Many people fancied Norwich to win a play-off place under new manager Bruce Rioch.

They arrive at Valley Parade in 12th place still only five points behind West Brom who are sixth, but recent results do not inspire confidence.

Norwich suffered an embarrassing 4-3 home defeat against relegation threatened Port Vale on Tuesday and manager Bruce Rioch must tighten up their defence if they are to have any hope of competing for a play-off place.

Rioch is one of the most experienced managers in the league, but his ambitions have been thwarted by a lack of money to spend in the transfer market.

In contrast to City manager Paul Jewell who has spent £4.25 million since the end of last season, Rioch's only buy has been Celtic midfield player Malky Mackay who cost £350,000.

But the club have recruited well from their own locality and seven of their first team squad are from East Anglia.

They also have some highly promising young players like Peter Grant, the newly capped England under-21 midfield player and right sided player, Chris Llewellyn who plays for Wales under-21s.

The two 27-year-old central defenders, Matt Jackson and Craig Fleming both have West Yorkshire connections.

Fleming, who was born in the Calder Valley, began his career with his local club Halifax Town, but it was with Oldham that he made his reputation. He played 164 league matches for the Lattics before joining Norwich last season.

Leeds-born Jackson was a useful squad player at Everton where he made 138 Premiership appearances without quite being able to establish himself as a regular member of the team.

While at Goodison Park he had loan spells with Charlton, QPR and Birming-ham before joining Norwich three years ago.

In attack, Norwich have few problems and Iwan Roberts with 18 goals and Craig Bellamy with 17 are among the best pair of central strikers in the First Division.

The experienced Roberts, now 30, will be particularly familiar to City fans.

He has scored more than 130 league goals for five clubs, Watford, Huddersfield, Leicester, Wolves and Norwich.

And City will need to watch 23-year-old Republic of Ireland left winger Keith O'Neill who supplies much of their ammunition.

O'Neill helped to change the game for Norwich in the match at Carrow Road earlier in the season .

City were leading 1-0 early in the second half with a first half goal by Isaiah Rankin when O'Neill came on as substitute to pose a threat down the left. and they managed to force a 2-2 draw.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.