I think we should be top third with current team - Norwich and Southampton kicked on to a double promotion - Norwich didn't spend to do it (they didn't spend to consolidate in the prem).It will be fine and we will have new signings anyway.
I will be surprised if we don't announce a signing today what with it being the 1st July and all. I'm surprised there hasn't been many signings announced today by anyone.
I will be surprised if we don't announce a signing today what with it being the 1st July and all. I'm surprised there hasn't been many signings announced today by anyone.
I think we should be top third with current team - Norwich and Southampton kicked on to a double promotion - Norwich didn't spend to do it (they didn't spend to consolidate in the prem).It will be fine and we will have new signings anyway.
6 loan signings over the season also, two of which were made permanent in January (Leon Barnett, Aaron Wilbraham). However none were 'season long' from August to May (Lansbury was from November to May).
They released six players and got undisclosed fees for another three.
I would still like to see us add one quality Championship striker. Currently we have BWP( not a great scoring record in this league), Yann (only scored 1 in 20 games in this league) , Haynes (injury prone) , Hayes (going ???) Clarke (not very good IMO) - if we start the season with just these five then we could have problems.
Defensive wise - probably need 1 more centre half, but as long as we don't pick up injuries then 2 out of Taylor, Morrison & Cort should be good enough.
I creative midfielder to unlock defences would be helpful - otherwise we could be ok.
Goalkeeper - back up for Hamer...........Sulivan not good enough imho (anyone at Preston last away game last season will testify to that)
I would also say new gk, quick cb, rb cover, new left footed winger, a playmaker and a striker. Add a couple of younger players for future potential and that should do us, and see where we are in Jan
I reckon Stephens has the potential to be the creative midfielder people are talking about. He showed his fantastic passing ability inconsistently last season but he still had the ability to unlock defenses. If he can just work on his passing and become more consistent with it he will turn into a good creative midfielder.
A new GK is not a priority imho, am a big fan of Hamer and Sullivan is a decent back up (one dodgy performance at Preston does not mean he is a donkey). No point us spending money on a new GK and his wages when in all likelihood he is going to sit on the bench all year. If Hamer loses form or gets injured then we can use the loan market if necessary. We don't have a bottomless pit and other areas are more important to invest in.
As we know Norwich completed back to back promotions and have had a comfortable first season back in the top flight.
Although you can not never make a direct comparison between two different clubs I thought it might be interesting to see how little or how much Norwich changed their side at each step on the way as we look to emulate their record.
These were the 11 players who made the most appearances in their League 1 winning season.
GK Fraser Forster 38 DF Russell Martin 26 DF Gary Doherty 39 DF Michael Nelson 28 DF Adam Drury 35 MF Darel Russell 34 MF Korey Smith 36 MF Simon Lappin 42 MF Wes Hoolahan 36 FW Grant Holt 39 FW Chris Martin 36
Then in 2010/11 City signed 10 new players. Seven in the summer and 3 in January. They moved on 8 including Doc and Darel Russell while Forster, who was on loan, went to Celtic.
Their 11 players in the 2010/11 promotion season with the most starts were:
GK John Ruddy 46 DF Russell Martin 49 DF Elliott Ward 41 DF Leon Barnett 26 DF Adam Drury 21 MF David Fox 33 MF Andrew Crofts 44 MF Simon Lappin 22/ MF Wes Hoolahan 39 FW Grant Holt 46 FW Chris Martin 23
Players surviving from the previous season in bold. So six of the previous season's main players also played a significant role in the 2010/11 success. The other five were all purchases, four in the summer and one, Barnett, in the January window.
This current season Norwich's most used XI (up to 1 March) have been
GK John Ruddy 25 RB Kyle Naughton 22 CB Russell Martin 25 CB Bradley Johnson 19 LB Marc Tierney 17 DM David Fox 21 RM Anthony Pilkington 20 AM Wes Hoolahan 22 LM Andrew Surman 17 FW Steve Morison 20 FW Grant Holt 17
Just three survivors from two seasons before. Norwich bought 10 new players this term and moved on 13.
Another thing of note is how British the Norwich first team is. All the of 2011/12 XI are from the British Isles and seven are English. None of the three sides listed here include a non-British Isles player.
If the club are going for the academy route then we have Nick Pope as back up keeper, Cousins as back up to Solly and I believe he can also play CB. Jackson may go centre mid and be the creative midfield player, which leaves room for Harriott or Evina LM. We also have Azeez and Sho Silva + Smith for strikers. And don't forget Poyet in midfield.
