‘Positive recruitment leads to positive policing’. I was sat in a hot as hell office in New Scotland Yard as PC Tony De Souza and I knocked out a press release. That phrase meant nothing to me but after I’d grudgingly agreed it could be the intro and our “jackets” were off, Tony and I decamped to The Feathers to discuss it further over a pint. Or two.
Tony explained that while the Met had loads of applicants who were basically after the job security and the money, a real quality candidate who could do The Job with all their heart and soul was like gold dust. This was the early 1980s when it was so easy for absolutely anybody to find work.
Tony insisted that you had to get through the carbon to find the diamond. He was from Croydon just like Katie Price, but I will not hold that against him.
Well, Stuart Webber, I guess that’s where we are right now.
Another Trybull, another Zimmermann? A loan like Angus Gunn or Harry Reed? Bring them on.
The trouble is though there will be so many folks out there with high expectations of who we will buy with the alleged £34million we have received from the sales of Messrs Watkins, Murphy and Maddison. Please understand folks, it ain’t gonna happen.
We need one or two strikers, a right-back and maybe a keeper (although if Matthews starts and McGovern continues to bench I could put up with it). Anything offered over £4million for Nelson, I say sell him.
I have given up on offloading Naismith, Martin, Jarvis and Wildschut. Not going to happen unless Webber’s Tarot deck is different to mine. Who on this God’s earth would want any of them?
But what is vital in the next couple of weeks is that Webber – who will facilitate two or three bargain bucket buys – gets his selection right.
No more Franke’s please. Get it right or under this structure we’re stuffed for the foreseeable future. An extremely difficult task I know but it’s what our Board have employed you for and there is NO room for error.
In my working incarnation, I occasionally had to sit in on an interview panel if nobody more senior was available. Head of personnel, head of the relevant department and sometimes me. I said very little. After every candidate had departed Steve just asked me: “yes, no or maybe?”. Gut reaction – it’s all I was there for.
Well, I sincerely hope Stuart Webber’s instincts are better than mine. I only made one mistake in six or seven attempts, but it was a dreadful one that cost the Company £10k when that figure meant something. I don’t feel too bad because although I didn’t sniff out a wrong’un neither did the other two who were both directors.
And that’s where Webber is now. The ten grand I mentioned earlier is nothing compared to Webber’s ten million – if we’re really, really optimistic. It’s probably more like five million to be honest.
So, whoever you buy Stuart, please don’t make any mistakes. We can’t afford them.
I wouldn’t do your job for all the tea in Jarrolds. Or any other City centre outlet.
As for your choices, I wish you all the best.
But with the parlous state we are in it’s in the Lap of the Gods .
Em , how do I put this , Marcel Franke reports for pre season on Monday . He is still here , Martin , come out from behind the sofa .
1
Hi Bernie
Yeah I fully realise he’s still on the books. Fifth choice after Klose, Hanley, Zimmermann and Raggett.
However things can change in that respect of course. How ironic that at last we’ve got a glut of decent centre backs when under the previous regime we had none!
0
Norwich City supporters appears not to have recognised that Kenny MacLean.will be playing this season. If they had watched the Aberdeen games at the end of the season they would have seen what an excellent player he is.
3
That’s a fair point David. I doubt many of us have seen enough of him to comment – I’ve only seen a few highlights and wouldn’t be happy in offering an opinion based on just those brief excerpts.
I’m very much looking forward to seeing him in a yellow shirt.
0
Can we have some Brits too. We were thin in this arena before, we’ve lost at least four (Wes, Murphy, Maddison, Watkins) and we’re gaining one in Kenny. Let’s unearth some diamonds from the UK.
0
I think a lot of people (Webber and Farke doubtless included) feel that there is less value to be had with Brits, particularly in England.
We have several u-23s and an academy loaded with British players in any case.
At the risk of pedantry, Wes was an Irishman from Dublin, born and bred as it were. A wonderful player but never a Brit!
