When Schalke’s Ralf Fährmann was rumoured, in the early part of last week, to be in the sights of Stuart Webber and Daniel Farke, I have to confess to having been caught a little off guard.
Not because I didn’t expect us to be in the market for another keeper – with the best will in the world, Michael McGovern has all the hallmarks of a Premier League number three – but because I’d assumed that anyone who came in would automatically do so as Tim Krul’s number two.
But Ralf Fährmann has pedigree and, it seems, is part of a group of German keepers who can legitimately claim to have ‘sweeper-keeper’ on their CVs – Manuel Neuer, of course, being the most notable of this bunch. All of which would make the Schalke keeper a great fit here.
The official line appears to be that Tim Krul and Fährmann (pronounced ‘Fear-man’, I’m told) will compete for the keeper’s jersey and ‘may the best man win’, but for the club to shell out a reported €3 million for a loan fee signifies a fair amount of intent. He’s not upping sticks from his homeland for ten months to come and sit on the bench.
Equally, Krul is not known for his faint heart or defeatist attitude, so it promises to be quite a battle, with McGovern mainly in charge of balls and cones.
I do wonder if there is another rabbit to be pulled out of the Webber hat before it all gets serious. It appeared we were, at some point, in for the Benfica midfielder, Filip Krovinovic, even though central midfield is not an obvious area that needs surgery.
The overriding message seems to be that sentiment plays no part in a squad overhaul when the Premier League awaits. Make no mistake, every single one of those players who participated in last season’s title win deserves a crack at the Prem, no question, but, equally, Webber, Farke and co will have discussed those they think may excel and those they think may fall short.
You can never have too many good players and complacency is not a word in Webber’s vocabulary. If they have identified a player they consider an improvement on what we already have and he’s available, then sentiment won’t come into it.
Successful organisations don’t tend to become so through just being nice, and loyal to those who have time served, and right now Norwich City Football Club is a successful organisation.
That ruthless streak clearly applies to the goalkeeping department, just as it does every department of the club, through from the playing side to the admin function to the media team, and everywhere in between.
Similarly, there is a clinical edge to the way the club goes about raising funds through its commercial activities right now – one that doesn’t sit particularly comfortably with some supporters. The prospect of the LeoVegas tie-in coming to an end was welcomed by those who questioned the ethics of partnering a gambling company, only for the frying pan to become the fire.
Ben Kensell’s attempt to explain it away as Dafabet being Asian-facing as opposed to UK-facing was about as convincing as his revised explanation of the membership scheme, but ultimately he’ll see both as storms that have to be ridden out. His job is to raise funds that will bolster the playing side of the club, not appease those who question the ethics around how those funds are raised.
Talking of which, the club is about to receive a significant boost in the I&E line that reads ‘Merchandise (replica kits)’. For anyone who is yet to see the launch video of the new kit, please watch it…
And if that doesn’t get the hairs on the back of the neck standing up, nothing will. The appetite for the new season is now well and truly whetted.
Congratulations must go to the video production team who excelled themselves, with the array of City legends, including a lingering glimpse of Justin on the tunnel wall, providing the perfect backdrop to the eventual sight of Teemu Pukki adorning the new kit.
In one minute 12 seconds, they manage to encapsulate perfectly what it means to support Norwich City. In their own words; For the County. For the City. For every single fan – all a far cry from the hard-nosed decision-making that has taken us from Championship to Premier League season.
So, there are folk at the club who get it, while others make the tough decisions that make many of us shift uncomfortably, but we’re about to enter the most unforgiving, ruthless and cash-laden league in the world.
Whether we like it or not, there is a price to be paid if we wish to be competitive – especially being the only self-funded club in the league – and further down the line, I expect there to be more decisions that will strike a chord for the wrong reasons.
That, people, is the environment in which we now find ourselves. We don’t have to like it but, I fear, we do have to accept it.
Hello Gary, you’re right, I was also caught off guard by Fahrmann’s signing, though as soon as one thinks about it, the answer is obvious, if you are going to bring in another keeper, why wouldn’t you bring someone in good enough to challenge Tim Krul, as with McGovern already there, theres’s not much point otherwise?
It’s certainly been a very low key transfer season so far, except for lots of interesting strengthening of the U-23s. No additional striker yet there though, and we have some vacancies.
In the main squad, all that’s really missing now is a RB back up for Max Aaron, as we currently have no-one. It will be interesting to see what happens to Caleb Richards when he returns, but he plays on the left side.
