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To get the club's business done 'early doors' would be a huge improvement on our recent history

2nd May 2017 By Martin Penney 21 Comments

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“I’ll be very surprised if we’re scratching around for players on the 31st of August or the 31st of January, as we’ve done in the past.”

That is obviously a quote ‘borrowed’ from Stewart Lewis’ interview with City’s managing director Steve Stone, published on MFW yesterday.

And I cannot say how refreshing it was to read it.  Among a lot of things Stone told Stewart, I find this little snippet by far the most significant – and also the most revealing. It amounts to an honest admission of past failure, for starters….

Paul Lambert always managed to have almost his entire squad in place by the time they reassembled for training in June. He also bought sparingly in January: “I brought a couple in to give the group a hand”, being his stock phrase.

While Grant Holt proved to be Gunny’s legacy to us, Lambert’s targets were probably easier to achieve than those of Chris Hughton or Alex Neil. His signings looked like he was building a Championship Select XI bulked out by the cream of League One plus the occasional loan addition from the top level.

So we had Zak Whitbread, Elliott’s Ward and Bennett, Matty Gill, Marc Tierney, David Fox, Leon Barnett, Simeon Jackson, Anthony Pilkington and Wilbrahamovic. Each and every one of them seemed to have been moved on at the right time too, whether by Lambert or later by Hughton,

Kyle Naughton proved a masterstroke; Stephen Hughes also played a part – anyone remember that cross for Chris Martin to score very late against Leeds at Carrow Road? It would probably be easier to ask if any of our readers forget it!

We also had the ‘gambles’ of Oli Johnson and Anthony MacNamee. Limited success is being kind, but at least their goals brought us wins over Southend and Stockport respectively. And believe me, those games could have otherwise combined to yield one point rather than six.

Hughton’s recruitment was patchy. Rumour to be believed, he wanted Toby Alderwerield  and Virgil van Dijk; neither happened, and if only. Hughton himself admitted he was unable to get a striker across the line so at the very last minute we ended up with Johan Elmander. The same thing had happened the season before and we ended up with Harry Kane on loan at the last minute. I know, I know.

I haven’t mentioned RvW and I’m not going to (whoops, I just did).

Without wishing to sound like the MFW equivalent of a carrion crow, Alex Neil shared the same fortunes as Hughton, compounding this by frankly wasting a colossal amount of money.

Steven Naismith, Timm Klose and the rarely seen Yanic Wildschut. That’s £25million gone up in smoke – unforgiveable for a club with our resources. A further reputed £8m on Alex Pritchard; rarely played. Although fairest of fair do’s to Alan Irvine, under whom Pritchard has blossomed.

Tony Andreu, the unfortunate Conor McGrandles and Michael McGovern… oh boy.

So to hear that Stuart Webber, backed by Steve Stone, is going to try to get things – what or whoever they might be – done and dusted ‘early doors’ is fantastic news.

Add to that the fact that the Board is shaping up professionally and that Messrs Webber and Stone seem to have the freedom to do what they feel is appropriate gives me genuine optimism for summer recruitment. We are in for some surprises in terms of ins and outs, of that I am certain.

It will not all happen in the summer. It will not be easy to move on a few of the current crop this time around – agents and over-generous contracts will contribute to that situation I am sure.

To those who berate the lack of an early appointment of a new head coach I would say this: what could he do until the players return from their three-week holidays at Hemsby (ha!) anyway?

You don’t have to be Mystic Meg to predict one of the most interesting summers in many a long moon for NCFC – the ship at least (or at last) has a rudder, let’s hope she sails well.

Steve Stone ended by saying to Stewart:

“We’ve got to tell our stakeholders – primarily our fans – what we’re doing. If not, suspicions grow. I don’t blame the fans for being frustrated. If we can’t come out as a club and say what we’re doing, it’s a pretty poor show.”

Wise words, and sweet music to the ears indeed.

A brace of interviews from two very switched-on gentlemen who have backed up their expressed desire to communicate with the supporters by… actually doing so.

I don’t expect promotion next season to be delivered on a plate, but I do know that our future appears a lot brighter than it did just a few short weeks ago.

OTBC.


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Filed Under: Column, Martin Penney

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Andy M says

    2nd May 2017 at 8:21 am

    Good shouts Martin, I think Neil’s random transfers were summed up by Sergi Canos. No clue how to use or develop him. Pritchard was going the same way….

    Reply
  2. Nick says

    2nd May 2017 at 9:06 am

    Conor McGrandles was a Neil Adams purchase….

