The Glenn Roeder revolution gathered pace today after it was announced that Derby defender Mo Camara has joined the Canaries on loan until January 1st.
The arrival of the Guinea-born left-back is the new City boss' third signing after the additions of Birmingham defender Martin 'Tiny' Taylor and Newcastle midfielder Matty Pattison.
With City languishing at the foot of the table, Roeder clearly feels his squad is in urgent need of reinforcements and don't be surprised if we see another one or two new faces before the Canaries face Coventry in this weekend's crunch Championship clash.
“We want to get some games for Mo as we prepare for changes in the next transfer window,” Derby boss Billy Davies told the Rams' official website.
“Like the Bob Malcolm and Michael Johnson loans, this is one that could lead to something longer term.”
Camara looks set to go straight into the starting XI in place of Simon Lappin with Roeder possibly looking at utilising the Scot further upfield; with Adam Drury now likely to be missing for the rest of the season after knee ligament surgery, the arrival of a left-sided defender will be a welcome boost to Messrs Roeder and Clark.
Lappin certainly looks more comfortable in a midfield role and the Canary squad suddenly has a more balanced feel about it.
32-year-old Camara has spent most of the season on the sidelines and only has two appearances to his name ? a Carling Cup defeat on penalties to Blackpool – in which Camara found the net – and the 6-0 drubbing at Liverpool.
Camara joined Derby in the summer of 2006 on a free transfer from Celtic and played 24 games in the Rams' play-off winning campaign last season.
The pacey, powerful defender spent much of his early career in France but joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2000 and then moved to Burnley three years later after making 45 appearances for the boys in old gold.
Although deemed surplus to requirements after the East Midlanders' return to the Premier League this year, the Guinean is proven at Championship level and Derby chief Davies knew what he was getting when he brought the defender to Pride Park.
“We are delighted Mo has decided to join us as part of our rebuilding process as we continue to develop the squad,” Davies said at the time.
“He is a great player with a terrific engine and will be a very good asset for the club.”
The player himself will be looking to put an unsettled period behind him and get back to doing what he does best – play matches.
When the Rams won promotion back six months ago in their 1-0 Wembley win over West Bromwich Albion, Camara must have seen the writing on the wall and he will now be looking to get a run of games to prove to Davies he is not a spent force, although as Davies has hinted, this move ? like Matty Pattison's ? could be made permanent.
The fact that both deals run until the New Year suggests ? much like Dickson Etuhu's arrival two years ago ? that an agreement for a full-time switch to Norfolk may already be in place.
But Camara won't be thinking that far ahead just yet. 'Get some games under your belt and let's see what happens son' will be Roeder's orders as well.
The left-back has always shown his most promising form when in a settled side and will be looking to become a permanent fixture in the City back-four ? the opportunity he so craved at Pride Park.
“I was disappointed with the way I played on Wednesday night (against Doncaster in last year's Carling Cup) and I know I can do better,” said Camara, speaking to the club website back in September 2006.
“It is a bit difficult because I did not have a regular run in the side in the last few months when I was at Celtic, and that is something I am hoping has changed now I'm here.
“I will keep working hard, I know there's a lot more to come and if I can play in the side regularly I'm confident the fans will see better performances from me and from the team as a whole.”
Tom Haylett
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