It is one of those situations where the world and his wife can't help but speculate. Might not always be helpful, but sometimes it's just the nature of the beast – to wonder out loud…
It was just the same as when Paul Stephenson was putting out the bibs and cones at Bloomfield Road – something was clearly afoot, even if the one-time Hartlepool youth coach hadn't actually officially been unveiled as Norwich's new first team coach. He was there though – right in front of your very eyes.
Likewise with Gunny yesterday. There he was, tracksuit on, warming up Messrs Marshall and Arnold before the Wolves game as he continued to step into Jimmy Hollman's shoes and act as City's stand-in goalkeeping coach.
Hollman, Roeder revealed on Friday, is apparently 'on holiday' – or at least until such point as the club issues a statement otherwise. Which may still confirm that Hollman is still in his role. Nothing is decided yet.
But as the mystery lingers for a few more days, so a name crossed old Ferret's path – one that could add more spice to this week's brew as the January transfer window opens for business.
It is one of those names that makes sense; one that you can see a logic to – even if it remains just that. A name.
Pavel Srnicek.
The 39-year-old former Newcastle United keeper is a revered figure on Tyneside.
One that both Roeder and Lee Clark will know all too well. It was, after all, Roeder who brought Srnicek back to St James' for a second, emotional spell last year to act as short-term cover for Shay Given and Steve Harper.
Srnicek's wish of being granted one last appearance in front of the Toon Army was duly granted – albeit for only three minutes as Given disappeared with a slight groin strain. The welcome he was granted was long and heart-felt. The guy's a hero.
Come this summer and Srnicek was released by new boss Sam Allardyce. It is where he went next which is fascinating – he went home to the Czech Republic. To his home town of Ostrava. As in Banik Ostrava.
?I'm back in the Czech Republic working for Banik Ostrava,” Srnicek told the Evening Chronicle in October, as he returned home for a Prince's Trust charity match.
?I look after all the goalkeepers in the club, and scouting for new talent,” he added. “I'm putting something back into football.?
Mmm. Like old Ferret said, may still be nothing. But if City are about to have a vacancy at goalkeeping coach and have a ?700,000 Czech striker wandering round the back of Colney looking something of a lost and lonely soul, Srnicek could kill two birds with one stone.
He could be just the sort of friendly, familiar face David Strihavka needs.
Interesting.
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