According to City boss Glenn Roeder, it was a case of 'wait and see' this afternoon as thoughts turn to significant movement through the incoming door after last week's Canary clearout.
David Strihavka, Julien Brellier, Chris Brown and young keeper Joe Lewis all said goodbye to Carrow Road in the past seven days and whilst the sales of Brown and Lewis for a combined ?800,000 represented good business, Roeder's squad suddenly looks rather bare again.
The City chief admitted he would like at least two new faces before Saturday's crucial home clash with big-spenders Leicester City, but for now, there was nothing new to report.
“I'm not particularly close but things can change very quickly in football. One phone call and you can have one in,” said Roeder at this afternoon's Colney press call.
“Even as far as Martin Taylor was concerned he was on the bench for Birmingham on Saturday. They have lost Jaidi and a couple of others to the African Cup of Nations.
“I don't think they can do anything but hold on to him for a week or two. But by letting some players go, as we did last week, it absolutely forces your hand that you have to go and get more players in.
“We have to get players in. If those players hadn't have moved out then maybe the desire and motivation to get players through the door from everyone at the club might not have been as strong. We have to find a way now.”
And whilst speculation is rife as to who Roeder has set his sights on, it seems there could still be more action on the outgoing front with Scottish defender Ian Murray ? who Peter Grant brought in from Rangers on a free transfer last summer ? looking likely to be the next victim of the Roeder regime.
As one member of the 'Home Park six', Murray has been well down the pecking order since that dismal defeat in Devon and Roeder clearly sees no future in Norfolk for the former Hibernian captain.
“There is a possibility of Murray going back to Scotland but we will have to wait and see what happens over the next seven to 10 days. If I get what I want he will be allowed to go back to Scotland.”
As for last week's casualties, Roeder was philosophical on the reasons for their departure. In the case of Chris Brown, it was simple ? goals, or lack of them. For Julien Brellier, you feel there may have been more to it.
“I probably would not have used them anyway,” Roeder added. “Julien Brellier had to go and continue his career elsewhere. Browny was a wonderful lad and a top drawer human being but if you're a striker then you have a duty to score and create goals.”
However, one player's loss will be another's gain and strikers Ryan Jarvis and Chris Martin – who must surely be a few pints away from drinking in the last chance saloon – now have to show Roeder that he doesn't need to spend the Turners' millions on a brand, spanking new front man.
One of them may get that chance at Gigg Lane tomorrow night in City's FA Cup replay against Bury ? who sacked their management team of Chris Casper and Keith Alexander today.
But, a goal or two against League Two opposition would just be the start. 'They've got plenty of work to do' was the message from Roeder.
“Now that Browny's gone players like Ryan Jarvis get an opportunity. He is one place closer to the first team.
“These players, if they have got any brains, will see it as a real opportunity. They have got to impress the manager to get in the team.
“I've had a little look at Ryan now and he has technical ability. What I need to find out about is whether he has the mental strength to be a Norwich City player.
“It's the same with Chris Martin. He has got technical ability but has he got the mental strength to be a Norwich City player?
“Also has he got the energy levels in Chris' case to be a Norwich City player? If they don't see Chris Brown going out as an opportunity for them then they are bloody stupid.”
One player who has quietly impressed the City coaching staff is Scotland Under-20 defender Andrew Cave-Brown. The Canary right-back has made just two appearances for the club ? both in Cup competitions ? but he found himself on the bench in South Yorkshire at the weekend and Roeder praised the youngster's attitude in recent weeks.
“He is a lovely lad,” Roeder revealed. “You hope that when you come to a club that you get one player just pop out of the woodwork.
“He hasn't got a big profile but I have been watching him over the past month and he has impressed me with his attitude in training. He is a very single minded young man which helps.
“He's got some requirements you need in the modern game, like pace. He is also a strong lad. He earned that opportunity to be on the bench on Saturday. I would like to have given him 10 minutes.
“If he keeps showing the same attitude as he has done in training I will stick with him to such time that he may get a new contract, or to such time where I think he is not good enough for Norwich City.
“For his own career he has got to do very well between now and the end of the season. If he keeps training as well as he has done then he has got a really good opportunity of getting another contract next year.
“I wouldn't loan him out, I want to learn more about him before I do that. He might just be around the squad before the end of the season.”
Tom Haylett
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