Norwich City fans can take heart from at least one set of good omens as they prepare for the East Anglian derby against Ipswich.

Norwich City fans can take heart from at least one set of good omens as they prepare for the East Anglian derby against Ipswich.

On the last four occasions Town have played a side who have just appointed a new manager they have lost.

Glenn Roeder's first match in charge of the Canaries, at Carrow Road on Sunday, pits them against an Ipswich side looking to win away from Portman Road for the first time in 12 outings.

Jim Magilton's fourth-placed Town will have to guard against the “new manager” jinx spoiling their weekend.

The opening game of last season saw Peter Taylor win his match as Crystal Palace manager 2-1, and Tony Mowbray was appointed the day before West Bromwich Albion won 5-1, also at Portman Road, on October 14.

Brian Laws' first game in charge of Sheffield Wednesday was when they won 2-0 at Ipswich on November 11, and Simon Davey's opening contest as Barnsley boss was when Ipswich lost 1-0 at Oakwell a fortnight later.

Of course, the last time Ipswich faced a Norwich side boasting a new manager they were also well beaten.

This was Bryan Hamilton's first match in charge in March 2000 when the Canaries won 2-0 at Portman Road through two Iwan Roberts goals - with Magilton in the Town side.