Given that we’re just a week-and-a-bit into pre-season and there’s been nothing new to report in terms of incoming players or incoming investment, it’s still been an interesting few days in the life of Norwich City FC.
Oddly, after a year in which we’ve become used to the news being generally disheartening, the last week has been, dare I say it, of a rather more positive ilk. Some would even describe it as a good one.
That’s not to say it wasn’t without its unsettling stories. So, in chronological order…
Monday: The big news of the day was an announcement of an announcement. The #NCFC Twittersphere went into overdrive when the club’s social media channels went big on pointing all City’s fans to 9am on Tuesday morning.
The amateur sleuths among us had spotted that it probably wasn’t going to be a conventional kit launch, or even a kit launch at all, but other than some highlighted and unhighlighted words in a snazzy graphic, there were few clues.
As intended, it created a buzz to end all buzzes, with the rumours ranging from the formal launch of the Mark Attanasio era at NCFC to the introduction of a new signing (or two), to it not being a single kit launch, but a triple-kit launch.
As we now know, it was none of those things.
Tuesday: Instead of being something that money could buy, it was something far more important. In a beautifully presented video by our own Stephen Fry – one that’s now been watched 546,000 times – he spoke movingly of the worryingly high suicide rate and the more general struggle with mental health suffered by many.
Despite a few expressing their disappointment at how the club used the ‘hook’ for something not football-related, no one argued with the hugely important message and the very moving stories that followed from City fans and employees of the club. It was a brilliant idea, brilliantly executed.
Later on in the day, some sobering football news would land. Teemu Pukki’s agent came out in the Finnish media with a few lines on his client including, “Teemu has a desire to play as high as possible”.
In effect, he was just doing what all agents do and stating a fact – that Pukki would like to play at the highest level he can – but he did admit in the same piece that the asking price may preclude any move from happening.
That didn’t however stop some who should know better (ahem) from immediately fearing a Pukki-less Championship season.
Wednesday: Not too much happened – equivalent to Craig David’s Sunday. It was mainly filled with speculation about what the new kit would look like (and when that’s the only thing you have to worry about…)
Thursday: The new kits drops at 8:30 and BOOM! For almost the first time ever, it’s met with almost universal acclaim, from both within the Canary nation and beyond.
Even those whose modus operandi is to sneer and mock anything in yellow and green have to admit that the club and Joma have nailed it, with their nod to the 1980s. And even the launch video was nigh on perfect…
Other news to emerge on Thursday was that the club has gone into partnership with an Italian company called AEC Illuminazione, which will provide 21st-century floodlighting in Carrow Road for the new season. This will enable City to join the rest of the crowd (no pun intended) and partake in pre-match light shows for evening games.
While probably not for some, I reckon they’ll add a certain something, which may or may not include a splitting headache.
Friday: Game day! The first one of the new season. Despite the players having only had four days training, it was to Aldiss Park, Dereham that Dean Smith took his squad, where a separate XI in each half ended up beating the Magpies 4-0 in what, by all accounts, was a fairly gentle run out.
A brace for Jordan Hugill and a rare, quietly impressive, performance from Todd Cantwell were the two main talking points.
With ten players still to report back, it was very much a dusting down of the cobwebs exercise for those present, and things will step up this week as they head to Germany for their training camp, where they will be joined by the ten said absentees.
One interesting comment to emerge from Smith’s post-match thoughts in Dereham was his use of the word ‘certainly’ when asked if Pukki will be a City player for the upcoming season.
It’s clear the club has a desire to keep the Finn – and he’s not one of those they’re looking to cash in on – but, reading between the lines, I suspect there is a valuation at which they would sell, albeit they, or the player’s agent, are not expecting anyone to meet it.
Let’s hope so anyway.
So, that, in Canary world, was the week that was. And it wasn’t a bad one.
I’m not sure it’s possible to leave a comment on this particular column Gary. You’ve summed it all up in a nutshell.
Hope springs eternal Gary. Got a season ticket immediately on returning to East Anglia from deepest Cornwall. (That was a big surprise and shows the extent of the developing ennui amongst some of the former faithful.) Got a ticket for Cambridge (a). Meeting up before the friendly with 2 brothers, 2 nephews. Catch up with family; guess we shall see new away kit too. Oh and there might be some football to admire or moan over. This is what it is all about.
Guess there won’t be many aspirational glory hunters at the Abbey Stadium.
Do you think that AEC Illuminazione have guaranteed the club we won’t have another Derby County situation? All that light flashing is likely to blow a fuse – not least one of mine! Now if only we could get the club to lower the volume on the so-called music before the kick off, so I can hear my mates when they’re talking, that would be a result!
Yep not bad at all, do admit to being peed off when I went to see the non-kit launch, but given the vital subject, that subsided. But would still rather still have not had a sort of trick. Still what does it matter ?
The new shirt, nailed, does not seem adequate, seen on a few other club sites, saying it is already shirt of the year. spot on.
