I too “woke up yesterday morning with the intention of writing a piece in response to Delia’s interview in the Financial Times but, on reflection, thought better of it”, just as MFW editor Gary G did.
Last week we featured an excellent article from Trev, who exhorted MFW readers and writers to put any off-field differences behind us for a while and concentrate on what is happening with the squad, as Gary elected to do yesterday. There is enough frustration happening in this theatre to keep the angst flowing so I’m going to heed Trev’s words and stick with another in my series of weekly NCFC diaries.
And that is kind of what I shall do.***
Norwich City rounded off the German leg of the summer tour with a 0-0 draw against 2.Bundesliga outfit FC Kaiserslautern but the game itself was overshadowed by an injury to young American centre-back Jon Tomkinson.
Early reports suggested this was very similar to the one suffered in training by Spanish wideman Borga Sainz the day before the clash with SV Darmstadt as Tomkinson departed to a sympathetic round of applause from the 7,000-strong crowd, who were mainly Kaiserslautern fans of course
Head coach David Wagner confirmed after the game he feared Tomkinson had suffered a “serious ankle ligament” injury. He is currently being assessed by the club’s medical staff.
“The week as a whole and the game was good, but not perfect. It looks like there’s a serious injury to Jonathan Tomkinson. This is only the real set-back we had here”, said Wagner.
“The set-up we had here in Germany was great. Good locations, good opponents, good set-ups in general. The distances were not too far, they were very good games that we had.
“I think we made some good progressions, good steps. I like how the players fought, how the group starts to gel, and to fight to keep the ball out of the net. All in all, I thought it was decent for pre-season in these two games.”
And it’s good to see that it’s not just the first-team squad that is visiting foreign climes this summer.
Our Academy sides will visit Slovenia as part of their pre-season preparations – both the Under-21s and Under-18s will travel from tomorrow until Saturday [July 22] as they prepare for the upcoming season.
As part of the camp, both sides will play the academy sides of NK Celje on Friday, July 21, while both age groups will take on Ipswich Town at Colney on August 1 at 1030 [Under-18s] and 1500 [Under-21s].
Both of these matches are behind closed doors unfortunately so maybe a tad mean of the club? I guess they have their reasons, an enthusiastic and doubtless very vocal crowd wouldn’t exactly create an ideal learning environment, of course.
***
Back in Blighty, it came as no surprise that the much-touted moves of keeper coaches Ed Wootten and Paul Clements to Leeds and ourselves respectively went ahead seamlessly, as sure as night follows day.
***
Todd Cantwell [remember him?] was in the news north of the border when Kieran Dowell claimed TC “sold” him on a move to the Gers.
“When I first got in contact with the manager [Michael Beale], I was straight on the phone to Todd,” said Dowell.
“I was asking him how he’s found it so far and he was raving about it. He said it’s something different but it’s something that he’s really enjoyed. Just like the manager, Todd really sold it to me as well.
“I’ve known a few Rangers fans from other clubs so they’re always talking about it. I was knocking around with Kenny McLean and Billy Gilmour so you pick things up.
***
Another player released by City has got himself a contract – in this case with Hearts.
Keeper Michael McGovern returns to Scotland and will work closely with former City team-mate and current Hearts technical director Steven Naismith and Alex Neil’s ex-assistant Frankie McAvoy, who is head coach.
***
Next up is what would usually be binned off into the Yer ‘Avin’ a Larf section, but maybe there’s a ring of truth to it this year.
The bookies make Ipswich Town fifth favourites at 7/2 for promotion, with ourselves at 9/2 together with WBA and Stoke while Leicester, Leeds, and Southampton are currently unsurprisingly inseparable as 11/8 favourites.
***
Speculation regarding departures from Carrow Road proceeds apace, even though anything concrete does the exact opposite right now.
Turkish daily outlet Star says that Galatasaray have bid €5 million plus €2 million in add-ons for out-of-favour City winger Milot Rashica, who enjoyed [and I really mean enjoyed] last season on loan with Gala as he helped them to the Super Lig title.
Star says the bonuses would be triggered by games played in European competition, trophies won and domestic games played. They add that personal terms between player and club appear to have been sorted.
Other clubs are rumoured to be interested in Rashica but I can see this one working out well for all parties as long as City accept that they might not be getting as much up front as they would doubtless like. And swallow a €5 million trading loss on the player, of course.
