There was always a danger this most abnormal of transfer windows could explode in our faces. With five, young, highly prized gems sparkling in our own shop window, this was never going to pass off peacefully. Or end well.
Yet because things had remained relatively calm, we’d all been lulled us all into a false sense of security. Other than Jamal Lewis being (seemingly) offered his dream move to Liverpool only to eventually end up in Newcastle and the usual agent-inspired rumours, things were ticking along with the ripples being of a manageable nature.
Those with a penchant for trying to second-guess Daniel Farke’s starting XI were including said gems in their dream teams with increasing confidence that most would still be here once the window had closed.
Others had delighted in a guessing game of how many of the Famous Five would depart; with the mean of those guesses decreasing as time passed, with a ‘possibly four’ now becoming a ‘maybe just Lewis’.
And we all indulged in a round or two of ‘how on Earth can Farke hope to keep such a huge squad of players happy’.
Well step forward Emi Buendia and Todd Cantwell.
Both did their bit in making the head coach’s job that little bit easier when it came to formulating his midfield for the Bournemouth game. Respect to them for effectively ruling themselves out of the selection process, thus giving Daniel fewer permutations to juggle.
Thoughtful stuff, lads.
I mean, they were being thoughtful. Kind of, albeit the thoughts uppermost in their thoughts were of… themselves.
That Daniel Farke chose to take to Dorset a squad of players who are committed to Norwich City Football Club was the right thing to do, even if it meant it being shorn of its two most creative sparks.
And what was missing most from yesterday afternoon. Yep, you guessed it.
In terms of the stats, yesterday’s was the best of the three performances so far, and if City had been playing standard Championship fare rather than a team who were playing in the Premier League two month ago, then it may have been enough to earn three points.
But on the day, they came up short. Again. And however we dress it up, from the last 39 points available, City have won four.
Of course, before anyone reminds me, these are early days, and the Championship is still, like our new-look squad, in its embryonic stage but with things now so unsettled off the pitch, us supporters are desperately looking for something positive to grasp on it.
It feels like we’re owed one after the Project Restart nightmare.
The pending arrival of 0-0-3 Derby is certainly sufficient to make the sphincter twitch, with all of its along come Norwich potential, but (ever the optimist), I’m hoping that at least the pre-match build-up will be minus the shenanigans of the last two weeks when mentions of Barcelona and Leeds figured far too prominently.
Having said that, Farke has an unenviable task right now of keeping happy a ship that is clearly anything but. With the Colney changing rooms littered with dummies and toys that have been hurled from prams, it’s a tricky path the head coach must tread this week.
Does he sit down with said duo, explain their responsibilities while they still remain paid employees of Norwich City, or does he accept that neither no longer has the appetite or application required to be part of the group?
Only by looking them both straight in the eye and gauging their reaction on the training pitch will he know.
Either way, as the two creators in a side that is bereft of creators, both of their situations ideally need to be resolved in the next week and a bit, but despite the European window closing at 11pm on Monday October 5, the domestic version remains open until 5pm on Friday, October 16.
That’s potential for 18 more days of transfer BS and the closer either leaves it to the closing of the window to depart (if indeed they do), the harder it will be for Stuart Webber and Farke to fill those voids.
But, make no mistake, this squad minus a Buendia, Cantwell and – at least until the New Year – Kieran Dowell will struggle to create enough chances to win games.
There was no lack of desire yesterday, no lack of endeavour or grit, and, possession-wise, City bossed the second half against a team that prides itself on having the ball, but who believed we could come back in that game to earn even a point, let alone win?
Anyone?
But, we’ve been here before and from a similar position, with the belief of the Canary Nation starting to wane, Farke and Webber conjured up a formula that saw us win the Championship with some ease.
So much depends on how the Buendia, and to a lesser extent, Cantwell situations are managed and if, from somewhere, a creative spark can be either discovered or rediscovered.
An interesting week awaits.
