So now that we're down - Next season's Championship [winning] squad

[KeiranShikari]

Manager - Will be Neil. He's made some strange choices this season but he won't be leaving. Let's just hope he learns from the experience. Let me state that the Pearson thread was a joke and that I'd be 100 percent behind sticking with Alex Neil. I honestly believe he's set for success, with or without us.

Goalkeepers - Can't see him being linked to Chelsea this summer, good enough for a third promotion is mr Ruddy. Might finally be time to let go of Rudd as we're clearly stifling his career. 

Central defence- Scrap it and start again. Keep hold of Klose if he's got the mentality to stick with us and build around him but I doubt that's happening. If the miracle happens and he does stay I'd like us to go in for Tom Lees of Wednesday [if they don't go up], I believe we were linked with him in previous summers. Build a solid partnership that could make the step up together. Be strong and move Martin on, I'm sure Lambert would love him at Blackburn.

Full backs - Think Olsson will move on even if we want to keep in, he's hit form just in time to earn a move. Whitts is probably past it and Wisdom isn't worth what we'd have to pay to keep him. From what I've read and seen from Pinto in interviews I'd imagine he'd be up for staying. A season in the Champs could probably do him some good, he'll learn how do defend and his pace and supposed technical ability will come in handy. Can young Harry Toffolo force his way into the squad, probably not but I wouldn't write him off as he might improve being around better players. I'm an optimist, and have predicted that he'll be the youth cup winner that breaks into the team if any.

Central midfield - Keeping Howson would be huge but he's probably done enough to earn a move if he wants it. I'd personally like to see up keep hold of Mulumbu too, give him another summer and see if he can save his Norwich career. Tettey and O'Neil will almost certainly sign new contracts. Dorrans and Vadis aren't bad options in the Champs - Clearly this is a position that needs refining. If Mulumbu does leave then we obviously need another defensive midfielder. I'm very excited to see what Maddison can do. I don't know what an Andreu is but I don't think Neil will want it anymore.

Wingers - I think Redmond would be leaving even if we stayed up, and could you blame him. Can't see Brady staying either. The positive here is that the club will be making a big chunk of cash allowing us to replace with quality [touch wood]. Last chance saloon for the Murphy boys. Jarvis will be one of the best paid decent-but-not-great players in the league. Would love us to find a highly athletic winger, something like Sako please. Not asking for much, I know.

Forwards - I'm including Hoolahan here because Jerome would be lonely on his own, he's got another season in him but could it be time for us to move on to a new era. Oh right, we have Naismith too. He'll probably be okay in the Champs. I wonder if Jerome could motivate himself to score another 20 considering the fact that if he does and we were promoted again he's only going to find himself on the bench again. Maybe we could try and sign Bamford, although I could see Boro signing him after they're promoted. Our front line really is a revolving door so who knows who'll be playing for us next season. Maybe we could play Ricky and Lafferty up top.

 

[Dubai Mark]

I have made a diary note to reply to this should we be relegated. Oh just one comment though, on Bamford's performances to date, albeit limited, exactly why would Boro want to sign him?   

 

[KeiranShikari]

Mostly gut feeling. Karanka rates him and could certainlyget more out of him than we have throwing him in at the deep end. Stuani, their replacement for him, has been something like a flop so they'll be needing forwards. He's obviously not getting near the Chelsea team so I expect they'll want to move him on.

 

[Canaryboy]

Can't see any reason why we couldn't keep Brady, he's our player and contracted to us. He was sold under Bruce's nose by the board at Hull and he didn't submit a transfer request when they were relegated.

You've forgotten Ricky Van Wolfswinkel in your list of strikers, we've got him for another season and his record of 0 goals in 12 games in La Liga this season isn't going to have clubs banging at our door to take him on loan for next season. 

We definitely need a rebuild and a goalscorer is at the top of the list. No chance whatsoever of keeping Mbokani, can't afford to carry Bamford and his confidence crisis, and Van Wolfswinkel isn't cut out for a physical league. 

I like Chris Martin (the footballer, definitely not the singer). Martin reminds me of Grant Holt and I miss having a Grant Holt. 

 

[Lavanche]

We are not down yet, but now it really looks bad as Newcastle won too. I start from strikers.

Jerome and Naismith should be keepers and sign one potential competitor for Jerome and one cheap joker as I doubt we will have youth striker capable in Championship now that Loza couldn't break it and Morris seems to be empty ticket aswell. He is thought big guy and they tend to bloom later so mayby he could be given chance. He had played ok in Hamilton, just doesnt score enough what I have red. Naismith also did not have relegation clause if I remember right, so mayby we should try to cash him. Also joker could be Ricky if we cant find solution there. Same goes ofc Lafferty

Attacking Midfielder and winger situation is somewhat sad. We will lose Redmond. Naismith clearly is not CAM or winger but second striker so we are left with Hoolahan, Brady, Jarvis and VOO.