Meanwhile, Antony Martin of Hammers News says David Moyes should sign Max Aarons., even if he appears a little confused:
“Norwich will allegedly demand around £30 million for Max Aarons, but I think that might just be a little bit steep for West Ham, in spite of how good he is.
“Perhaps if we could pick him up for closer to £20-25 million, it will be a deal worth pursuing for the Hammers.
“That said, if Norwich won’t budge on their £30 million asking price, I still think Aarons will be a good signing for us.”
***
Off the field, City have introduced Yellow Brick Mortgages as the club’s latest primary partner, building on a partnership that began in the 2021-22 season.
The Norwich-based mortgage advisers will have their logo on the front of the men’s first team warm-up shirt from the start of the coming season.
And not to be outdone, Norfolk-based tech firm Sekura become the 2023-24 back-of-shirt sponsor for David Wagner’s first team and become the main shirt sponsor for the women’s team. The company specialises in “allowing companies to verify the ID of their customers”.
So now we know.
***
Former City striker Grant Holt is swapping his Predators for Mammuts on August 5 when he sets out on a 44-mile overnight trek from Ipswich to Framlingham Earl, just outside Norwich, which is home of The Nook.
The Nook is the HQ of East Anglian Children’s Hospices [EACH], and Holty has helped them raise funds before, including completing a skydive in January last year.
***
Daniel Farke’s inevitable departure from Norfolk’s green and pleasant land was one thing, signing for a rival Championship side was another but signing up to manage Leeds United finally proved enough to break the resistance of Fat Cat & Canary guv’nor Christian Hodgkinson.
That’s a shame because through these eyes it’s a wonderful piece of street art in its own right. None of this mindless tagging and spraying two triangles on the wall to represent a pineapple, just a really good study of the man.
I drive past quite a lot and will certainly miss it, although I kind of understand how Christian might be feeling 
*** I said at the top of the article that I would join Gary in giving writing about Delia Smith‘s interview with the FT a wide berth and so I kind of did.
Kind of because there was a passage in it where our joint majority shareholder was asked about her plans for the club when the passage of time will inevitably mean that she will have to hand over the yellow and green reins.
Her reply means that she has won Martin’s Midsummer Quote of the Week Award, [no surprise, there is no prize] even if only for her optimism in the final sentence:
“He [Mark Attanasio] seems like a really good guy. We have no idea what the future will bring. We just have to wait and see. What we have to do now is hand over to people we think will be good caretakers. Football is full of terrible disasters.
“We won’t have a disaster. We’ll do it properly.”
Which will doubtless please supporters everywhere, particularly a man and his family who were:
Morning Martin enjoyed your read as normal I’m not looking forward to this season one bit I’ve seen no improvement to squad at the moment more of the same if you ask me . My prediction for this season under present set up is we be struggling to keep out of bottom six can’t see where goals are coming from may have a top scorer of about 12 won’t get anywhere with that need a least two more proven goalscorers at club not might bees as we have at moment keep well mate .
Hi Kev
So far it does seem a bit same old, doesn’t it?
But depending on who you believe, we either do [Webber] or don’t [Wagner] have to sell before we can buy and it’s been suggested that Webber will be working his nuts off behind the scenes trying to make things happen.
For us or for Leeds though? 🙂
I guess we have to say that he’s very much innocent until proven guilty in that respect at the moment.
Cheers
For us.
Next question?
Hi Stew
Under the slightly different terms of his *working out his notice* to many other people in the world of work, it is a fair question to ask.
I am delighted you are so certain that Stuart Webber is fulfilling his notice period by working extremely hard on behalf of Norwich City FC.
As I said to Kev [above] the jury must remain out as the only person who truly knows the answer is the man himself, Stuart Webber.
My next question?
That would be addressed solely to the man himself, and it would be a simple one I don’t mind sharing with MFW readers:
*On a personal level Mr Webber, does handling the pressure you are constantly under come naturally to you?
*Or have many of the skills involved been acquired through eperience, particularly during your time with Norwich City?*
I’d genuinely love to understand how he does what he does.
Cheers
Absolutely, I’ve run a competition on behalf of the Canaries Trust for the last twenty years whereby you predict the top six and bottom three of whatever division City are playing in. The entries we have so far mostly dont figure City in either. It’s almost as if they dont exist. Mid table obscurity beckons it seems.
