Marshall wants early goal up other end

CHRIS LAKEY

City keeper David Marshall knows only too well how an early goal can settle a few nerves - now he wants to see one going in at the other end of the pitch.

Marshall was beaten twice inside the opening few minutes at Turf Moor on Tuesday as Burnley set down a marker which the Canaries couldn't reach, despite a late effort by Chris Brown.

West Brom away today won't be any easier, and the former Celtic knows a little of what to expect from a side managed by Tony Mowbray, who spent two and a half years in charge of Scottish Premier League side Hibs.

“Hibs were a very attacking side,” said the Canaries number one. “He usually plays three up front or one up and two wingers, so it'll be a tough game, but we can cause them problems, I know we can.

“Obviously it's a big disappointment with big John (Hartson) not playing because I think he's looked dangerous whenever he's played, but I think if we can get the first goal that changes the manner of the game, so hopefully if we defend better it gives us the chance to do that.”

The fact that West Brom are the leading scorers in the Championship, with 25 goals in 12 matches, is not lost on Marshall.

“They've struggled away from home but are very strong at home,” he said.

“Kevin Phillips has scored a lot of goals this season as has the boy Ishmael Miller. They've got a lot of good options and on the bench because my mate Craig Beattie from Celtic signed in the summer and at home they've been very good and scoring a lot of goals so we'll have to be a lot sharper than we were in the first five minutes up the road.

“It's a hard game but they've all been tough games. The boys have not played the real top sides as well yet so we've got some tough games coming up like the derby and Watford as well. We have to get points from somewhere because we've not done well the last few weeks so hopefully they'll come on Saturday.”