City goalkeeping coach Tommy Wright has hinted that the Canaries will be in the market for a new shot-stopper after Matty Gilks returned to the North West today as part of Wes Hoolahan's move to Norfolk.
Gilks has struggled to make a first-team impression at Carrow Road after arriving from Rochdale last summer and his departure makes sense for all parties.
The transfer figure remains 'undisclosed' but after joining on a Bosman free, any sort of fee will represent good business for the player despite, in all fairness, him impressing in every single reserve outing last season.
It's fair to say that he would have been a reliable deputy for City No 1 David Marshall but with the former Celtic man's place seemingly set in stone, it was time for Gilks to move on.
After England Youth international Declan Rudd's appearance on the substitutes bench for the last game of the 07/08 season at Sheffield Wednesday, it was widely assumed that he would now become Marshall's understudy.
But Wright believes a regular gig on the bench may be a little while away for Rudd yet, despite the glowing reports on the Diss youngster since his arrival as City's specialist goalkeeping chief last month.
“Matty Gilks has gone as part of the deal with Blackpool for Wes Hoolahan and that obviously means that we'll be looking for a 'keeper to come in and put pressure on David Marshall for a first-team place,” said Wright, speaking at today's Royal Norfolk Show.
“I think it would be a big ask for Declan to step up to the number two level but I know the club rate him very highly.
“I haven't seen him play yet and obviously I'm looking forward to doing that and working with him but I think most clubs need three goalkeepers.
“You tend to find that there will be two experienced 'keepers and one very good young one.
“In Declan we know we've got a very good young goalkeeper and now we need another one in to put pressure on David.”
With the likes of Rudd and fellow England starlet Jed Steer coming through the ranks – not forgetting the 23-year-old Marshall ? it represents an exciting challenge for the Northern Irishman.
But whilst Rudd and Steer are hot prospects, you would like to think Marshall is entering the best years of his career. And Wright is looking forward to working with the man who finished third in last season's player-of-the-year awards.
“First and foremost I must get the first-team keepers right, even though we're looking to improve at all levels, from the youngest one right through.
“I know of David Marshall from his time at Celtic and I know he had a very good season last year. I'm looking forward to working with him. He is still young in goalkeeping terms.
“The years ahead will give him an opportunity to improve and hopefully I can take him to that next level.”
The Canaries are certainly in a strong position in the goalkeeping department and having a Scotland international and two England Youth players to work with is an enviable position.
But, then again, Norwich never seem to be short of a good keeper or two. Just ask a certain Joe Lewis.
“It excites me. Even though I went into management, goalkeeping is my first love. It's something that I specialise in and I feel that with my playing career and what I've done in coaching, I can help all our goalkeepers.
“Norwich have got a history of producing good goalkeepers so it's my job to concentrate on all levels.”
With the appointment today of new Head Physio Simon Spencer, slowly but surely, 'Team Glenn' is taking shape.
It is not just on the pitch where rebuilding was the name of the game and off it, City's backroom staff is not a million miles away from being complete after a number of departures this summer.
And Wright revealed that the man at the helm was one of the major attractions for crossing the water and getting back into English football after a spell managing Ballymena United.
“One of the reasons I wanted to get back to England was to work with Glenn and he made it easy for me and I think what he did last season will make the supporters grateful,” Wright added.
“He took over a team that was really struggling and now it's a case of building on that, improving, and getting as high up the table as possible.”
Some may think a drop down the managerial ladder, going from being the boss to a goalkeeping coach may take a little getting used to.
But, Wright insists that it's simply not an issue ? he just cannot wait to get stuck into his new role in Norfolk.
“I've worked at all levels in football since I retired from being a player so it's not a problem.
“In a way I'm the manager of the goalkeeping department and Glenn will leave that in my hands. But I'm very much part of a team and I'm looking forward to that.”
Tom Haylett
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