It was quite a week for all us Norwich City folk. A clutch of new arrivals, including what to me looks like the release of the best kit I’ve seen since the classic Asics one from the late 1980s.
Players must be at the forefront of consideration of course. In comes what appears to be a Webber/Farke masterstroke in the arrival of keeper Ralf Fährmann from Schalke 04. Shedloads of Champions League and Bundesliga experience and ‘probably one of the unluckiest men to never have played for the German national side’ I am told by a Bayern-following friend of mine.
He appears to have an endearing character that will match that of Tim Krul, who in all honesty has been as outstanding as Timm Klose in that respect. Without me yelling “in the red corner… and in the blue corner…” only pre-season will dictate who trots out in our freshly-designed goalkeeper jersey on August 9 at Anfield.
The only downside to Ralf’s arrival is that my laptops get flooded with side ads from Schalke’s online merch outlet. But I haven’t succumbed because they wear a certain shade of blue that doesn’t appeal to me, although the kitbag for ten euros looks reasonably priced.
And then we have the signings of Aidan Fitzpatrick from Partick Thistle and Rocky Bushiri from Ostend.
Highly rated comes to mind in both cases. Cards on the table I’d never previously heard of Bushiri, although I was aware of Fitzpatrick without knowing very much about him.
So to continue on a recurring theme of mine, we are recruiting simultaneously for the present and the future. That strategy is spot on, and how refreshing it is. No more Naismiths. No more Oliveiras. No more Wildschuts. No more money slung down the drain.
I reckon all we need now is right-back cover for Max Aarons, unless there is somebody within the under-23s able to step up that I am not aware of. And that scenario is quite possible under our current modus operandi.
Any entrepreneur in any industry would surely be proud of what we have achieved this week.
Folks say that the oft-quoted figure of £20 million for recruitment has not been anywhere near reached yet.
But as I understand it that figure also includes loan fees (as in Fährmann and Patrick Roberts) and wages. Plus we’ve made nothing out of outgoings this close-season to top that figure up, although we currently have only one undeserving high-earner left on our books (who hopefully will be gone soon).
Not much left in the pot now I guess if I’m correct in my assumptions.
There remains the mystery of the vacant #9 shirt. My instinct is that it will be worn by The Ghost or The Invisible Man this season. I just don’t see another striker coming in and our loan allocation is up.
The #3 shirt? Well, James Husband won’t be wearing it and it seems Jamal Lewis is happy with #12. I dunno.
Now back to the kit release. That shirt is top dollar and although I’ve previously said I wouldn’t buy one with an online betting logo on it I’m going up the City this morning and my morality is likely to go straight out of the window. It’s wonderful, it really is.
And what a great vid clip to announce it – Max, Timmu, Emi – absolutely fricking brilliant. Seems like the PR machine is back in full effect. I liked the shot of the dressing room door, which I’d never previously seen, the best.
Respect all – fear none.
And that must surely be our maxim for 2019-20.
A great read for a Monday morning Martin and from what I’ve read over the weekend, fans have been eagerly spending their cash over the weekend snapping up the new strip.
IMO, I really like it and ‘couldn’t give a flying fig’ about the Sponsor’s name on the front of the shirt and despite all the ‘hang your head in shame’ comments etc last week, it certainly appears that hordes of fans feel the same. Personally, I’m waiting to see what errea come up with for the 2nd and 3rd kits and I’ll still have my number 23 on the back, but may well be tempted by the home shirt. I’ve tried one on and I thought the sizing seems quite tight –something which has been backed up by comments on social media.
Ben was right when he said that we need to get as much money as we can from sponsorship and the deal has been negotiated, so that it is still effective in the UNLIKELY event that we get relegated.
I get to a few Under 23 games in the course of a season and last season it was quite hard to watch as of course 3 of the key defenders from previous seasons had progressed to the first team. OK, our Under 23 star striker is now part of the first team squad and what an incredible opportunity it is for young Idah. Our scouting/recruitment has come on in leaps and bounds since the days of ‘Naismithgate’ and I’m looking forward to seeing who will be in goal when the team is announced an hour we walk out at Anfield.
