Stuart Webber Confirmed As Sporting Director

[SuffolkCanary]

All the regular posters are in a state of shock that at long last the board have found someone who can actually take the club forward and has a vision for where he wants the club to be. I really liked the fact that if he feels an Academy player is good enough, he will get his chance to prove himself and not always be just 'warming the bench'.
Obviously, it's not going to happen overnight, but I would like to think that by early next season, we should be seeing signs of a resurgence in our fortunes and I wonder who he has in mind for HC and from what he was saying, it's unlikely to be one of the current crop who're 'unemployed!!!!'

Agree with all of this. He speaks very well and seems like someone with a very clear idea of his objectives and the direction he wants to go forward with the club. Sounds like he has plans for the HC and the summer already, including a playing staff clear out.

 

[JM Fan]

Agree with all of this. He speaks very well and seems like someone with a very clear idea of his objectives and the direction he wants to go forward with the club. Sounds like he has plans for the HC and the summer already, including a playing staff clear out.

That was music to my (and I imagine everyone else's) ears!!

 

[canary-dave]

The bit I liked best was when he said there may be a role for AI but definitely NOT as HC

 

[carrowcanario]

To be fair I didn't know much about Webber before he joined us, but I would say I like everything I've seen & heard about him since he's been linked to us. He seems to be able to talk the talk and judging by Huddersfield's transformation he can walk the walk. Long term he see's the possibilities at Norwich to be well over and above Huddersfield even if they get promoted and as a Norwich fan of course I agree with him. He seems highly professional, confident and ambitious and seems to have the sort of character that will bring like minded individuals to the club. If he can get us to where we want to be over the next 3 years or so he'll have an excellent CV to move on to a bigger club. He just might be the most important appointment our board have made since McNally.

 

[JM Fan]

To be fair I didn't know much about Webber before he joined us, but I would say I like everything I've seen & heard about him since he's been linked to us. He seems to be able to talk the talk and judging by Huddersfield's transformation he can walk the walk. Long term he see's the possibilities at Norwich to be well over and above Huddersfield even if they get promoted and as a Norwich fan of course I agree with him. He seems highly professional, confident and ambitious and seems to have the sort of character that will bring like minded individuals to the club. If he can get us to where we want to be over the next 3 years or so he'll have an excellent CV to move on to a bigger club. He just might be the most important appointment our board have made since McNally.

My thoughts exactly when I listened to his 'interviews' .

 

[JM Fan]

Some realism from Paddy following our victory on Saturday - “The Canaries have plundered a league-best 48 goals at home but shipped 43 away; a tally only exceeded by League One-bound Rotherham. You do not need Webber’s impressive CV to know where the problems lie.
There will be seismic change to the playing squad over the summer months, once Webber’s preferred head coach candidate leaves his current posting at the end of this campaign. That quest for a fresh, new identity and a bold, cohesive approach requires revolution not revision. There has been a staleness and a gnawing sense City have been left behind on the pitch, which was brought into graphic focus against the Terriers.
For as good as Norwich looked in the spring sunshine, Reading contributed to their own downfall with a defensive abdication all too familiar for regular travellers from these parts. The catalogue of individual mistakes, the lack of communication, the dazed expressions, for once, were in the opposition ranks.
The 33-year-old delivered an assured display at his official unveiling on Friday but just below the surface, and those soothing soundbites regarding his new club’s potential, was the hard-edged pragmatism. Those who want to be part of this journey will, those who don’t or are incapable of clambering on board will be jettisoned.
There can be no misplaced loyalty, no sense of duty to players who have performed admirably in the past. This is a fresh start, a clean slate and Reading, perhaps in terms of performance rather than the staggering margin of victory, is the new benchmark.”
Full story here - http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwic...ity-embark-on-a-voyage-of-discovery-1-4968832
Exciting times ahead and I foresee a raft of significant changes in playing personnel over the summer once the new HC has been appointed.

 

[RiverEndRick]

Having just listened to Webber's 41 minute press conference I feel that there could be something good in the new approach, but that was also said when Alex Neil arrived. Listening to him seemed to me to be a cross between McNally and Neil, both very confident, very determined men. The answer will lie in the results achieved; it always does. The new approach will be open and forthright if he acts as he says he will. I do agree with the new structure - expecting a manager to do everything is unrealistic and obsolete. McNally shifted the focus on to football first in all regards and in retrospect I think his leaving may have influenced how things turned out this season. Moxey never seemed to have the same definite focus and intensity, but Webber does have that intensity and sense of purpose. The Head Coach will tell us more but even then it's the results that will decide in the end. It will certainly be interesting though!

 

[goldeneadie]

Basically, he is likely to be doing the same at Norwich this summer, as he did at Huddersfield last summer. moving many under achieving/past it players on and starting afresh. He certainly has the will for total change, getting rid of 15 Huddersfield players last summer proves that, and hopefully he will be able to assess our playing squad in the remaining games. Which is why I do not see the young guns being involved, he will want to assess Mulumbu, Whittaker et al.

 

[JM Fan]

Basically, he is likely to be doing the same at Norwich this summer, as he did at Huddersfield last summer. moving many under achieving/past it players on and starting afresh. He certainly has the will for total change, getting rid of 15 Huddersfield players last summer proves that, and hopefully he will be able to assess our playing squad in the remaining games. Which is why I do not see the young guns being involved, he will want to assess Mulumbu, Whittaker et al.