Well, Gary an excellent article and IMO, you’ve summed up the feelings of every NCFC fan with your last two sentences.
I trust DF’s explanation as to why our two creative sparks were missing from the match day squad and if it is because their respective agents are negotiating lucrative deals for each of them and they want to stay clear of injury, so as not to scupper any potential transfer, then so be it and I (along with the ‘Canary Nation’ hope that at least some of the £Ms that we’ll receive will be spent wisely in the next few weeks before the window closes.
I’m at a loss to understand why so much effort was spent in getting Gibson to sign on loan and then he hasn’t featured in the starting 11. I didn’t watch yesterday’s game, but from what I’ve read, Zimmerman could have done better for the Bournemouth goal.
Despite what Emi implied in an interview the other week, that he will fight for the club. seemingly from Farke’s comments that fight has gone. I will not knock either player they are still ours.
But who would not want to play in the Premier League ? after having a taste. I would offer a word of caution to both. and perhaps Godfrey as well. Remember a Murphy and a Pritchard, both could not wait to get away to teams in the prem. Look where they are now, in Pritchard’s case it has impacted his career totally, now in a side that could have a relegation fight on their hands. Murphy still in sunny Wales, while his brother got a little run out for Brucie ‘s boy in London. (won’t mention the VAR)
If either have not got the fight for the Yellow Shirt, then cash in and bring in some creativity. it is not as if there will not be any money. ( psssst check the sherry store) Do not wait until it is too late to get replacement/s .
We have to call the shots in both cases, make sure it stays that way. I will miss them like heck, but we have over the years survived sales like this one could be heading.
Sad that common sense is not a part of football when agents have anything to do with. Agents & VAR a dark cloud over the game
In terms of the match, we did manage to keep a strong Bournemouth team at bay. We lacked one player who could add something to break down the opposition. I could live with that and expected the issue to be resolved one way or the other in private. That is why Farke’s post match comments worried me. The club have had all Summer to work out who wants to stay and who wants to go so something went wrong there. There is something hollow about Farke complaining about Cantwell’s stats given that he has not chosen to replace him with a central defender in the past 40 matches. His was an angry outburst which suggests something deeper is wrong. I remember seeing Alec Neil passing the blame onto the players in a press conference. There is a thin line between honesty and losing the plot. I had more faith in Farke than that
If you’ll allow me to pull you up here… the club haven’t had all summer to work out who wants to stay and who wants to go. They can surmise but they can’t know. That is in the gift of the players, their agents and whichever club has tapped them up.
You can read all that boll**ks on social media until the cows come home but no-one is ITK except the players.
I can completely understand Farke’s frustration at not being able to settle on a squad and a starting 11 when it can be completely thrown down the shi**er when Todd Cantwell decides he fancies a move to wherever or Emi B decides that he isn’t really going to live up to his word and work his nuts off.
I bet neither off them had the balls to say to his face that they did not want to be part of his set up this season. Everything is stacked in the players’ favour and against the manager. If he buys to replace them and then they don’t sell, what then? If he bought Dennis Man and then Leeds offered 8m for Buendia cos they know we are looking to sell, does he tell them to get stuffed but have to leave Emi on the bench or would it be Denis Man?
By all means bash the club/manager/SD but at least apply some logical thought to it.
A VERY sensible comment Andy and very well said.
You’re spot on when you say that if Emi and/or Todd choose to try their luck at somewhere new, then let them go and wish them well.
DF won;t tolerate players whv feek that they are bigger than the club and that’s exactly how it should be.
Naturally, I’ll be disappointed to see either/both leave and it will have a detrimental effect on us being able tobreak down defensive teams, but we just have tolive with it.
Hi Gary
An interesting read and it was a disappointing first half display from city and a stubborn one from Bournemouth in the second half.
Todays rumour is that Everton are willing to pay £30+m for Godfrey so will that be another disaffected player come this weekend.