As you rightly point out, we don’t appear to have ‘spent’ much of our ‘transfer kitty’, but when you factor in the cost of the loans and the general increase in the salaries of many players signing new contracts, I’m guessing that there isn’t too much left. The fact that all of our new recruits are ’on board’ before pre-season can only be a good thing and it gives everyone a chance to gel rather than getting a player in with less than a week before the season starts!!
Hi Ed
I must admit I’m looking forward to catching a couple of Under-23 matches at the earliest opportunity.
Aidan Fitzpatrick looks quite a find from his “showreel” although of course it’s a massive step up from the Scottish Championship to the PL. Maybe he’ll go straight out on loan of course, but I’d love to see him play as it looks like there’s shades of Madders about him.
My dislike of betting purely comes from working Saturday’s in a mate’s mate’s bookies for a short while back in the late 1970s. I saw some things that stick with me to this day.
BUT I’m going up the City in about 10 minutes and as one of my neighbours has shown me the shirt “in the flesh” I know I won’t be able to resist a rare visit to Chapelfield – if not Jarrolds.
That jersey’s a belter and I too await seeing the other two.
As I’m 11 stone and 5″9″ I might even be able to get into a “player fit” one. We’ll see.
Thanks as always.
I almost submit a piece last week as the annual accounts closed at the end of June, but figured I’d skip the usual backlash.
I honestly don’t think we have much kitty. The club said they were going to be in debt by Christmas and were overspending by 1-2M per month. Putting them 5-10M in debt by end of season. They then said they’d pay back the bond scheme (6M?). It was also reported (by Pinkun) that there were sizable promotion bonuses for players ( I vaguely remember it being 5M+). Then Getafe were reported as having another 5M promotion bonus for Buendia, and I think Wigan were getting another 1M. It all adds up.
In short, as things stand right now we’ll probably report in Oct. that the club ended the fiscal season substantially in debt, similar to the first Neil season. Which is why I never frown on clubs overspending, as we have not been promoted in the last decade without substantial overspend.
Of course the future is much brighter and we’ll probably have a better cash balance come the January window.
Hi David
I myself have spent an hour this morning with our family’s accountant and understand seven tenths of bugger all about what she told me.
I’ve taken a snapshot of her figures which she kindly scribbled out for me and I’ll shortly pass it on to number one son who does understand these matters.
I’m fine with words, but figures scare the living out of me.
For all the recent jibes about Ben Kensell on social media (not us on MFW) I’m sure he’s well up to speed with stuff.
Thanks – always good to hear from you.
I think the international loan, Fahrmann, counts as a short term transfer and not a loan….. one more from these shores available.
How about Jenkinson for RB cover?
Hi Nick
Thanks for the clarification. I’m finding that some of the rules and regs are comparatively obscure unless you actually go on the PL site and read through them – which I have neglected to do in this case.
I’m sure you are right – I hope so!
Jenkinson sounds a good shout to me, although we never know who might be lurking in the Under-23s:-)
Thank you.
I thought they closed the “international loan transfers don’t count as loans” loophole some years ago, after Watford abused it to the max? Could be wrong.
Below link is iro the EFL, although not sure if PL did indeed decide to follow the EFL rules or not.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jun/07/watford-foreign-loans-loophole
Hi PMC
I think at one point Watford had Udinese squad players on tap although that situation’s probably changed by now.
Wolves, with Nuno Esperito Santo at the helm, certainly get some great players from Portugal. But I think that’s kinda fair enough.
As is Daniel Farke’s ability to extract so many great, if slightly in need of tlc, players from Germany, so that’s fair play to us as well. The signing of Fahrmann was a revelation as far as I’m concerned.
Thank you.
But our recruits seem to come from everywhere and I couldn’t be happier tbh.
I entirely agree with everything you said but we do need anot her right back and do you think it’s still possible for rhodes to come back
Hi John
I think the Rhodes ship sailed when Onel Hernandez (deservedly) obtained the #11 jersey.
However, there remains the enigma of the #9, so I wouldn’t entirely rule out a return for Jordan. From my point of view I’d be pleased to see him back if only because he appears to love it here and be a positive influence in the dressing room.
How much game time he would get is debatable, but if Brucie let him go for >£2 million I’d take him. Don’t really see it happening though.
Thank you.
