2008/09 Fixture List

Norwich City have been sent to Coventry as they kick off their Coca-Cola Championship campaign.

Glenn Roeder's men begin their 46-match programme by taking on the Sky Blues at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday, August 9.

It is the second time in four seasons that Norwich have been handed Coventry away as their opening game - though the opening match of 2005-06 was switched to Carrow Road because of delays in building work at the Midlands club's new stadium.

After a midweek Carling Cup first round trip to MK Dons, City's home league campaign begins with the visit of Blackpool on August 16.

The East Anglian derby matches against Ipswich Town are scheduled for December 6 at Carrow Road and April 18 at Portman Road, though these games are usually put back to Sunday kick-offs.

Boxing Day brings a trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace, with newly-promoted Nottingham Forest the visitors to Norwich two days later on Sunday, December 28.

There is no match scheduled for New Year's Day.

Easter Saturday, April 11, brings an away trip to Swansea, while City play host to Watford on Easter Monday.

Norwich City boss Glenn Roeder believes City's away form will be critical in the 2008-09 campaign after watching too many goals missed and points dropped on the road last year.

Talking to the club's official website, he said: "In our first five games we've got three away games at Coventry, Cardiff and then Plymouth, which I welcome as it gives us the perfect chance to put one of last season's key problems right, namely our away form.

"Although we did have some good performances away, far too many times we created and missed too many chances and we lost points as a result. That's something we'll obviously be looking for a clear improvement on and there's no reason in my mind why that shouldn't happen.

"I don't understand why so many teams do reasonably at home and then struggle away. It's a mental barrier, simple as that. We have to improve away from home and with the fantastic away following we have there's even more incentive to do just that. They come in such impressive numbers and they deserve to see chances being put away and good performances which bring good results."

"I'm happy to start at Coventry as I know Chris Coleman well and I know his sides like to try to play attractive, positive football, something we also strive for. It should be a great start to the season."

t FULL FIXTURE LIST

2008

AUG

9 Coventry A

16 Blackpool H

23 Cardiff A

30 Birmingham H

SEP

13 Plymouth A

16 QPR H

20 Sheffield United H

27 Barnsley A

30 Southampton A

OCT

4 Derby H

18 Bristol City A

21 Wolverhampton H

25 Doncaster H

28 Derby A

NOV

1 Burnley A

8 Preston H

15 Swansea H

22 Nottingham Forest A

25 Crystal Palace H

29 Sheffield Wednesday A

DEC

6 Ipswich H

9 Watford A

13 Reading A

20 Charlton H

26 Crystal Palace A

28 Nottingham Forest H

2009

Jan

10 Sheffield United A

17 Barnsley H

27 Southampton H

31 Doncaster A

FEB

3 Wolverhampton A

7 Bristol City H

14 Preston A

21 Burnley H

28 Coventry H

MAR

3 QPR A

7 Blackpool A

10 Cardiff H

14 Plymouth H

21 Birmingham A

APR

4 Sheffield Wednesday H

11 Swansea A

13 Watford H

18 Ipswich A

25 Reading H

MAY

3 Charlton A

t Carling Cup

AUG TBC MK Dons (first round)A

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