As I mentioned a few days ago soon we could go from an excellent squad to a meaningless squad if you believe all the rumours.
3 long term injuries, 10 players out on loan, 3 told they are surplus with no clubs interested and 4 losing interest due to rumours.
CB
Klose is he injured or not fit
Gibson on the bench but so far no game time
Zimmerman really out of form.
Midfield
Skipp looking good
Tettey no game time so far
Rupp not really proving he is championship standard
McLean again no pulling up tree’s
All the others that no game time
Forward
Pukki just might get back his mojo
Idah still learning his craft
Hugill not enough game time to prove he is an asset to the team.
New boys
Placheta looks good but and has pace to spare
Quintilla he could be the answer to Lewis’s departure better going forward than defending at present.
The others either out on loan or no game time this going to try the management no end and will the supporters patient hold firm.
With Shalka 04 sacking Warner will they come calling for Farke o fly time will tell
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay safe and stay healthy
I hope so.
I can’t see that Farke ‘lost the plot in that press conference, would John have preferred him to have spouted some “he picked up a knock in training” BS rather than give an honest answer.
A matter of opinion I suppose but I know the approach I prefer, he clearly has a passion for the club which I’m sure we all do as fans and I see no problem in reminding players of their responsibilities when required. Clearly Max and Ben et al are working hard and not of the opinion that ‘we’re lucky to have them here’ so it’s perfectly reasonable to require the same work ethic from Todd and Emi.
I get the fact that it’s their job and they’re not going to feel the same way as fans however they are well rewarded and have been given the platform by the club in the first place so it shouldn’t be too much to ask that they put in a full shift whilst they’re here.
I think Farke’s comments yesterday are as much tactical as anything else. It’s not just about 2 players who are hoping for a better offer. It’s a timely reminder to all his players, and their agents, that if they want to play they have to put the effort in at Colney.
It’s a message he can afford to deliver 3 games in to a long season. Were we 23 games in he might be more cautious.
If I’ve understood things correctly things might yet work in our favour. Although PL clubs, have to complete their acquisitions by next Monday, we still have 2 weeks to source replacements. So if, say, Cantwell did go to Leeds at the last minute, I think we still have a couple of weeks to bring players in permanently or on loan – including from PL clubs.
One thing for sure is that whilst the club’s line is we do not need to sell, if we do it will help fill the huge hole in our finances left by the absence of fans. The vast majority of clubs in the division do not have the same option. It might not matter in the short term, but by next year there could be a lot of rival clubs who simply cannot pay high enough wages to attract new recruits. We should still be able to do so.
Good read Gary farke couldnt possibly have player those two of they wanted to be here they wouldnot be talking to other clubs .in my eyes emi as skilfull as He is hasnt been a team player this side of xmas if vranic can stay fit and farke plays him The other two dont be missed as much He to me is The Best passer we have had since crook all The Best mate
Yet another tough read Gary.
First thoughts when team news came in revolved around McLean and Zimmermann, the undroppable.
One can only guess what Ben Gibson thinks of the situation. Having been kept out of a stolid Burnley back line by the likes of mee and tarkowski, he must have expected to fit straight in to our disorganised effort.
Not so. Perhaps we will have to wait until November by which time he may be “match fit”.
With regard to tweedles Dee and dum, their behaviour, during a global pandemic when many are far less fortunate than them is reprehensible. Clearly they have downed tools, despite Farkes assertion on Friday that Buendia was acting with the utmost professionalism.
Cantwell, as anyone who has witnessed his displays has been going through the motions and few are surprised given his demeanour generally.
Still, the club can look forward to banking yet more filthy lucre and we can look forward to more turgid goal starved football.
Frankly, to hell with them all, from the cook to the tea lady and every one in between.
Hi Chris
I’m feeling slightly peeved today as Geezer [our senior terrier] has an exceptionally sore paw [thorns] and cost us a few bob at the vets.