That reminds me, Kathy … I’m on it.
(And we’ll be non-existent in mine too.)
Hi Kathy – hope you’re keeping good.
I completely agree with you, Kev and Gary too.
I don’t think even the most ardent *in sickness and in health* MFW reader has actually used the *P* word this pre-season.
And pessimists like myself haven’t sunk to employing the term *relegation* [heaven forbid], so somewhere between seventh and 21st looks on the cards.
Cheers
Morning Mr P, once again a good round up of the latest happening and events. as to The FT article, I could not see a great deal in it, only that the food was good, a good advert for the place and it’s servings. One place I will not be venturing to, for personal reasons, plus I doubt my pension will stretch to that anyways.
A bit freakish to get two players struck down with very similar injuries days apart, I wonder if the modern player straps the ankles with the good old crepe bandage? As City’s old Full Back Phil Kelly recommended to us 14/15 olds at Watton Secondary Modern. back in 1965 or 1966 cannot remember which.
With Sam Byram training back at his old hunting ground, I do wonder whether Farke will extend a short-term contract to the guy, he was a half-decent defender just injuries were his downfall, sadly.
I certainly cannot see City getting anywhere near £30 mill for Max, 12-18 months ago perhaps a figure close to that, when there was more of the contract left, perhaps half that now might be closer to the mark.
I still ponder the need to bring a keeper over the pond, when we appear to be well stocked for younger keepers, Barden, Mair & McCracken, with 2 other young lads making their way through, Ansen & Rose . Mair made a name for himself at Wembley in National league Play off, would have liked to see him at a higher level than national league again.
We will do it properly. that will be a first for a long time lolol
Morning Lad
I actually thought the FT interviewer, a sports journo, did a very good job and I have to admit that I enjoyed reading the article for what it was, which was a great combination of food, politics and football.
It was just tongue in cheek enough to be thoroughly entertaining.
As for Sam Byram Leeds wuld be taking one hell of a gamble – as we know al too well – but he’s a classy player and never let us down through any fault of his own so good uck to him, says I.
I would imagine the Chilean youngster is a Webber bought-for-profit special so where he plays wouldn’t be a concern if he reckons he can make a few bob out of him.
Good comment.
And as for Max, that is exacty why I included the West Ham guys contradictory offerings – I don’t think anybody thinks Max is worth more than £15 million max with a year to go.
Cheers – good comment.
All I got from Delia’s interview was deja vu , a few years ago Delia gave an interview in which she considered success a top 26 finish, and it looks like nothing much has changed .
Well apart from another vacancy in the recruitment team, and a new menu for an eatery near Thorpe Station.
I’m waiting for someone to tell me why Mr Wagner , and Mr Webber feel we do not require a central defensive midfielder , I’m boggled by the thought that we don’t. It leaves me with a feeling that we are all over the rainbow and about to land in Kansas.
Hi Bernie
Yes there do seem to be a few catering jobs on offer at regular intervals.
On the culinary side of thing Delia has always said how keen she is t help young chefs along the way and I would imagine hers is no bad name to have on your resumee.
You know, that thing they used to call a c.v. in the days before you and I were unemployable 🙂
Some suggestions have been made that a defensive centre mid isn’t really part of the way Wagner likes to set up, but I’ve yet to see *Wagnerball* since his Huddersfield days so I’m not sure precisely what his favoure style is yet!
Cheers
Hi Martin,
The last two paragraphs from Delia’s Crystal Ball and her prediction for the bubble to burst…
“One thing that fascinates me about football is that it’s one of the last bastions of community. It’s something incredibly precious. Somehow I believe in it. Somehow we’ll get through. All this money, money, money, one day it’s got to pop.” she said. “Beneath it all there’s this human connection. I don’t think there’s anything else like it.
“If you take a child to football, the one lovely thing they are going to learn is that life is not a bowl of cherries. It’s good and it’s wonderful and it’s thrilling. But it’s also painful and horrible.”
Sadly, I can’t see the madness of the Premier League popping any time soon with the super rich sheikhs of the Oil/Gas Middle East to the investment Groups and the Oligarchs – none are going to want to lose their pocket money on a bad gamble, so are in it for the long haul.