Brady just signed long deal with us so clubs who wants him have to put quite much money in for him. I think he stays. Same with Jarvis. If we drop down there is no idea to let Hoolahan go as he has been our main creator in Premiership and when we lose Redmond we would gave huge hole in our creativity. Depending what we do with VOO and will we keep Naisy, we should strenghten this area with one or two CAM and give Murphy boys a go. Both have had decent season and Jacob's 5+6 in championship is not a bad for relegation team. Those/That signing should be someone who can fitted in Hoolahan's boots. We really need someone to have similar passing range with him that we can finally start thinking letting him go. 

Rest of midfield is somewhat dilemms. Tettey wont stay fit whole season again. Howson has conract till 2018 so I am confident he stays. I would keep O'Neil, but let either Dorrans, Mulumbu or even both find new clubs and sign two new players here. New younger version of Tettey and someone cheap box to box able to fill in when needed. 

In defence it is quite much about what Klose will do. If he doesnt have relegation clause his wages might be too much for us and we couldn't keep him even if we wanted. He has also long contract so if we have funds it shouldn't be problem.

If we keep Klose we should let Bassong go. Keep Bennett as he is somewhat solid defender and get two candidates to take place beside Klose.

I also would keep both Martin and Pinto and let Whittaker go. We probably cant afford much better anyway what these two can offer in championship. I would so much would like to keep Olsson, but even some of us dont rate him I think he will have interest in premiership. Toffolo did ok early in pre-season and could be our second choise here. If AN continues it can be that Brady will be first choise here and we get replacement winger instead, but we need one signing anyway on left if we lose Olsson.

Ruddy should stay but Rudd will be question. Keepers are kind a cheap on the markets so mayby we should replace him someone who would be eager to try and replace Ruddy and is bit more confident. Rudd wont ever grow to be number one on the bench.

 

[Fenway Frank]

I didn't notice that we were relegated today, I thought we still had more points than the bottom three. 

 

[Canaryboy]

I didn't notice that we were relegated today

Its not looking good though is it. 

 

[Fenway Frank]

No it's not but if the players gave up like some of you have they would be slaughtered for it ! We're still better off than Sunderland and Newcastle, I'm not saying everything's great because it isn't. Losing Klose could be what relegates us, but we do still have a chance. 

 

[Lavanche]

I have some faith in our squad it is more about others than us thought. But now we kind a need surprise win or few draws and we need to also get something out from Watford game. Still we have at least equal chance to stay up than Sunderland. Newcastle have a bit easier road.

Anyway I see this topic just a speculation if we go down.

We have good base for championship and if we can just get those 4 somewhat quality championship additions and can fill rest of the open spots with our youth and free/cheap secondary options I think we should be able to do the yoyo.

In premiership it will be the harder thought to build the squad as we probably still lose Redmond and our aging squad needs improvement all over the place.

 

[lyb]

No, Sunderland really have the advantage now they've closed the points gap: Fact is they have a striker that reliably finds the net, which we don't, and we now have to do without the one thing that had really got our defence up to a decent standard. Oh, forgot they still have a game in hand as well.

We've had it, show's over, no point even hoping as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Boyerboy]

No, Sunderland really have the advantage now they've closed the points gap: Fact is they have a striker that reliably finds the net, which we don't, and we now have to do without the one thing that had really got our defence up to a decent standard. Oh, forgot they still have a game in hand as well.

We've had it, show's over, no point even hoping as far as I'm concerned.

Can I have your ticket for the last two games then? 

 

[Boyerboy]

I think that this discussion is premature but just to save other's time who want to participate, it was widely reported in January that both Naismith and Klose has signed with relegation clauses. It was also widely reported that at least some of our summer signings didn't come because we insisted on relegation clauses which they wouldn't accept.

 

[It's Character Forming]

Arsenal tickets on sale now guys ! 

Relegation clauses meaning their wages drop if we get relegated, or that they are free to leave for a given fee if we get relegated ?

 

[morty]

Arsenal tickets on sale now guys ! 

Relegation clauses meaning their wages drop if we get relegated, or that they are free to leave for a given fee if we get relegated ?

Got mine!

 

[KeiranShikari]

Relegation clauses meaning their wages drop if we get relegated, or that they are free to leave for a given fee if we get relegated ?

Probably have both. Most of the squad have the wage drop but supposedly the latest signings [at least Klose and Naismith] have release clauses. 

 

[ZLF]

if players want away let them go;   we have a great championship squad - if they want to be here;   we will lose quality if relegated and sadly cant see Timm being here come august.

 

[KeiranShikari]

Anyone think we'll manage to keep Klose? 

 

[splutcho]

Anyone think we'll manage to keep Klose? 

Sadly not. I should imagine he'll end up at Everton or someone like that.

 

[Din]

Manager: Alex Neil.

