The sides will meet in the league for the first time since 2009, and it serves as the type of fixture the Pilgrims were relishing upon their Championship return last season.
Schumacher enjoys strong personal relationships with a host of City staff – with Norwich allowing Plymouth access to their Colney training facilities ahead of their 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town in January.
“David (Wagner) came over and had a chat with us when we were training there. He was a really nice fella, obviously a top manager,” the Argyle boss told the Plymouth Herald.
“We know Andy Hughes really well, who was their loans manager and now he’s on the first team staff. We have got good relationships with them. We understand where they are at as a club. In my eyes, they are a Premier League team and I’m sure they will be desperate to get back there this season.
“I think their performances so far this season have shown what they are all about. They are really good going forward. I watched them against Leicester and they were unlucky not to get something from the games, especially second half. I thought they were excellent.
“It’s going to be a tough game but it’s one I’m really looking forward to. It’s what we wanted to get to the Championship for, to go up against the best managers in the league and put ourselves up against the best teams. Hopefully we can do better than we did Tuesday.”
Plymouth have won two of their three home matches since promotion to the Championship, but Schumacher is expecting a step up in quality when Norwich visit Home Park.
Both sides are hoping to respond to midweek defeats. Plymouth will be hoping home advantage has an impact on this weekend’s clash.
“I always like playing at home. We have enjoyed it over the last few years. We have always put on a good show and give a good account ourselves, and that will be the same message against Norwich.
“We know we are coming up against a top team in the Championship,” the Plymouth boss said. “It’s going to be a really difficult game but, also, it shouldn’t be an easy game for them either.
“We need to do the basics right, that we felt we didn’t quite do on Tuesday night (in the 4-1 defeat at Bristol City), try to defend better, try to look after the ball better when we have got it and cause them a problem where possible. If our fans can get behind us then that will help.”
There will be no Plymouth reunion for City striker Ashley Barnes who has been sidelined until November with a medial ligament knee injury.
Barnes made 25 appearances for Argyle between 2007 and 10, scoring on two occasions after bringing the striker up the leagues from Paulton Rovers.
Schumacher was disappointed that Barnes has been robbed of a Home Park reunion and wished the 33-year-old well in his recovery.
“I’m gutted for him because he played for Argyle before. I know his mates who live down here really well and they were all looking forward to the game,” Schumacher said.
“Whatever the injury is, whatever the extent it is, I wish him well and he gets back as soon as possible, but you just look through the whole of Norwich’s squad and it’s on another level. They are a brilliant team and we have to be really organised if we are going to do well against them.”
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