Meltdown.

[morty]

It seems just 3 or 4 weeks ago everyone was jubilant about the changes Norwich City were making to our structure. The arrival of Webber was universally welcomed, people loved his straight talking and action on releasing players we needed to. Everyone raised an eyebrow at the direction we took in appointing Daniel Farke, but again, very much embraced the change. Webber was very honest and open about the number of players he wanted to move on (a lot of them players that were here for our relegation and also our comparative no show, last season) and people again were accepting.

The story of Dorrans wanting to go has been around long enough now for people to get used to it, a bit part player who is on wages that shouldn't be paid to a player who won't be starting games regularly. Similar can be said for Howson (a player I love) who hasn't signed a contract and has made it clear he wants to return north. We either sell him now or get nothing for him at the end of the season. I guess its about how much you feel the midfield can be built around him, and consider it worth the money offering him a bumper new deal to tempt him to stay. As much as I love Jonny, I can see the logic behind what the club are doing here.

But, back to the subject in hand. 

Suddenly, over the last few days, on various social media outlets, people are suddenly losing it, big style, trotting out such phrases as "fire sale". Before a ball has even been kicked this season, it seems people are already throwing the towel in.

My question is, why?

 

[GJP]

Football fans are fickle. 

 

[hogesar]

I think it's just taking a while for reality to set in for some, whilst others feel that we're looking like losing some of our better players for....uhh, nothing-special sums.

I think me and you were talking earlier in the season Morty on here when we were saying releasing the players we did should have given us decent breathing space yet it was being made out we still had to sell to buy. I don't know what the club finances are like but it's looking like we certainly do need to sell to buy.

I'm still looking forward to the new season just because it's so unpredictable with all the changes within the club but I can't deny that selling a player of Howsons ability for a pretty average sum at best doesn't fill me with confidence. Of course, Webber could be a genius and find similar ability players in other leagues for less but it's worth remembering he's starting with a much better squad here than he did at Huddersfield, and finding better versions of some our players is going to be hard to achieve, Howson is one of them.

On top of that, if the rumours of 1.5m for Cameron Jerome are true and we'd genuinely sell for that then i'll be less optimistic for next season because regular goalscorers in this league aren't easy to come by, aren't typically cheap, and when you also add on the work rate, pace, ability to play the lone role and the different style he offers from Oliveira he's worth far more than that to us.

 

[morty]

I think it's just taking a while for reality to set in for some, whilst others feel that we're looking like losing some of our better players for....uhh, nothing-special sums.

I think me and you were talking earlier in the season Morty on here when we were saying releasing the players we did should have given us decent breathing space yet it was being made out we still had to sell to buy. I don't know what the club finances are like but it's looking like we certainly do need to sell to buy.

I'm still looking forward to the new season just because it's so unpredictable with all the changes within the club but I can't deny that selling a player of Howsons ability for a pretty average sum at best doesn't fill me with confidence. Of course, Webber could be a genius and find similar ability players in other leagues for less but it's worth remembering he's starting with a much better squad here than he did at Huddersfield, and finding better versions of some our players is going to be hard to achieve, Howson is one of them.

On top of that, if the rumours of 1.5m for Cameron Jerome are true and we'd genuinely sell for that then i'll be less optimistic for next season because regular goalscorers in this league aren't easy to come by, aren't typically cheap, and when you also add on the work rate, pace, ability to play the lone role and the different style he offers from Oliveira he's worth far more than that to us.

I guess re Jerome it very much depends on the system that Farke wants to play as to whether or not Jerome fits into that. Also, as much as I like Jerome, based on last season, is his influence on the wane? That said, could we replace him for the money we'd likely get, possibly not. But that very much depends on the wages we are paying him though, which we can only speculate about, but I would imagine he's on a decent whack.

Peoples nerves are starting to bother me though, because we all need to stand strong here, and you can just see it, if we lose a few games early doors, that folks could get grumbly very quickly. Like I say, some are already there, before a ball has even been kicked.....

 

[GJP]

I'm keeping an open mind. I didn't feel particularly confident this time last year and at this point it's hard to call it either way.

 

[OldRobert]

Harrison Reed joining on loan.

Howson's replacement?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Reed_(footballer)

 

[morty]

Harrison Reed joining on loan.

Howson's replacement?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Reed_(footballer)

I knew if I went out cycling and was "off the grid" something would happen!

Not much info on the wiki page, but looking around other sources he is a defensive midfielder, so more likely a replacement for Dorrans. Seen him described as a high energy player, and a "ginger pitbull!".Good stuff though, we're getting business done.

Hopefully people can start to see that Webber and Farke have a plan, and are being proactive, rather than reactive.

All too often we have left our business late, and ended up either panic buying, or paying over the odds.

 

[Scott]

I have faith in the Webber regime, we can't be written off before the season has even started!!

 

[OldRobert]

Thinking about it more, maybe Tettey's replacement?

Quote from Sky Transfer page:

Harrison Reed is keen to learn about Norwich City’s new style under Daniel Farke after joining the Canaries on a season-long loan from Southampton.

“I had a conversation with the Head Coach and I could tell his philosophy suited me down to the ground,” Reed told Norwich City TV.

"I’ve been at Southampton for a long time and this is my first loan move....it’s important to integrate yourself as quickly as possible. It’s also important for me to learn how the coach wants me to play so I can make the changes to my game to adapt to that."

 

[morty]

Thinking about it more, maybe Tettey's replacement?

Possibly. Also it gives time to the likes of Thompson and Godfrey to develop a bit. But I think we may see a change in some players primary roles, depending on how Farke sets up.

We could end up in a 3-4-3, which could need two DM's, depending on the game.

 

[OldRobert]

Morty, as it stands, who would you play 3 at the back?

 

[morty]

Morty, as it stands, who would you play 3 at the back?

I think we only have three? Would have to be Martin, Klose, and the new guy (who looks an absolute beast) Zimmermann.

And theres the lad Efete possibly, who seems highly rated.

 

[OldRobert]

I actually think, although I'm not a RM fan, that that would be a good back 3 providing Farke could persuade Klose that he can play Championship football, and with his help we could go up.  If not then we definitely need an experienced EL CB imo.

Meant to add it does show how sparse we are at the back atm.

 

[GJP]

I have faith in the Webber regime, we can't be written off before the season has even started!!

I don't think it should be a case of writing off or writing on?

It's wait and see, imo.

 

[gerryinromania]

As I've said before, too many petulant petals hanging around different places,

 

[OldRobert]

As I've said before, too many petulant petals hanging around different places,

Most of them in one place if you ask me GIR.

 

[gerryinromania]

Thanks OR. Good to see that you're still putting in the hard yards. I'm not around too much, but pleased to say that I've found my password again