GK: Ruddy, New GK (Bentley - Southend?), Kean
RB: Pinto, New RB
LB: Olsson
CB: New CB, Bennett, Bassong/Martin, New CB. - Hopefully Klose will stay, but I can't see it.
CM: Howson, Tettey, Mulumbu, O'Neil, New CM, Thompson/New CM. - That's assuming both Howson and Tettey stay.
RM: New RM, Jacob M(?)
LM: Jarvis, Brady(?)/Josh M(?).
CAM: Hoolahan, Odjidja(?), Maddison(?)
ST: New ST, Jerome, New ST.

In: GK, RB, CB (x2), CM (maybe 2), RM, ST (x2).
Out: Rudd, Whittaker, Bassong/Martin, Turner, Klose, Dorrans, Redmond, Andreu, Naismith, Lafferty, van Wolfswinkel, Loza.
Possible outs: Howson, Tettey, Brady, Odjidja, Olsson.
Loan out: Toffolo, Matthews, McGrandles, Godfrey, Adams.
Possible loan outs: Thompson, Jacob Murphy, Josh Murphy, Maddison.

Starting XI:

Ruddy
Pinto Bennett New CB Olsson
Howson Tettey
New RM Hoolahan Brady
New ST​

Subs: New GK, Bassong/Martin, Mulumbu, O'Neil, Jarvis/Jacob/Josh, New ST, Jerome.​

I think there are quite a few members of our squad who may not be good enough for the Premier League but will be quite comfortable in the Championship, as proved with Jerome last season. Pinto, Bennett, Mulumbu and Jarvis are all players that I think could be quite effective in the division below.

I'd sell Rudd to be honest because he's been here years and it's obvious he's not going to displace Ruddy. I think it'll be a good move for all parties if he's moved on.

Whittaker, Turner and Loza all have contracts expiring at the end of this season, and I don't know if there's any point in renewing any of them. Maybe Whittaker.

I'd move on one of Martin or Bassong. I'd be tempted to keep Martin as despite his on-pitch limitations he is one of the few players we have who can actually lead the team, plus he's probably on a far smaller wage than Bassong, and we'd get more money for Seb were we to sell. But Bassong overall is the better defender, who was superb in the 2nd half of the last promotion season. He bounced back from a poor season that year, but I'm not sure he can do it twice, particularly as he'll be 30 by the time the season starts. I would love us to keep Klose, but can't see it happening.

I don't think there's much point in keeping Dorrans if we do keep hold of Howson and Tettey. Good player at Championship player but he just likely won't get a look in and he'll probably want to move on if he's still well down the pecking order. 

Redmond I would also like to see us keep but I don't think we will. I can't see him doing a Berahino though, and kicking up a fuss, but I think he will want to move on and I think there will be teams in the Premier League who will want him. I'd want about £12m or so for him though. Naismith is another player who I think with a full pre-season behind him, at this level, could be a great asset. But I also can't see him wanting to stay, plus he'll be on big wages and will also attract top flight interest Andreu, van Wolfswinkel and Lafferty we just need to move on.

Hopefully we'll be able to keep Brady, Howson and Tettey. I think all 3 of them fly under the radar slightly which is why we kept hold of both Howson and Tettey last time we were relegated. Wouldn't surprise me if all 3 of them left though, that said I can't see any of them actively seeking a move. Olsson is also someone who is  often the subject of Premier League interest, but again I'd like to see him stay as he's a good left back at this level, and again I can't see him kicking up a fuss about leaving. Odjidja I think we have criminally under-used during his time here, partly down to his injuries and partly down to Naismith/Hoolahan being ahead of him in the pecking order. Again I'd like to keep him for next season but don't think we will.

I'd keep Jerome purely because he was excellent last time we went up, and is clearly a good striker at this level. Our other strikers from that season Hooper, Grabban have both obviously moved on since, so we need to replace them. Ross McCormack is a player I really like at this level but I think is probably going to cost £10m plus. Maybe Dwight Gayle? Think he'd be a great option at this level. Think someone on here mentioned Jonathan Kodjia from Bristol City, who I would also be happy to see come in. Nicky Ajose at Swindon is maybe another possible option?

Both the Murphy's have done really well out on loan this season. Whether they're both ready to step up again and become top Championship players I don't know. If Brady leaves I'd give one of them a chance, but I wouldn't want to go into the season with one/both of them as first choice as I think it's a bit of a risk. It would be fantastic though if one of them could finally properly break through. Maddison and Thompson are the same as the Murphy's, don't know if their ready. If Neil feels they are though I'd like to see them given a chance. Toffolo I'd loan out to a bottom-end Championship club, maybe Burton Albion, see how he deals with the step up.

I'm actually quite looking forward to next season. Last season was my favourite ever Norwich City campaign in the 11 years or so I've been going to games, culminating obviously with win at Wembley, which genuinely was probably one of the best days of my life. I think we're in good position to come straight back up if we can keep certain players and obviously Alex Neil. Burnley did it pretty successfully this season so hopefully we can do the same.

 

[Fenway Frank]

I would be very surprised if Ofoe is here next season