    Reply
  3. ken says

    2nd May 2017 at 9:46 am

    Last minute buys in the main are panic buys.
    Wildchut being the latest example. £7 M down the tubes. If Paul Lambert had been given the budget AN had, would he have stayed?
    How long is his contract, and what salary is he picking up?

    A club like ours cannot waste money like that, its a big transfer in Championship terms.

    Only shining light for me is Prichard who in recent weeks has truly shown his class. One of AN biggest sins was dropping him following a truly outstanding game. Motivation factor ZERO, could well have destroyed him if he had stayed as manager.

    Reply
  4. pab says

    2nd May 2017 at 9:55 am

    The transfer business in recent years beggars belief. Alex Neil’s signings from first (Andreu) to last (Wildshut) have almost all been poor and ridiculous value for money.
    I still can’t understand why clubs (not just Norwich) are willing to give a struggling manager tens of millions of pounds to spend on dubious signings but are not prepared to spend an extra million or two on recruiting a manager with proven record of success or a good scouting structure fit for purpose.
    Hopefully that has now changed at Carrow Road ….

    Reply
  5. martin penney says

    2nd May 2017 at 10:05 am

    #1 Andy: Thanks. The Canos situation was almost surreal. I seem to remember Alex Neil attributing the unexpected (???) progress of Jacob Murphy to his lack of involvement and eventual sale.

    #2 Nick: Yes, you’re right of course – bad boo-boo on my part.

    I didn’t touch on any of the Neil Adams signings because with absolutely no disrespect to him whatsoever none of them really seemed that significant except for Cameron Jerome, a player I feel has given us excellent value for money and still has a role to play next season.

    Reply
  6. Stewart Lewis says

    2nd May 2017 at 10:05 am

    Spot on, Martin.

    The only rider, I think, is that Stuart Webber is a bit restricted in the forthcoming window. He told me he likes to plan many months in advance, and will do for NCFC in future; this time, though, he’s new and we haven’t had a chance to hire a Head Coach yet.

    I’m sure we’ll see a clear change of approach this summer, but it won’t yet be the full shift he’s aiming for.

    Reply
  7. Stewart Lewis says

    2nd May 2017 at 10:10 am

    Ken #3: I don’t know whether Wildschut will become an effective player for us or not. But it’s maybe worth remembering that some signings make an instant impact (eg Mitchell Dijks) while others, for a variety of reasons, take longer.

    We were wrong to write off Iwan Roberts, among others. Let’s not write off Wildschut yet.

    Reply
  8. Zane says

    2nd May 2017 at 10:28 am

    Let’s not forget the over inflated sales of Olsson and Brady. Why we get hung up on the ‘purchase’ prices of January transfers is beyond me. Let’s surely take both into account.

    Reply
  9. martin penney says

    2nd May 2017 at 11:33 am

    #3 Ken: you cast our collective, retrospective fate to the wind with your comment: “If Paul Lambert had been given the budget AN had, would he have stayed?”.

    I’ve written before that I am not generally a fan of rumour, but your words make me recall a situation that may or may or not have occurred shortly before Paul Lambert departed.

    Apparently, allegedly, whatever word you like: he wanted Christian Benteke and a.n. other (from my understanding Michu) to take us forward. And look what those guys did for other Clubs that season.

    In my mythology, Lambert was turned down flat by the Board in both cases, which was the tipping point in his departure for Villa. There were other issues surrounding him leaving, of course, but this particular request may well have given birth to Alan Bowkett’s legendary “he is the most impatient man I have ever met” comment.

    We will never know the truth, but yes indeed I believe Paul Lambert would have used the money afforded to Alex Neil with more savvy.

    However, that was then and this is now.

    Great comment and thank you.

    #6 Stewart: yep, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Hopefully the vast majority of our supporters appreciate that and will give everybody concerned some breathing space.

    I think some people are fearful of the parachute money evaporating and that next season is our “last chance saloon”.

    I don’t look at it that way myself, but I certainly understand why others do.

    Reply
  10. martin penney says

    2nd May 2017 at 1:30 pm

    In case anyone has contrived to miss it, Ruddy and Bennett are released, along with five others: Mulumbu, Whittaker, Lafferty, Bassong and Turner.

    All effective from June 30.

    Our revolution is indeed in action.

    Reply
  11. Nick says

    2nd May 2017 at 2:22 pm

    Well the shop clearance has started good and early. Rudd and Toffolo’s extensions may just be to get some fee if a club comes in (Preston and Charlton alledgedly looking at Rudd). I’m hoping to hear soon who of the youngsters are visiting the exit suite; and hoping some of the good ‘uns are getting new contracts (Ebou Adams for one – though since SW has started wielding his axe, Adams has gone off the boil).
    We are are certainly getting business done promptly under SW’s reign….

