That was the week that was for Norwich City in terms of them there comings and goings, wasn’t it?
Gibbo and Dimi confirmed as permanent additions to the squad was no big surprise to anybody and their comments on NCFC official afterwards were very pleasing on the ear. And it also looks like this will be the last time for a while that I will use the term *Stieperdude*.
I’m sure all of our readers will join me in hoping Marco has fully recovered from illness and goes on to end his career in style, albeit with somebody else and probably in a different country.
Mario Vrancic will be announced as a new arrival by Stoke City today. Now that’s not a bad signing on a free for a Championship side. It would be great if we got the Potters at home in a Cup competition so we could show our collective appreciation.
Oh and then there’s one Billy Gilmour, the Chelsea loanee who Samuel Seaman detailed in fine fashion on MFW yesterday, so I don’t feel I need to add anything about him. But his mother is worthy of a namecheck – it’s Carrie, by the way.
It slightly miffs a Celtic follower like myself to mention it, but Carrie, her husband and Billy’s younger brother turned up at Colney for the official photo and Mum refused to hold a green part of our scarf as, to her, it represented the Bhoys. Hubby later claimed she would only wear an NCFC top if it had no green on it, suggesting maybe one of our away kits might be her way forward for next season.
Everybody knows Billy’s allegiance to Rangers, but I have to give his mother 10/10 for attitude – that was something else. She certainly got rave reviews on Rangers News and other Bluenose fansites anyway 🙂
Talking of kit, the worst-kept secret in Norfolk football was revealed midweek when Spanish company Joma were formally announced as the successor to Errea. If the travel kit sported by Billy G, Teemu, Ben G and Dimi is anything to go by it looks promising in extremis.
I was interested to read NCFC’s comments on the link-up, which included this line from head of commercial operations Sam Jeffery:
*When we took the decision to survey the market, we met every supplier with four key objectives we wanted to achieve: complete creative control of design, an outstanding commercial agreement in line with our self-financed model, a brand with a firm track record within football, and a partner who wanted to support the wider Norfolk community.*
There’s no concern here, just a question regarding the foremost key objective – that of wanting *complete creative control of design*. Back in the day adhering to corporate identity was [quite rightly] an important part of my job writing and designing publications for BASF – all issued from our HQ in Ludwigshafen but so straightforward and simple as in: this is the logo [badge], these are our base colours [black, white and cyan in this case rather than yellow and green] and the contact details at the bottom of page 16 or 24 or whatever must be exactly *like this*. It was the same for every single country in the world.
And that was it. Otherwise, be as personally creative as you like and – fill your boots.
So are Joma given free rein with the design of the couture itself or does somebody at NCFC totally dictate it? I don’t overmuch care either way but I’d kind of like to know.
At the end of what has been a great week for City in the transfer market and the England national team on the pitch as well, I was slightly saddened to come across an article in the Pink Un concerning our former academy goalkeeper Fergal Hale-Brown, who said that because his dreams were shattered by being released he had gone directly from loving football to hating it.
Fergal seems to be getting himself together and fighting back via the non-League pyramid. Others like Ian Wright, Jamie Vardy and our own Grant Holt have done it so let’s hope Fergal can manage it as well.
The shattered dreams of youth are not always easy to recover from and I think a few comments from folks who have suggested *so what* are rather missing the point.
Back to the realm of the cheerful, what are you guys doing at 8pm on Wednesday?
Marty, didn’t know you you were Celtic fan. I see they are trying to squeeze us for the Norwegian. Think that one is a dead duck at £12M.
Hiya Cutty
I can only realistically claim to be a follower in all honesty – I’ve only seen them three times and two of those were at Carrow Road testimonials – Tim Sheppard and Adam Drury of course. The European Cup triumph in 1967 was my induction and I’ve followed them with great interest ever since.
As for Ajer I’m inclined to agree with you but as ever we can only wait and see.
Cheers
What is it with women called Carrie associating themselves with things I don’t like? At least this one has produced a son with the potential to become a hero to me-at least for a year. I recognise her anti green revulsion-I have cousins who will have nothing blue or orange in their homes.
I also read the article about Fergal Hale-Brown. His story, with international recognition from a young age, goes to show just how bloody hard it is for kids (especially goalkeepers) to make the grade in professional football; they have to be utterly exceptional. I must remember this the next time I’m tempted to call one of our players rubbish.
Hi Don
Yes the Old Firm rivalry certainly cuts both ways. I used to work in Cumbernauld sometimes with a largely Rangers-supporting bunch and the conversations could sometimes get a bit inflammatory – especially on the shop floor.
Being obviously English I was largely expected to keep out of it but all the management knew I was Celtic and I guess the rest of the lads knew as well. I got quite a few remarks which I won’t repeat here but you’ll have heard them yourself for sure.
