Norwich face tough task against skilled pace setters

Fulham, top of the Nationwide League First Division, will be out to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season when they face struggling Norwich City at Carrow Road this afternoon.

Fulham, top of the Nationwide League First Division, will be out to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season when they face struggling Norwich City at Carrow Road this afternoon.

Jean Tigana's side have nine points following their 4-1 home win over Stockport yesterday, and the County manager Andy Kilner believes Norwich are in for a difficult afternoon.

"Fulham are a quality side," he said. "I've never seen a team play like them." After their defeat, Kilner must lift his players for their home game with Huddersfield.

Second-placed Bolton will be full of confidence on their trip to Tranmere following their 2-0 home win over Preston. Wanderers' manager, Sam Allardyce, is delighted with his strikers and said: "With old hands Dean Holdsworth and Ian Marshall combining with Isaiah Rankin and Michael Ricketts we can maintain our challenge."

Preston must re-group before they host Wimbledon, but their upbeat manager, David Moyes, said: "If Bolton are one of the favourites, then we didn't look out of place."

Blackburn paid a tribute to the club's owner, Jack Walker, who died 10 days ago, by beating Norwich 3-2 at Ewood Park to maintain their fine start. They face Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Their manager, Graeme Souness, said: "Jack Walker was the club, and we badly wanted to beat Norwich for him."

Watford's manager, Graham Taylor, will be hoping for better luck against visiting Sheffield United than he experienced in the 0-0 draw at Wimbledon. "We did everything right in the first half, barring hitting the back of the net, and we were also denied two clear-cut penalties," he said. The Blades' tails are up following their 2-0 home win over Tranmere, which their manager, Neil Warnock, described as the "best performance since I've been here".

Barnsley aim to keep in touch with the leaders when they travel to Birmingham, and their manager, Dave Bassett, is confident after their 4-1 home success over West Brom. "I have to praise the players' character and their attitude as first class this season," he said.

West Brom's manager, Gary Megson, was not so happy, and his bottom-placed side faces two testing home matches starting with QPR. Their manager, Gerry Francis, has injury worries over Ian Baraclough, Karl Ready and Gavin Peacock, and he is not happy with his side's fixture list. After Rangers' 1-0 win over Crewe at Loftus Road, he said: "We have now had four games in nine days, which is a ludicrous situation."

Crewe look set for another relegation battle after taking just one point, but their manager, Dario Gradi, said: "If worrying made any difference then I would worry myself to death."

Wolves face Portsmouth at Fratton Park after recording their first victory of the season at home to Burnley. Despite the loss, Burnley's manager, Stan Ternent, was in positive mood before his team entertain Gillingham, saying: "We played particularly well and if we maintain that level of performance we will be all right."

Sheffield Wednesday's manager, Paul Jewell, was delighted with the Italian Michele di Piede, who scored the only goal on his debut at Grimsby. "He's keen to do well for the club, and the fans responded well to him," he said.

Grimsby's assistant manager, John Cockerill, was not too despondent and he said: "We did everything but put the ball in the back of the net."

Crystal Palace's manager, Alan Smith, could hardly be in a better mood going into the home match with Nottingham Forest after the Eagles' 2-1 win at Huddersfield. "I was extremely proud of the lads, especially after last season's 7-1 thrashing," he said.