So, one last outing for our beloved Canaries, and a chance to see a
glimpse of next year's prospects. Out go Kenton and Nedergaard (to
Southampton and Odense respectively) and in comes Briggs at right
back. We might also get to see some more of younger stars, as
Worthington uses the match to provide a taster of first team action
to those on the fringes of the first team.

Missing, of course, is Ryan Jarvis, who has been allowed to join the
England <17 squad in Portugal. His place may well be handed back to
David Healy, hoping to face his real employers. He's sure to want to
do well, either to prove that they still need him, or to attract
another club - possibly even us! I expect Zema Abbey will also get
another start, now that Iwan isn't needed to counter Jarvis's
youthful vigour!

Whether Worthington gives any of the other youngsters a surprise
start will depend on the formation employed. I expect him to revert
to a 4-4-2, so Shackell will miss out. But if Mulyne's back keeps him
out, his place in midfield could be handed to Dean Sinclair if
Russell isn't expected to hang around until next season.

Likely Line Up: Green; Drury, Mackay, Fleming, Briggs; McVeigh, Holt,
Mulryne, Rivers; Abbey, Healy. MLS

* * * * * *

I'm afraid, the match report for the Preston game may well be the
final issue of Canary News. As you all know, I'm standing down as
Chairman of Capital Canaries at our AGM on Monday 12 May, after five
years in the job. One of my first actions as Chairman was to create a
list of City fans with a passion for team news and gossip.

It started in 1998 as a simple email distribution list (at work!) of
about 20 fans, growing week by week until eventually I had to move
the list onto Yahoo in May 2000. Canary news now has over 600
members, with readers spread across the globe, and the feedback has
always been very positive.

However, without a new editor Canary News will not survive, so if
anyone fancies taking on the job of Canary News editor, then please
let me know. Thanks. MLS

* * * * * *

Division One:
P GD Pts
1 Portsmouth 45 47 95 C
2 Leicester 45 33 91 P
=========================
3 Sheff Utd 45 22 80 ?
4 Reading 45 16 79 ?
5 Wolves 45 37 75 ?
6 Not Forest 45 32 73 ?
-------------------------
7 Ipswich 45 13 67
8 Norwich 45 9 66
9 Millwall 45 -12 63
10 Wimbledon 45 2 62
11 Preston 45 0 61
12 C Palace 45 8 59
13 Gillingham 45 -10 59
14 Rotherham 45 0 58
15 Watford 45 -18 57
16 Burnley 45 -23 55
17 Walsall 45 -11 54
18 Derby 45 -16 52
19 Bradford 45 -17 52
20 Coventry 45 -14 50
21 Stoke City 45 -25 47 ?
=========================
22 Brighton 45 -18 44 ?
23 Sheff Wed 45 -18 43 R
24 Grimsby 45 -37 38 R

So, Ipswich go to Derby (now managed by ex-Ipswich boss George
Burley) knowing they need to win to guarantee they finish above us.
We know WE need to win to stand a reasonable chance of pipping them
to seventh place and the right to claim the Pride of Anglia title.

Looking at the table, Sheffield Wednesday are down, and Coventry and
Derby are just above the relegation places. All three had been
established Premiership sides. Bradford, another ex Premiership side,
are down there as well. It goes to show that things can easily and
quickly turn sour, and that several clubs risked everything to
compete at the top, and failed.

The bottom of the Premiership tells a similar story, with three long-
standing Premiership sides (West Ham, Leeds and Villa - plus Bolton)
face a nervous week or so. One of them will have the trap door open
beneath their feet, and that could push them into financial crisis -
the silver lining of course is a trip to Carrow Road! I hope it's
Leeds or Villa!

The other story from the relegation battle is that of West Brom, who
were never good enough to play in the Premiership, and never tried to
be. I think they realised that competing in the Premiership now is
almost impossible without a huge income, and West Brom just don't
command the kind of support needed. The investment in players they
would have needed to be sure of safety would have risked their entire
future. They return to the Nationwide with a healthy bank balance and
no fears for their survival. If they can retain their squad, they
have a good chance of going back up, and maybe doing a Charlton -
staying there.