It IS more difficult for keepers to come through, even if only because of the limited number of opportunities compared to outfield players.
Cheers mate
Here we are with 8 weeks of the transfer window remaining and SW/DF are still hopeful of signing Billing/Ajer for club record transfer fees. Let’s say I’m cautiously optimistic that at least one of them will be at CR in the next few weeks.
With the pursuit of Ajer, I guess Klose’s time at CR is over and I can see him being the next to leave ‘by mutual consent’.
I’m quite surprised that there are no rumours regarding either Aarons or TC, but I expect that may well change in the coming weeks – especially with regard to Aarons. 🙁
Morning Ed
Sorry to say it but as the TC to Villa rumour dissipates the Aarons to Everton one reignites – plus ca change and all that.
If Timm Klose had stayed at Basle that would have been great all round but it seems like they simply didn’t want him. Shame.
Only another six weeks or so of rumour to go.
Cheers
Hi Martin
There is so much expectation for Billy G to be the next Olly Skipp and not the next Roberts or Edwards and I really hope people give him a chance to settle in and adapt to a new style of play and set of players.
He has already mentioned that Hanley has told him all about the area and the club and the Mayor has non stopped text him until he agreed the move so has friends in house.
Vrancic’s move came as a surprise and as with you I wish him all the best on his move and that Marco finds a new home asap it only leaves 3 of the immovable objects at the club.
It must be an old man thing with grammar I read that the Spain Company JOMA had hot the kit contract it was good to see you use Spainish seems that it is unfashionable to use good grammar these days.
As for Ajer and Billings it has been said that city have offered less than theur clubs value but achievable add ons and larger sell on clauses to temp them only time will tell.
Football Tuesday and Wednesday then the first ODI V Pakistan 3/4 playoff on Saturday and second ODI V Pakistan as busy week of sport.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay Safe and Keep Healthy 🙏
Hi Alex
Yes, Billy has G has joined and will doubtless form a Rangers heritage triumvirate alongside Grant and the Mayor, but that’s no bad thing.
As for matters grammatical the English language has changed beyond all belief since I spoke my first words in late 1957 – wah! and woo! probably.
I’ve always unconsciously used split infinitives and make other traditional faux pas in many ways but nobody seems to give a damn any more. All I ever learned about grammar I have long forgotten – there’s seemingly no requirement for it just now so if the youngsters don’t care neither do I 🙂
Pakistan will be much sterner opposition than Sri Lanka.
Cheers
I’m an old gammarian too Martin…….and why oh why do the youff of today have to use of/off rather than have……which it totally correct, and changes the meaning of conversation/written word immensely.
And nnow we’ll see if Super Mario can do it on a wet Tuesday in Stoke!! (Other days are also possible)
O T B C
Hi John
The rigours of grammar have totally disappeared since the advent of social media. At 63 I find myself writing words like *thunderba$tard*, *baller* and *snood* without a second’s thought.
Variations on tactical descriptions are another topic. I understand them all and often use them myself but I didn’t assimilate the terminology as quickly as the young guys who know no other way to write.
But unlike some I’m pleased with most of the developments as modern writing adopts street language at the expense of 1960s BBC English – nothing intrinsically wrong with that!
You only have to read an article or comment on MFW to be able to roughly guess the age of the author, for sure.
Spekt
“There are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns — that is to say, we know there are some things we know we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns — the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”
The (recently deceased) Donald Rumsfeld’s dictum sums up what it’s like being a City fan during a transfer window.
The Buendia money, after sell-on clauses, agents fees etc., will have been used to make Gibson and Ginnoulis permanent, and bring in Rashica and Gunn. So if reports that we are still pursuing Ajer, and possibly Billings, are accurate that suggests to me that there must be a deal for Aarons in the pipeline, of which we currently know nothing, to pay for them.
And who else may be leaving? Cantwell possibly?
We’ve heard about McLean’s fitness battle, but what about Byram and Rupp?
I like the look of the business we’ve done so far, although I hope people are not expecting too much of Gilmour. There’s a sort of expectation that because Skipp arrived from another top London club and did brilliantly Gilmour will do the same. Well, he might, but don’t forget that Skipp was only playing in the Championship.
As the likes of Keiffer Moore have shown at the Euros the gap in class between starring in the Championship and taking on the top sides is enormous.
Hi Keith
I like that Rumsfeld quote too. It sounds a bit clumsy at first but a second reading makes it perfectly clear.
The Club have been very close-lipped on both Byram and Rupp for quite a while now but as we returned to training today maybe there’ll be an update quite soon.
I fear for Sam Byram as he’s been out for such a long time but you could take the view that we only paid £750k for him so he was worth a gamble despite his injury history. A punt that might yet pay off, although personally I doubt it.
