We’re a funny old lot are us Citizens of the Canary nation. So united in some ways yet so divided in others.
The major issues just now are: are you for or against the Smiths? I’m against. Are you for or against Webber and Farke? I’m for. But I’ve never assimilated so many divisive opinions as on this year’s recruitment intake.
So, let’s have a look at who we’ve brought in to date and what seems to disappoint quite a few of us – but not me.
Back in the dark days [in every sense] of January we acquired Lukas Rupp and Ondrej Duda. Did either pull up any trees? Not even a rose bush. Duda’s gone but Rupp remains for now.
But I’m really looking at the other three in that window as in Sam McCallum from Coventry, Melvin Sitti from the French Ligue II and Danel Sinani from, erm, a big club in Luxembourg.
Now, McCallum I did know a bit about before we signed him, courtesy of Colin Murray and colleagues on Quest. and he looks really good. Plus he got promoted with Coventry so shouldn’t have the “loser” bone in his body. Something like £3.5million was quoted and you can see that he is a natural replacement for Jamal should Mr Lewis be one of those to be “moved on”. That’s a great signing in my book.
Sitti is a defensive midfielder and Sinani a striker who apparently can play out wide and cut in as well.
If any MFW reader can honestly say they’d heard of either of these two before they signed for us my eyebrows would be on the top of my head. They are wait-and-sees but the scouts must see something in them so let’s not be too critical yet.
I’ll move on to Matthew Dennis from Arsenal, who will be in good company with his Crouch End mate Josh Martin and also Charlie Gilmour. One of my Arsenal mates says he can’t believe they let Dennis go. Sure it’s another one for the Academy but there is a great picture of him out there on the net in the City Centre before he signed for us with…
Bali Mumba, who at 18 has played for the Sunderland first team in League One. Black Cats’ fans were gutted when he left and he says he has come here to break through. If/when Max is sold he would be an ideal back-up to Sam Byram and with Sam’s unfortunate injury record he may just get his chance sooner than he might think.
Then there’s the Chilean- Mexican mystery that is Sebastian Soto. Played for Salt Lake, moved to Hannover, couldn’t get gametime there so signs for us. A striker who is on the fringes of the senior USA squad, he has to go on loan to Dutch League II Telstar to get a work permit to join up with us in the UK.
If any reader can explain the ruling on this please let me know!
Into the final straight now and these three I find verging on the exciting.
Jacob “Lungi” Sorenson, from Esbjerg in Denmark, another defensive midfielder who it is claimed will run all day. My knowledge of the Danish language is limited to “Molby” and “Schmeichel” but presuming biological terminology is universal across Europe I’d guess “Lungi” has something to do with lung capacity and stamina. I’m channelling Gary Holt here. £2million apparently and set for the first-team squad for sure.
As is Przemyslaw Placheta, an out-and-out speedster from the Polish League who can allegedly keep up with Usain Bolt over 30 metres and can feature on either wing. We need some of that attribute in the side, we really do. Onel apart, we were like a squadron of geriatric sloths last season. Straight into the squad for sure.
And finally what I prematurely consider to be the best of the lot even if only because he’s a player I’ve seen a fair bit – as have most of us I would imagine. Kieran Dowell had loan spells from Everton to Forest, Derby and very recently the most unfortunate Wigan Athletic. Check out his hat-trick against Hull a few weeks ago.
Everton fancied a clearout and he’s ours on a permanent. He’ll know the Championship inside out and is homegrown, which is a huge bonus. A natural replacement for either Todd or Emi from what I’ve seen.
All this of course leaves our midfield roster as packed as the Murderers once was on matchdays. Sure some will go but that’s merely a matter of who and when. And it will be the subject of future MFW articles over the next few weeks.
It’s still a long time until the window closes on its dodgy old ratchets in October. There’ll be plenty more for us to discuss during what remains of the summer.
I know we’ve yet to sign a centre back or two but surely we will have to and I believe we will.