0
Ha, of course. I flew through Dublin a few weeks back and could have sworn he was on my flight to Boston. However since the person was in Economy I decided I was delusional.
0
Yeah I can’t imagine Wes in Economy either. His number plate would almost buy one of my flats:-)
1
Neither Wes or McLean count as home grown players in this instance.
Those who do are:- Martin, Jarvis, Hanley, Husband and Lewis.
After that you’re counting the likes of Raggett, Matthews, Thompson, Morris, Godfrey, Phillips and Cantwell.
Doesn’t make great reading having to perm six from this selection for the match day squad.
0
Phew – I presumed that Kenny McLean counted. Thompson and Morris are very sketchy to appear at all next season due to their injury situations and I’m not even getting into Jarvis territory. No point in that.
However I’m sure Webber will know all of this.
A very sobering thought Gary.
0
Hi Martin
Another good read.
Transfer Rumours in
RHODES Sheff Wed
We have been going to sign him for 6 years or so Wed paid £10m for him and will want most of that back he is reportedly on £40k aweek will he take a cut to £15k I don’t think so.
Ben Marshall he has a choice between us and Millwall, papers report his £1.5m price is to rich for Millwall so it’s wait and see
Dutch Defender city have trued since January to get him reports gone to italy
German Striker very mixed reports Fortuna says €2.5m is to much but have agreed a €1.5m with lots of add ons so not happening
Marriott @ Peterborough could be in cities budget scores goals a possibility
Maddison @Peterborough another in cities budget similar to JM another possibility
We still have a few we need to sell or give a free transfer to I hope Webber/Farke are working on doing that.
York are already counting the Pennies from Godfrey’s sale their academy manager has already stated this in todays just hope he can wait a couple of years.
Franke not everyones cup of tea but did well back in Germany so possibly an offer from them or another side if not will gave to prove himself to the club and supporters
Pinto needs to gave a better season than last good going forward slow getting back
Goalkeeper we have lost one so need possibly 2, Ward of Liverpool is mentioned as the No1 but we need to give Mathews a chance he had a good season at Plymouth or will it be the sane as Rudd, I would like to see Lewis come back from Aberdeen.
1
Hi Alex
Yes I’ve heard nearly all of these rumours too and that’s what they remain. Rumours.
I’m pretty sure Jack Marriott is way beyond our means in terms of both fee and wages. £5m is being bandied about so I doubt that one will be happening.
There are four or five non-contributing high earners they will indeed be trying to get off the payroll but as you know that’s so much easier said than done because of the wages situation.
I agree Remi Matthews deserves a chance.
In many previous seasons I was genuinely excited about who may or not be brought in. This summer the only thing I can guarantee is that – apart from Kenny McLean – I won’t have heard of any of them!
1
Martin – on the Marriott rumour I think City could get him for £2m plus add ons like a 15% sell on clause. As for wages, he must be on much less at Peterborough than he is at City.
Strange there are no rumours of other clubs interested at present and he still has 2 years on his contract at Peterborough but the chairman is keeping a promise he made to test the water so lets hope
0
It would be lovely to think you’re right Alex but Posh were puffing their chests out and asking for five bigguns.
He looks a tidy player to me and I too think he would be a good acquisition.
Maybe, hey?
0
what a lot of nonsense.
1
On a beautiful sunny seaside morning there’s nothing like waking up to a robust, intelligent and well-informed piece of constructive criticism.
Thank you Peter!
9
We love well-reasoned debate on here, Peter, but just for clarification: which of the article or the seven previous comments are you referring to?
3
I assumed Peter’s pertinent prose was directed at the original article – Police recruitment strategy isn’t for everyone:-)
4
Players soon see when a club is on the slide hence most of our targets are heading elsewhere.
I’m overjoyed having paid premiership prices with the prospect of witnessing a relegation battle next season.
18
Thanks John.
