The pace of transfer activity stepped up another gear tonight as City chief Chris Hughton welcomed a Premier League old hand to Norfolk – only to be slightly over-shadowed by intriguing events at Villa Park.
The arrival of 30-year-old Argentinian international Jonas Gutierrez had long been trailed as the Canary boss returned to his former haunts to bring in much-needed experience into his injury-plagued midfield.
A midfield that found Javier Garrido slammed into the left-side slot ahead of Martin Olsson at Goodison Park on Saturday as the Canary boss looked to add an older head to the mix – albeit at the expense of the kind of exhuberance of youth that a Nathan Redmond or a Josh Murphy bring to the party.
Less expected was Paul Lambert’s reported move this evening for former City hero Grant Holt on a similar loan move from Wigan Athletic where the 32-year-old has made just nine league starts since his £2 million summer switch to the Latics, scoring just two goals in the process.
Injury has limited his impact, but tonight’s shock move from the hard-pressed Lambert – Villa missing out by the odd goal at home to Arsenal tonight – is surely more about the character that Holt will bring to the dressing room just as much as his ability to find the net at Premier League level.
In many ways the two moves are not dissimilar – both managers are turning to players they know and trust to help dig them out of a hole.
The theory was that it was Wes Hoolahan, not his old side-kick Holt that Lambert would turn to in his hour of need.
But with the Canaries firmly rebutting Villa’s approach, so the Scot turned his attentions north with Holt reported to be due a medical in the Midlands tomorrow.
Whether his arrival will be used a fresh bait to try and lure Hoolahan along the A14 remains to be seen.
Either way, spring is not going to be for the faint-hearted at the foot of that table where six points now separates 11 sides from the dreaded drop.
It is not the time to place your faith in kids – as Hughton has been forced to do on either flank with the injuries to the likes of Anthony Pilkington and Elliott Bennett.
Hence the arrival of a player with 200 games under his belt for the Magpies; someone well versed in the cauldron of noise and expectation that comes with playing at St James’ Park on a regular basis.
“He’s somebody that will certainly bring experience – he’s played close to 200 games for Newcastle so he knows the Premier League very well,” Hughton told the City website tonight as he made his first move in this month’s transfer window.
“He’s been in England for five years, so there won’t be that settling in period that you would have with some other players,” he added. “That’s important, particularly in January when you need players that can go straight into the squad.”
Gutierrez has struggled to play regularly under Alan Pardew as the Magpies chief sets his stall out along younger, French lines.
“I’m happy to be here. It’s an opportunity for me to get back in the game and to try and do my best for the team,” said the latest Carrow Road arrival.
“Personally I want to do the right things on the pitch and win my place, and then for the team we want to finish as high as we can. It’s a tough league, all the games are difficult, but we have a good opportunity.”
To be honest Gutierrez has never really caught my attention as being particularly good or bad, so I’ll be positive for once and let’s hope he can add value to the squad.
I won’t knock Lambo for going after Holt. Even last season he managed eight Premiere League goals with minimal support. He could be useful in a squeeze. I’d take him back to NCFC right now.
We need experienced players and Jonas fits the bill, if not the position we need to fill.
Intrigued by Lambert going for Holt, considering he was happy to let him go at the end of 2012/13, before he left for Villa.
Smacks of desperation from PL to take Holty to Villa Park. He scored fewer goals at Wigan one div down than Leon Barnett! Holt may get you the odd toe poke but his swashbuckling days are behind him.
If PL is such a mercurial manager, how come he’s not inspiring Benteke (or Weimann) this season?
It will certainly spice up our trip to Villa – just hope Holt doesn’t get the winner at the Holte end..it sounds ominously symbolic.
Hope Guiterrez brings something extra to our game but not convinced.
Dave B I’m sure a fair few fans would welcome Holt back but I’m not sure he’d want to return here, given the current incumbent in the managerial chair. OTBC
4) Considering the abuse Holt received last year from some incredibly disrespectful fans, I doubt he’d come here anyway. At least the current incumbent liked him.
Whatever he does there, he’ll always be a Legend to me. Those 3 years were just so much fun and exciting.