My last squad review was done just before the January transfer window and since then a lot has changed with the backroom staff. And it’s provoked a feeling I’d lost – excitement. I’m now actually looking forward to a transfer window, which is a very strange feeling for a Norwich fan.
Stuart Webber seems a very impressive guy and I’m sure he’ll make good calls regarding new backroom and playing staff, but for what it’s worth here are my player-by-player thoughts as we approach the end of the season:
1. John Ruddy
Why Michael McGovern was given the nod for a second time over him I have no idea. Ruddy is our best keeper for me. The decision whether or not to keep him would come down to wages for me, which is information I don’t have. Maybe it’s time for new blood in goal though. Get rid.
2. Steven Whittaker
Gets much more stick then he deserves, but needs to be shown the door. Release or Get rid.
3. Mitchell Dijks
I’ve been really impressed with him. If we could pull off a permanent move that would be great; a surprise too, albeit a pleasant one. Sign.
4. Graham Dorrans
Undoubted quality on the ball, but too many injuries and goes missing too often when the chips are down. Get rid.
5. Russell Martin
This one will probably be the most divisive. I’m not one of those who hates on Russ and I’ve nothing but admiration for the way he’s overachieved with us. But at 31 he’s not going to get any better and the question for me is is he worth having round the squad for his personality and as a second choice right back or centre back. Really not sure. Head says… Get rid.
6. Sebastien Bassong
Been here too long already. Get rid.
7. Steven Naismith
Such a frustrating player and should be doing so much better than he is. For that reason and also due to his wages and wanting to see younger players given a chance, I’d move him on. Get rid.
8. Jonny Howson
I say make him captain, give him a central midfield partner that can both tackle and pass and we’re in better shape. I’d also encourage him to shoot more. I love Jonny. Keep.
9. Nelson Oliveira
Done pretty well for me when played. Keep.
10. Cameron Jerome
Back in December I said get rid, however, his work rate and attitude have won me over. Not first choice but a good option. Keep.
11. Matt Jarvis
I said review his fitness between January and the summer, so on that basis he has to go. Get rid.
13. Paul Jones
Whatever. Get rid.
14. Wes Hoolahan
Had a very typical season, incredible at points, ineffective at others. He’s not getting any younger, but I can’t think of many better to aid the development of Pritchard and Maddison. One more season. Keep.
15. Timm Klose
I’m a bit torn on Timmy, so keep changing my mind! He has the ability, but at times seems more interested in posting on Instagram than playing football. I’m not sure that’s the attitude we need. Get rid.
17. Yanic Wildschut
I’m also torn on Yanic. A very subdued start to his City career and I’m certain we’ve not seen the best of him. I think there’s a dangerous player at this level in there somewhere but it’s not working for whatever reason. Maybe he needs a chance under the new set-up, but needs calling out early if still not working. Keep.
18. Youssouf Mulumbu
Due to his age, wage and injury prone nature I’d move him on. Get rid.
19. Kyle Lafferty
Bad influence on the squad, wages way above his ability level, awful attitude and not good enough. Time to finally go. Get rid.
21. Alex Pritchard
Great first season in flashes and not used anywhere near enough. Should be a first team regular. Keep.
22. Jacob Murphy
If he was playing for another club our fans would be drooling over him; the fact that some are not is idiotic. I don’t remember too many wide attacking players at his age scoring double figures in their first full season. My player of the season. Keep.
24. Ryan Bennett
Showed promise when we signed him, has got worse every season since. Woeful player. Get rid.
25. Daniel Ivo Pinto
A great right-back in the championship. Is awesome going forward and a personality off the pitch. Seems a real asset. Keep.
26. Michael Turner
Are you still here? Get rid.
27. Alex Tettey
Has now played 150 games for City but is a shadow of the player that joined; at times his passing is of a Sunday league quality. Too many booking and dodgy knees don’t help. Thanks for the few screamers and early midfield dynamo displays, but time to move on. Get rid.
30. Carlton Morris
It feels like he should get some games next season; we need to see if he can do a Murphy and step up. Keep.
31. Josh Murphy
Seems to be the victim of his brother’s success, but a very decent option at this level. Keep.
33. Michael McGovern
Possibly the second worse keeper we’ve ever had. Get rid.
34. Louis Thompson
Looks a decent option; sincerely hope he can recover from the serious injury. Keep.