I must admit we probably don’t appear a very attractive proposition to many players just now – something I hinted at but didn’t say outright in the original article.
However I guess we’ll have to see who lines up at St Andrews in August before any finite judgement on wheelings and dealings can be made.
As I said to Alex earlier, I doubt any of our acquisitions will be familiar to me!
0
If two of our possible targets were offered top-flight football elsewhere, it’s maybe not surprising they’ve chosen it.
The more relevant situation is perhaps Buendia, who certainly had other – at least equivalent – options but wanted to come to Norwich and play for Daniel Farke. Leitner, apparently, is similar. I don’t think they’ll be the last.
3
Stewie Lewis and the delusional News are in town. Woot woot! Some people like evidence, Stewart.
There is also a vast difference wanting to play for an individual and signing up to massively reduce your wages and play for a slump of a club buying anyone that has feet and goes a bit misty eyed when they call.
JohnF – I’m with you all the way, but you only have yourself to blame. Stop giving that club money!! You are giving them a tick in the box that ripping out every footballing asset this club has, to be replaced with a bunch of mildly disabled goats, is acceptable. Anyone complicit to this will wonder how they could have such an imbecile and not actually got a life and spent their time more wisely when it all goes mammaries up.
7
Just when I thought I was king of the disillusioned, the disenfranchised, the tattered and the torn along comes Jeff:-)
Alice up the road has recently produced two kids (goats not children). They look as healthy as heck. I’ll pop a ball in their pen and monitor their progress.
(Actually I won’t because they’d try to eat it and even a goat can’t digest a tennis ball.)
0
Hi Jeff – hope you’re enjoying the nice summer.
I pride myself in having evidence-based views, and am really trying to work out what you want.
I said, on the basis of evidence, that Norwich would have liked Duksch but he was offered what was always his first choice, top-flight German football. Buendia had a number offers, of at least similar status and money as City’s, but chose us. All pretty well substantiated, I think.
Happy to acknowledge the Leitner situation is hearsay for now. If he signs, we’ll have tangible evidence.
Problem?
0
When we try to sign somebody I think it’s nearly always the stereotype of leading the horse to water without being able to make it drink.
It can be difficult to attract a certain kind of player to what is often perceived as a geographically remote, penny-pinching club with no significant fleshpots available as a distraction when training is over.
Very slightly older players with wives, girlfriends and children think differently of course.
And they are the wise ones.
1
Like Dave B I’d like to see a few more from the British Isles (which does include RoI), but we all know they are over-priced, and demand more pay.
Perhaps one reason for that is there’s less risk that they will fail to settle; it’s a lot easier to handle all the free time away from the club when you can understand the TV and radio, and are using to driving on the left and so on.
But having said that I’m surprised we don’t do more business in the rest of northern Europe, not just Germany. There are Championship players in the Icelandic, Danish, Swedish and Polish squads, and one or two from the Scottish Premier, which bar one club is pretty much the same standard..
Reality is in most transfer windows we will sign someone who doesn’t work out; it happens at just about every club, every year. Webber’s record to date seems reasonable to me – Farke and Watkins the main failures, jury’s out on Srebny. But his loans have been very successful compared to the past and Trybull, Vranic, Hanley and Zinnerman all (eventually) proved their worth.
What isn’t going to happen is the kind of panic buy at any price that over the years brought us the likes of Becchio, Naismith and Wildschutt. That, I think, is the most significant reason for the present structure. No longer will a desperate Manager or Head Coach be able to spend a transfer budget entirely at his own whim, without sanity checks from elsewhere.
5
Hi Keith
Having a fair bit of experience of in living in Spain and working in France and Germany I agree with you – it’s the little things that help you settle. I never had a problem with LHD but genuine, friendly and kind neighbours and work colleagues really help.
One of the first things Dani Ayala (remember him?) did when he arrived here was to go into a local school to give a couple of Spanish lessons a week. Apparently nobody told him to – he just did it, which rocketed his credibility in my mind.
