Rumours and speculation

[eatonparkboy]

Looks like the Naismith to Sunderland deal is off.

 

[eatonparkboy]

I suspect there are a few fans that will end up jealous of Pritchard within a few months as long as he remains fit, no doubt Brentford fans already are.  

The thing with Naismith is that he has never looked like he even wants to be here, from pretty much the game after his debut onwards. When he signed from Everton we kept hearing how he was technically limited but he had this immense workrate where he gave 100% every game for the shirt. Do you feel that we have seen this mystical three lunged workhorse? I think if he'd of put a bit more into earning some respect he'd have got some back.

He also seems to be permanently incapable of completing 90 minutes, probably because he's spent 4 years being a part-time player at Everton. Hope it works out for him at Sunderland, and I hope Pritchard works out well for us - we don't need three players in that position. 

As for Wilshere, I actually think that moves makes him look like a bit of a muppet if it goes through. Allegedly turned down AC Milan and Roma to move to Bournemouth. Why? A few grand a week more? Going out with his mates in London a priority? The Guardian have just this minute reported that Wilshere is in talks with Chelsea anyway, so no point getting jealous about things until they are reported. 

But Willshere going to Italy would mean he was playing in a lesser league (only 3 teams in the CL) so it probably isn't money, it is only a loan after all, but other things like not moving home, not learning a language. Not all footballers are greedy, party going brats. And Sky report his friendship with Afobe.

 

[eatonparkboy]

Looks like we're set to sign Jerome Sinclair on a 6 month loan deal. Really disappointed with that, just a complete lack of ambition from the club.

Villa may have spent a sh*tload of money, but their strikeforce of McCormack, Kodjia, Ayew and Gestede is undoubtedly the best in the league, and they've boosted their promotion chances massively. I'm not asking us to go out and spend £30m on new strikers, but we've spent a combined £4m on our new forwards. It's so frustrating.

Sinclair has played about 5 league games. Morris has more experience than him!

 

[Canaryboy]

According to bookies we are now the favourites to sign Jordan Rhodes.

I'd love to see TWTD in meltdown if that happens. 

 

[Canaryboy]

Not all footballers are greedy, party going brats. And Sky report his friendship with Afobe.

Very true, but Jack Wilshere definitely ticks one of those boxes. Quite a lot of press about drunken 3am incidents and dozens of photos of cigs hanging out of his mouth. 

 

[GJP]

Just went you thought Eddie Howe couldn't get any more smug.

 

[eatonparkboy]

Just went you thought Eddie Howe couldn't get any more smug.

I'll take smug instead of mug

 

[eatonparkboy]

I honestly believed that one of the brighter moments of this season was the prospect of Maddison getting games with the potential he has shown in the games he has played. And we have just given that potential to someone else.

Somebody please tell me who the alternative with any passing ability and creativity is if Howson, not on great form at the moment, is injured or suspended? Pritchard plays wide.

It is alright saying we must have a striker but apart from attacking or defensive midfield payers we are left with Howson.

I am praying the nest 30 minutes brings a big smile of relief to my face.

 

[Din]

Dieumerci Mbokani has joined Hull on loan, Chris Martin having a medical at Fulham.

Meanwhile, Jerome Sinclair rejects us.

All in all this window has actually been pretty good when you think about it. Only major player we've lost is Redmond (keeping hold of Klose and Brady was something I thought we'd never do), we've signed Pritchard, Canos, McGovern and Oliveira, all good signings. Yet still it feels disappointing because the club once again have showed a complete lack of ambition and haven't taken any sort of financial risks. The fees we got for Redmond, Odjidja and RvW, plus loan fees probably means we've made about £13m ish on players leaving, and Canos, Pritchard, McGovern and Oliveira cost us about £14m. So all in all we've spent a grand total of £1m. We had plenty of money left over to make a real marquee striker signing and we haven't done it, despite the fact that club clearly saw it as a priority from the moment we were relegated in May.

Am still dreaming of a late Jordan Rhodes announcement, not gonna happen though ffs.

