their last three away league games, last winning four in a row on the road in February/March 2020 in League One. In the top-two tiers, they last did so in March 2004.

• Jonathan Rowe has scored five of Norwich’s last 10 Championship goals and has 12 league goals this season, twice as many as any other Canaries player (Adam Idah, 6).

Time for our pre-match quiz, with a question set by BBC Radio Norfolk's Chris Goreham (he got some help from our regular columnist Steve Sanders too):

Ben Gibson scored his first goal for the Canaries last Sunday in his 106th game.

That means since 1990 there have been just two Norwich outfield players with more than 75 first team appearances who haven’t scored a single goal. Can you name them?

What a cracker! Send your answers here.

Norwich City head coach David Wagner is among the bookies' favourites to take over as Huddersfield Town manager.

The Terriers are looking for a new boss following the sacking of Darren Moore earlier this week. (Yorkshire Post, external)

Your views on Sydney van Hooijdonk

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We asked for your views on Norwich's new signing Syndey van Hooijdonk, here's some of the comments:

Jason - Let’s give him a chance. His goals to game ratio looks impressive. Seems like he has point to prove after his loan to Italy didn’t go too well. Hoping he’s involved on Saturday.

Nigel - To me it seems we have offloaded some players, which is a good thing, and added someone with decent potential. I think we all would have liked a CDM added but I assume that if Knapper doesn't get his targets then we don't waiver and get another player in for the sake of it?

NCFC Nodge - I know diddly squat about him. However, Idah didn’t ever achieve his potential, so I’m pleased that I have some kind of hope. Good test as Knapper's first signing. Strategy of quality over quantity perhaps?

Stocksy - If he runs and challenges he will be an upgrade.

Gordo - What his Dad did is of no consequence, remember Paul, son of Kenny? If people need to judge, let it be on him alone. Remember he will be in the erratic set up of one David Wagner.

WW1 on this day: I heard from Holland that he's sometimes good and can score goals, that's for sure. Might be a good fit for the Championship.

Graham - Can he play centre half?

Stephen - Hat-trick on Saturday 👍🏻😂

Have your say on Norwich's new striker

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Norwich City new signing Sydney van Hooijdonk says he has received a warm welcome at the club.

The 23-year-old Dutch striker joined the Canaries on loan until the end of the season from Serie A side Bologna.

He will wear the number 14 shirt for the team and is available for Saturday's Championship game against Coventry City (15.00 GMT).

van Hooijdonk told the club's official website: "The last few days have been hectic. Flying in yesterday and doing all the medicals. But finally, everything is done. I'm really happy.

"The training ground is amazing, and the facilities are great. I think there's everything to perform and work hard.

He continued: "I've met almost all the lads, and they're all really nice. It's been a warm welcome."

What do you think about City's new man? Get in touch here.

Norwich City have completed the signing of Dutch striker Sydney van Hooijdonk on a loan deal which will keep him at Carrow Road until the end of this season.

van Hooijdonk joins from Serie A side Bologna. He arrived at the Italian side in 2021 but has struggled to settle and has no league goals to his name at the club.

The 23-year-old has had more success while out on loan in his native Netherlands though, scoring 16 goals in 35 appearances last season for Eredivisie team Heerenveen.