Birmingham took the other route, and luckily for them it paid off.
They had the advantage of a much larger traditional fan base, and
wealthy owners. Whether they can repeat the feat next season, or copy
Ipswich and crash back down, remains to be seen, but good luck to
them. MLS

* * * * * *

From: Andy Coghlan

Just to say thanks for all the reports on the games. They're really
appreciated from a CC member "grounded" because of family
commitments. Sounds like we might not be meeting Leicester for a few
years, since we'll be swapping places next season. I did read that
the Leicester fans were more passionate in the game when promotion
was guaranteed, but that's still no excuse for their paltry
performance against us! If it'd been us, I'm sure the party would've
continued till the final whistle of the final game. Although I've
only managed a couple of games this season, I get the impression from
your reports that the fans have been fantastic, and that can only
help the players. So hopefully we can keep that going next season!
(and avoid the pcd*!) Andy Coghlan [* Post Christmas dip]

* * * * * *

From: Shaun Crowley

excellent report & analysis - as always - and always looked forward to

after 1 season as CC (many more as C fan), i've much appreciated the
weekly reports - get to every (weekend) home; but few aways (southend
ages ago, crewe last year, gills this - so not a good record of away
wins - much like the Cs!)

regarding team - again largely agree

really think W needs to pick his team (and formation) and stick with
it - not sure too many of the team can cope with so may changes of
players and formation

for me, abbey is shaping up; and i think rivers has more good games
than bad, so stick with them!

youngsters look promising if tactically a bit naive and lb for lb a
bit light weight - but in the absence of nicking beckam off RM - what
can he do!

i'm hoping iwan is being given a swansong at the end of this season,
cos despite service above and beyond, i think the time has come, etc
etc

regarding possible exits, steeno will be a shame; but daryl? i think
he's been shaping up well and that would be a double shame

despite (radio) comments to the contrary, i like mcveigh on the left,
cutting in and/or tracking back/getting stuck in/swopping over with
drury - and alongside someone doing the business from the centre,
would complement just fine at his current hit rate

kenton - on his day superb; but second 1/2 of season seemed to live
on 1st 1/2's great press - what a shame we can't benefit (£) when he
leaves

holt - let's hope the rest does him good - he's been a shadow last
few games

mulryne - when he's good he's v.v.good, but ...; again we need to
stick with him (and injuries aside) i think W would have

agree with you re. MM and CF - but no major surgery needed in
defence? at least if they push up a bit more (especially away from
home); and drury - pure class; if he can get even more confident
pushing forward (and he should when overlapping with mcveigh) then ...

greeno - for me (heart over head maybe), player of the year - a great
stopper AND a great kicker - long time since we had that!

regarding leicester game - was travelling back to london so had to
settle for saint and greavsy (sorry neil adams and alan partridge);
but was a bit disappointed that (like you, with ipswich there for the
taking and leicester clearly not up for it) W didn't show a bit more
ambition and bring on the big (insofar as we've got big) guns a bit
sooner to leap frog the s**m - after all, we were paying healy, why
not use him; and abbey - as you say, at 1 goal per 2 appearances he
was due one and we've got to stick with him

would be staggered if (despite W's press comments) we can nick a
proven 20+ goaler - that said, who knows who'll be off loaded this
summer

and finally, my one (oh alright 3) pleas for next season would be for
W to:-
1) go for it a bit more
2) pick his team and formation and stick with it
3) BE A BIT MORE HONEST IN HIS AFTER MATCH COMMENTS - a
simple "sorry" after walsall would have been nice

all the best, looking forward to 7th. shaun [ps. even after last
weekend's results, weren't we still "mathematically" still in it vs.
wolves; in which case, weren't the experiments a bit previous?]

* * * * * *