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Gunn makes it a nice, round dozen as both Askou and Maric join the Canary party

30th July 2009 By Latest News Leave a Comment

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City boss Bryan Gunn today made it a nice, round dozen for the summer as the Canaries duly signed both Danish defender Jens Berthel Askou and Serbian striker Goran Maric.

The two triallists, therefore, become the manager's 11th and 12th new faces in what has proved to be a prolific, six weeks transfer-wise.

If the arrival of Matt Gill on a free transfer from Exeter City was something of a low-key start to the window, Gunn has barely paused for breath since as he all-but rips up the squad that he inherited from Glenn Roeder and starts again.

The fact that the 25-year-old Maric has a one-year deal and Askou, 26, has a two-year contract to his name is also telling – that the Canary has stuck firm to his end-of-season promise that he will concentrate his efforts on signing players that were committed to the Norfolk club.

Spurs keeper Ben Alnwick remains the one and only loan signing of the summer having initially joined on a three-month loan spell.

Otherwise, everyone is here for keeps; their professional futures now inextricably linked to that of their employers.

“Both lads were with us up in Scotland and we felt they were at the right level to offer both of them contracts,” Gunn revealed this morning, as the club's official site announced his latest double swoop.

Both, it appears, have the kind of physicality players need to compete at League One level. On the evidence of his two goals and several dust-ups north of the border, Maric knows where his elbows are.

Likewise Askou has the kind of six-foot plus presence that will give the Canaries that added level of threat in either box – a factor he underlined with a powerrful, close-range header against Airdrie United.

“Both adapted well to our style of play and the physical elements,” confirmed the City chief, after extending his level of cover across pretty much every corner of the park.

“I'm obviously delighted that they have signed – both had offers from other clubs, but the attractiveness of Norwich City Football Club, the facilities and the supporters have all played their part again.”

From back to front, on paper Gunn has a whole clutch of options. Alnwick can keep Michael Theoklitos on his toes in goal; the two full-back berths can see Michael Spillane and Jon Otsemobor slug it out on the right; Rhoys Wiggins, Simon Lappin and the veteran Adam Drury will divvie up the left between them.

Central defence now finds four players competing for the two, starting berths – club skipper Gary Doherty and his No2 Michael Nelson now having to look over their shoulders to where Askou and the recovering Dejan Stefanovic lurk. Both David Stephens and Dario Dumic wait in the wings for their big chance to shine.

Right-wing belongs for now to Palace scorer Simon Whaley; Korey Smith is one alternative to the ex-Preston winger; Otsemobor another; Paul McVeigh a third.

Centre-midfield now boasts a cast of four – Gill, Stephen Hughes, Owain Tudur Jones and the teenage Tom Adeyemi; away on the left and you could go Wes Hoolahan at home and Lappin away depending on just how 'open' you wanted to be on the road.

Up front and Grant Holt now has a ready-made understudy in Maric; or, indeed, a ready-made partner. Otherwise Jamie Cureton, Cody McDonald and Chrissy Martin can step into the breach; Luke Daley adding a touch of teenage pace.

Given that the majority of Gunn's signings are of a decent size and the right age in terms of that 24-29-year-old bracket and the 2009-2010 Canaries have – on paper – a very solid look to them; there's little that's lightweight about the place; Hoolahan and McVeigh are probably the two 'luxury' items whose footwork might be all too much for one or two, impatient League One defenders.

“They [Askou and Maric] have boosted numbers in the squad and bring in healthy competition in the much-needed areas of striker and defence – and we look forward to working with them,” added Gunn this morning.

His best-laid plans will get one final test on Saturday when the Canaries play host to Premiership Wigan Athletic now, of course, managed by ex-Swans boss Roberto Martinez.

In theory, it will be an opportunity to give his starting XI for the opening Us clash on August 8 one, last competitive hour together.

In practice, however, Gunn might have to err on the side of caution when it came to Nelson and his concussion and the match fitness of Hughes who has yet to be seen in a Canary shirt.

The former Rangers and Leicester City midfielder may yet have to start behind Gill and Tudur Jones in the manager's midfield thinking after the pair gave Palace boss Neil Warnock so much to think about at Selhurst Park.

Equally, Hughes will have to knock 17-year-old Adeyemi back down the pecking order after his star turn against that young Mancehster Unied XI last Saturday.

Either way these are the kind of problems most managers would wish for nine days ahead of a long and gruelling league campaign – and all, thus far, without a serious injury to boot.

It's all worryingly un-Norwich.


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benhuntley2000 Ben @benhuntley2000 ·
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All that moaning and shouting about McAtee being offside! He was on!!! #NCFC

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blakleyfreddie Freddie Blakley II @blakleyfreddie ·
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Good game this week @NorthCarolinaFC. @GMclaughlin_ the ref was blind. All the penalties they did to you she didn't call waa a shame. Louis Perez has talent. And cannot wait to see what he does this year. I got one word for you.....RAAAAFFFAAA @rafaduizit. #ncfc

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gwelham18 Gareth Welham @gwelham18 ·
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Next season Ipswich do the double on us #NCFC

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gleeder1 Graham Leeder 🔰 @gleeder1 ·
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If Webber's job title was 'Operations Director' then he could rightly be proud of the training facility at #ncfc , however he is Sporting Director which also emcompasses recruitment and for that reason he can't be given any more transfer windows. Time to go. #webberout

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ncfc_cam cam @ncfc_cam ·
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I mean this is a very hot take 🤣

But whilst on the subject, I’d be intrigued to see Daniel at a big club with big players.

I’d argue at #NCFC his system and tactics were only flawed because the personnel wasn’t good enough. With the right players, it’d be special.

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