As you’ve mentioned the other rumours have been around defensive midfield. That’s interesting. Tom Trybull was the incumbent at the end of the season, with Alex as back up. Then Louis Thompson is back again, and undoubtedly in the Championship that would be sufficient, especially if Louis can stay fit for a while. I’m sure they have their potential targets there, and the early part of pre-season may determine a lot eventual decision making.
3
Good to see someone who understands the implication of the umlaut!
I think you’ve nailed it Gary. We can’t laud the Club for being hard nosed about bringing money in from elsewhere them moaning when they squeeze us. For all the romanticism it’s a business at the end of the day.
4
Absolutely, on all counts. As a minor nit-pick, I think the pronunciation is more like Fair-man.
3
not wanting to sound know it all. was not surprised by it, a certain web site has been lambasting Krul for weeks. not that is the reason to bring in another.
. I saw several keepers linked that never seemed part of the silly ones. But getting Fahrmann, did get get me thinking hard, as well as the Who. as you say is not moving across to God’s County to warm any bench.
Some of the other keeper names were clear (well to me) spoke of Krul still being No 1 with them less experienced being the cover, but with Fahrmann arrival I not so sure now; both are very experienced proven keepers, with Tim’s only advantage being he knows a little about the league.
Competition cannot be a bad thing.
I still believe we need right back/come winger cover for Max, Jamal’s side is covered with Heise , defensive midfield has space for another, Tetts struggles a little over game time, Trybull & Lietner will need a hand. Not sure if Thompson – as much I like him is ready for the jump, reminds me of one Korey Smith, promotion came too soon for him. The defence was a little leaky at times so a good wall in front will be even more needed, even perhaps another addition to te centre back ranks.
The rest is covered with enough .. although Srbeny still has an even bigger question mark hanging over him, I am excited to see what Idah can do, but surely it does point to a learning experience more than a playing one. So whether another striker is still on the radar remains to be seen.
I feel this is one of the stranger close seasons I can remember, feeling very confident in what the club is doing recruitment wise, no churning stomach at any inactivity, plus actually looking at the names linked knowing it is pie in the sky from lazy writers who have not taken the time to digest what Webber keeps saying.
It will be on us soon, when all the talking has to stop….then over to the King of the East and his bannermen
1
Systemic improvement is at the heart of all successful organisations and that is exactly what is occurring at “little old Norwich”
So the hard business decisions such as shirt sponsorship will get done and as long as it facilitates the upgrades and improvements then the dear old fan base can like it or lump it. I suspect most fans like the improvements enough to get over the shock horror of having a betting firm logo on their shirt. And there is an easy answer if they cannot.
As you rightly state there isn’t room for sentimentality on the pitch, it must come down to always upgrading on player ability whenever possible.
So if it’s Ralf or Timm in goal in their defjabet goalies shirt I’m sure we will all be roaring them on come August. Oh and the best signing of the pre season took place with barely a fanfare. Herr Farke brexit or not we are happy to have you for another 3 years.
7
Hi Gary
A very good read.
As with everyone I was taken way off guard with this signing especially with the reported out lay€3m plus all his wages and a bonus if city stays up and no purchase clause, seems a lot of cash for 10 months , is it a see if you like us and visa versa.
Todays rumours
Hanley wants to stay and fight for his place
Marshall possibly going to Hull on a season loan, why not cut our loses on this and offer him to them at a reduced fee.
Husband has been told no future at the club again cut our loses.
Oliveria he is really taking the urine, big offer from Greece that his agent wants him to take but by the looks he us happy to take the Dracma from city and sunbathe on Mousehold Heath.
Rhodes is trying to get Wed to let him leave for reduced fee, Wed need to sell before buying and he is one of their most high profile and high earns they need to get off the books this will go to the wire who will blink first.
Reed still an option as he has no real future at Southampton and he prefers city over Blackburn.
That’s my take on the last few weeks of the transfers that could either make or break cities season.
