Norwich City vs QPR(home) Sunday 7th May.

[dj161]

Easy as you like, QPR really poor, could of been more than 4 in all fairness, they looked a typical Holloway side, decent on the break with a bit of goal threat, but all over the place at the back, the amount of time and space Pritchard had on the ball at times was insane, could of drawn a 15 yard ring around him at some points, was nuts to see

All the best to Big John for the future, a great servant and a really likeable guy too, hopefully he finds a good club to go to, but hopefully he doesn't come back here to have a worldie of a game against us

 

[Fenway Frank]

Agree about qpr, you can see how they were only safe from relegation a couple of weeks ago. Looking at the goals again it looks like the keeper could have done a lot better, let's hope our replacement for Ruddy will be a lot better than Smithies 

 

[Gaffer]

Agree about qpr, you can see how they were only safe from relegation a couple of weeks ago. Looking at the goals again it looks like the keeper could have done a lot better, let's hope our replacement for Ruddy will be a lot better than Smithies 

How much are we going to have to spend to find someone better than Ruddy? It makes me question the wisdom of letting him go. He had a bad spell but maybe that was just part of the poor management and team morale at the time. Replacing him didn't improve our fortunes. 

 

[morty]

How much are we going to have to spend to find someone better than Ruddy? It makes me question the wisdom of letting him go. He had a bad spell but maybe that was just part of the poor management and team morale at the time. Replacing him didn't improve our fortunes. 

I only hope theres a grand plan here, and I would assume that Ruddy was offered a year or two on less money, and didn't want it.

If we start next season with Mcgovern as our number one, I won't be best pleased.

 

[Fenway Frank]

If any team showed a bit of interest I would let McGovern go for a nominal fee 

 

[Fenway Frank]

Changing tack a bit, I thought Josh was excellent yesterday

 

[morty]

Changing tack a bit, I thought Josh was excellent yesterday

He was fantastic! I was sat in the snake pit yesterday so had a good view of his threat on goal in the first half When the pair of them were developing it was always thought that Josh was going to be better than Jacob.

I thought Dorrans had a good game too, one I'd like to keep.

 

[hogesar]

Josh made James Perch look like a schoolboy particularly in the first half. He'll be pleased Irvine's given him a good run in the team - something AN never did.

Considering the season has been poor I really enjoyed yesterday. Was nice to say goodbye to Ruddy, Wes got POTS, followed it up with 2 goals & 2 assists to remind people he's still got plenty left, 4 goals in total, easy game.

The only real cringe moment for me was the barclay practically ignoring Whittaker walking round the pitch and then singing Maddisons name. Who's given more to NCFC?!

 

[morty]

I don't think that Wes was deserving of POTS, purely on this season, and I find it ridiculous that Jerome wasn't even in the top three. Maybe he needed a more visible social networking profile!

But in other news, I had a fiver on 4-nil, at 20-1.

 

[hogesar]

Yeah I was really shocked Jerome wasn't in the top 3! I thought it was between him and Wes for it personally.

I agree though that Wes wasn't necessarily our best player this season but he wasn't far off and I think many of us who voted for him (me included) will happily admit there was some sentiment attached to it.

I nearly went for 4-0 then opted 3-1 instead. Not happy!

 

[morty]

Yeah I was really shocked Jerome wasn't in the top 3! I thought it was between him and Wes for it personally.

I agree though that Wes wasn't necessarily our best player this season but he wasn't far off and I think many of us who voted for him (me included) will happily admit there was some sentiment attached to it.

I nearly went for 4-0 then opted 3-1 instead. Not happy!

Yeah thats fair enough re a bit of sentiment, but I wonder how Jerome feels about that? The only player I can genuinely say that has given his all, both home and away.

You massive racists 

 

[GJP]

Yup I'd have had Jerome in the top 3 ahead of Pinto. 

 

[hogesar]

Yeah thats fair enough re a bit of sentiment, but I wonder how Jerome feels about that? The only player I can genuinely say that has given his all, both home and away.

You massive racists 

Ha! I think a pro like Jerome is probably quite happy for Wes - he even laid him on an easy goal and they both looked pretty happy!

It's been a hard season to call for POTS anyway, there hasn't really been a standout with all the players having had a run of average games somewhere in the season. If Oliveira had been in from the start I'm sure he'd have been a contender, as would Pritchard had AN given him a decent run in the team.

 

[morty]

Ha! I think a pro like Jerome is probably quite happy for Wes - he even laid him on an easy goal and they both looked pretty happy!

It's been a hard season to call for POTS anyway, there hasn't really been a standout with all the players having had a run of average games somewhere in the season. If Oliveira had been in from the start I'm sure he'd have been a contender, as would Pritchard had AN given him a decent run in the team.

I just feel that Jerome rarely gets the recognition he deserves, for the contribution he makes.

 

[Fenway Frank]

Next seasons POTS is already Pritchards to lose I think

 

[morty]

Next seasons POTS is already Pritchards to lose I think

Agree.

But for the first time in a few years, I'm actually worried about losing players like this. Its like our failure to go up has made us vulnerable.

 

[Fenway Frank]

Discussed this with a few sitting around me yesterday. The general feeling is if we had a decent offer Pritchard will be off, he's probably got a clause in his contract anyway.

Didnt take long for him to be a dad did it ? ?

 

[hogesar]

I think losing Pritchard would be a massive blow. But ignoring any stupid clauses which you'd hope we didn't agree to you'd like to think we'd want a big fee to see him leave us, and I don't think he's done enough for other clubs to warrant that big fee. If we let him go for less than £12-13 million i'd be disappointed.

 

[morty]

I think what underpins my slight trepidation is just how much is changing right now. We're not broke, not by any means, we have another year of parachute payments, but I think you only have to listen to how many people are maybe questioning letting Ruddy go, which must be purely a financial decision, then rumours of Dorrans wanting away, Naismith being forced out to save his wages, it kinda makes you wonder if its a bit of a fire sale, and wonder if it gives the outward impression of "Go ahead, make us an offer on any player you fancy".

I'm all for the changes, but I want us to be left with a competitive squad for next season, who are looking to win the league.

 

[hogesar]

Yeah I think you're right and like you say, we have one year of parachute payments left. And the issue is for a club our size it's our most likely opportunity to get promoted. That only becomes more difficult if we're changing 7 or 8 of the starting 11 as they'll need time to bed in.

I'd like to think the starting eleven would only change as far as a GK, LB, CB, CM personally. Obviously we need more depth in some areas and we need to lighten up in others. 

The issue with rumours about the likes of Pritchard and Howson is we probably stand a 1 in 500 chance of striking gold and finding someone as good as them to play in the Championship within our understandably reduced wage bracket. So for me, we keep.