In light of the possibly impending doom we face in the coming weeks, ive started to ponder what the problem is. We don't have the lowest wage bill in the division, so why are we so often looking short of quality when we need it? It got me thinking about how we like to make positive noises every transfer window when none of our first team get pinched by anyone else. Perhaps this isn't such a great thing? Are we successfully batting away suitors or is no one actually that interested in our lot? Currently on whoscored.com 's team ratings we are rock bottom of the prem. The last time i can remember us having a player who moved to another Prem club and did well was Ashton (before the injury) For the last 6 odd years the only players we'v found a prem buyer for have been the following. fer - qpr (now in championship) snodgrass - hull (now in championship) jed steer- villa (soon in championship) mark bunn-villa (soon in championship) grabban - bournemouth (eddie howe brainfart moment) We seem to have a crap track record of spotting potential future prem quality players, and often become a loan shop/ retirement home for known entities instead. Shame. Incidentally when Kane was with us his market value was est 375k! Now its 22.5 M (might explain why he seemed a bit **** back then...
Don't we? If we haven't it must be very close. Only other possible contenders surely are Watford and Bournemouth?
I'm not so sure it's the spotting that's the problem, we certainly don't appear to be able to sign the right players or use them effective when we do. For example in the past Alderweireld & Van Dijk both appear to have been on our radar and seem to be making the grade in the PL. Afobe as well, although I guess we're find out next season if he is another to slip through the net. We also had Kane on loan.
I agree, we spotted Ruddy, Martin, Holt, Hoolahan, Howson, Brady etc, who have all gone on to play and play some good stuff in the PL. Whether we got the best out of all of them and get the best out of others that we have signed is another question entirely. Lambert for his sins had our players punching above their weight and made a number (Maybe all of them!) look better than they were perceived. That none of hootun, Adams or Neil have done so since maybe speaks volumes. That said even under Lambert we never looked like we could defend so that is definitely an ongoing issue. Even Brady who looked a world beater to start, has looked less and less a force as the season has worn on. Lambert and his players undoubtedly had the stars align as much through luck as anything, but his team really was greater than the sum of it's parts. Even last seasons promotion winners I'm not sure I could say the same about them. Bah!
So Lg1 standard at best Grabban may be the only ex or current Norwich player in the Premier league next season ?.
Frazer Forster, Peter Crouch, Bamford maybe, Kane maybe and hopefully not unless with us; Brady, Klose, Redmond or Howson. Bah!
But they were all loanees General, not actually our own..Maybe we can sell RvW to Middlesborough to swell the ranks.
Good chance RvW will be back in the squad next year if we go down and lose Mmmbok and Bamford. Ironically Hooper or Laffs could probably do a decent job for us next year if we drop.
I agree, but Jerome's going to need some backup. We've not exactly been beating potential new recruits off with a stick in the PL. I suspect if we do drop AN's going to be even less impressed with his potential forward options. Edit: sorry that was responding to @General Melchett - long day here!
Yes and look at the impact he's had. About as much as he had here. The best transfer deal we made all season.
Has he actually scored a goal for them yet? He should be done for false advertising, a striker who doesn't.