Onwards and Upwards
OTBC
3
One of the key factors about being a self funding club is that there is little room for sentiment. I expected a goalkeeper addition but what did catch me out was the similarity with Krul, I possibly anticipated a slightly younger keeper as we look a few years ahead but maybe that is Oxborough who will surely have a good loan arrangement set up. This squad COULD be complete, the areas that look light could be covered by player versatility, for instance Godfrey could cover for Trybull and Aarons, Hernandez could be a third striking option, Srbeny maybe cover for Stieperman. I’m sure the management have this all in hand and could work with what they have if need be. Shirt sponsorship doesn’t really bother me but that could be because I never got gambling, I can happily bet on horses, win or lose and then not bet for another 5 years, I can also enjoy a bet with no stake or return, the kick is not there for me but it clearly is for other people, maybe the gambling industry needs to fund research that identifies why some have a gambling problem rather than face blanket restrictions. I’m not keen on single match betting due to concerns about match fixing. I also had more of an issue when we were sponsored by Flybe as subsidised short haul budget flights are not sustainable. Back to sentiment the club has to get the balance right about dealing with fans. There are those who travel to every away match and I would suspect that it makes good business sense to ensure that they are able to continue to do so, the club will want as many Norwich fans to attend each match as possible, i’m not sure whether the new membership delivers that. The club can consult up to 30,000 fans easily, they have our contact details, they have our buying data. It is useful having the group who arrange those social events and help in fundraising and I can see a benefit in inviting fan/journalists for interviews such as MFW’s Connor as these are a good way for the club to communicate without fear of the message being twisted. I think there are still gaps in fan engagement especially in the 16 to 30 age range (maybe 14 to 25) and maybe we need a general fan group rather than the half dozen groups who discussed the membership plan, they do individually serve a purpose but a generic overall group would be useful
3
Yes Gary, I too was surprised by the signing of Fährmann and I think MB in his weekly column on Friday explained the reasoning behind the thinking excellently.
I posed the question last week re the new kit and lo and behold – it appears. I wholeheartedly approve and whilst along with what seems like the majority of fans, would have preferred other than a betting sponsor, accept it and thank goodness it is FAR less obtrusive than Leovegas was.
Judging by the tweets and comments since its launch – it has received incredible support from the fans and first day sales were outstanding!!
4
Good one Gary.
Systematic improvement has to be the way, bringing in only players who improve on what we’ve got.
I’ve thought for some while that Stoke had the right idea.
They were promoted with Ricardo Fuller up front and upgraded every season with Cameron Jerome, Kenwyne Jones and Peter Crouch. Buying an affordable but better player each season seems sensible and sustainable.
I’d like and expect City to go that way.
2
Food for thought Gary and some pertinent comments. As John point out, being a self funded club means there is little room for sentiment. A premise which a few have seemed unable to grasp. The money has to be found from somewhere and if the ownership is not forthcoming other avenues will have to be explored. The club can’t run on gas and air.
With regard to the goalkeeping issue, the main thrust of the dissent appears to be that Fahrmann is a better goalkeeper than Krul, an upgrade, when a back up would have meant Kruls place was secure. A bizarre way of thinking bit in line with the fuzzy headed nonsense which saw Hamilton worm his way into the top job or Bryan Gunn installed permanently despite everyone knowing it would only end one way.
Similar issues surrounded the reigns of worthington, Adams, hughton and Neil, much to the detriment of the club.
It would be nice to think that such sentimental claptrap had been consigned to the bin but let’s reserve judgment on that for the time being,
5
Slight pronunciation correction, Fährmann is more “Fair-man” than “Fear-man”, and to easily access the ä, simply press and hold the “a” 😊
4
Great minds! See my response to Robin’s comment above.
1
“there’s a a price to be paid if we wish to be competitive – especially being the only self-funded club in the league”, that’s a mantra that’s starting to make me bristle somewhat. Just how robust is that phrase – time for some words.
2
1) As we all know city is a self financing club who much us the bottom line needed to survive.
2) we all hear about the fabulous wealth the Premiership clubs receive so what happens to the money
3) There is an increase in the players expectations both on salary and bonuses
4) More will be expect to pay for incoming players as again clubs not in the Premiership will expected
city to be able to pay more for the player in question (Rhodes and Sheff Wed)
5) Being a well run club and keeping within the financial budget set by the board what will happen to
any surplus money ie save to finance another promotion, Build a new City stand or something else.
We all want city to be financially successful and improve the team and ground raising the capacity to over 30k would be great, sponsorship will be another income stream if city’s are to continue using Gambling sites as a sponsorship then they should ensure that the said site donates money towards helping those with gambling addictions.
Would there have been such an outcry if city like a few other Premiership clubs had instead of using a Gambling company had used Carlsberg, Heineken or any other Beer related company, someone mentioned using a charity emblazoned on the shirts like Barcelona this would indeed be great if we didn’t require the revenue to stay a self financing club.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
0