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Farewell Big John. The wind of change has taken with it one who's been here for the really good times

5th May 2017 By Gary Gowers 23 Comments

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The wind of change continues to sweep through Carrow Road and Colney. Except it’s not really a wind. It’s more of a category 5 hurricane.

Stuart Webber’s cull started earlier in the week when news broke of seven first-team or ex-first-team departures, which included the names John Ruddy and Ryan Bennett.

The other five, in Webber terms, were low hanging fruit – an overactive imagination is needed to see Messrs Whitaker, Bassong, Mulumbu, Lafferty and Turner being part of any future first-team set-up – but to say goodbye to Ruddy, and perhaps Bennett to a lesser degree, were bold calls.

The easy part was that all were out of contract, and some of the aforementioned have been nothing but an unhealthy drain on the club’s increasingly depleted resources, but even the hard-nosed Webber will have been aware of Ruddy’s history and the part he’s played in the club’s recent good and not-so-good times.

Whether the same decision would have been reached if the Big Man still had time left on his contract is irrelevant as it’s clear it’s his impact on the collective purse, as opposed to his abilities between the sticks, that was the driver for this decision.

The decks are being cleared and funds are being freed up. To describe someone who has served our club with such distinction as collateral damage is harsh and unworthy, but that essentially is the story. Webber thinks the club can sign another keeper who is as good or better than JR for less money. And that’s the bottom line.

Personally I’m sorry to see him go but from a financial angle of course it makes sense.

The ‘magnificent seven’ were followed out of the door by five more – lesser names in terms of first-team appearances but among them one Conor McGrandles who came down from Falkirk in the Neil Adams era for a not inconsiderable fee.

His first XI action has been virtually non-existent and his progress hampered by a double-break of his right leg when playing on loan for Falkirk. While not a big earner, he’s one that Webber has perceived as unlikely to find his way into first-team reckoning and so, along with Ray Grant, Ben Killip, Jamie Eaton-Collins and Toby Syme, he’ll be a free agent as of July 1.

And this is just the beginning; those for whom a decision had to be made one way or the other now know their fate.

What follows is, to a degree, out of the club’s hands. There are those they’ll move on if the money is right, those they wish to keep and those they would really quite like to see depart even if the money isn’t quite right. But all against the backdrop, I suspect, of everyone having a price.

The Daily Mirror’s James Nursery – one who purports to be a City fan and who was the only person in the Canary Nation who argued against the Board’s decision to sack Chris Hughton – was quick to jump on the final four words of the above paragraph by running a story that declared the club ready to “flog” Jonny Howson.

Quote: “The 28-year-old could be sold off if a big bid comes in for the midfielder, who has just two years left on his contract”.

I’ll not qualify that with what’s going through my head as I type this, other than to say there are ‘big bids’ and ‘big bids’ and anything that will tempt the club to sell one of their prize assets will have to be verging on what’s known in the footballing vernacular as silly money. Methinks Master Nursery’s inference of a fire sale as being just a touch mischievous.

Away from the inane gossip, Alan Irvine continues to be the steady, rational influence of which we’ve become accustomed and it was a measure of the man that he offered said seven departees-in-waiting the option of not training once their Canary future had been made public.

That Lafferty, Bassong, Mulumbu, Bennett and Turner (who in fairness is injured) chose to accept his offer was no surprise. Neither was the fact that Ruddy and Whittaker chose to prepare for their Carrow Road hurrah in precisely the same way they’ve prepared for every other game they’ve played for Norwich City; Whittaker because he’s been the consummate professional, even in some difficult times, throughout his spell here and Ruddy for the same plus the huge impact he’s had on a very memorable era for this football club.

Ruddy’s arrival, as a permanent replacement for the popular Fraser Forster, was a slow burner but by the time Paul Lambert’s class of 2011 had clicked into gear his presence as the rock solid organiser and penalty-box ‘dominator’ made him a cornerstone of that team.

He quickly established himself, alongside Russ, Wes and Holty, as a key figure on the pitch and in the dressing room, and on top of his dominant displays in goal none of us will ever forget his full-length-of-the-pitch sprint to join in with the celebrations when Jackson, Goreham and “utter chaos” collided.

With his position as City’s number one uncontested, his form in the club’s first season back in the Premier League took him to the fringes of the England, with only a broken finger preventing him from taking his place in the squad for Euro 2012; another memory from that season being his no-contest with Didier Drogba when the Ivorian came between Ruddy and ball at Stamford Bridge.

One could argue 2011/12 was Ruddy in his pomp but despite relegation in 2013/14 his position was unquestioned, such was the aura that accompanied the ability. What followed in 2014/15 was the stuff of Canary legend, Ruddy at his imperious best at its heart and Chelsea came calling in the summer of 2015.

The Big Man was not for moving. He told Chelsea where to go.

In truth what followed was Ruddy’s fortunes following those of the team and a loss of form offered Declan Rudd a Premier League chance that he was unable to grasp. When dropped he reluctantly but professionally embraced the role of ‘number two’, but always found his way back into the team.