In the last few months, two clubs have been purchased by investment groups – Huddersfield and Bournemouth, The new owners have promised infrastructure improvements and team rebuilding but both said that when they first mooted to their groups about buying into UK Football it was suggested to recruit a specialist in that field.
Then both groups admitted they had approached many clubs about a full purchase and only received replies from a few, and neither knew where Huddersfield or Bournemouth were in the UK but were still worth taking a gamble on.
The Huddersfield deal was completed in three weeks and the FA announced new owners in a similar time frame. Bournemouth took a little longer due to Premier League rules but, again, in under two months.
The phrase ‘we will do it properly’, I take to mean at their speed and conditions, and we will continue to boss it.
I can honestly see Attanasio and his group selling their holdings in the club and walking away if that happens. Who’s to blame northern owners – it will be the supporters I suppose.
Anyway as usual a good article, Now looking forward to Wednesday’s Ashes Game.
Three weeks and the big kick off – we can expect fireworks against Hull – the first time city have started a season opening against them.
With the benefit of the doubt, like 23 other teams, we’ll be looking for a good start, so a lot will be disappointed (and moaning) about the lack of recruitment. Only time will tell.
Max Aarons – could we get big bucks? The jury is out on this one but contract time has gone out the window for players, and clubs are paying over the odds to get deals done. He’s at an age to still improve – the question is will Webber blow it by demanding to much?
Rashica’s another where his mind is set on Galatasaray but could Fenerbahce or Burnley come in? Both are destinations that may coming calling and offer more sheckles to change his mind.
Omobamidele – this is a strange one. Webber announced the club turned down a £20m plus in January. Now if he takes less then he’s made a monkey for his own back. Will it be Forest, West Ham or Italy? But then again it could be Leeds.
Hi Alex
I don’t think that even his biggest detractors would question Stuart Webber’s ability to drive a good deal, more so perhaps when he is selling rather than buying.
The only name I put a spin on with outgoings was Rashica, which sounds ike a sweet deal all round but equally Max to West Ham makes sense as well as he is from that neck of the woods [if you cast a generous net] and their fans have been happy with their first chice RB {forgotten his name] for some time now.
As for Omobamidele I find it amusing that Forest and the Rossoneri might be in simultaneous pursuit of the same player.
I wonder what Cloughie would say about that?
Cheers
Very kind of you to acknowledge me Martin.
I felt for Andy Head who seems to have taken flak for a piece regarding tactics… is no opinion safe?
To all at MFW HQ, please keep going
Hi Trev
Opinions are just that, opinions, and we all need to accept others may not agree with what we think, and replying without malice or nastiness is the way forward.
I enjoyed you piece the other day
Well said, Alex. A couple of the respondees to Andy’s piece would have done well to heed your words.
Thanks Gary
The Pen is mightier than the sword and cruel barbs are unnecessary, how many times have people posted on a site with good intentions that have been taken the wrong way.
My problem is TYPO’S my lack of reading before posting or pre text from spell check giving a different twist my excuse is at 73 soon technology confuses the he’ll out of me 🤣🤣
The worst type of comments for me to deal with are those delivered in a condescending style by *superior* posters.
I dunno why, that attitude [which rarely manifests on MFW, the vast majority of our readers are far too polite and down to earth to adopt it] really gets on my Hampton Wick.
Agreed.
Thanks Alex, likewise, I enjoy your contributions
Hi Trev
Acknowledge you? It was just a cunning plan to get a third article out of you really – everybody loves a good hat-trick!
Although I jest I’m also dead bloody serious at the same time – it’s always good to read a different opinion when it’s well-written and interesting.
The stick Andy H got yesterday came out of nowhere with several new names appearing in the comments section to deliver it.
I’m a bit of a suspicious old $od and it seemed a little bit pre-planned and co-ordinated for my liking. When I get stick – which is part of the game when you write the kind of stuff I do on occasions – it is invariably from the usual suspects and I give back as good as I get but Andy didn’t deserve to get the reaction he did.