The new lighting looks to be an interesting venture. I have wondered about the flood lighting pylons, sure something could be done to take them away and have a more lightweight system on the roofs. Supporting the roofs of each end with support from the back., would then make the stadium all good views.
Went to Dereham friendly, as expected it was totally one-sided, perhaps 95%, the quality was evident, so making it hard to judge any players, But was impressed with Dickson-Peters Flynn Clarke ( if he was the light haired wing back 2nd half) Some great banter with Gunny and a couple of home team players with the crowd.. For all the play City had, was surprised there weren’t more goals, whether they didn’t want a cricket score to embarrass the home players. Wayward finishing, along with some good defensive work from the amateur lads. It wasn’t about amassing a large scoreline, but getting cobwebs out and so testing out what Smith wants, in that case, Job done.
I spoke with several people around me, .a family of 7 have not renewed their Season Tickets, while another couple has enough credits to go to only all away games. 5 others renewed but if things do not improve (not just promotion) that will be their last.
So despite all the more positive news nothing will deflect from the inactivity and lack of ambition, as Bruce Rioch once said
So are we quietly confident, or quietly worried? Awaiting good news or hiding behind the sofa? My expectation are not high, I don’t see £M’s of new investment, or an influx of classy players but neither do I see looming disaster. So a week of nothing much seems about right and I’ll stay seated on the sofa.
I found out that the Norwich manager comments about Pukki transfer very disrespectfully and immaturely. His transfer has nothing to do with low level player Dowell or he wants. There is a large interest towards Pukki going on. There have been negotiations about his transfer away and that is Teemu Pukkis wish and his finnish agent just tries to fulfill his wishes.
So the main and most important fact is that Pukki does not want to play for Norwich anymore. He has said that he wants to enjoy when he plays and that is not happening when playing in Norwich and that championship is not a league where he wants to play either. MTV called to finnish agent, who explained something about the situation. Between lines its easy to read something about his interview. That part where he talked about that Teemu has a history of respecting his contracts it obviously indicates panic. Teemu left Finland national team games happy and even though the results were not so great, he laughed that if we keep on giving 3 goals it can be difficult to win. When he came to national team camp he looked depressed and sad, its all the time the same thing and his mood changes back to normal when he can play again football he likes to play and with players who can technically play different passing combos. When Buendia was still there he said that he enjoys playing with him, now there has been no one and 100% there is no one like that coming either. So he is by himself in Norwich and because obviously Norwich club leaders and staff do not believe at all to other players, they stick desperately to Pukki who they hope to win games by himself. Buendia forced himself out, Teemu must do the same thing and tell that playing in Norwich is not anymore an option. If his finnish agent is not able to do that, there are other agents who can make it happen. Teemu must be finally completely selfish and do exactly how he feels. Anyway, this is a ridiculous situation if there is a club who wants to keep a player who wants very much to leave and is sad because its like slavery. A player like that cannot play his best, not even close. Norwich got him also as a free transfer and after all he is done, Norwich prefers to treat him like shit. The player can treat the club the same way if that really is the only way to get a solution. We shall see first does he even report to your training camp, both lose but Norwich way more. You cant keep on doing things which feel too wrong to yourself.
It is clear that Pukki wants to play at the higest level positive, nobody can argue with that. From what I gather Pukki is a rare commodity, honourable prepared to see out his contract. He is in a awkward situation, he has to perform if he stays to encourage buyers when he can walk away, he can get one last good payday as there are not many more seasons left for him.
Why he is not being given the same promise Arrons was given, is because he is a scoring striker not being disrespectful to Max, the wings backs are not as sought after. Pukki has proven he can score at both levels , given the service . The Buendia link with Pukki scoring isn’t so strong for me especially in premiership he scored as many without Emi in the team as he did with him in. Yep Buendia was a special talent while at City, not so much at Villa. That is a problem we fans have, we see players as something special but not many have gone on to be be quite as good as we thought. For me Maddison was the best, but City had little to do with his learning, Coventry take the credit for that. Now he is in a run of the mill Leicester side, ignored by an England manager who lost his way if he ever had one. in favour of Mount, who rarely lights the touchpaper for me.
Pukki has rarely hit headlines during his career, without doubt Norwich have been his most successful club to have played for. Who could deny him the free reign to seek new green stuff to play on, he has earned that right. I could not say he doesn’t want to play for City again as I do not know him or anyone close to him. If that is the case he needs to find away of getting that message out there.
If an offer of £5-6 mill came in, I would take it, look for another player who can be intergrated in Smith’s way of playing. If we are honest as good as Teemu is he is not going to draw large fees, age and any sell on will see to that. Next year he can walk away for nothing which to me reeks of bad management if that is allowed to happen. but then I expect that.