It was a groin injury in August 2016 that initially gave the newly signed Northern Irishman, Michael McGovern his chance and despite him not having the gravitas to keep Ruddy out of the team for too long, other chances would present themselves as the Big Man struggled to find his pre-injury form.

Some will argue he was never quite the same post-injury but by the same score he never looked the part as a deputy in the same way McGovern never really looked the part as first-choice. Perhaps the large, looming shadow of Ruddy on the bench was too much of a burden.

But it’s JR who’ll be in goal for the final time on Sunday, and it’s fitting that Carrow Road will get the opportunity to say a proper farewell to one who’s been an imposing and key part of the Carrow Road furniture. And as part of Lambert’s class of 2011, of Alex Neil’s class 2015 and everything in between he’ll always be revered and remembered here with great fondness.

Good luck Big Man for whatever the future may bring. It’s been emotional.
“Never mind the danger…”


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Filed Under: Column, Gary Gowers

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Comments

  1. Nick says

    5th May 2017 at 6:13 pm

    Excellent stuff GG. Personally very pleased to see Ebou Adams and Michee Efete get another year; the other 5 junior releases were not a surprise to me.

    I’m sure Ruddy will get a great send off; the others not so; Whitts has done his best and in truth was as surprised as anyone when AN gave him another contract – but the other 5 deserve little sympathy.

    I’m hoping SW will leak to Nick Mashiter that Howson and Naismith are untouchable; anyone else (over 27) from the senior squad is available.

    Reply
  2. Gary Field says

    5th May 2017 at 6:53 pm

    A complete professional, for whom Captaincy for the day and an 87th minute substitution would be a fitting way to say “Goodbye Big John”.

    Reply
  3. Alex B says

    5th May 2017 at 7:09 pm

    Good read as usual Gary and lots of info.

    Read that the Ruddy saga could continue as we have let him depart and can now talk to any club interested and that no one will pay him what he was getting city could go back in with a tempting low offer, but surely the powers that be would have already offered him a longer contract but a reduced salary.

    If as was infered the option in the present contract was taken up he was due a large increase, how would it work if city called his agent and offered him another lower contract surely that would no be legal.

    Sorry about Mccandles came with a lot of potential but due to the leg break never got to prove himself hope he does well but doesn’t come back tobite us.

    Reply
  4. Jeff says

    5th May 2017 at 7:21 pm

    For me, the goalkeeper who has been a central part of our collapse and on huge wages, was the most obvious. I’m very pleased to see him go and can’t wait to see a new, or at least improved, custodian in town. Norwich fans are a curious bunch. Spend an entire season despairing and then start to get a splash emosh over losing a player who had one good season when we first went up.

    Reply
  5. Secret Canary says

    5th May 2017 at 7:46 pm

    I’ve heard a lot about it being about money over ability. But if Webber wanted him to stay, could he not have offered a new contract on reduced terms and put the ball in Ruddy’s court? Great servant, yes. Deserves a huge reception Sunday. But past his best for some time now in my opinion.

    Reply
  6. Alan Harper says

    5th May 2017 at 8:17 pm

    Nice read Gary and good luck to John Ruddy. At times like this you really do have to question the signings of McGrandles, Lafferty, Miquel, Hooiveld and so many others from the McNally era. My hunch is we are seven months from an almighty fire sale, the likes of which we have not seen since Ashley Ward and Jon Newsome departed. Unless City are sitting in that top six come the turn of the year I fear it will be an everything must go sale come January 2018.

    Reply
  7. Bracken says

    5th May 2017 at 8:56 pm

    Ruddy was a big part of our past success and deserves a good send off on Sunday. What amazes me is how much we’ve wasted in wages over the past season on fringe players, and there are more still under contract. Let’s hope that SW and the new HC put quality before quantity in the summer.

    Reply
  8. Dave B says

    5th May 2017 at 9:50 pm

    I usually agree with Jeff. But here I can’t help think Ruddy has become victim of truly awful defensive players and a manager who had no idea how to coach the defense. He’s been left wide open and as a result his confidence has been hit. Of all the players going I think he could have turned it around.

    Reply
  9. Jon B says

    5th May 2017 at 10:35 pm

    Tony Andreu seems to have slipped under everyone’s radar. 21 in 36 for Dundee United. Surely he doesn’t have another year to run on his contract does he?

    Reply
  10. Cyprus Canary says

    6th May 2017 at 5:54 am

    #4 Jeff normally I find your posts over the top and simplistic but in content I don’t disagree with them. However, not on this occasion. Ruddy has been a good solid performer and servant for a number of years although far from his best in recent times. Now is the time to part company and I wish him well wherever he finds his next employment but I hope all fans give him the great reception he deserves. Mcgovern is a different matter and I hope we can move him on with good wishes too. Big John deserves a good swansong.

    Reply
  11. Mick Dennis says

    6th May 2017 at 7:36 am

    Nice piece, Gary. I for one shall cheer Big John to the echo tomorrow.
    It’s interesting that we all realise the wage bill has to be reduced drastically now. Many were adamant we should not be ‘prudent’ while we were fighting to stay in the Prem.