Great article for an early Monday morning!
I desperately want to see Rhodes back. I appreciate sentiment will in all likelihood dictate he won’t return, nevertheless I think he could do a great job. Plus (puts on tin hat) ‘if’ we suffer the drop we would inevitably lose Pukki and Drmic and Rhodes is a proven championship scorer.
We do need a cover RB.
I ambivalent on the kit.
Last season’s was my favourite kit for a long long time – so I think I’ll be ‘Leo Vegasing’ for a little while yet.
Hi Martin
As I’ve said elsewhere I would welcome JR back but, in the terminology of one of my favourite anti-establishment 1970s bands, the Pink Fairies: as long as the price is right.
If push comes to shove I’m not so sure we’d lose Pukki anyway. He ostensibly enjoyed last season in the Championship and he’s no spring chicken. Why move?
Even Mrs P likes this season’s shirt and having more than a little talent for design she was really cool about it – until I told her how much it cost:-)
Looking forward to reading your next instalment.
Thank you.
Hi Martin
Yes as others have said a good read on a bright sunny morning up here in Blackpool.
On the transfer side Oliveria us stalling on his proposed transfer to Greece to link up with a Portuguese manager he rates him highly and it seems his agent is also wanting him to make the move.
A family friend who is a Wed supporter this weekend told me that Rhodes has told Bruce to sort out a move to Norwich as thst is the only club he wants to join, so really any bargaining power they had has gone, and he also said due to FFA they need to sell before they can buy anyone.
Wildshut seems to have recovered from the season ending injury he got at Bolton and now plying his trade in Isreal so I will wish all the best.
The new strip really does look good lets hope it sells well and get money in the coffers.
Well the news from up here is Oystons gone and a local lad now owns the club 98.5% he lives in Hong Kong and is a Hedge fund manager, he also said he doesn’t need outside investment but will take time to build a new training ground and spruce up the ground, no more nude bathing for Oyston on the stand room.
There is also a return for Grayson after Mcphilips resigned it was on the cards as he only wants to coach never manage a club.
Just over 4 weeks before the big kick Off and I can’t wait disappointed this weekend both Women’s teams got stuffed just the netball and it could be an unwanted treble.
Let’s beat the Aussies on Thursday to get to the final don’t think the Indian side will cause us much problems.
Onwards and Upwards
OTBC
Hi Alex
I have to say I am fed up with Nelson Oliveira. We can only guess but I’m pretty sure he received the same wage increase on our promotion as the rest of the guys who actually DO want to be here and contribute accordingly.
As the Moody Blues said: Go Now. I have no respect for a player who thinks he’s Eric Cantona when in actuality…
On a brighter note I am genuinely pleased for Blackpool. How things will progress I do not know but surely it must get better for them with the (final I hope) departure of that odious person.
As for the cricket a lot of us thought it would be India in the semis for a while. Now it’s the Aussies, which I guess was always probably on the cards.
All I know is that NZ won’t win the trophy – anything else is too hard to call.
Thanks a lot.
Neat little article that , but just after you didn’t like the shade of blue, and were musing over a kit bag up pops an ad for the new col utd retro shirt with hand embroidered badge. Yup, the shirt was blue.
Hi Bernie
The shade of Blue that brings me out in a rash is sported by Everton, Portsmouth and a little club not THAT far away from you. And now Schalke of course.
Coventry and Man Citeh never had that effect on me. Well, they did, but not in the same way and not because of the colour of their shirts.
I’ve only ever remembered Col U in blue and white vertical stripes, I doubt we’ll encounter them again for a while.
Cheers me ole Walrus.
Rb is definitely the gap to be filled. I am intrigued by the Louis Thompson situation. Given a long contract so must be highly rated. Could he be the cover full back?
Still think we need another striker as i cannot see Srbeny as the third choice so i think maybe Rhodes at the last minute when the price has dropped.
Otherwise what a good job has been done so far on recruitment.
Another intrigue is who will play in midfield as first choice. Leitner, Vrancic and McClean all vying for one position? How do any of them get left out? For me it is Leitner as number one but who knows?
Interesting thoughts Richard and one or two questions I have mulled over to with Martin in a previous thread.