Cheers
Marty, the one thing history tells us is don‘t fight today‘s battles based on yesterday‘s tactics. Ignoring Farke‘s first season he had two brilliant and two disastrous seasons. We could argue that his failure was a lack of funds and the sale of key players but that still applies today. Smudger seemed to be here on sabbatical, a chance to recover from being dumped by Villa and trouser some dosh, the lack of funds didn‘t help, but any Grand plan, other than afternoon golf wasn‘t obvious. Wagner seems to have a new plan, fitness and new tactics plus some new players, will he succeed, there‘s still a lack of funds? Gotta give him a chance, what‘s the realistic alternative, a big investor? A‘nt going to happen Delia has spelt that out.
Hi Cutty
Many a good word said there, old boy.
I suppose that in a way a custodian has things in common with an MP. I accept that an MP is voted in and it is their job to act in the best interests of their constitents, but in reality they end up doing what is best for themselves and their mates, not that any of them have the cojones to admit to it.
A custodian inherits or buys their way in and once there it is extremely difficult to get rid of them as might is right.
On the surface both MPs and custodians alike listen to [or are supposed to] their constituents but they are shielded from many views and those that do get through to them are often ignored.
And of course, both variants on this common theme *know best*.
Certainly better than oi polloi who turn up at a football every other Saturday or at a time to suit subscription-only TV, anyway 🙂
Cheers
Cantwell seems to have found his love for football back in Rangers. Still its only a beginning in his time there, a very boring league to play only against 1 opponent and outside Scotland they will be rated only based on their European cup games results.
I woke up between saturday and sunday night to watch the Minnesota-Los Angeles game. I watched 70 minutes as long as Pukki was playing. To me MLS is similar to what we call park football and somewhere its called street football because they dont have the possibility to play in the grass. There was no contact between players, those couple of some kind of contacts gave yellow cards. Absolutely ridiculous goals, especially Carlos Vela goal. Its easy to make all kinds of tricks just like in park football, you do your tricks and pass the ball to the next one who then makes his tricks. Americans see that incredible football. Its individual trick football where for example Minnesota so called start player Reynoso fits perfectly. He has all possible time to do some tricks and pass a ball to the next player, do some dribble and so on….Teemu on the other hand is way too direct, he is basically out of the game and just waits a ball. He did make a pass which resulted in a very good scoring change, but of course it was spoiled. If he looked in Norwich during the last season unhappy sometimes, now he looks miserable. USA is a very individualistic country and he dont seem to be a part of the team and it would not be surprising if he would struggle outside pitch too. But what to expect if his knowledge about cities where he has moved in Europe before has been very bad and the only reason to make such a big decision this time was close friend. 23000 was the amount of dead people last year because of guns in the USA. When basically everyone can carry a gun in their daily life is it really making you go to the grocery store to buy some food feeling safer? Soon Messi will play his first game there too, what a huge joke!
The Women World Cup starts this Thursday, its surely going to be great! There is some senseless travelling for some teams again, which is sad to see but outside that it should be great.
More like 45000 if you count all the suicides by firearm – let’s hope Teemu is not that depressed!
Hi Tony
I’m pretty sure Teemu doesn’t fall into that category, athough I will admit the more te season progressed the more often he managed to look seriously pi$$ed off 🙂
Cheers
Hi 1×2
I said last time that I don’t really watched hardly any MLS and frm your description of it I don’t think I’ll be bothering to check it out any more than usual – it sounded absolutely God-awful from the way you descried watching Minnesota v LA the other night!
As for te gun clture it’s crazy but there’s nothing you, me or Teemu Pukki can do about it but he’s walked ito this gig fully aware of the situation and you’d like to think he knows what he’s doing.
There will be good support for the Women’s World Cup in the UK too as I think a lot of fans were a little bit shocked at just how good the Women’s game has become over the last few years.
Kiitos
Great round up Martin.
I had my say on Delia’s interview on Gary’s last piece so you will be pleased to hear I too am taking Trev’s advice for awhile and make this a “Delia Freezone”
I feel for poor Jon Tompkinson, the last thing we needed as well. But I have heard off a very good source indeed😂 that Grant Hanley is some way ahead of schedule. Great news at last.
The rebuild Martin is not going well. There is no way the club can spin it otherwise. DW said it himself that he wanted things done by now. But if you let other clubs know that you are open to selling it means those said clubs will wait around like the vultures in The Jungle Book until you are desperate.