Others:
James Maddison
I’d very much like to see him get some game time as has shown some promising skills on loan and in the Under-23s, but we still don’t know if he can cut it. I hope he can and he gets the chance to prove it. Keep.
Harry Toffolo
Seems to have had an OK season on loan without setting the world alight and should be an OK back-up at left-back. Keep.
Declan Rudd
Decent enough back-up keeper. Keep.
Remi Matthews
Looks a reasonable prospect. Keep.
Tony Andreu
Really needs to go. Get rid
Ben Godfrey
Still shows lots of promise. Keep.
So, by reckoning that could mean up to 17 players needing to be replaced, and if like-for-like replacements were brought in that would equate to three goalkeepers, one right-back, one left-back, five centre-backs, two defensive midfielders, two central midfielders, two wide midfielders/wingers and one striker!
Good luck Stuart – enjoy!
Perfectly understandable, of course, to look at who’s had a good or poor season (or been injured) and deliver your thumbs-up or thumbs-down accordingly.
After a season like City’s, that will give you 17 players to be replaced.
There’s a slightly different possible view that says many of our payers have underperformed this year, but have potential to be more effective with different leadership. With the addition of just one new player, Sam Allardyce has transformed the effectiveness of his Palace team.
From that perspective, and perhaps querying how harsh you’ve been on for instance Dorrans and Jarvis, the number of replacements may come down.
No doubt Stuart Webber and the new Head Coach will have their views. I’ll watch with interest.
Craig – hard to disagree with the vast majority of your selections; what’s slightly worrying is that only ten of your “keeps” are first team regulars this season, with seven in the “having potential but unproven” group.
As you say, Webber has a huge task on his hands, although he brought in 15 players at Huddersfield last season, so it’s possible.
We all know that Delia protects the people she likes. So if I were Webber I’d offer a simple, take-the-sentimentality out of the equation, solution.
Been a first team player for two relegations? You’re gone.
As much as it may hurt me to see it, that would mean Wes too.
I don’t disagree with any of that, with the exception that I would keep Tettey. Not necessarily to play every week, but on his day he’s a great destructive midfielder.
I have to say Craig that I think I’m in 100% agreement – especially re the likes of Whittaker, Bassong, Turner, Jarvis, Naismith and I’ve been to several of the under 23 games, so would love to see what some of them can do next season.
Great article.
If the club got rid of all the players you mentioned where would we get all the replacements I don’t think we have a lot of younger players ready for the step up.
Bennett is young enough to get his game back on track with the right coaching.
Rudd and Ruddy seem to have gone stale my impression is that their coach isn’t up to it the last coach got the best out of them so will we see the present one depart.
Houghton brought in 1 season wonder Bassong ashe knew hin from Newcastle and Spurs at both clubs he was the same.
Lafferty brought by Adams no other manager has given him a run of games so has never proved his worth.
Martin a good club servant keep him in other capacity at the club.
Whittaker and Naismith good Scottish prem league but both have to many lapses for the EPL.
Sorry missed out Mcgovern why was he brought in an average player in Scotland for Hamilton had a good European run with Northern Ireland but has been a fault for a lot of the heavy losses this season.
Brilliant summation and most comprehensive, Craig. Disagree with three or four but in the main I find myself in broad agreement with both the outcome and the reasons you submit.
Thompson I was agitating for game time since September, having seen him in the flesh on a few occasions. Maddison will become a Canos and benefit another club hugely if not utilised here. Jacob has been continually criticised by Alex Neil and over used when options (see canos) were available, supporters will have picked up on this criticism. His goals have been a high point. If we were able to make our own marquee signing this summer, it would be Dijks who appears to care more for his “borrowed” shirt than some of the regular incumbents.
Mostly agree with these assessments. Naismith is worth keeping in my opinion. Not sure whether Rudd is.
Also look at the less well known youngsters: Ebou Adams, after a shaky start, has come into his own over the last 6 months (despite some problems on loan at Braintree). Middleton, Ramsey, Efete, Macintosh, Cantwell and Jaiyesimi seem the best of the rest.
No doubt contract realities will mitigate your drastic cull – but something like this is essential for the club to progress.
Nearly agree with all. Personally would keep Klose would be good With the right manager and players around him. Not impressed by Wildschut at all, doesn’t do anything that the Murphy’s can’t and for 7 million quid , another waste of money.