But your line cheered me up:
*To hell with them all, from the cook to the tea lady and everyone in between.*
Bit harsh on the non-existent tea lady though 🙂
Very incisive piece Gary.
It is so sad to see all of this acrimony after the togetherness of the Championship winning season
It seems Emi and Todd want away and I mean now. No hanging around, no helping the club who gave them their chance to shine. And then there are Max and Ben busting a gut to get the team on the right track. Max was linked with Barcelona, how did that not turn his head ?
Who is right and who is wrong. Todd and Emi can perhaps point to the fact that as a we club failed catastrophically in our strengthening for the Premier League, something acknowledged by Stuart Webber. And that they have earnt their place in the said Premier League.
Sorry I am not having any of that. Of course these moves can mean that they will probably never have to work after their careers end and they are only doing what is in the best interest of their families.
But no one put a gun to their heads when they were offered lucrative new contracts by the club..
They are employed to at least train properly and we as fans would want them to put in performances much better than Cantwell’s last 2 games.
But we live in a world were the player is king and Daniel Farke now has to do a “Oliveira” let them train with the youngsters and only let them go when the money is acceptable to Norwich City. Let them stew for awhile.
I have suspected for sometime now that all is not well at Colney and this confirms it.
This why I say it is so sad, the Championship winning side had a fantastic team spirit, look at all the comebacks that year.
Even though we were only 1-0 down yesterday I had no confidence that we would equalize, there just seems a lack of urgency a carry over from last season.
I fear the hangover from last season is going to last longer than I had hoped.
And there is the form of Zimmerman & Mclean to worry about, 2 of my favourite players I may add but they do seem off their games at present. And losing Dowell with the “Terrible Two” playing up are more worries for Daniel.
I still think a top 6 is still possible but we need that b………y transfer window to shut !
Whilst I agree with DF’s reasoning, I have never liked Managers calling players out in public. I thought we were better than that. If they are to go, then fine, but get it all done quietly and efficiently so we can all move on before it turns ugly. If nothing else, from our point of view, it does nothing to enhance their value.
I read that we had 33 crosses yesterday, all well and good but that’s not Pukki’s strength. It’s probably Hugill’s. Teemu needs Stieperman. Hopefully, we will get back to that partnership soon as it’s proven at this level.
And I’m slightly bemused by the absence of Ben Gibson. As mentioned above, we tried so hard to get him and now we don’t use him.
No need for panic just yet though. Let’s get to October 17, see who’s left and go from there.
When the manager calls out the players in public you know you have big problems. What he should be doing is defending them like Lampard and his expensive goalkeeper.
How did we get three games into the season and not make it very clear to the top talent whether they’re staying or going (for the right price)?
As for the game, we weren’t too bad, we weren’t anywhere near our last TC season either.
Despite his previous proclamations that he wouldn’t want to sell Buendia and Cantwell for £100m, I bet DF would get rid of them both (in their current moods) for two pints of larger and a packet of crisps. Their presence is going to overshadow everything from now until they have either gone or shown some contrition and been welcomed back into the fold. Until then quite possibly, splodgeness abounds.
So it’s going to be the middle of October before we truly know who’s in and who’s out. Although for the atmosphere around the squad it might be better to accept whatever money we might get, SW will undoubtedly hang out for the big money the self financing club model demands.
The performance yesterday was OK, with plenty of possession and crosses going into the box. However, there was rarely anyone with any real physical presence in the box to meet them. I dount the Bournemouth defence or the goalkeeper, who was returning after a long time as 2nd or 3rd choice, will feel as though they’ve had the toughest game this season will provide. Anyone for giving Hugil more than 5 or 10 minutes? Yep, me too.
Great article, Gary.
After watching the game, I really do think there’s a place for Trybull and Leitner. But then, as per the basis of your article – who knows what really goes on beyond closed doors.