Your last paragraph hits the gold one in the middle of the archery target. So true.
0
I’d argue we did panic buy Hanley. Going against the grain of buying foreign. Of course we got quite a player.
10
It’s been confirmed we tracked, enquired and negotiated with Newcastle over Hanley for three months. Some panic buy!
It was a big decision because it broke our budget parameters for that window. So in fairness it could be called a late and under-pressure decision to commit ourselves.
1
I thought the story was we were trying to get him all summer but the original terms were too high.
1
The point about home grown versus British Isles players is that we need to field six home grown players next season in each match day squad. These need to have been in the English leagues for a certain number of years during their development, as I understand it. Irish (of either flavour), Welsh and Scottish players do not count.
Regarding the quality of the Scottish Premiership – the bulk of the teams would just about hold their own in the English League 1; they are certainly not Championship standard. You on;y have to look at the number of ‘top’ SPL players that transfer to League 1 clubs for better wages and I also write this as a 30 year resident of Scotland having had such a long-term diet of the dross that is served up on a weekly basis in the SPL. Like Martin I might not wish to shout that too loudly n Suachiehgall Street on an Saturday night in Weegie-land!
0
Thanks MGW.
I do believe Welsh-born players count for some reason.
Having worked in Cumbernauld on and off for a few years I’m happy to confirm Glasgow is not a place to get wrong with anybody – even if you’re with several friends:-)
0
Good Read, cannot see where Norwich are going like John F stated no players are going to be interested in a mid table or below Championship club. I keep trying to hold onto faith that we will get a strong striker able to compete in this league like Grant Holt was. With the playing style we have we are never going anywhere but down. Grabben, Jerome, and Lafferty are scoring goals so it must be the system we play even Naismith grabbed a few. I watch alot of football and have seen one striker that may suit Norwich needs, he is tall 6″ 3, looks good with the ball and scored some goals this season also may be avaiilable on free transfer. His name is Carlos Vinicius Alves Morais and played in the Portagues second division (Real SC). If anyone gets a chance check him out.
Face it we do not have the money to spend on quality so need to be looking at every option. All in all I am looking forward to the new season and hope City can pull something together who knows they may surprise us all.
9
Thanks USA.
Carlos Vinicius Alves Morais sounds like an ancient Roman general to me and I very rarely have to resort to copy and paste but you defeated me!
Everyone’s final paragraph has been excellent today and yours is no exception – please keep reading and contributing.
0
On the recruitment side, my perspective would be slightly different Martin. You’ve argued that the money available for transfers is so thin we can’t afford any mistakes. I’d argue some mistakes are inevitable – not everyone is going to bed in, or some like Vrancic or likely to take at least half a season to do so. Therefore the transfer strategy has to cater for that too.
Although Farke has been given credit for blooding more academy players than Neil was, Neil was so awful in that respect that it’s not saying much. I still think Farke could be doing more. He gave Maddison a chance, ‘discovered’ Lewis and blooded Cantwell. Godfrey and Csntwell I hope will both play this year. But we were so short of strikers why didn’t he give someone from the academy a go? They didn’t even get to the bench. And this season bring in another RB for sure, but give Max Aarons a go too. After all it was Lewis rather than Husband who was the greater success last year in the LB position.
I’m not saying the academy is an answer for all shortfalls, it patently isn’t, but it would be good to use it to give players an opportunity a bit quicker and to use this to put others on notice too.
Loans you have mentioned as the other option. We’re not going to buy a top striker as we can’t afford it. So we have lower European leagues, academy or a loan as the options. That’s where our real challenge is and we will have to try different avenues here,
1
Hi Michael
You’re correct from your kick-off of course. Mistakes are indeed inevitable.
It’s funny how as NCFC supporters we’re divided on Farke’s blooding of youth. To me (sorry to repeat this Stewart) it’s only really been Jamal Lewis. Twenty minutes for Todd Cantwell followed by a loan out in (as successful as it was for all concerned) does not register with me in that way.
