Archives for June 2010

A £500,000 transfer fee has been mentioned in some quarters and it is thought that Paul Lambert is on the lookout for an extra striker to add to the mix. But as recently as last week, new Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler denied that they had received any sort of communication from Norfolk.

“At 23-years-old he’s already got great experience and has played in the Premier League. He will give us balance and like everyone else, he will come in and compete for a place. He certainly knows the Championship and I’m sure he will do well for us.”

“I’ve now had the operation and it will get me back for the start of pre-season. If I’d left it two weeks, it might have been cutting into pre-season. And I want to be in The Championship; the team needs everyone firing on all cylinders for next season.”

“His was on a bigger scale but mistakes happen anywhere in this game,” said Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach. “I personally believe he is a great goalkeeper and should stay in the number one shirt.”

“Watford will be tough and with Malky coming back there will be a wee bit about it as well, so I’m looking forward to that one,” said Norwich boss Paul Lambert. “Then we have Scunthorpe and they did great to stay up last year under Nigel Adkins.”

“Obviously it’s gone a lot better than I had ever hoped – on both a personal level and on a team level. We knew we needed to achieve promotion, but to go on and win the league in the manner that we’ve done it is fantastic.”

“Declan Rudd is a fine young man and a good goalkeeper,” said Paul Lambert last season. “He works hard and will be one to watch, that’s for sure. You will not see a finer goalkeeper of his age.”

“His progress in the last 12 months has been fantastic and, as with all players, you look to see development each season,” said Newcastle boss Chris Hughton. “His stats at Norwich last season speak volumes for just how well he’s been doing.”

“I would be angry if I was a U’s fan now. Ideally they would have wanted to get more money in with the financial situation, and the fact that the chairman has been more worried about getting Norwich a six-point deduction for next season – which helps Colchester in no way whatsoever – makes no sense.”

“Wes Hoolahan is just a very good, skilful player and he was on fire when Norwich beat us 2-1 at the Banks’s Stadium in January,” said Darren Byfield. “You can see why Norwich have built their side around him.”

“He scored two goals in his first games for us and did well,” said the Canary chief. “We have brought him in because he can pass a ball. He is a natural passer and in the first two games last year at Colchester he was in terrific form.”

“I didn’t get any proper coaching until I was 21 or 22 and it made the world of difference when I did,” said Andy Marshall, talking about his new venture. “The idea is that we’re a professional outfit and we want to bring that level to grass roots football and show the kids what it’s like to be a professional.”

“I like lads I have seen myself and Ewan will come back and say this is it, ‘you have a look’. It doesn’t matter to me whether he’s European or not if I think he can do a job for this club,” said Norwich boss Paul Lambert, speaking to the media yesterday.

“People talk about my injuries but that was a long time ago,” said the Canary new boy. “I have been fit for a long time but It is hard to get back in a side that keeps winning. I have been fit for a long time now and am itching to play regular football again.”

“There’s been a lot of speculation linking him to other clubs and that’s understandable as he is an excellent young manager with a competent and motivated coaching team backing him up,” said chairman Alan Bowkett. “We’re delighted that Paul has signed a new deal.”

“The current group were brilliant for me last year, really brilliant, but they need a hand. That’s what I will try and do. I will try and give this club the best chance,” said boss Paul Lambert, who has been strongly linked with a move for Rangers defender Steven Smith.