We'll go with what we've got''

[Wiz]

Uttered by AN today:

“Jon Walters or anybody else out there are not our players,” he said. “The bottom line is now we won’t be commenting on anyone. If we don’t add anybody then we will go with this squad. If we do then it gives us another player or two to give me more options. I am not overly concerned.

http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/mark_hughes_accuses_norwich_city_of_mischief_over_jon_walters_transfer_bid_1_4205813

This is my biggest fear, that we'll try to bluff our way through the season.

Please assure me that I've read that wrong.

 

[Beauseant]

Its called dampening expectations Wiz. I think everyone at the club is fed up with the daily speculation and won't comment on anything until its done. I expect a couple of players in before the window closes and there's lots going on, but you can't legislate for what other people do. I think the point that Alex is actually making is that if, for whatever reason, we can't get our targets we won't sign someone just for the sake of it, which I think is a pretty admirable attitude.

 

[Boyerboy]

Also, implicit in your post Wiz is the claim that the current squad is not good enough. I disagree.

I would like to see the squad strengthened ( and yes Beau- not just enlarged) but I would have no fear that this squad would not do well enough if we went ahead with it as it stands.   The first three games have all shown that we can compete and the required 38 points for survival is well within our grasp.

 

[Wiz]

 

[Wiz]

AN can only do so much Boyerboy, and so far he's been magnificent for us but he doesn't control the purse strings. he himself mentioned another striker thus the Afobe bid.

And a Charlie Austin type player would have buried at least one of the many chances we had against Stoke, and yes, they cost money.

I just hope that dear old prudence won't be our undoing.........again.

 

[Canaryboy]

 
Its called dampening expectations Wiz. I think everyone at the club is fed up with the daily speculation and won't comment on anything until its done. I expect a couple of players in before the window closes and there's lots going on, but you can't legislate for what other people do. I think the point that Alex is actually making is that if, for whatever reason, we can't get our targets we won't sign someone just for the sake of it, which I think is a pretty admirable attitude.

Also not a good idea to show that you are desperate to add to your squad, doesn't bode well for the negotiating table (with both the opposing club + the agent). 

I think we'll add a couple, probably on or near deadline day. And a few to leave also. 

Wonder whether we already have the deadline day helicopter booked?

 

[Suffolk Canary]

I admit seeing that didn't fill me with confidence. But i think it was just his way of saying "we're trying desperately to get quality players in, but if we can't get anyone good enough to sign then its not the end of the world".

I've noticed the rhetoric over the last couple weeks has gone from 'we'll be adding a few bodies' to 'we're trying to add some bodies, but we might not'.  

 

[Beauseant]

Also, implicit in your post Wiz is the claim that the current squad is not good enough. I disagree.

I would like to see the squad strengthened ( and yes Beau- not just enlarged) but I would have no fear that this squad would not do well enough if we went ahead with it as it stands.   The first three games have all shown that we can compete and the required 38 points for survival is well within our grasp.

Spot on. I have more faith in this squad than any of three we had last time we were in the Premier League. This group are together and absolutely oozing self belief, so any addition would have to be carefully chosen so as not to upset those already here. Alex will know if he finds the right person but he won't settle for second best.

 

[bloodwagon]

Beau, I think its the manager we have the faith in, unlike the one we had last time we were in the prem.

AN, seems to get the team motivated, working as a team. One thing the last two managers didn't.

Wonder how long we will keep him. As other chairmen must be watching him.

 

[Canaryboy]

I'm personally worried about what would happen if Bassong got injured. The prospect of Turner returning to our defence at this level, after having showed last season that he has gone backwards as a player, worries me greatly. 

I'm not asking for an overhaul, but a quality centre back with his best years ahead of him would make me feel a lot better.

Same applies with Cameron Jerome actually. I'm sure Grabban can find some form at some stage this season and chip in with  few goals, but wouldn't want him being our only option.

So we're a centre back and a striker short in my opinion. Which is fine, as that's probably Alex Neil's opinion too. 

 

[derehamyella]

yes so far we can hold our own,  even play above what many expect, but can they  hold that for another 20 odd games ?     I doubt it all teams drop away...that is when a squad really comes into play.    

 

[Boyerboy]

No one disputes that a stronger squad would be better.  It could be observed though that the results have been obtained without two of our best players in Olssen and Mulumbu. 

I was merely responding to Wiz's catatrophising the situation in saying that without more players we are doomed by prudence.  I cannot agree.   We are good enough as a squad now and the Titanic reference is hyperbolic in my opinion.

 

[Beauseant]

I'm personally worried about what would happen if Bassong got injured. The prospect of Turner returning to our defence at this level, after having showed last season that he has gone backwards as a player, worries me greatly. 

I'm not asking for an overhaul, but a quality centre back with his best years ahead of him would make me feel a lot better.

Same applies with Cameron Jerome actually. I'm sure Grabban can find some form at some stage this season and chip in with  few goals, but wouldn't want him being our only option.

So we're a centre back and a striker short in my opinion. Which is fine, as that's probably Alex Neil's opinion too. 

I think Koulibaly will be coming in as well as a striker.

 

[Canaryboy]

Its also important that we keep a bit set aside for January. I hope we've learnt from Hughton's last season, when such a pot of money didn't appear to exist. 

 

[splutcho]

I think Koulibaly will be coming in as well as a striker.

A hunch, or do you know something we don't?

 

[Beauseant]

I know that they were looking at a defender from Italian football so putting two and two together. I think if Southampton get van Dijk we'll get Koulibaly.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

And a Charlie Austin type player would have buried at least one of the many chances we had against Stoke

I highly disagree. I dont think we failed to score more because of a lack of quality. Both Dorrans efforts were right in the corner and hit with real pace, cant imagine anyone striking it better and beating Butland. Wes might have converted the header but we have to accept things we're not going to get from Wes for the things we do. People have criticised Jerome but its just good goalkeeping for me.

Those exact chances with a different player on the end, I still dont think we'd have scored. I don think you can start saying player x y or z would have finished chances like that.

I think you can only say that when the opportunity was there to score (ie an open goal, or when the keeper cannot position himself and the striker is massively incompetent in not putting it away).

I dont think any of the non converted chances were guaranteed to be put away by someone else. The BJ one and the Wes one were perhaps the ones that could have been most improved on, but even the best sometimes miss

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

I admit seeing that didn't fill me with confidence. But i think it was just his way of saying "we're trying desperately to get quality players in, but if we can't get anyone good enough to sign then its not the end of the world".

I've noticed the rhetoric over the last couple weeks has gone from 'we'll be adding a few bodies' to 'we're trying to add some bodies, but we might not'.

I think its also a show of faith in his current players, which isnt bad for squad morale

 

[eatonparkboy]

I think everyone is aware that there is no point buying just for the sake of it, especially if it doesn't improve the squad. Although I believe this stupid window has provoked that kind of reaction from clubs. Arsene Wenger has done a brilliant job at Arsenal and he buys if and when he can.

We can speculate on who we like, Austin for example,  and think will definitely improve the squad. But if the club aren't prepared to go that far in terms of finance, then the manager will have to go with what he has got.

I expect we are in a similar position as with Hughton's first season. Keep us up is the call from the board and next year with even more money we can go for the Austin's in terms of money.

Or am I reading too much into it? Is it just a matter of nobody we want willing to come here?

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Its also important that we keep a bit set aside for January. I hope we've learnt from Hughton's last season, when such a pot of money didn't appear to exist.

That will always be the question. Was there no money? Or was there no backing?