Zak's out of contract in the Summer!

What are your thoughts? Has he shown enough to ignore his injuries?

http://www.clubcall.com/norwich-city/whitbread-makes-new-deal-admission-1392635.html?

 

Yes definitely. At first I thought he was mistake prone but I think he has improved to such an extent that he would be close to being my player of the season.
In fact, after Ruddy, he would be the next man on my team sheet.

 

yep we need to keep him for sure - injuries are a slight concern but he's a CB who likes to play the game.

 

Have to say I agree Redruth, surely it can only be his injuries that have stopped the club from offering a new contract?

Sounds like he's keen to stay, so hopefully it will get sorted!

 

been our best player over the past two months. hope we keep him

 

It may be that his injuries prevent him from earning a player of the season award, too.
Defo on my shortlist, as Redruth alluded to earlier.
I believe David Fox is out of contract in the summer - another one we need to hang on to, no doubt about either of them, really, as long as Zak can stay fit

 

Fox's expires next summer, I believe, as do a few others, so that will be interesting.

I'd definately keep hold of Whitbread, his pros far outweigh his cons in my opinion.

 

Whitbred is our best CB and hard to pick who is our best defender between him and Naughton.

 

Whitbread and fox are must keeps this summer and I believe both will be here next season.

 

If I've remembered correctly, there is someone a little bit more important to renew a contract. PL is on a rolling year by year contract will need to renegotiated. Can't see it being a problem but that;s the one that has to be sorted at the expense of all others

 

Whitbread when fit
Is more than a hit
And our number one central CB,
Influential and calm
Does not chance his arm
Just as a good defender should be,
If he wants to stay
Then I see no way
That PL will wave him goodbye,
Two or three more years
At least, and then
For the work he has done, say I.

So that´s a yes from me.

 

Lambert is on a one year rolling contract - that basically means that he always has one year left on his contract.

 

it also means he gets to negotiate at the end of each year.

 

It can be negotiated at any time as there is no end to it.

 

I personally would like to see Zak get a new contract. Still not perfect, but defence looks a lot more composed since he has come back from injury.

 

Evening news has a list of everyone's expiry dates

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/sport/audio_zak_whitbread_eager_to_stay_with_norwich_city_1_1228575

Of those expiring this summer I'd expect Drury and maybe Wilbraham of the senior players not to be offered a new conract. There's no telling with the youngsters. After all, a lot of people were suprised when Habergham was released last season.

 

Can't get to any matches these days but read all reports I can get my hands on. I always think Aaron Wilbraham gets a bit of a bashing on here, but from what I read, when he's called upon always seems to do a decent job. Is he worth keeping as a squad player?

 

I reckon Zak pulls so many muscles and ligaments because he is always putting his body on the line. He makes some amazing stretches to intercept crosses and block shots its no wonder the guy gets injured when his body is at breaking point all the time.

The guy is a class act when fit. Hopefully he can put together a string of appearances as this will help him, the solidity and consistency of our defense and ultimately the team and the amount of points we pick up!

 

I agree, he always gives his all and although he doesn't score he lays on a lot of chances for others. The are two reasons I think he won't be offered a new contract, firstly his age. He's already 32 and will turn 33 shortly after next season starts. Secondly I think he falls on the same bracket as McNamee, Johnson etc in that he was bought in to do a job in the championship and we were promoted quicker than expected. I honestly think the main reason he's still been in the side is because of Vaughan's injury.

 

I think he's done a decent job, but realistically if we are going to improve our squad then the bar might be raised beyond him. I suspect Lambert will be happy with the number of strikers he has on our books, so I expect it will be a one out, one in policy!

He seems happy to play a peripheral role tho, which is valuable in itself. Would you keep him for that reason vectis?