The point of this story might be quite simple.
Not that Christian Dailly isn't coming to Norwich – and why not? Rather the fact that the 33-year-old's exit to Southampton today means that it is now even more likely that no-one else from West Ham United is heading this way.
Do the numbers.
Before today and Curbs had six centre-halves to call on – Rio's kid brother Anton, the ex-Cardiff pair of James Collins and Danny Gabbidon, plus Matthew Upson and, of course, Calum Davenport. Oh, and Dailly.
Of those, Upson is by and large the gimmee to start – given that Curbishley brought him in over the summer. And in the way that these things work, that makes the one-time Arsenal youngster Curbs' boy.
After that and it's bit of a mix and match with Anton being all too close to the 'Baby Bentley' crew of last season – with all the fun and games that his unscheduled 22nd birthday trip to the United States brought. When, of course, he was off to see his 'sick' grandmother on the Isle of Wight.
Collins has already said that he wants to stay and fight for his place, which only leaves Gabbidon and Davenport. That's when Curbs will be asking himself as to whether he wants to go down to four centre-halves by letting one of them go.
Either way, there'll be fees and wages to come.
The fact that George has bitten the bullet and snatched Dailly for an initial month doesn't help anyone's cause with Dion now definitely out for a month – particularly after Sheffield United stepped in for Gary O'Neill out of Aston Villa this week.
But, in fairness, he is a Sheffield boy. Across the city and Wednesday have also dived in – this time for Derby's Michael Johnson. He's 34 and left-sided; given Granty's love of balance that's not the side he's looking for.
“He's played a lot for Scotland and been at West Ham for many years and he's versatile,? George told the Southampton Echo today. His need is probably even greater than Norwich's – he's barely had a fit centre-half to his name all season.
“There is no doubt with Claus (Lundekvam) and Darren Powell out we've been short in that department. Christian is a leader, a good character, he's enthusiastic.?
And having watched him play, George decided he was no Lucien Mettomo who popped in for a trial at St Mary's and was again politely shown the door. Just as he was at Norwich. Dailly, he liked.
“I've seen him, he's still fit and still hungry to play. I watched him in the reserves and he did well and he is keen to come,? added George. “He was out early in the season with a broken toe, but he's come back and is fully fit.
?I'm pleased he's agreed to come for an initial month and we'll take it from there.?
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