You are completely wrong about how many seasons he plays at the top level. He can play at least 4 seasons, Ronaldo is 37 and still keeps on going. Teemus injury record is minimal, his lifestyle is healthy. After those 4 seasons he still has likely 4 seasons left in his career, he can then accept money transfer outside Europe. He already had that chance but decided then to stay in Norwich. He feels that he is now coming at the prime of his career so far and he is right about that.
With Buendia he had a close relationship in and outside pitch. He became a close friend. Its true that Teemu can score and assist goals without him, but with him he also had fun playing with.
Hitting headlines in England is a very subjective issue. If players are unknown to brtish football fans it does not mean that they have not hit the headlines anywhere else. Maddison is very unknown outside Britain. Norwich was an unknown club for Pukki when he heard about their interest. Pukki is internationally known, thanks to both the Finland national team and Norwich when playing in the premier league. His international stats have made him more famous, they are incredible and very top of the world.
English clubs have been unwilling to pay more than 10-15 million, because he is 32 and there are of course some risks too. That money is not enough for Norwich, they counted price strangely and based on how much promotion is worth. 5-6 million asking price he would have gone right away. You would have got a huge transfer fee for him a couple seasons ago. Asking price and Norwich were completely unwilling to sell him, believing that he could save you.
Teemu really has only to lose if playing in championship. He cant win anything, the fact that Mitrovic happened to score so many goals last season makes it even worse. He also has pressure in national team if he is forced to play in championship. Its not rated highly here. He sees that his national team teammates are getting to play in better leagues, can play european cup games and he is the 1 who should play second level football? Lets say that mr Kanerva makes notification that he will not anymore select any player who plays in a second level league? Teemu is almost the only one now.
A player from 36 is what he would be roughly after another 4 seasons, in UK are playing lower levels, you cannot really compare any other player except Messi to Ronaldo, he is a little bit different than most. I don’t think, I am totally wrong on this.
He may be able to carry on until 40, but I cannot see him being in this country at the top two levels at that age.
I was of course speaking from the UK perspective, Maddison was well known in footballing circles here, it is where he wanted his career. Norwich beat a few clubs including premiership. teams for his signature. Not abroad in any other country. known or unknown
I say again he has earned a right to a move if there is such a thing, his valuation to other clubs and Norwich valuation are two separate things miles apart. Norwich knows he can walk away next season, for nothing, there may well be a contract offer going his way who knows I don’t for sure. If there is he can make his intentions clearer by not signing.
At the end of the day Dean Smith is Norwich manager if he makes that sort of statement in the media,I am almost sure he knows something we do not.
At the end of the day. Pukki has been good for Norwich, while Norwich have been good for Pukki. Thanks for your outstanding service, you want to leave then so be it. no different to many many players
I think I wrote that about age 36 years he most likely will be moving away from european bigger leagues like Premier and La Liga. Football market is like that today, and its easy to predict that he will play outside Europe where he can still make very good salaries and games are less physical.
I think you have a somewhat inflated view of the level of Finnish football, 1×2. They’ve not exactly set the world alight in international competitions at any significant level (and neither have England, I know). You often claim to know what Pukki wants or is thinking. Do you have a direct contact with him or are you a relative, or are you just like the rest of us, a wishful thinker?
Jim, I have said a long time ago that he wants to leave Norwich. Now finnish press has revealed the same thing. We know our players and right now there are surprisingly many Finland national team players changing their clubs. 2 have already made it, you dont have to be relative to know who are moving and who is not. This is 5,5 million country, where those players during the summer spend their time in Finland. They are not hiding anywhere, if you feel like you can chat with them when you see them. Norwich would be ok place to play to the majority of finnish players, to Pukki Norwich is not in his level. Norwich obviously thinks the same way and are forcing him to stay.
Well he has played two of last three seasons in the championship was still picked for Finland and scored plenty for them so I don’t see the problem .if anything playing for Norwich has raised his profile probably would not played in England had Norwich not taken him .
There was at least Reading from english clubs, Pukki told that the Norwich offer was bigger. He was supposed to move to greek club, but greek club in final stages struggled to take him financially. In my opinion they even announced as made off transfer in their newspapers and in the club page too.
He would have done very well everywhere, but yes it has been a good move for him. Problem is that Norwich is a club where Pukki must carry the whole team in his back and you cant keep your place in the premier league.
Pukki is a key player to national team. Of course he will be selected. We want to see all our players coming to national team training camps as happy and not feeling miserable when they come. He is way too good playing at championship level. Same way for example Kamara should leave Rangers because scottish league is not his level and concentrating only to euriopean cup games is a nice thing but not enough. Of course where his national team mates are playing affects to Pukki too mentally.
Agree with all of that I’ve not seen or heard anything from pukki saying he’s not happy here so fully expect to see him at cr next season
Fry’s MH message was brilliant and the subsequent kit launch ( and the kit) were superb. Pukki must stay. Really pleased to hear of Todd playing on Friday, I’m surprised how much I hope he does well.