Listening to the neutral (but well-informed) Talk Sport commentary and comparing it to Connor’s text on the Pink ‘un was quite interesting.
On TS they were full of praise for Danjuma’s classy turn that led to the first goal; meanwhile Connor Southwell wrote that Godfrey was “turned too easily”, later correcting it to Zimmermann.
Having seen it there’s no question it was a classy first touch and spin, keeping the ball away from Zimmermann and effectively putting him on his back foot. ; Whether Gibson, Klose or Hanley would then have been able to get off the back foot to make a block quicker than Zimm I’m not sure. Perhaps. When forced to clear long, would any of them be more accurate than Zimm.? Perhaps. I don’t know, I don’t see these guys in training.
It’s a long season and Gibson and Hugel, expensive acquisitions both, will play their part. But whilst the keeper and 3 of the back 4 that helped lead us to the in 2018/19 are still there why would Farke change it?
In the end I think Gibson will be first choice but I’d sooner they try him out against the likes of Derby or Rotherham than a team with, as Farke pointed out, over 1,000 PL appearances between them.
Our failures so far have been at the other end of the park. We were gifted both the winner at Huddersfield and our opener against PNE. I don’t think we have yet opened up the opposition defence in the way Ledson/Sinclair did against us last week. That’s what we used to do, and what we need to do again if we are to compete. If Buendia and Cantwell do go then I would expect us to see much more of Vrancic, and possibly Josh Martin.
We sign on 11 new players along with 3 (?) others signed in January (as I recall) and 3 further players who we’ve yet to see off the premises. That’s 17 on top of the squad we already had. It was never credible that we would run such a big first team squad (around 34 or so). This was preparing for the sale of players and that could only mean our better players (the alternative was loans, that are presently around 20!!). Already we’ve witnessed new signings, such as Hugill and Gibson, expected to play and not getting in first XI. (And if chosen, others such as Zimmermann, Hanley and Idah left out.) Yes, we want competition for places but at the level we now play the Club has a surplus of requirements and that will be managed only by departures. On another matter – two recent Friday NCFC YouTube training videos did not inspire confidence. Generally pratting around; don’t want to be critical but apart from GKs at work Club should be embarrassed by what was revealed. (Last Friday there was continuous rain and wind, simply never stopped, so why not use large indoor facility?) Yes it was only a ten minute snapshot but quite frankly showed a complete lack of professional approach and perhaps was a ‘window’ into wider issues at present?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L2F1tLldDn0
Yes maybe Farke dropping our 2 most creative players was justified – who knows? (we don’t see what goes on in training), but putting three valuable points at stake by playing Rupp instead wasn’t his finest decision – with no creativity in midfield this season we will end up with HMS P*ss all
Time to give the likes of Gibson & Hugill some meaningful game time too
While 11 players were brought in, including the three we already had in the building from last season, not all of these were brought to bolster the first team.
Already sinani, McCallum, Sitti have all been moved out on loan. The likes of Dennis and Mumba are 18 years of age and clearly “development squad” acquisitions.
Remove Duda from the equation, throw in Lewis, add Leitner, trybull and Drmic to the mix. Then sell cantwell and Buendia, which now seems inevitable, for many millions of pounds.
With the likelihood that Godfrey and Aarons will also become embroiled in the mess almost inevitable, it would seem that our big squad is in fact rather threadbare.
Further to all this upheaval, add Dowell and Byram to the situation and the probability that neither of them will play any football much before February along with the other knocks and scrapes we will encounter.
Webber is going to have to move very quickly and sadly for Delia, be prepared to spend some decent money to prevent the whole squad being holed under the waterline.
I have always felt that the Crown Jewels would be sold. That’s what we do, the problem will be explaining that to a support that has been fed the line that we didn’t have to sell anybody due to our complete lack of transfer action last season.
October looms, by February, having seen no football for this seasons outlay, renewal notices will be dropping through the door. Unless serious money has been made available for reinforcements things might start to get interesting.