    Reply
  12. Dave B says

    2nd May 2017 at 4:45 pm

    @11 – Let’s be clear, we’re not getting business done. Those contracts would have expired if Webber had gone on a three month vacation. This is just a formality.

    Reply
  13. Nick says

    2nd May 2017 at 6:29 pm

    Re: Dave B #12. Three players the club had options to give an extension to. 3 decisions made.

    I agree that this was the easy bit; some on contract will be offered sweeteners to go (imo).

    Reply
  14. Stewart Lewis says

    2nd May 2017 at 6:35 pm

    Dave B #12: True in theory, of course. But we know sentiment has played a part in decisions at NCFC, and might have pushed towards triggering the extension options on one or two players. Today’s clear and distinctly unsentimental statement marks a new, perhaps more professional, way.

    Reply
  15. martin penney says

    2nd May 2017 at 6:44 pm

    #12 Dave B: let’s be clear indeed. Even if it was a formality it still had to be done. And it was.

    Simply, quickly and clinically.

    Seems good to me.

    Reply
  16. Dave B says

    2nd May 2017 at 7:38 pm

    @14 Stewart – We’re giving kudos now for not making stupid decisions based on sentiment? That’s a low bar.

    @15 Martin – What had to be done? A press release on events we’ve known will happen? Now we’re giving kudos for that too?

    How rose tinted are your glasses that you think a press-release basically saying ‘we’re doing absolutely nothing’ is a positive. You guys will cheer anything, probably even relegation.

    Reply
  17. Alex B says

    2nd May 2017 at 10:07 pm

    Well some very interesting comments,

    We all wanted to hear about the players being released and those that options wouldn’t be taken up.

    Now it seems some have a difference in opinion wether it is a good or bad timing, my opinion is will these players preform to the required standard if selected for the QPR game.

    I know that it is really a pointless rubber in some ways we can’t finish any higher only 1 or 2 places lower if we lose and Derby win so the placement money would alter a little.

    Disappointed for Bennett as I think better coaching and he would have improved just hope it doesn’t come back to haunt city, as for the rest thanks for the efforts and good luck in the future.

    Will be disappointed if city appoint O’Neill might be a useful international manager but looking at his club management not impressed, Please test the resolve of Leeds if city offer £500k they might take it if we wait till they decide one way or the other to keep him that could be 5/6 weeks time to long.

    Reply
  18. Stewart Lewis says

    2nd May 2017 at 10:41 pm

    Dave B #16: If you can get off your high horse for a moment, I think you’ll find we’re not donning rose-tinted glasses – just observing.

    You’re one of the people who’s castigated the Board – with some justice – for allowing too much sentiment in their decisions. Your dogged determination to be negative, even when they change in exactly ways you’re asked for, does not help your credibility.

    On a question of fact, the decisions announced today were not just a formality. They represented a choice not to exercise options to keep three players, all of whom have their advocates (active on social media tonight).

    No doubt you’ll see this last statement of fact as somehow cheerleading for the club. That no longer bothers me, but you might save your criticism for something more deserving.

    Reply
  19. martin penney says

    3rd May 2017 at 8:29 am

    #16 Dave B: Rose tints? Me? Certainly not.

    If you read some of my previous MFW articles you will see I am hardly an apologist for the Board.

    Of all the MFW writers I probably hold them in the least esteem.

    However I firmly believe they have – albeit belatedly – taken positive steps and we owe it to them to see what transpires before further criticism.

    Please give the new structure a chance.

    Reply
  20. martin penney says

    3rd May 2017 at 8:33 am

    #18 Stewart: I don’t do social media – a decision I made some time ago and have yet to regret:-)

    Reply
  21. Cityfan says

    3rd May 2017 at 8:48 pm

    Dave B can’t castigate NCFC for getting rid of the players ‘naturally’ this season when last season he criticised them for extending the contracts of the very same players.
    Alex Neil said he made a mistake in doing so, Webber is righting those wrongs. What’s so bad about that? Everyone’s owned up and we’re moving on.
    We’ve watched in agony many a year over the last few decades as player after player is kept on for no good reason. Something is being done. That can only be good. What may come after it may be awful or amazing, but for chrisakes get off your melancholy horse and stop predicting the worst. If you want the worst, there’s a team 40-odd miles down the road who are experiencing exactly the kind of football and decline your misery seems to thrive on.

    Reply

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