But right now I am very pleased with the 2020 intake.
I know others will feel differently – as ever I love to read your comments, so let me know what you think.
This article is dedicated to a lovely fella called Raj who owned Mundesley Convenience Store and helped me out tremendously with the MFW Arsenal preview earlier this year. He passed away very recently but at least got to see his beloved Liverpool win their first title in 30 years. Condolences to Priya and everybody who knew him.
Good morning Mr P on this lovely sunny morning in Norwich and hearty congratulations on a very interesting and thought inspiring article.
On to the intake of new ‘pupils’ so far this calendar year. It’s certain that several are destined for the Academy and by their standards, they’d a pretty dismal year last year, sow must be hoping for improvements this coming season and from what I’ve read, that could well be the case.
AS for the likes of McCullum, Placheta and Dowell; plus one or two others, IMO, they’re going straight into the first team squad. That leaves the $64,000 question – who is going told tow ‘get on their bike??’ I think the vast majority of NCFC fans are awaiting the arrival of a tall CB who isn’t injury prone.
I see the ‘silly season’ has begun with fairly reliable rumours that agents from AC Milan in our fine city to talk to Godfrey’s agents amidst a fee of £30M and we’re well aware that SW/DF won’t see very much of it to go towards buying a replacement.
I was reading an article earlier this morning where DF is issuing a ‘rallying call’ to his group of young stars advising them that should ignore the clamour of their agents and stay at NR1 to continue their development and follow the example of Maddison, rather than the Murphy twins.
Another article I was reading at the weekend was by Michael Bailey (aka MB and ‘formerly of this Parish’- though I believe he still lives locally!) that he did with Max Aarons and Max was saying that he is leaving all aspects of a potential move to SW. #timewilltell
On a final note, I really hope that we see Idah in the starting 11 on a regular basis next season, if only some of the lesser and less physical teams.
Hi Ed
Lots of fair comments there.
The downside of all our youngsters being on long contracts [which is great] is that some of those we’d ideally like to offload all have about two years left from what I can gather.
It really depends on who [if anybody] comes in for them.
Michael Bailey is as reliable as they come and a thoroughly nice bloke too – I’d believe him over most other sources anyway.
The silly season is indeed in full swing.
Cheers.
Hi Martin
Well it is a beautiful day up here in the Blackpool and looking forward to a week of cricket hope you get the Guardian live tomorrow.
We are all heading for a second lockdown thanks to some people who I will not call idiots more like brainless T–‘Ts and have no self control no test events so longer before stadiums can be filled so more soulless games.
Transfers it has been since January a real hit and miss bunch city have recruited as others have commented over this period Rupp was a strange one as we all thought we had a full quota in midfield he hasn’t set or shown any great standard, and Mr Duda he will not win any campdown races as for his value being £20m I think DF was blindsided.
Mr Luxembourg well he was born somewhere in or near the Adriatic so hopefully could be better than his CV shows but scoring goals in any league gives you confidence as for our French holding player only time will tell.
Our other ex Dane races about Lungi saying he has all the temperament to be a top player for city and he has played/worked with him in Esborg again good signing, our own Usain Bolt grease lighting just hope at that speed he can keep the ball or he will look like a flat Panacheta loaf but again some good reports.
Dowell and Mumba both have had their previous clubs supporters shouting the roofs off about their departures can they adapt to cities style only time will tell.
Coventry seems to have been a good hunting ground for city over the years so let’s hope it continues with our latest purchase.
Now their could be a goal scoring youth set to depart norwich 11 goals in 1 game at 15 years old doesn’t want a scholarship has his head been turned by Villa or some other club.
This could be an interesting transfer window possibly with a few nice surprises and then a few WTF have we got him for.
So it in Webber we must trust
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay safe and stay healthy
Hi Alex
In Webber we must trust? Absolutely. And he owes us one for last season’s recruitment plus he’s got a few decent arrivals in already and there’s plenty of time left in this window.