    Reply
  12. Gary Field says

    6th May 2017 at 8:49 am

    12. Mick Dennis – were we really ‘prudent’ though Mick?

    It’s been apparent for some time that the Club’s wage structure was out of kilter with its Championship peers, hence the problem of moving on players last summer and in January.

    That’s not ‘having a go’ – more a frank assessment of the ongoing challenges.

    Parachute payments are not the panacea following relegation. They’re a help, but nothing more, and season’s payments have probably already been largely spent with wage and transfer payments still outstanding.

    The last time I suggested that the Club was in a mess on and off the field, you actually suggested otherwise.

    The recent changes are clearly a huge step in the right direction but let’s not pretend that releasing players resolves everything. It almost certainly doesn’t.

    Reply
  13. Nick says

    6th May 2017 at 9:15 am

    Andreu does have another year.I expect he will be given a free if anyone will pay his salary. NB Dundee Utd manager said NCFC paid it ALL during the loan!!!!

    Reply
  14. Dave B says

    6th May 2017 at 9:36 am

    Sorry Mick, I see nothing contradictory about your statement. We had already seen what prudence leads to during the Hughton relegation.

    Now, after a further relegation and a year of abject failure of course people realize the wage needs cutting.

    Once again the fans are wrong though, aren’t they Mick.

    Reply
  15. Stewart Lewis says

    6th May 2017 at 9:36 am

    John Ruddy’s release: a correct decision, or a shame to see the departure of a great servant to the club?

    Surely the answer is: both. I’ll be cheering him loudly.

    Reply
  16. Dave H says

    6th May 2017 at 9:50 am

    There’s no dispute for me John Ruddy deserves a great reception in his final game. I’m disappointed to see him go, but understand the logic.
    While not wanting to pre-judge the reasons for the players not wanting to train, the fact Whittaker is tells me all I need to know about him. I personally wouldn’t have extended his contract last year but he’s come in fully committed and done a decent job in various roles this season. I won’t criticise any Norwich player who does that & he too deserves respect tomorrow.

    Reply
  17. Anti-Jeff says

    6th May 2017 at 11:02 am

    I’d be very pleased to see Jeff leave the club rather than Ruddy. Once again, unnecessarily snide and unsupportive.

    My guess is he doesn’t actually follow Norwich. Just has to troll on evvvvvvvvvvvvvvery article.

    Why bother, Jeff? Go and find some sunshine in your life. This joyless-sadsack anti NCFC persona is a little pathetic, to be honest.

    Reply
  18. darren says

    6th May 2017 at 11:40 am

    When a player is past his best and on high wages, then it makes no sense in keeping them whether you are talking about Ruddy or anybody else. For the most part he’s done well for us, but moving him on makes complete sense for the club as well as the big man himself.

    There was no prudence as such when we in the last in the PL, just hopeless financial mismanagement. Ironically the more money NCFC has, the more mistakes they makes, so a ‘leaner’ club makes more sense all round.

    Reply
  19. martin penney says

    6th May 2017 at 12:03 pm

    #16 Dave H: a fine speech that I heartily endorse.

    Reply
  20. Alex B says

    6th May 2017 at 2:50 pm

    Being prudent is great but city over the last few years have always panic when getting players in at the last moment, it seems that the agents know that we have no real plan in the transfer window.

    If the panel did a diligence search before the window opened maybe the good deals could have been done early.

    Agent are a necessary evil in the modern game they get paid by the player to find them the best payday not necessarily the best club for them, As long as the agent gets his 10% or whatever it is he is paid he is doing his job.

    Why do clubs pay agents it is to help convince his player to sign for them or is it that clubs use agents as finders to get players in, if so surely this is a conflict of interest???

    Prudence starts with know which player suites your clubs style of play, setting a budget for that person and sticking to your guns not caving into other clubs oe agents excessive demands you might lose a few but inthe end you don’t get fleeced.

    Reply
  21. Notts_Jon says

    6th May 2017 at 5:25 pm

    16. Dave H. Good point about SW and says volumes for his professionalism and respect for NCFC, same with Ruddy too. Whilst I completely understand AI not wanting the remaining 5 released seniors about if their heads aren’t in the right place, i can’t help but feel pretty taken aback about their no-show. Does this mean that these 5 aren’t getting paid for not turning up for work? For the amount of money they are being paid then should be setting a positive example. If the rest of us declined to work if our work contracts were not being renewed then the country would grind to a halt!

    Reply
  22. MGW says

    7th May 2017 at 10:52 am

    A bit of a relief that this season is coming to an end without a major disaster. Excited to see what the summer brings and how that pans out for next season. Sad to see JR go, but I do feel that this is happening maybe a season or two too late – we should have cashed in when we had the chance. Our recruitment has been awful and not just for incoming players.

    Reply
  23. Cityfan says

    8th May 2017 at 8:25 am

    21) Very good point – the wages those ‘no show’ players have earned for doing nothing last week would be enough to staff an entire hospital ward for at least two years!
    Wonder if they’ll be donating…

    Reply

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