I'm not suggesting they are the answer. I'm just sayin'
If the club are going for the academy route then we have Nick Pope as back up keeper, Cousins as back up to Solly and I believe he can also play CB. Jackson may go centre mid and be the creative midfield player, which leaves room for Harriott or Evina LM. We also have Azeez and Sho Silva + Smith for strikers. And don't forget Poyet in midfield.
I'm not suggesting they are the answer. I'm just sayin'
All of them good prospects... but nothing more. To GUARANTEE survival we need to strengthen. Our current squad can hack it, probably be enough to escape relegation, but that's the limit sad to say.
This is just like last season doom and gloom before the season started , perhaps its all one big ruse .. like the matrix! we've all been played for fools!
Yes of course we are skint , we'll probably have to charge £10 for those 'bumper' 1st Home game programmes , £10 for the Jackpot , pound half time tickets .. this is a big con people , like global warning , and we've all bought it!
Maybe we should all rush down to the Valley and ask for a refund on our season tickets?
This is just like last season doom and gloom before the season started , perhaps its all one big ruse .. like the matrix! we've all been played for fools!
Yes of course we are skint , we'll probably have to charge £10 for those 'bumper' 1st Home game programmes , £10 for the Jackpot , pound half time tickets .. this is a big con people , like global warning , and we've all bought it!
Maybe we should all rush down to the Valley and ask for a refund on our season tickets?
You might wish to consider removing your last line, before you inadvertantly start something.
Next few weeks will be interesting, you would think the owners would want Premier league football and the money it brings sooner rather than later and that's only going to happen with investment.
Comments
2 frees.
7 'undisclosed' fees.
1 fee (300k).
6 loan signings over the season also, two of which were made permanent in January (Leon Barnett, Aaron Wilbraham). However none were 'season long' from August to May (Lansbury was from November to May).
They released six players and got undisclosed fees for another three.
Defensive wise - probably need 1 more centre half, but as long as we don't pick up injuries then 2 out of Taylor, Morrison & Cort should be good enough.
I creative midfielder to unlock defences would be helpful - otherwise we could be ok.
Goalkeeper - back up for Hamer...........Sulivan not good enough imho (anyone at Preston last away game last season will testify to that)
Although you can not never make a direct comparison between two different clubs I thought it might be interesting to see how little or how much Norwich changed their side at each step on the way as we look to emulate their record.
These were the 11 players who made the most appearances in their League 1 winning season.
GK Fraser Forster 38
DF Russell Martin 26
DF Gary Doherty 39
DF Michael Nelson 28
DF Adam Drury 35
MF Darel Russell 34
MF Korey Smith 36
MF Simon Lappin 42
MF Wes Hoolahan 36
FW Grant Holt 39
FW Chris Martin 36
Then in 2010/11 City signed 10 new players. Seven in the summer and 3 in January. They moved on 8 including Doc and Darel Russell while Forster, who was on loan, went to Celtic.
Their 11 players in the 2010/11 promotion season with the most starts were:
GK John Ruddy 46
DF Russell Martin 49
DF Elliott Ward 41
DF Leon Barnett 26
DF Adam Drury 21
MF David Fox 33
MF Andrew Crofts 44
MF Simon Lappin 22/
MF Wes Hoolahan 39
FW Grant Holt 46
FW Chris Martin 23
Players surviving from the previous season in bold. So six of the previous season's main players also played a significant role in the 2010/11 success. The other five were all purchases, four in the summer and one, Barnett, in the January window.
This current season Norwich's most used XI (up to 1 March) have been
GK John Ruddy 25
RB Kyle Naughton 22
CB Russell Martin 25
CB Bradley Johnson 19
LB Marc Tierney 17
DM David Fox 21
RM Anthony Pilkington 20
AM Wes Hoolahan 22
LM Andrew Surman 17
FW Steve Morison 20
FW Grant Holt 17
Just three survivors from two seasons before. Norwich bought 10 new players this term and moved on 13.
Another thing of note is how British the Norwich first team is. All the of 2011/12 XI are from the British Isles and seven are English. None of the three sides listed here include a non-British Isles player.
Rest of article including Southampton stats here
http://forum.charltonlife.com/discussion/47951/new-article-the-norwich-factor#latest
I'm not suggesting they are the answer. I'm just sayin'
I would worry if we start to lose last season's heroes though.
Yes of course we are skint , we'll probably have to charge £10 for those 'bumper' 1st Home game programmes , £10 for the Jackpot , pound half time tickets .. this is a big con people , like global warning , and we've all bought it!
Maybe we should all rush down to the Valley and ask for a refund on our season tickets?
Hopefully any differences will be sorted out.