Seems to me that Webber goes for a cross between the machine gun/rifle shot approach in terms of who comes in but I’m confident so far.
Apparently the 15-y-o Nigerian lad didn’t fancy signing up as a scholar with us so basically that horse will bolt. But it’s happened to us so many times before and apart from Fashanu senior and Dion it’s never come back to bite us on the butt.
What I’d give for a young Dion now!
Cheers mate – sure we’ll talk about the cricket soon.
I presume that if there’s any truth in the rumours that Godfrey is ” in talks” with AC Milan and Napoli, Webber must (?) have a replacement centre back in mind. With Rio Ferdinand as his agent, I assume there must be something in it, though I think last year Rio was trying to encourage him to go to Manure.
Interesting times, and it seems as if most of the incoming is settled. Now we have to watch and see who departs these shores. Whoever they may be, I thank them, and wish them well (with heavy add on fees!)
Hi Jim
Maybe, just maybe Webber is putting a lot of faith in young Akin Famewo to step up? But even then we would still need an additional [experienced] centre back.
Quite why they are so reticent to recruit in that particular position I dunno.
As for Ben G to Milan, who knows. But it wouldn’t be a bad outcome for the lad or the club and he’d certainly leave with my best wishes as he’s given us all he could.
As we’re all saying it’s silly season!
Cheers
Apparently (according to the EDP) we considering Ryan Bennett and Alfie Mawson as replacements for Godfrey. Both would have the experience, not sure if either is the answer to a maiden’s prayer.
Yeah as I’ve said earlier I’d have Ryan B back in a flash.
Not too sure about Mawson but I love the maiden’s prayer thing.
A good overview, Martin.
Some will of course work out better, and faster, than others. Dowell looks an immediate asset to me; Placheta rather more hit-or-miss.
The focus of recruitment this summer was always going to be young talent – it’s the necessary way for us, and suits the special talent of Stuart Webber to find rough diamonds and Danel Farke to polish them. But I was happy to hear Daniel Farke say he’s also looking to add experience, if they have the right qualities and character.
I haven’t entirely given up on Jordan Rhodes….
Hi Stew
Jordan Rhodes hasn’t left the cognisance of many of us and given Wednesday’s dire straits I would agree with you that there’s an outside, albeit slim, chance.
I wrote this before the Farke statement you refer to but as Gary said yesterday it seems honest and admirable.
Let’s see what happens!
Thanks
I am to spotting a player’s potential what Wayne Sleep is to boxing so I am unqualified to comment on the signings. However, I will share with you a Whatsapp exchange with a friend of mine who is a Derby season ticket holder;
Ram-‘ I can’t believe your club has paid actual money for Dowell’
Me-‘Is he a duffer? I’ve been reading good things about him’
Ram-‘He was BLOODY AWFUL for us. We sent him back. And we were crap.’
Here’s hoping!
Don – I live in Derby and had numerous messages from Derby fans saying what have you done? These are the same Rams fans who told me that we wouldn’t beat Boro at Wembley and that we wouldn’t last the pace when we went up as Champions. They were also the same Derby fans who saw Rooney’s arrival as the new Messiah !!! 🤣
But equally I’ve had messages from Evertonians, Blades and Wigan fans who say we’ve got a useful addition. Time will tell, but you don’t play international u21 football if you’re not decent….
Well Harry Kane never did much for us – unlucky with injury etc. – but he seems to have done OK since
I’ll never forget Kane’s 1-on-1 with the keeper at home to WHU 🙁
Actually I’m delighted for the lad but that was one REAL bad moment.
I remember that clearly every time I see him.
Fans of Forest and Wigan (and Everton) seem to rate him highly. We do know that several clubs were keen to sign him.
As you say: we’ll see.
A lot of Celtic fans said that about Teemu Pukki and we know how that turned out.
