It’s nice to be proven right occasionally and I am no exception to enjoying that all-too-rare feeling.
It did not take the scrying glass of Nostrafarmus [or Chris Sadler’s dodgy old sphere of clear plastic from the charity shop] to predict the obvious but ’twas a week ago to this very day that I loudly proclaimed on MFW:
“We will take it as read that Kenny McLean is already being lined up for a new contract or at least an extension to his existing one. Actually, I don’t mind in the slightest because although he is unpopular among certain sections of the fanbase I reckon the Mayor is sound enough at Championship level, albeit perhaps only as a more-than-useful squad player”.
And lo, it rapidly came to pass.
We now have the versatile Kenny, who has even demonstrated that he can play left-back and right-back simultaneously and will be 31 on January 8, on a contract until 2025 with the option of a further year, This surely means he will see out his playing career in Norfolk with maybe a Scottish swansong in the Championship or below if he retains his fitness.
Since signing from Aberdeen in January 2018, he has made himself a regular at Carrow Road with 158 appearances and eleven goals to his name as well as two Sky Bet Championship titles – so far this season, McLean has played 20 times in all competitions.
Stuart Webber said from an undisclosed location:
“Kenny has been outstanding for us since he walked through the door. This contract is [due] reward for a player who has stuck with us through ups and downs and is an integral part of our plans going forward”.
Me? I’m happy to see Kenny staying on, despite some of the noise coming out of Glasgow where speculation was rife that he would reunite with his beloved boyhood club, Rangers.
This comment from Ibrox News typifies much of the reaction to the rumours from Bears supporters, whose club is just as skint as ours, and is not atypical of views north of the border:
“McLean is a decent player but at 30 he is past his prime and does not offer the club any upside in the coming years.
“He may have played a bit-part role at Rangers had he signed but that is not what the club’s transfer strategy has been and we do not think they would change it for a player like him. The Scotland international has not set the world alight at Norwich and playing for Rangers is a completely different ball game.
“It’s a blessing in disguise for the club that he’s signed a new deal and they can now look elsewhere for better midfielders that offer a long-term solution as well”.
I don’t care if he constantly points at everybody and passes sideways far too often. Any man who stands on the City Hall balcony in a tricorn hat with a town crier’s handbell in one hand and a bottle of MD 20/20 in the other remains just fine by me.
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My FA Cup Moment of the Weekend concerns Forest Green Rovers. You never know, Lady Luck might choose tonight’s Third Round draw to offer us a first-ever trip to the New Lawn – and if she does we’re in for a rude ecological awakening.
Well-known ex-new age traveller, practicing vegan and crusader on behalf of extreme Green issues everywhere, FGR owner Dale Vince helped fund the Just Stop Oil protests wherein activists cabled-tied themselves to goalposts during Premier League matches. He didn’t know that was how they would protest when he handed them £10,000 but would have given them the money anyway, he told the Daily Mail.
How Dale Vince spends his money is up to him and there’s nowt wrong with veganism and taking personal environmental responsibility.
But I saw some 20 minutes of Forest Green v Alvechurch on Saturday while waiting for France v Denmark to start and what I did not approve of was the stadium’s foot-high LED strip-lighting flashing up the slogan FFS Just Stop Oil at regular intervals. That’s a bit too controversial [and indeed unwarranted] for my liking I’m afraid Mr Vince.
Oh well that most likely won’t be an issue as we’ll probably get a trip to Barnsley instead. We normally do.
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My World Cup Moment of the Weekend concerns Mexico centre-back Nestor Araujo and our very own Grant Hanley.
You can tell me they’re not doppelgangers if you like, but I shan’t take any notice of you. 😀
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I don’t know if the bell-ringing Kenny appreciates AC/DC, but I do so I’ll leave you with this:
‘Stuart Webber said from an undisclosed location.’ Brilliant line. McLean staying is fine by me for all the reasons you state and the new contract means that, in the unlikely event of City getting promoted, they’ll get a transfer fee for him.
