It's nearly time for that annual game of ins, outs, shake it all abouts! I know we have two (2) games left to play this season, including our first Wembley appearance in many a moon, but the rumour mill has started churning already, with suggestions that Chelski may be interested (again) in John Ruddy? So am I being a shade premature in starting a thread where we can keep tabs on who's going where, etc?
I feel whatever league we are in the investment needs to be made in defence. Another strong CB to partner Bassong, a new RB and possibly cover at LB? If we were to go up then I think it is essential to bring in another player similar to Tettey who can break play up and screen the back 4. I wouldn't be surprised if we lost a big earner for a few £££'s to help balance to books if we don't go up.
I think we could lose a few as AN will have his own thoughts on who he wants to keep and I'm sure he has some ideas of who he wants to come in. all I am sure will depend on what league we end up in. If it is the Prem then we'll be looking at minimum one CB and I'd like us to get a creative player but not Dorrans who just doesn't seem to be able to impose himself on a game in the Champ let alone the Prem. If it's the Champ again then I can see a few of our better players looking for the exit
I can envisage a fairly hectic window, with AN looking to re-shape the team to his style. Promotion will see quite a few departures I would hope. I know people say keep faith with those that got you promotion, but we hardly set the championship alight with champagne football. There are few genuine premier players in our squad. And failure to go up will bring departures from the top end of our talent pool.
Agree with that. If we don't go up then I am sure that austerity will be the order of the day with high profile departures, few incoming players and far greater reliance on the youngsters at the Club. AN has a reputation for bringing through youngsters and I suspect that this was on McNally's mind when AN was appointed.
If it's the Championship again, it is more likely to be tweaking to Neil's style rather than major changes, unless players leave. We hardly played "champagne football" under Lambert in the Championship either, but we have been the best team in the league since Neil arrived, so the potential is there. If we go up, I'd hope that we add quality rather than quantity. If Neil doesn't feel that Miquel is sufficient back-up for Bassong and Olsson, I'd like to see a quality left-sided CB who can also play at LB. I also wonder whether Neil sees EB as sufficient cover at RB, given his excellent performance there against Fulham. We need another striker if RvW and/or Lafferty aren't coming back or if Hooper leaves and cover on the left side if Neil doesn't feel Josh is sufficient there. Beyond that, it's more about replacing any who leave.
As I see it Rick both RVW and Lafferty are coming back and still have time to run on their contracts. With Jerome, Hooper and Grabban that makes 5 and none of them look up to the task if we go up and probably 3 of them will have to go - assuming somebody is prepared to pay a fair price - if we stay down.
Joseph Baffo, anyone? Centre back who can dep. at full back. http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/05/20/report-norwich-city-looking-to-sign-joseph-baffo/? Mods, can we add this to the list of 'stickers' as it's likely to be fairly well used over the next couple of months?
Can see some sense in that Cromer, as he can play anywhere across the back line. The down side, though is that he is right-footed.
Doesn't look like a player with a very big reputation. Don't know whether that's good or bad... I'd be surprised given that he doesn't seem to play for a mid-table Swedish side every week. Incidentally, Halmstads BK are the team Roy Hodgson won two Swedish titles with in his first managerial post. He considers it his biggest achievement as he won the title having been tipped for relegation.
Well done, Resurgam. I was looking for this thread earlier and it had disappeared down the list. I ended up starting another thread on the possibility of Patrick Bamford as a possible loan signing next season, given his ability to play as either a striker or an AM. Alex Pritchard could be another possibility at AM, but both would probably depend on promotion to the PL.
Transfer Central TNC @TransferNewsCen 22s23 seconds ago Chelsea are set to move for Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. (Sunday Mirror) Potentially good news in the Ruddy department if true
I know it means more money, but I can't see why any keeper would want to move to Chelsea to sit on the bench most of the time.
Begovic doesn't make sense in the slightest, he's playing every game and is too young/talented to be a second keeper.