One of my Celtic mates also said Patrick Roberts would be great for us…….
Hi Don
I saw Wayne Sleep on the undercard against Jon Thaxton a few years ago and thought he was doing really well until he fell off his three-legged milking stool.
Seriously it didn’t work out for Dowell at Derby but that’s one blip in three loans. I can’t link it from here but his hat-trick nailer in the 8-0 demolition of Hull is pure class.
I have high hopes of him.
Cheers pal
I saw his goals v Hull. He looked good, but I would quite fancy myself against them the way they finished the season-a bit like us but worse. Most of what I’ve read makes me think we could have a decent player on our hands, but I’m just wary having received my friend’s unsolicited comment.
I really hope there’s 2 or 3 diamonds among the signings and look forward to getting back to CR to laud their praises (ala Emi) or tut disapprovingly (ala Mark Fotheringham).
You only tutted at Fotheringham – he of the “Fozzy Flick” that we never saw? I did a bit more than tut I can assure you.
Seriously man he was possibly the worst central mid I’ve ever seen in a yellow shirt unless you can remember de Blassis. Or Brellier.
Sebastian Soto , work permit. Needs to get his full international cap USA, then at his age he can qualify for a UK work permit. The US cancelled its football internationals , so until he plays in one we have the bonkers situation where he can play in Holland, but not here.
The situation of work permits will get even more confusing with Brexit might need some fine tuning before long otherwise we might see full teams of Englishmen now that would be a turn up for the statatisons to work on
Alex – with all the money involved in world football I don’t think Brexit [if it ever happens] will make one jot of difference.
Cynical, moi?
Hi Bernie
That’s how I read it too – but it remains double bonkers to me.
Cheers
Hi Martin.
Lovely summary of our incomings.
I think with McCallum and Dowell we at least have an iota of what they’ll be like – and ‘Derby whats app’ comment withstanding – reviews have been positive!
As for the others; My heart hopes for another EMI and Pukki. . Reality tells me we’ll be lucky if half of them come good.
I’m with Stewart Lewis – I still yearn for Rhodes.
Hi Martin
I rated Rhodes too, as I said to Stewart above.
Maybe those who come good will be at the level you suggest but absolutely anything is better than panic spending on a Naismith or a Wildschut.
My most overworked phrase in recent times remains: let’s wait and see.
Thanks a lot.
A fine morning Mr P , my usual coffee and read. that’s a very fair overview, I had a look on the scouts go to place (TIC) Youtube at Placheta, & Sorenson. Being honest not a lot to go on in the video’s I saw. although Sorenson does look pretty calm and composed, while Placheta, would give Walker a good run for his money. Neither can be judged until after a few games, it will be a different ball game for them in the Championship.
A Wigwam (in mourning) contact, says Dowell is the man. while a Neverton mate, was shocked he was let go, he thought this would be his breakthrough into their 1st team squad. If that’s the case their loss our gain. Thank you very much and all that.
I like you want to see a good strong central defender brought in, although I have not quite reached your level of belief in this yet. With rumours flying around and more to come, the one that catches my eye is Pukki wanted by Burnley. If that is the case, expect a P*ss taking offer come in, will Pukki be tempted, not yet for sure, he and his agent will be waiting to see what else comes along.
As to Jordan Rhodes, I liked the guy a lot, I really did, but Farke would have a different way for him he is a box striker. Monk is tipped to take over at Bournemouth. any new manager at Sheff Wed, will not be keen to unload anyone until he had run the rule over his squad. But he is in the final year of his contract and he is said to be a shadow of himself. But we know a player can be revived by the right manager. Or has his ship sailed ?
Rhodes is still one of the all-time top scorers in the Championship. He loved being at Norwich, and was a great dressing-room presence.
With the right motivation, I reckon there’s another stellar Championship season in him. But I’ve no grounds to believe we’re trying to make it happen – just wishful thinking.