But we will almost certainly have Ben and (hopefully) Remi issued with squad numbers. Young Adam Idah is one I’m told to watch out for (I’ve only seen him once myself and he impressed). Put it this way these guys stand more chance of establishing themselves under Farke then they ever would under Neil.
The brilliant last paragraphs of today continue! Excellent post.
1
Alex Neil gets criticized for not giving youth a chance, yet Stuart Webber turns up and says the youth setup is not fit for purpose.
Something doesn’t add up.
11
The point, I think, is that Alex Neil and other managers neglected the Academy, and even the young players we bought to supplement it. So they didn’t pay enough attention to the likes of Maddison and Lewis who were ready to be first team starters, and had no tailored development plans for other talent.
Stuart Webber sees short-term potential in some of those neglected players, and a longer-term plan to ensure a conveyor-belt of talent to contend for first-team spots – something like Southampton’s.
1
Jacob Murphy became a first team regular under Neil resulting in a hefty transfer fee.
Josh Murphy who had started to see game time under Hughton (playing 13 games), went on to become a full first team player under Neil. Resulting in a player that garnered a huge transfer fee.
Even if you buy into Neil neglecting Maddison (despite Maddison’s readiness to play for Farke) he still identified and bought a player that resulted in massive profits (something people say Webber did well with Watkins, BTW).
Also, Southampton have owners that hold huge debts and most season it runs at a loss. I see that strategy working well for us.
5
To be clear (as I suspect it was to most readers), my comparison with Southampton was purely about the output of its Academy. I think most observers would agree it’s been far more productive than ours.
Stuart Webber believes ours can and should be more like Southampton’s, especially with investment to refurbish its tired facilities. Personally, I’m happy to support that rather than make cheap digs at it. But each to his own.
0
Before a ball is even kicked in anger the pessimists are coming out of the woodwork.
JohnF if that is whst you think why did you renew your ST.
I will leave my opinions to how successful or not the team will be until the transfer window closes and then see the complete make up of the squad.
As we have seen in the past success have change in a short period just look at the non preforming squad that Adams had then A N came in and turned it around, but then didn’t have a clue once in the Premiership.
0
Hi Alex
The riddle, enigma, conundrum (call it what you will) that was Alex Neil will continue to confound me. As soon as he got to the PL and was given some money he couldn’t hack it. The original managerial gamble that worked – and then very quickly failed. Big time.
Like you I will wait and see who we get in before I start moaning. But I stand by my prediction that I will not have heard of any of them:-)
1
My take, Martin, for what it’s worth, Alex Neil was always likely to struggle with the huge step up to the Premier League without significant additions to the squad.
Sadly, very little recruitment happened when it was most needed, that summer – it occurred six months too late, in January 2016.
1
I wonder at times why I renewed my season ticket but apart from the fact it was the wife’s turn to pay it would be City or local teams.
I’m just thoroughly fed up with the poor leadership at this club, clueless and penniless.
17
Bloody wars John!
My missus thinks my regular £500 annual outlay would be much better spent on makeup (for her) or bones (for the dogs).
As I subsidise her car to that financial level every year she doesn’t have the proverbial one to stand on. And when I’m away on a Saturday afternoon I’m sure she’s grateful. Until I come home when we’ve played cr*p and lost. She’s had nearly 20 years of it (but is very much a City fan herself and sometimes comes to games).
The lack of the leaders’ pennies is obvious and I certainly don’t hold that against them. The lack of a clue is forgivable by some but not by me. The Smiths know nothing of football, never have and never will and that’s all too apparent.
18
I’m lucky in that regard Martin, we both end up moaning at City’s recent performances.
The point about being penniless is they should realise they can no longer afford to operate a championship club.
21
Love Norwich City, loathe the ownership,
28
Enjoyed that Martin, nonsense or not ?