Good assessments all round and I find it hard to disagree with any of them.
I’d add Conor McGrandles to the departure list. Everyone has forgotten him because of the injury he suffered, but he’s still here.
Agree totally with #9 Nick except: keep Naismith? No thanks.
#9 Nick I have to agree re the less well known youngsters and I have been hugely impressed by their efforts when they came back to beat Villa under 23s 4-3 to win all of their matches in the mini league of the International PL Cup. I feel they could have beaten Sunderland too to get to the final, but they played ‘sick note’ Jarvis, Mulumbu and Dijks and I wasn’t convinced by any of them on the night.
Alex b
Do not make Michael Mc Govern the scapegoat. He was Hamiltons star player for the last couple of years.
It will be interesting to see which players are retained as “bridge” players because I think some will be retained not because they’re the ultimate answer but because we have so many gaps to fill and also may not be able to ship those out that are still clinging to the last year or two of a big contract. I think McGovern, Martin, Jarvis, Naismith and Tettey might all be in that group. SW’s best work over the summer might be to clear some of these out.
Id keep Russel Martin good around the club and naismith has got a lot to give for me no time for sentiment time for lose Wes we have Madison and Pritchard they are the future new begin and all that. Most of all lose Murphy times x2 it over rated and a lot of the problem this season why we have conceded so many goals they can’t do the defensive side of the game at all. Hope we have fit Jarvis next season think he will do a job but it’s all hypothetical really all will be revealed in August…
Hi all,
Thanks for all the comments, great to see so many. I was very torn on a few and suspect Ruddy, Martin, Klose and Tettey may stay and Naismith maybe too. Some may come down to balancing the booksame though. Interesting times ahead! OTBC.
Great article & I can’t disagree with alot of it, Klosse & Naismith bring little to the party & it might be a problem moving them on but if Norwich are happy to take a loss on transfers it would be good business,Ruddy should stay if the contract is right for the club,probably 10-12 out 5-7 in IMO, good young hard working defenders are a must & have been since Wembley. I’m looking forward to the summer because this disappointing season will be over & also how Stuart Webber moulds this club going forward, Phoenix,ashes & all that jazz.
The only one I disagree with is arguably the least important – Paul Jones! We need a third goalkeeper on the books as cover, but in reality no-one with first team ambitions would be prepared to take that role so if we have someone content let’s keep them. The goalkeeping situation will be one of the most interesting to resolve – the only thing I’m clear on is that McGovern is not the answer.
Great article, agree with the most of what you’ve said. We need a fresh start, 2 relegations and an awful season this year. However I reckon we will all be shocked at who actually leaves and who stays.
Agree with comment #15, not a fan of the Murphys so far. People are blinded by the FA Youth cup success and the fact that they are “one of our own” but at the end of the day a team like ours needs players who will muck in and dig deep. Goals alone are not enough. Too many times they bottle tackles, easily pushed off the ball, don’t track back, or over do things on attack. They also have this ego about them when on the pitch, almost like they think they are Ronaldo. I’d keep them both though and hopefully with some decent coaching they can fulfill their huge potential. I know this view will probably attract a lot of negativity, I’m just looking at the bigger picture.
Surprised at the people wanting to keep Naismith. Waste of money when we bough him and he’s only had a handful of decent games. Get rid and get his huge wage off our books.
Keep Klose, against technical players he’s very good. Against big strikers he struggles. Partner him with someone who can compliment his game.
Keeping Dijks is a must, probably unlikely though
Wes getting too long in the tooth. He’s not there to coach anyone: a cult hero, yes, but he has to go too.
With you all the way Craig. All the way. A complete cleanse is needed. No one, with rational thought, can claim these guys are underperforming when it’s gone on this long. It’s the norm for these players and the vast majority must be escorted from the building and into their ill-earned sports cars.
Slash and burn. Best thing for me this season has been the twins. Love it when one replaces tother, and some guy in the crowd gets them mixed up.
Good performances today from Dorrans and Naismith, suggesting they could be big players for us next season.
Maybe they didn’t realise we have to get rid of them…
You obviously never saw Peter Vasper play in goal!
Stewart (23) unfortunately there’s been little more than suggestions from either of those two since they’ve been at the club. Both should have been major players is this season, but haven’t been. Obviously Dorrans has been injured, but he may be another player such as Jarvis who will struggle to ever stay fit consistently.