A relative who goes to all the Sheff Wed games home and away said he recently met Rhodes and said he still wants out and his first choice is Norwich so there could be some hope
Hi Lad
Of course I’d like Rhodes back here for what could be his final hurrah. As Stew and Alex have said it’s not impossible so we’ll have to watch this space.
As I said last week or whenever I’m totally ambivalent about Pukki. I reckon his heart is no longer in it [as in NCFC] and has quite possibly gone to seed. He had his season in the sun, it was brilliant and I will always appreciate him for that.
However if I were the gobby manager of Finland I would be defacating breezeblocks about him bouncing back. I really don’t see it myself with a total loss in confidence and carrying the baggage of a toe injury, regarding which we have no idea of the severity.
I so hope I’m wrong but that’s how I see it.
Thanks as always.
I agree Martin I too am excited by this intake of young hungry players.
But I am also heartened to hear Daniel Farke that the club are now looking for players with a bit of experience, hopefully a centre half. Or two maybe ?
It seems from the old rumour mill that Tommy Trybull & Moritz Leitner are pretty much out of the building. And I am sure more will follow.
I love “The Geriatric Sloths” line, so very apt for our pace, or lack of it last season and hopefully the 2-3 forward players we have signed will change that for next season.
I thought Farke gave a very interesting and honest interview the other day, his comments about the young players being told by their agents that they were ready to play for Manchester City or Liverpool was enlightening to say the least.
Some of them have done amazingly well over the last 2 years but some realism must be learnt, because if you were all really that good I somehow think the team would have more than a paltry 21 points to show for the season.
So many things have yet to be decided, will Stiepy and Super Mario be here next season ?
Who from Max, Jamal, Ben, Todd, Emi and Teemu will be gone ? its 3 from 6 for me, Max, Todd and Emi for me the most likely.
Will Tim Krull stay and will Timm Klose ever return to his former glory, will Grant Hanley and Sam Byram have a injury free season ?
Sadly I think we may have to wait for a vaccine before we get anything like proper crowds back so another thing for Daniel to work out is to improve drastically our form playing in front of a empty Carrow Road.
OTBC
Hi Tim
The *geriatric sloth* line comes from an old publican friend of mine called Vince who described a particularly lazy member of his bar staff in that manner. Once heard never forgotten. He also had soubriquets for several customers which I will not repeat here apart from my own which was an extremely sarcastic “Ace Reporter Penney”.
Yes Farke’s interview was both honest and interesting – I wrote this before it was released but Gary highlighted it yesterday.
The trio you have mentioned are in my opinion the most likely to go too and you are spot on when you consider that *behind closed doors* will surely continue – to our detriment.
I too wonder who might yet come in. And when we’re allowed back into the ground.
Thanks as always.
Morning Martin,
As with SW’s previous transfer dealings I think there will be some hits and 1 or 2 misses in the new crop.
The bigger question for me is who out of TC, BG, EB, TP, MA & JL will we be left with after the transfer window closes? I agree with DF’s statement on this in that they should stay with us for another season to continue their development.
Kieran Dowell is the only one I’ve heard of and he seems to be a good prospect judging from his recent performances at Wigan and by all the positive Everton fan response on the WWW.
We definitely need centre back reinforcements particularly if BG is on his way out. As much as I like Grant Hanley will we get 46 games out of him without a string of injuries? I hope he’s just been unlucky thus far!
Cheers
John
OTBC
Afternoon John!
Hanley and Klose worry me big style with their fitness issues but I kind of look at it this way. If you’re instructed to play out from the back you can’t just stand there and wait for incoming so basically you get the usual battering plus strains on running/playing out quickly. Or in our case sometimes painfully slowly.
Ball-playing centre backs are hard to find unless you’ve discovered a VvD or a David Luiz, and to both of those it seems to come so naturally. Ben Godfrey has the ability to cope with that and that’s why he’s worth big bucks.
To me letting Sean Raggett go when we did was a ballsup but what do I know?