 

[eatonparkboy]

I cannot for the life of me work out what goes on in our management teams heads.

Maddison, acknowledged by them as promising goes out on loan yet we tried to persuade a 19 reserve striker who has played three league games to come to us.

We do not know yet about Oliveira. He isn't prolific, that we do know. Canos has looked eager and can beat his man. We hope Pritchard will be the nuts but our history in spending £8M or more hasn't been rewarding.

 

[SussexYellow]

I too was a bit disappointed with the Maddison loan, was looking forward to seeing him play live. Hard to judge on a few highlights but I guess management feels he needs more game time and was not going to get enough first team football with us.

I do agree with Din though that it has not been a bad transfer window. I think it is important to look at net activity. With few outs and the only senior playing going being Redmond the lack of ins is less significant. Yes Villa and Newcastle have signed more but they have had a lot of outs as well.

Would have liked another striker though. Need not have been a marquee signing, hungry with something to prove would have done me.

OTBC

 

[ZLF]

One striker and it's a great window.   As it is we are one light.

So many hopes across the day esp with Lafferty and Naismith.  

But squad good enough if they can focus and deliver.

 

[GJP]

I would have preferred more of a freshen up. 

But it is still a good squad for this league and AN should be getting a tune out of them.

 

[Canaryboy]

Pritchard plays wide.

He was actually at his best playing through the middle at Brentford, 9 of his 12 goals for them was whilst he was deployed centrally and all 7 of his assists.

If we play him out wide then we aren't making best use of his talents. 

 

[Gaffer]

Not only did we waste £8.5 million on a player worth not even half that, but we now know we're paying him wages that not even a Premier League club is prepared to match. So we're basically stuck with this greedy, lazy, disloyal nobody until his contract expires. Great signing, Alex!

 

[CanaryNath]

staggered that the stumbling block appears to be his wages!

more staggered that he would rather stay in the Championship than go back to the Prem with his old boss.

Mercenary.

 

[eatonparkboy]

He was actually at his best playing through the middle at Brentford, 9 of his 12 goals for them was whilst he was deployed centrally and all 7 of his assists.

If we play him out wide then we aren't making best use of his talents. 

Lets get him in that position asap. But will AN or will it be cannot drop Tettey or Howson so play Pritchard out left. We lack any class in midfield at the moment and despite all our belief that we have a good squad, we are talking about 1 or 2 individuals plus the new signings.

 

[Canaryboy]

Lets get him in that position asap. But will AN or will it be cannot drop Tettey or Howson so play Pritchard out left. We lack any class in midfield at the moment and despite all our belief that we have a good squad, we are talking about 1 or 2 individuals plus the new signings.

I think its the Naismith position that he'd be looking at really, not the Tettey / Howson one.

My worry is that with us not being able to dispose of Naismith we are now going to stick with playing him and Pritchard will be pushed out wide. 

That's why I said we already have the Naismith replacement earlier in the thread, we've got 3 second strikers and only 2 actual strikers  :blink:

 

[eatonparkboy]

I think the Met Police ought to start recruiting in Norwich. Nobody could really put the finger on our recent demise but now several NCFC fans have discovered that it was all Naismith's fault.

Last weeks drubbing was completely down to him, not Tim missing a header, not Brady wasting set pieces by putting them straight at the first defender , not Tettey giving the ball away not AN naming another team with players out of position but Naismith the cold hearted swine having the temerity to be played out of position once again and not doing enough.

 

[Gaffer]

I think the Met Police ought to start recruiting in Norwich. Nobody could really put the finger on our recent demise but now several NCFC fans have discovered that it was all Naismith's fault.

Last weeks drubbing was completely down to him, not Tim missing a header, not Brady wasting set pieces by putting them straight at the first defender , not Tettey giving the ball away not AN naming another team with players out of position but Naismith the cold hearted swine having the temerity to be played out of position once again and not doing enough.

Don't feel too sorry for him. He chose to stay here and be played out of position rather than go to the Premier League and be played in his best position.