Yeah we're back to 1 out, 1 in on overseas players. Leitner our would be my guess, given the number of midfielders we have now.
We have played many games with players out of position because. Klose Godfrey Zimmermann Handley Are our first choice centre backs and I doubt any of them are anywhere near 100% fit now , Lewis even covered last game as Handley hobbled off. Are any of them close to Prem quality? Perhaps Klose but he will be lucky to feature again this season . We were also forced to play 18 year old Idah last game because all our strikers are ****ed, but yeah midfielders is what we need
We've replaced Roberts with Duda, which looks like a potential gain, given that Roberts never played a league game for us. Rupp is harder to fathom, considering we already have Tettey, Amadou, Trybull and Thompson at DM. Is it because we're likely to lose Amadou at the end of the season? Presumably DF knows Rupp and what he might bring. Surely we'll need a replacement for Srbeny and if we sign a decent striker then Rupp might make more sense. If he does strengthen us defensively then it will be a good move. Apparently he can play CM, AM or WR. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lukas-rupp/profil/spieler/82863
From memory, the loan for Amadou is turned permanent in the summer if we stay up, but presumably this is planning for him leaving. Like I said above, I think Rupp isn't a "6", in the way Amadou, Tettey, Trybull and Thompson are - he's more an "8" who would play alongside one of them. If he is more a DM - Tettey's contract expires this summer, Amadou likely leaves, Trybull frequently has injuries, and so does Thompson. We'd likely need reinforcements there in the summer. It doesn't really look like a striker is on the cards to me.
I'd like to see him play in his best/preferred position and see if he can keep us up and justify that fee! Bah!
That is what Sevilla paid for him, though it was euros. Our option price is €9m. Like GM I'd like to see him get a run of games at DM before we pay that.
Perhaps like Trybull he's a CM with good defensive skills rather than a DM. That he can play further forward or WR suggests that you're right DH.
Weren’t we linked with Biglia years ago? https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...ce-sign-AC-Milan-midfielder-Lucas-Biglia.html
Why would we do this now ? Probably a rehash of the story that we were interested in him in 1066 or something..........
Meanwhile, according to the daily fail: "Chelsea recall Conor Gallagher from loan spell at Charlton as Burnley and Norwich wait in the wings in the hope of taking on the highly-rated teenager." https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...an-spell-Charlton-Burnley-Norwich-circle.html
Interesting look at what roles Duda and Rupp might play for the rest of the season: https://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city...e-is-in-question-after-new-signings-1-6465366
To quote: "Admittedly, key defenders being absent through injury hasn't aided their cause, but the manner in which City's midfield has conceded space and lacked cohesion has proved terminal in their quest for safety." Plus this HYS comment from "Jaz": "I'm surprised how few people have realised midfield is the real issue." The penny is finally dropping!
Matt Jarvis played for Woking yesterday in a friendly against QPR U23s. Even as a crock he should be pretty effective at that level.
Even if he just took the corners and free kicks and sat down for the rest of the game he'd have an impact.
That's true, Robbie, but it's really a combination of factors. One is the lack of a consistent CB pairing (lack of CBs at times). Another is FBs bombing forward to support the attack without covering their space. Often midfielders have to drop back to do that, leaving a gap in the middle. ManUtd exploited that ruthlessly, but we made it too easy for them. As a result, confidence has dropped match after match. DF has adjusted here and there as the season goes on, but unless we can get some results now, survival looks a long way off. Hopefully Duda and Rupp can make a difference, but I'm not holding my breath.