The Thompson situation is interesting. As you say, recently signed a long-term contract so clearly rated by Farke and co and certainly has the engine to do a job at full-back. However, I do wonder for his career whether he needs a loan to get match-time and experience as he has played so little over the past few years.
The central midfield make-up will be intriguing – several options as you point-out for the playmaker and I agree, Leitner for me too. His time and movement on the ball is first-class and when he plays well, Norwich do too. The holding-role is an interesting one too with options there too. Trybull finished the season with the short and he is certainly neat and tidy on the ball but to me does lack the presence and positional awareness that Alex Tettey has. Big question is how well Tettey’s knees will stand up to the PL. Thompson could fulfill the role but a huge call on somebody that is still relatively un-proven at Norwich. It was interesting that the close-season rumour-mill played heavily on Marvin Bakalorz from Hannover 69 who certainly fits the bill of a refined defence midfielder that likes to get stuck in. In the end, Bakalorz signed a new deal at Hannover but could this perhaps be an area that Norwich feel that they need to strengthen?
Hi Jon
Along the lines of what I said to Richard I do feel Louis Thompson might yet have a role to play.
For PL newbies, which with a couple of notable exceptions is the correct terminology, I feel central midfield is well in place. Whoever starts will be DF’s pick as he sees them in training and to be honest, we don’t.
To really lay down with my neck on the Bittern Line I’d guess at Fahrmann, Aarons, Zimmermann, Godfrey, Trybull, Lewis, McLean, Buendia, Hernandez, Stiepermann and Pukki for Anfield in almost exactly four weeks time.
Which would leave us with one hell of a lot of options on the bench.
Thanks as always.
Hi Richard
I certainly feel it’s the last area that needs to be reinforced. Trouble is that NO-ONE, barring disaster, will get that berth from Max Aarons and rightly so.
But Thompson could certainly play there, although I doubt he would offer us much going forward. I hope, even if just for his own sake, he doesn’t succumb to yet another injury.
Your Leitner, McLean, Vrancic conundrum is one I would not attempt to resolve, beyond saying it’s a great problem to have and only DF can choose. We’ll simply have to wait and see how pre-season pans out I guess.
Thank you.
Great stuff Martin and great comments too. The lad in that Belgium kit looks an impressive sight and shows the quality we should be aiming at. You did forget the other Belgian international player, Nizet and the scots keeper Mair, apparently a prodigy. Adshead too is worthy of mention.
I believe Franke left for a fee in excess of £1M so we have topped up the coffers a little and we have to take into account loan fees for players we have farmed out. Nelson looks likely to end up in Greece or turkey and I suspect the revolving door both inwards and out has some more revolutions before we settle on a final squad.
One last thing Mr Webber if you read these pages. Forget about Turnbull and get Mario signed up tout suite.
Good comment, as ever, Chris.
Robin has written a piece that will be live tomorrow, that details all of the new intake, including those you’ve mentioned.
G
Hi Chris
I decided to focus on just seven days in the life of the Club and total agree with you that the earlier acquisitions of Adshead, Nizet and Mair are equally important.
And you can bet your last sheet there will have been a few more incomings in a younger age group as well – it’s how we are working and long may it continue.
David Turnbull didn’t work out for us or the Bhoys. That’s life as they say.
Thanks for a great comment as ever.
I still feel there’s going to be a big hole to fill in front of our back four; unless we can find another defensive midfielder. In the PL you need two players guarding the front of the box, and they need to be athletic enough to get up the pitch in support quickly when we manage to break – and back fast enough when there’s a counter on.
Think of the goal Forestieri scored for Sheff Weds near the end of last season – if you don’t close them down there are a lot of players in the PL who can do that to you.
Regarding the shirt sponsor, I didn’t see last week’s article in time to comment. But I’ve no problem with it.
I had a summer job in the mid-70s at a bookies opposite Liverpool St Station, and also on occasions was sent to shops in and around south London. Most of the punters knew they were likely to win some, lose a lot more, and whatever they spent was effectively a bit of fun. But there were some who were desperately trying to win a pot of gold, often chasing past losses, and when they failed it could be very uncomfortable to watch at times. Watching people arrive with their weekly pay packet and leave with nothing left is not funny. And unlike in a bar there’s no equivalent to “you’ve already had one too many”.