Personally I applaud the club for allegedly saying Milot Rashica will train with the kids. He ain’t half taking the pi**
In Max we will say goodbye to a fine player and even better man and It will be a sad day but in his best interests. With Andy O, I would have preferred he had another season with us but I suppose needs must. Paying for the sins of the past, Milot again !!!
I was pleased to see Michael McGovern get a move to Hearts. He had a run of games during our second DF championship when he seemed to make one superlative save at vital times in every one of those games.
I can see where Andy Head is coming on his analysis, I remain hopeful that he is wrong however and that David Wagner is given a chance to make this work. The news that Kenny is going to be our Defensive Midfielder doesn’t fill me with great enthusiasm but he was greatly missed at the end of last season so we shall see.
Last season’s 1 win in 11 is to me irrelevant. I think Swansea (H) was one of our youngest sides ever fielded and it showed. Getting Grant, Kenny and Ben back will help as will the signings of Stacey, Duffy and Barnes.
But being a typical Norwich supporter (have my cake and eat it) I would not want to see anymore “experienced” signings coming in. We need a mix of youth and experience, the huge mistake we made in going the other way in the last EPL recruitment.
I still worry that we lack creativity, Chris Sutton pointed this out after last season’s friendlies, and he looks right again. Perhaps Marcelino Nunez is the man.
Finally Adam Idah. The poor boy looks like being the odd man out again. Opinions really differ on here about the boy, but I think all of us want to see him succeed. With that in mind I feel a season on loan in League One would be better for him rather than here sitting on the bench week in week out.
His body needs testing to prove that he can play a 35-46 game season by staying fit.
If DW is thinking of using Rowe or Tzolis as a third striker this would benefit us and Adam.
Hi Tim
Wagner said that his system doesn’t use a typical CDM.
He then said Sorensen needs to fill the midfield role in front of the CB’s and he knows he can do it.
Then he was quotes as saying Sorensen needs to prove himself also prove others wrong in not playing him.
Only time will tell
I just think if ever there was a season to hit the ground running this coming one is it.
Remember that at least Wagner says all the right things and that sometimes Dean Smth couldn’t even be ar$ed to do that!
Hi Tim
Trev seems to have the gift of making an opinion light years from my own seem sensible, interesting and well-considered, so I’m very happy to read what he has to say – and even try to scrounge a further piece to read, he he.
McGovern was yet another player who never, ever, let us down and as I said in the article I wish Max and himself al the very best that football can give them at these very different stages of their careers.
And thanks for sharing the possible good news on Grant Hanley’s rehab.
I’d forgotten all about the vultures in The Jungle Book so ta for reminding me 🙂
Cheers
I agree with AlexB we have our DMF in the house already (Sorensen). Out of contract after this season and on his bike I would think. Just looked back, the last time Teemu Pukki scored was mid January up north (Preston). A certain Kieran Dowell also notched twice. That was before Wagner’s clammy hands took charge. Both players never scored again for NCFC in nearly twenty games. On creativity, I could be wrong but fear we are about to get a shock. AZ Alkmaar were what 4th in the Dutch Eredivisie and gave West Ham a good fight – literally – to get into that Europa final. They’ve some decent players. We could get a shock. Then Toulouse and Olympiakos to complete our preparations, 3 defeats in a row? Let’s just hope for no more serious injuries. Even without taking loan players who are already injured we have a real tendency for self inflicted pain.
Hi Roger
I am not making a sarcastic comment concerning Messrs Smith or Wagner’s selection here [although I easily might be] but I missed the whole of last season so have seen remarkably little of Sorensen on the pitch.
But everybody, literally I think, I know rates him and if I include what I HAVE seen I must agree with yourself and Alex.
What time on the ball he hasn’t got he makes, reads the game well and is always looking to move things along when there is an option on for him to do so.
That apart there is no doubt that the creativity is lacking. Whatever you might think of any of them in other regards we have lost Cantwell, Dowell and the new lad Sainz which has robbed us us of two players who are highly creative at their peak and a third of whom the same was expected.
That throws a lot of weight onto the shoulders of Sara and Nunez as Tzolis isn’t at the races, Rashica will probably never wear a yellow shirt again and Rowe and Placheta are utterly unproven. Onel is, well, Onel and if anybody else is coming in to boost the creative department now is the time for that to happen, although Springett and Gibbs remain firmly in the picture.
In all honestly, I don’t find too much there to excite me.
Cheers