Thanks as always.
In fairness, Martin, Hanley’s long-term record doesn’t suggest he’s injury-prone. In his last four seasons with Blackburn, he made 39, 38, 31 and 44 appearances.
Sean Raggett has the physicality we’re looking for, but not the passing skills for Farke’s system. Interestingly, someone who immediately impressed with his ball-playing and passing skills when he came to Norwich was Ryan Bennett.
Yes I take your point about Hanley. I didn’t know of his appearance levels with Blackburn but as you suggest it was admirable.
And there’s a few rumours floating around about a possible return for Ryan B – which I would certainly not be against.
Maybe you’re right. If Daniel’s talking up tough and experienced players we could do one heck of a lot worse then *recalling* Bennett & Rhodes – even if only for the short term.
Sean Raggett is a strange one because as I understand it we had to fight off a fair bit of competition from other clubs when we signed him form Lincoln. But it seems as soon as he got here and DF had a chance to work with him he decided he wasn’t suitable for us.
Now that he has been released it doesn’t look like there is major interest from championship clubs apart from Rotherham. Other clubs are interested but they are in League 1 with Portsmouth seeming to be in pole position for his signature.
I haven’t seen enough of him to form an opinion but this would suggest the rest of the championship clubs agree with DF??
Incidentally, the Pink Un are running a ‘rumour’ article today about us being interested in resigning Ryan Bennett!! Seem to remember his fitness record wasn’t brilliant, but he was being played by Nuno when Wolves won the Championship, so…..?
Cheers
John
Yes John – as I said to Stewart [above] I’ve heard the Ryan B rumour too and not just from the Pink Un. He’d be ideal on a 2-year but I’m not sure if Stuart Webber operates like that.
As for Raggett I suppose Farke would think of him like Lambert did of Leon Barnett as in terrific in the air but……
I can honestly say I don’t think I ever saw Raggett play in a yellow shirt and I cannot remember if it was Neil or Adams who signed him.
As you say, a strange one.
I thought Rupp did OK for a while, but no more. Like Drmic, he came to play in the PL, and neither of them were really impressive. But nor were most of our squad, it’s just that Vrancic, Leitner, McLean, Stiepperman, Pukki, Hernandez, Buendia and others had credit in the bank from the previous year. The new guys didn’t so were slaughtered.
MacCullum, Sorensen, Placheta and Dowell are clearly for the first team squad. Mumba probably thinks he is too. Soto probably will be when he finally gets here.
There’s a raft of players whom we’ve taken on in the last 3 years as “promising youngsters”. Sooner or later they have to make the breakthrough or move on.
Josh Martin, Jordan Thomas and Fawemo have already been on the bench or better so are presumably the closest to challenging for a place.
Looking at Flown from the Nest, some have already done exactly that, but as far as I know we still have Danny Adshead, Charlie Gilmour, Aidan Fitzpatrick, Simon Power, Caleb Richards, Archie Mair, and Rob Nizet. Not sure if some of those have gone back out on loan. I know others like Thorvalsson and Bushari have.
And what of the unluckiest man at the club, Louis Thompson? There is, without doubt, a decent player in there. Is he fit again?
The serious business, if indeed there is to be any, is clearly yet to happen.
I think Aarons and Godfrey will go for good fees with our blessing. I would be surprised if Buendia doesn’t force a move, assuming there are genuine suitors out there. There are likely to be other departures, but whether for substantial fees it’s hard to say.
We might make £50m on outgoing deals, maybe more. It depends on any previous add-ons that exist (e.g. to York for Godfrey) but we will emphatically not see all that cash up front. Payments will be staggered and some will be in the form of add-ons for the future.
We know they won’t spend anything like what they receive, but to build a Championship squad, you don’t have to spend those sums.
If they can find one or two experienced reinforcements, especially at the back, I think they will invest some of the cash, maybe £5m to £10m, providing it doesn’t blow the salary structure wide open – that may be the bigger problem. Who is available that fits that brief though I’ve no idea.
