I think they will survive. Sunderland and Palace look in all kinds of trouble. Swansea have had a good month, but that could just be an initial boost of a new coach. Hull look about the same, so could go either way. Leicester are in a mess, and still in the Champions League, plus one of the cups. Burnley have a lot of fight, and look solid. Swansea Vs Leicester will be interesting.
Yes, I just saw that. I don't EVER remember Brady even getting close when taking a free kick for us and Olsson hardly ever scored for us. Still, I think it was a good bit of business and I think Dijks will have an important part to play in the run in. Leicester really looking in trouble and the Champions League knock out phase starts this week.
So it's early days but both Olsson & Brady seem to have got their mojo back having moved away from AN.
Having won the Prem last season Leicester players may be going through an anti-climax period when they are being paid at the same or even better wages with nothing to prove. Are they still in the Champions League?
Good luck to both, scoring early into their spell at those clubs. I don't subscribe to all this 'Judas' malarkey when an ex-player comes back. Olsson certainly gave 100% while at Norwich, Brady (perhaps) less so, but good luck to both. They both appear to have severe cases of redmonditis?
I agree Cromer. Olsson could have left before, but like Redmond, Fer and Snodgrass I wish him well with his new club. I have to say, however, that if you asked me who I'd choose between him and Dijks, it'd be Dijks for sure. Brady, like most creative players, blows hot and cold. It's easier for him to raise his performance in the PL and internationals than it was in the hard slog of the Championship, but it should also make us appreciate Wes, who has stuck with us through thick and thin, down to Division One and back again.
Agreed Rick. Brady clearly had no liking for the hustle and bustle of the Championship whereas Wes shows his class, commitment and loyalty immaterial of what league we are in. The man is a genius, and a loyal one at that.
Interesting thoughts on the way forward for the club with the appointment (eventually - once we've scoured the solar system) of a new CEO. http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...must-act-with-shrewdness-to-choose-a-new-ceo/
Thanks for that Cromer and this really says it all for me - "Visibility is key. Moxey represented the fundamental antithesis of his predecessor, appearing inaccessible and unapproachable compared to the more open and interactive McNally. Such a lack of exposure was so palpably revealed in his startlingly sanitised in-house interview following December’s defeat to Huddersfield." I'm sure it was Bryan Gunn who signed GH and it was financed by the fans who opted not to take the £70 rebate due to us for relegation.
So Gayle could be fit to face us tomorrow night. I'm hoping we get a strong referee, as I feel there could be some uncompromising challenges and I also hope we keep all 11 players on the pitch. Team selection by AN is going to be interesting to say the least and I wonder if we might see Tettey and Jerome returning to the fray with Mulumbu and Basil being sacrificed. I feel it would be harsh to replace Mulumbu, as I thought he did everything well on Saturday, though I would imagine that CJ may well come in for Basil.
We're coming to the stage of the season where the demands of a 46 match schedule begin to take their toll. Newcastle will be the 4th game in 10 days and AN needs to manage that. Jacob and Jerome were rested on Saturday and Tettey's suspension provided a two match rest as well. Mulumbu has filled in very well but he must be feeling it after limited match play recently. Now is when we may appreciate the work the management team have done to bring on younger players like the Murphys, Godfrey and Pritchard. Thompson was another before his injury and Maddison is now back as well. Speaking of Pritchard AN said: “Was it Alex’s best game for us? Brentford at home he was a bit special. Alex is a very creative player and what we are trying to get him to do is all the other bits on a regular basis that make him not just a flair player but a real quality player who can do both sides. He is unbelievably talented but he has tenacity about him at the moment that is making him a better player. Alex will only get better the more time he spends here. Right foot, left foot goals and two assists in the week. It’s not bad.” Josh Murphy is another who rewarded his manager’s faith: “I thought he had a really good performance. There are still bits we can improve but that is only natural,” said Neil. “He is still young. Jacob has required a rest for maybe the last three or four games and I was looking for somebody to step up and I thought Josh did that. He got his goal, looked threatening, pacy and direct. He can cause havoc with his pace. His understanding of the game, the closing down and aggression is improving all the time.” This development of players behind the scenes is a crucial part of the club's overall development towards that 'dynasty' over time.
Yes, I thought Josh played well too and I wonder why AN persevered with his brother so much when he was obviously struggling. Great post though Rick!!
Comment from JH at today's presser - 'the funny thing is, the day before in training I was trying that and they were going over the fence.' AN states that he has a few 'who are touch and go. There'll be some late calls it is fair to say' Let's hope both Pinto and Dijks are starting