City boss Glenn Roeder has admitted that new loan signing Arturo Lupoli is of the right stock as the Canary squad rapidly takes shape ahead of that Championship opener in just over two weeks' time.
With Lupoli joining Elliot Omozusi and Dejan Stefanovic in signing on the dotted line in recent days, there is a sudden optimism amongst the supporters that Roeder has added some genuine quality to the party.
To attract someone of Lupoli's ilk is no mean feat and the Canary chief also admitted he was on the verge of his seventh summer addition after last night's convincing 3-0 win over Falkenbergs FF.
But it's Fiorentina man Lupoli that has really made City fans sit up and take notice ? along with the rest of the Championship as well probably.
“I'm very pleased,” said Roeder. “He did very well as a youngster at Arsenal. The standards are so high there though and he moved on to Derby under Billy Davies.
“I've done my homework on him and spoken to a few people at Arsenal that I trust and they said at Championship level, like he proved at Derby, if you give him chances, he'll take them.
“Character is important to me and I'm told that he's an excellent lad around the changing room. That's important because we have great team spirit around the dressing room.
“We need to make sure we don't bring anyone in who spoils that. Arturo should add to that team spirit.”
So what exactly are City getting from a man who was so highly-rated at Arsenal as a youngster?
“He's an extremely hard working player who works off the shoulder, now we need to find a bigger, more physical striker for him and for Cureton to play with. I think Cureton is at his best when he's got a bigger striker alongside him, the same as Arturo.”
With six already through the door and number seven seemingly imminent, Roeder's summer surgery is well under way.
And the Canary chief has declared himself delighted with his work so far. It's by no means finished yet, but it's definitely a case of so far, so good.
Early additions Sammy Clingan and Wes Hoolahan seem to be settling well and both have shone on the two-game tour of Sweden. Former Forest man Clingan has slotted into the injured Jason Shackell's position as if he's played there his whole life.
And Hoolahan was the star of the show in last night's 3-0 crushing of their Swedish second tier opponents. Twisting this way and that, the hosts didn't know what to do with him; let's hope the rest of the Championship has the same experience?
“I couldn't be more pleased with the new signings,” Roeder added. “I know they've taken their time to arrive but I think our supporters are going to like all of them. The ones who have seen them so far have hopefully been impressed with them.
“I know it's taken a while to get them to the club but anyone can go out and buy five or six bad players in one day. There are hundreds of bad players out there. I'm just sifting through the players that are available carefully.
“We're working to a budget and I've got to make sure I spend every penny carefully. I'm pleased with what I've brought in ? and there's more to come. We should be able to make another announcement very soon about a signing that I believe is already in the can.”
As for the identity of that player, then the smart money would have to be on Luton's David Bell or Maltese striker Michael Mifsud.
The talented Coventry forward is said to be high on Roeder's wish list and the City boss did nothing to quash such speculation last night.
“Michael's an excellent player. I first came across him when he played against us for Lillestrom when I was Newcastle manager. It was our first game of the season in the Intertoto and he caused us a lot of problems.
“Other than that I can't say any more about him. I couldn't expand any more on the fact that he proved last year that he's an excellent player; small stature, but good goalscorer.”
Another player who fits that particular bill is last night's goal hero Jamie Cureton and with all the talk of new additions in the striking department, he will still be keen to show people what he can do.
And the sublime chip that wrapped up City's victory in the Swedish sunshine was just his little way of saying 'Don't forget about me!' But the success was about more than just a Cureton wonder goal.
The Canaries really put their foot on the pedal in their final tour game and the pot is bubbling away nicely now with Juande Ramos' Spurs set to arrive in town on Monday night.
“I thought we stepped on a lot tonight,” Roeder continued. “We were decent on Saturday, but Falkenbergs are a much stronger team and yet the way we played you would never have guessed they were in a higher division than Ahlafors.
“The improvement from Saturday even surprised me. I wasn't expecting us to play as well as that. Obviously I wanted us to but it was a pleasant surprise. We totally dominated from start to finish.”
Tom Haylett
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