Excellent, comprehensive comment!
Fine comment Keith … I couldn’t twist your arm to pen us a guest blog? 🙂
Go on Keith you know you want to [we hope].
A guest blog is painless – ask Alex B, Don H or Martin MacB if you don’t believe me!
We’d love it.
Oh while I’m here I’m with Gary G – excellent comment as always.
Ha, you are very flattering, thank you. Of course if I had something genuine to build a blog around I’d do it, but I must admit I tend to find it easier to feed off an article or respond to a comment.
Give it a try! Some of us columnists don’t have much to say, but manage to stretch it to 800 words….
What Stew says…
It’s amazing how the faintest sliver of an idea can be expanded into 800+ words once you hit your stride.
Some would argue, my columns invariably are borne of less than a sliver!
Ha!
You’ve got a couple of experienced journos on here who’ve picked you out and it’s nothing to do with flattery. We don’t tend to do that – it would be like hugging a binner 🙂
I’m very reactive myself by nature so I know what you mean but the length, detail and structure of your posts means: yeah, have a go. Ed, General Melchett and others have done it too.
And your posts are always popular – look at all the regular upticks.
On repeat: you know you want to!
Webber’s statistics driven scouting system, like any other method is not going to work every time. I would hope he gets 6 or 7 out of 10 right. If you look at his method it is to buy young talent at a cheap price, I suspect with decent add ons for the selling clubs. They then get some experience in the Academy and decent loan clubs. We then get a couple of seasons from them and they are ready to sell on.
Whilst I would like to see us keep all of Aarons, Godfrey, Lewis, Cantwell, Buendia and Pukki a judgement will have to be made about incoming offers. Pukki is probably worth less now than last January and a mediocre season in the championship and his age will see his value go down. Buendia might get a strop if he stays. The other 4 count as home grown players, which is advantageous to us but even more so to other English clubs. They should again command decent fees and it would be a financial gamble to keep them. If they do not go in the Summer they will go in January if we are mid table.
I do not know enough about the incoming players to guess who might break through. But then again I had no idea how good Buendia was going to be when we signed him.
What we do need is some physically strong players, some experience and some speed in the squad. In the Championship our speed of passing made up for a lack of pace in the legs. That doesn’t work in the Premier League.
We needed some exciting signings early on to get the fans on side after last season. I think Webber has found some but, of course, only time will tell. What is clear is that any failures will not cost us a fortune, like Naismith, et al.
Stay safe.
Well EDP/Pinkun reporting possibly 2 CB incoming or at least enquiries for
1 Bennet from Wolves ex city
Free Transfer
2 Alie Mawson ex Swansea now of Fulham.
Not sure we could afford the salary for either and Mawson bad knee injury in January
As I’ve said earlier I’d have Bennett back in a trice and we probably could afford him – he’s no longer a spring chicken. Transfer fee would simply become signing on fee I’d guess.
We sure don’t need anybody with a dodgy injury history!
Hi Colin
A very sound and sensible comment.
The part I particularly agree with is your reference to Emi – c’mon none of us knew very much about him when we signed him. But even if he leaves tomorrow he’s been top class.
And as much as I’m the first to criticise Delia I too am truly grateful that we’re not splashing out on the likes of Naismith. We’ll have to see how it goes.
Thanks very much.
Just hope among these basically unknowns there is an Emi in there. But I doubt it.
Looks very much like volume rather than quality. In the hope that a gem can be found and sold for millions more than we have spent in two seasons on transfers.
Buy cheap, sell dear is our only mantra we now have.
Hi Ken
I totally get where you’re coming from. With the exception of Neil and to a lesser extent Hughton I would say buy cheap and sell dear has always been our mantra!
We’ll have to reserve judgement on the new guys for now but I genuinely like what I’ve seen of Kieran Dowell.
Thanks.