Some interesting comments as usual from everyone.
In particular, the issue of McLean. Having watched with interest whenever Aberdeen appeared live on Sky or even Alba on occasion to see what we’d bought I confess to being impressed by McLean. He always stood out amongst his peers as one of the best players on view.
Good in the air, quite quick, physically strong, good passer with an excellent cross on him, knows where the net is, draws a lot of fouls leading to free kicks around the box, (Vrancic take note).
The only note of caution I’d raise at this point is the quality of opposition on offer in Scotland, a lot of the time it resembles English non league football. Hopefully McLean will be as influential for us.
So far the close season has been a nightmare, badly in need of some incoming action, decent incoming action to raise the morale. Get on with it Webber,
2
Hi Chris
I can only repeat that I haven’t seen enough of McLean to judge him. I do realise how poor the standards are in the Scottish PL although I might not be prepared to make such references in Glazgee on a Friday night.
We will NOT be getting any form of marquee signing so I’m really quite relaxed about who comes in. I won’t know who any of them are anyway. And nor will you. Or any other of our readers who don’t Google before posting.
Thanks for the comment as always – nonsense is my speciality as you well be aware of by now:-)
2
Another brilliant last paragraph…. ?
3
Trust you:-):-):-)
1
I would like to see a young premiership striker come in on loan as they have a point to prove to their clubs and would bang in a few goals.Rhodes has had his day and would be a gamble,the same could be said of Marriott but couldn’t we tempt Peterborough by taking Martin back as part exchange?Whoever the strikers are they will need to find the net more often than last seasons failures.
1
Tony, I agree with your sentiments there are a few loans there is the young forward at Spurs Reo Griffin I think out scored Kane for the u23 last season and a number of German clubs have tried to sign him on a permanent deal but I think he has renewed at Spurs.
Loans are a good way go get players interested in coming 1 for experience and 2 show their parent club what they can do as Godfrey and Mathews have done, we signed 2 players last season for the development squad Abrahams and Fonkeu the club should either give them a chance to prove themselves at the club or loan them out to get first team experience.
Bringing in loans drain the clubs finances and stops the development of players at the club last season the loans brought into city all proved good for the club but at what cost to the club also the ones loaned out got valuable experience, it is a tricky situation it is a no win which ever way you go
0
Don’t forget Marcus Edwards! ?
2
Tony the comment below from myself must be taken in the right context (please!)
I don’t think Peterborough would accept Russell Martin as a gift.
Otherwise you are right – Jordan Rhodes has had his time and I don’t particularly want him here. Sibierski? Elmander? You know what I mean.
A great comment and thank you.
0
We’ll see, Martin. But if Stuart Webber signed a player who turned out to have the attitude of a Sibierski or Elmander, I’d be very surprised and disappointed.
0
Good point. It’s certainly fair to say that the only remaining questionable attitude at the Club was inherited by Webber rather than purchased by him.
1
Elmander was a complete waste and not the only one of course.I think the only loans that work are the younger players,ie Gunn and Reid..Are you trying to say Martin’s not fit for league one.:)
0
Gunn and Reid were excellent loans indeed.
Can I claim I was referring to Peterborough not being able to cover RM’s wages?
0
In many ways Rhodes makes little sense. He looks like he’s already on the way down. His wages must be too high, even on a loan.
But he has been an excellent goal scorer at this level before. Is he the kind of striker to work well in Farke’s style? (I sincerely doubt it, he works best in a two and can be a lazy so n so)
But here’s an out there idea. As something of an acknowledgement of the fact we’re both stuck with overpaid players who don’t want to/ can’t perform in their current surroundings. Why not a one season swap deal. Naismith for Rhodes? It could be equally as good or terrible for each club.
Bah!
0
Hi General.
Rhodes indeed makes little sense and for just the reasons you give. I must admit I’m surprised at our apparent strong interest in him.
As for the swap idea it’s certainly novel!
0