Clearly that is still the case – indeed the problem is probably worse now because in the last 40 years people’s disposable income is proportionately so much higher than it was then, and nowadays they don’t even have to set foot in a bookies to give it all away.
But unlike provision of FOBTs, or the hundreds of different things you can now bet on, I don’t think that advertising and sponsorship significantly contributes to the problem. The point of advertising, at least in a mature industry, is primarily to put your name in the shop window more effectively than you competitors.
If there was only one company in the business, they would not need to advertise so heavily, and would be very unlikely to spend a lot of money on sponsorship. But sadly there would still be a significant minority of punters with a gambling addiction and even if the industry was closed down and we reverted to the illegal back-street bookies of the 1950s that would still be the case.
Hi Keith
Your comments about betting shops resonate with me totally. Liverpool Street (it’s not just a station) and the Commercial Road where I worked were geographically relatively close.
What did it for me is that while we closed up a rather unkempt old fella used to scoop up the discarded tickets, literally throw them at me and say: have they won?
I’d never win a medal in the social conscience Olympics but after three consecutive Saturdays of that I quit. I simply couldn’t handle the pathos, tbh.
A fantastic comment that I really appreciate.
Think either Webber or Farke could have missed out on a Right Back Huddersfield have just signed on from Borussia Dortmund II
Hi Alex
All I can say is… Felix Passlack didn’t get a look-in last time around!
But we definitely need cover for Max.
Cheers mate.
It is a good piece, Martin. Thanks. I’m with everyone in thinking some very smart business has been done. I love it that we’re buying some quality youngsters for the future as well. Mind you, I’m not entirely convinced you weren’t writing a long justification for why you need a new shirt haha. Sorry, I’m still not tempted. Lovely and shiny it may be, but I’m b*ggered if I’m promoting a gambling company.
Hi Robin – ha!
I went into Jarrolds in the end, only to be told they had completely sold out of L and XL shirts. And no expensive “player fits” were available either.
The young lady behind the counter took one look at me and said: if you buy an M it’ll look like a player-fit anyway.
I guess she was right and at least I got 10 per cent off with my ST!
On a serious note I agree with yourself and very many like-minded others on the gambling promotion issue. Of course I don’t approve of it. Except I’ve just endorsed it by spending £45 on a shirt materially worth a fiver.
When the top was launched I genuinely hoped it would look like carp and I wouldn’t be tempted to buy it. It didn’t work out that way unfortunately.
At least Dafabet isn’t on our junior supporters’ shirts.
Thanks very much for reading.
Good stuff, Martin – and some fine thoughtful comments.
We’re clearly not awash with money as some imagine. On the other hand, I suspect Farke and Webber are honest enough to recognise we need a little extra quality if we’re to complete successfully in the PL. I wouldn’t rule out a couple of significant signings to bolster the first team.
Though we haven’t (yet) brought in cash from sales, let’s not forget that Naismith, Jarvis and Pinto are now off the books. They weren’t playing, but they certainly ate up a chunk of our wage bill.
I’ve no idea if he’s still on our radar, but Harrison Reed would tick a couple of different boxes – including RB cover. And I live in hope of Jordan Rhodes returning.
Hi Stewart
That’s a good shout on Harrison Reed. He knows the Club, the players, the system and has indeed played RB for us before on quite a few occasions.
I don’t know how long his Southampton contract has to run, or indeed how much he might cost. One problem however could be that after a season spent largely kicking his heels he might be seeking the regular game time we surely couldn’t give him.
As I said above, I believe the return of Jordan Rhodes, although looking increasingly unlikely, would be most welcome as long as the price is right.
Thank you.
Sheff Wed have accepted they need to sell Rhodes in order to generate cash (and free up wage space) for signings in other areas. Word has it that Jordan’s told them to do a deal with Norwich; he’s not interested in going anywhere else.
This one may not be as unlikely as it looks.
Yeah fair comment.
He’s so settled here in every sense, as you so rightly say.
I wouldn’t write it off but as ever the money will do the talking
As we (and many others) agree, it would be good to see him here on a perm.
And that would end the conundrum of the vacant #9!
Cheers.