Summer transfer rumours.

[Canaryboy]

I believe that being a free agent at this point in time means he can join a non-English side on a permanent, so wonder whether a team in Scotland fancies him?

Obviously wouldn't be Rangers but Naismith might have bigged him up at Hearts?

It would make sense if the Scottish team (or other non-English team) had maxed out their overseas loan quota or something.

 

[OldRobert]

It'll be interesting to see who's that stupid.

 

[GJP]

I'm sure he's got a decent wedge of the rest of his contract if not the whole lot.

Did his bit for us. I was a big fan of him in his earlier seasons at the club. But it didn't feel quite right when he didn't seem too unhappy that Hughton got the push and he subsequently got his move to CB cemented and the 5 shirt.

 

[morty]

Russ was a great player for us in his time, and also a not so great one, a better right back than a centre back for sure. By all accounts a really nice guy, but I don't really buy into this loyalty thing, when you strip things down it is purely a symbiotic contractual arrangement, yes he gave us 9 years, but we paid him damn well for it too. As far as I know he never turned down some kind of big money move elsewhere, so I really question the concept of "loyalty".

Biggest issue for me really was offerring him the contract extension when he was clearly on the slide, and then not playing him, really can't get my head round that at all, which is why, as I alluded to in an earlier post, I think something has gone on behind the scenes.

And as GJP says above, its not like he has done us a favour with the contract termination, as I'm pretty sure he hasn't just walked away for free. I don't dislike the guy, but I don't remember, at any point, counting him amongst my favourite players.

It also feels like there have been more glowing tributes for Russ than there were for Wes, which doesn't sit right with me either lol. Mind you I guess Russ never called Norwich "a shithouse club"

 

[Number 9]

It all went downhill from him grassing up the players who went out in the City clubbing.

 

[morty]

I'll reiterate, I have nothing against Russ, but he seems to have earned legend status just based on the fact he was there, I think you could, literally, have put any other right back there in his place, and the outcome would have been exactly the same. I never really rated his performance as a Captain while he was on the pitch either.

 

[Canaryboy]

Fair play to Russell Martin if he's taken a pay off which is mutually beneficial in order to try and squeeze a bit more football out of his career, he didn't have to do that.

But he's not a 'legend' just because he's been here for 9 years, pretty sure Ian Butterworth isn't considered a legend despite playing 8 years in arguably our greatest period of history, other players from his time got the legend status. Never hear anybody talking about the great Ian Butterworth.

Won't groan if Martin squeezes into the Hall of Fame though, how could I.... Daryl Sutch is in it.

 

[Din]

I'll reiterate, I have nothing against Russ, but he seems to have earned legend status just based on the fact he was there, I think you could, literally, have put any other right back there in his place, and the outcome would have been exactly the same. I never really rated his performance as a Captain while he was on the pitch either.

To be fair I think that's a bit harsh. Hewas fantastic at right back during the Lambert years. Easily our best defender in that in period, and the only player apart from Holt and Wes to consistently be in the starting XI from League 1 to the Premier League. Even while Hughton was manager Rus was solid enough if unspectacular.

I don't really doubt that the rumours about what went on behind the scenes are true. But I also don't doubt that Rus loved the club and always gave his all. I wouldn't say he's a legend but he's probably in the next tier down.

 

[morty]

To be fair I think that's a bit harsh. Hewas fantastic at right back during the Lambert years. Easily our best defender in that in period, and the only player apart from Holt and Wes to consistently be in the starting XI from League 1 to the Premier League. Even while Hughton was manager Rus was solid enough if unspectacular.

I don't really doubt that the rumours about what went on behind the scenes are true. But I also don't doubt that Rus loved the club and always gave his all. I wouldn't say he's a legend but he's probably in the next tier down.

Seems a very long time ago when I would say he was anything other than solid. But yeah I take your point, maybe slightly harsh! And agree with "next tier down".

 

[morty]

Hoolahan set to join West Brom, Russ Martin not, after the pair of them were on trial.

 

[OldRobert]

Hoolahan set to join West Brom, Russ Martin not, after the pair of them were on trial.

That might stop the Pink'un bleating Martin being the greatest thing since sliced bread.

 

[GJP]

That might stop the Pink'un bleating Martin being the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Look, there's no need for that.

At the end of the day he still loves the club that have been paying him thousands and thousands of pounds a week for the best part of 10 years.

 

[Number 9]

Just seen that Nelson is in starting 11 for u23 game this afternoon.

 

[Number 9]

And scores

 

[morty]

And scores again....

 

[Number 9]

The curious case of The Man with the Magic Boots

 

[OldRobert]

First stage of reintegration?

 

[Number 9]

First stage of reintegration?

Or getting him ready to ship out in January?

 

[Din]

Jon Walters for Ipswich ruled out for 6 months.

What a shame.

 

[morty]

Jon Walters for Ipswich ruled out for 6 months.

What a shame.

#guttedforthem