My preferred draw for the FA Cup is Walsall away (I’m sure I’m in a minority of one). The landlord of my local is a Walsall fan so it could be fun-or terrible,
Hi Don
I’ve never been to Walsall – all I know of it is that #10 on the M6 is the epicentre of congestion on the M6, in my experience anyway!
Cheers
Marty, the Mayor is a good ole boy and when the moon is in the right phase can score a goal or two. Like most faithful players he does as he is told most of the time which often means playing out of his best position which I would describe as foreword midfield. As to the cup how about the Binners at Carra Rd, a three goal fest for a rejuvenated City? 🥴
Hi Cutty
Yes Kenny is a good ole boy indeed and isn’t lacking in the effort and commitment departments, that’s for sure.
I really do not want to face the Binners anytime soon – Pride of Anglia would be put to a very stiff test that we might not come through intact right now.
Cheers
It is a worry Martin as it is inevitable that sooner or later there will be an ACN moment when we get Ipswich Town in the FA Cup or League Cup.
Do you realize that Andrew Omobamidele and Liam Gibbs had only just started infants’ school when Ipswich last beat us😂
For years I have felt we were light years ahead of them, not so much now!
As for Kenny I am surprised as I thought he was certain to go to Glasgow Rangers.
I am not sure by the comments made by the Ibrox News in saying playing for Rangers is a completely different ball game😱
Bigger club for sure, but Rangers v Kilmarnock compared to Norwich v Liverpool? I think there is far greater pressure and media attention in the UK for the EPL game.
Hi Tim
As a Celtic fan the Ibrox News isn’t part of my regular reading but as a fansite it served as a good mood-catcher on this occasion.
It must be remembered that the top two positions in the SPL is the only thing that matters to these guys and the Bhoys sites I follow are just the same 🙂
As I said to Cutty [above] I really wouldn’t fancy our chances against the Binners right now. I’m not proud to say that, but say it I must.
Cheers
Hi Martin.
Said Dale Vince is an old Yarmouthian or Bloater of Cliffe Park School along with Mathew Mcfadden one anti oil while the others father was a Shell Excutive.
Sadly Maurice Norman of Mulbarton and played 35 times for city in the 50’s prior to a swap deal with Spurs to bring Johnny Gavin back to the club and was the backbone of the double winning team has died aged 88, my condolences to his friends and family.
McLean will garner many views, a good squad member, possibly traffic controller in the middle of the park, reads the game well so we are told then directs others to the danger instead of reacting himself.
Reliable at this level but is he keeping others from developing only time will tell.
Ipshxte beat the world renowned Buxton 4-1 yesterday could our fate draw us at home to them in the next round away would be a disaster.
QPR looking for a new manager so more changes in the championship city still bucking the trend and sticking with Smith who hasn’t proved a good match.
Hi Alex
I’d heard Vince grew up locally but I wasn’t sure so I left it out – should have googled it really I guess.
Is McLean stopping others from breaking through? Quite possibly. Again I didn’t think of that aspect when I probably should have done.
Funny how everybody is mentioning 1p5wich – I really wouldn’t fancy our chances!
Cheers
The mayor has always been a wholehearted player and never given less than 100% but at his age putting him on a three year contract says everything about the financial state of our club.
Come the end of the season just what are we going to be left with? Certainly very limited ambition.
Hi John
You’re right about Kenny’s age, which I referenced with *31 in January* 🙂
The *limited ambition” will not leave us whiie Delia is here as it suits her. Allegedly.
Cheers
Guys , comes a time , when tempting fete, about the binners in the cup is iffy. Today is third round draw , and I ,for one do not want to be down by the river Orwell in early January.
On Kenny MaClean guess he’s a southern man now .
Hi Bernie
You’re right about Kenny but I’ll let you say it to his face.
I’d rather face 1p5wich in the Cup than do that!
Cheers