The stage is set for Billy Gilmour and like you I won’t expect the ends of the earth from him but yet again I felt just the same about Skippy when he joined so it’s yet another case of *we’ll wait and see*.
Thanks as always
Rumsfeld’s statement in full:
“There are known knowns. There are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we now know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we do not know we don’t know.’”
Not only won the 2003 Foot in Mouth award from the Plain English Campaign but was also hailed as an example of found poetry. Go figure!
What is les widely known is that it is often viewed as having its roots in Socrates’ statement “I know that I know nothing”.
Hi ScotCan
It must be MFW does grammar [and/or syntax] day and it’s a shame it’s fallen to me as several of our regular writers and commenters are far more knowledgeable on the subject than I am.
My actual favourite take on Rumsfeld was written long before he said it, courtesy of one Richey Edwards from Manic Street Preachers on *Faster*: I know I believe in nothing but it is my nothing. Which he robbed from Nietzsche in the first place.
I’m off to a dark room to fan myself with a copy of a 1992-3 home programme v Coventry 🙂
Yes, there is nothing that is original other than plagiarism!
That said I think that the Nietzsche and MSPs is a rather different theme about self-realisation rather than Socrates’ (there are others) and Rumsfeld’s epistemic musings. Socrates’ words are often interpreted as a reflection on the confidence levels, and uncertainty inherent, in knowledge and information.
At the risk of going form the sublime to the ridiculous by quoting Derek & Clive:
NURSE!!!
I was over the Spurs when this bloke came up to me and said….. once heard, never forgotten 🙂
The Pink’un has repeatedly reported that the Gibson and Giannoulis deals were covered by monies not related to Buendia’s sale or the previously reported transfer budget. This potentially leaves enough in the pot to get Ajer and Billings in without worrying about the sale of either Aarons or Cantwell.
That’s how I read it too and hopefully you and I are both correct.
BREAKING *NEWS* 🙂
Like many of us I’ve just had a mail from NCFC to say the new Joma travelwear has been officially released and is on sale.
No big deal but I was held in a queue for two whole minutes to take a look at the gear so there must be more than the usual level of interest in a kit release.
It looks terrific and I liked that bench jacket until I saw the price: SEVENTY quid.
*Only* £63 for me with ST discount and I’m a mug with money anyway so I suppose the Fan Hub will be welcoming me at some point tomorrow morning as I’m in the City anyway.
Sadly, I tend to the view, having lived in Scotland for over 30 years, that young Billy’s Mum’s attitude to green is less likely to be due to any footballing allegiance and more likely due to the appalling co-option of football in Glasgow (and elsewhere) for the purposes of spreading racial and religious hatred.
I’m not getting too involved in this beyond saying that both factions constantly use the term *bigot* while often themselves continuing to practice bigotry.
And that surely cannot be right?
Exactly right. No side is right,, both sides are wrong and it does nothing positive for football’s or Scotland’s reputations in the wider society or the wider world.
I worked in Edinburgh back in ‘85. The first 3 questions I was asked in the kitchen were my name, where I was from and If I was green or blue.
Sad to hear the shameful hatred is still being perpetuated from generation to generation.
Please, Just grow up. You really can’t judge anyone on their supposed religion any more than the colour of their skin.
Hi Cannock
Yes you’re right, unfortunately.
It is among the first questions you are asked in Glasgow and indeed in Edinburgh too where the variation I encountered was *Jambo or Hi-Bee?* which nearly always answers the question behind the question for the asker.
I totally agree with your sentiments – as I bet 99% of us do – but I don’t see meaningful change coming any time soon I’m afraid.
Thanks a lot
All correct. The one thing that I would say is that the situation generally in Scotland is much better than when I first moved here in the late-80s. The sort of nonsense that we are discussion is confined to the ‘few’ and Scotland is a much more tolerant and inclusive society that it was then. Dare I say, from observation from within and without, much more so that the rest of the UK, including my homeland of England.
That’s a positive note to end on – I’ve not been over the border this millennium so I’m glad to hear your take on the current state of affairs.
Just a random comment on the price of club gear, I called into the Canary shop in the chapelfield complex and eventually took a top up to the counter. Priced I think at £55. Handed it to the assistant and was asked for £60 . No I said you’ve got it priced up for £55.
Ah that’s only for members , so where’s the sign came my response , paid up and haven’t bought an official shirt since.
Hi Bernie
What gets me with the kit is the mark-up. If, say, an adult home top sells for £55 and it costs less than £5 to produce in Southern Asia or wherever then that’s some profit margin.
I’m n0t specifically blaming City – everybody does it, from Leyton Orient to Liverpool – but that’s modern-day football for you.
Cheers