I'm hopeful that he has seen enough evidence of Naismith's and Whittaker's liabilities from watching them last Wednesday and it depends on whether or not AI selects Mulumbu to play.

Edit - Excerpts from an article by David Freezer in today's EDP - It is an issue which has plagued the Canaries in recent seasons, struggling to shift unwanted players on big wages in order to refresh a stagnating squad. City’s new chief intends to change that though, after enjoying several successes in the transfer market during his time with Huddersfield Town.
“I think the point that this football club has got to now is probably the result of three or four bad transfer windows and I think we’ve reached a tipping point and have got to turn that around.
“That’s as a complete outsider, no one has said that to me and that’s just an opinion formed on me following every club. It’s my job to know what other clubs do because Norwich City were a competitor, and that’s probably what I’d put it down to.”
Ain't that the truth!!!!
Full article here - http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwic...nd-norwich-city-s-transfer-troubles-1-4969806

 

[canary-dave]

I'm hopeful that he has seen enough evidence of Naismith's and Whittaker's liabilities from watching them last Wednesday and it depends on whether or not AI selects Mulumbu to play.

Edit - Excerpts from an article by David Freezer in today's EDP - It is an issue which has plagued the Canaries in recent seasons, struggling to shift unwanted players on big wages in order to refresh a stagnating squad. City’s new chief intends to change that though, after enjoying several successes in the transfer market during his time with Huddersfield Town.
“I think the point that this football club has got to now is probably the result of three or four bad transfer windows and I think we’ve reached a tipping point and have got to turn that around.
“That’s as a complete outsider, no one has said that to me and that’s just an opinion formed on me following every club. It’s my job to know what other clubs do because Norwich City were a competitor, and that’s probably what I’d put it down to.”
Ain't that the truth!!!!
Full article here - http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwic...nd-norwich-city-s-transfer-troubles-1-4969806

A bit more here JM Fan on MFW!

http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...ly-–-but-truth-and-untruth-are-out-there-too/

 

[RiverEndRick]

For me the plus side is his clear sense of purpose and direction. As GE says, he now has the final 5 games to assess the squad both in matches and at Colney. My opinion is that all 5 of the out of contract players will go, so it's the others he'll want to assess. I feel that his writing off the last 3-4 transfer windows seems premature and that leaves me a bit concerned that the clear-out could be overdone. Klose, Pinto, Oliveira, Pritchard, Dijks, McGovern on a free, Maddison and Thompson were all good signings IMO (though Klose and Dijks probably won't stay). I also rate Naismith and Wildschut, but realise not everybody does. If he does go for a gung-ho clear-out I fear that the changes could have to be paid for by selling younger players like Jacob, Josh, Pritchard and Maddison.

I'm also concerned about how much patience he'll have for bringing on young players (he made some disparaging remarks about new managers talking up the potential of young players). He also made it very clear that his ambitions lie in the PL and above that. In the potential disregard for young players and the ambitions aspect he reminds me more of PL. This could mean him using us as a stepping-stone and moving on when the next opportunity comes along. It seems clear that he's not here to build a 'dynasty'. So potential pluses and minuses really, but we'll just have to wait and see how it all develops.

 

[JM Fan]

For me the plus side is his clear sense of purpose and direction. As GE says, he now has the final 5 games to assess the squad both in matches and at Colney. My opinion is that all 5 of the out of contract players will go, so it's the others he'll want to assess. I feel that his writing off the last 3-4 transfer windows seems premature and that leaves me a bit concerned that the clear-out could be overdone. Klose, Pinto, Oliveira, Pritchard, Dijks, McGovern on a free, Maddison and Thompson were all good signings IMO (though Klose and Dijks probably won't stay). I also rate Naismith and Wildschut, but realise not everybody does. If he does go for a gung-ho clear-out I fear that the changes could have to be paid for by selling younger players like Jacob, Josh, Pritchard and Maddison.

I'm also concerned about how much patience he'll have for bringing on young players (he made some disparaging remarks about new managers talking up the potential of young players). He also made it very clear that his ambitions lie in the PL and above that. In the potential disregard for young players and the ambitions aspect he reminds me more of PL. This could mean him using us as a stepping-stone and moving on when the next opportunity comes along. It seems clear that he's not here to build a 'dynasty'. So potential pluses and minuses really, but we'll just have to wait and see how it all develops

It’s not quite what he said Rick – he ‘said the last 3 or 4 transfer windows were bad’ and I don’t think anyone can disagree with that. I do agree with you that Pinto, Klose etc were all good signings and I’m HOPING that they’ll ALL
a. Want to stay
b. Be wanted by both SW and the new HC
Should he fund new players by selling the likes of the Murphys/Maddison, then I would imagine that he’ll alienate most if not ALL NCFC fans
I’m not convinced re either Naismith or Wildschut, but I’m OK if the new management team wants them and they start living up to their exorbitant transfer fees.

I was talking to a fellow fan the other day and we agreed that he sees NCFC as a ‘stepping stone’ – nothing more!!!

 

[RiverEndRick]

I think we're on the same wave length JMF, but to me saying the last 3-4 transfer windows were bad suggests that there was no good in those windows. Mbokani was a good loan imo, Mulumbu was a reasonable FT as well (we couldn't have known he would have a spate of injury problems), so where was the bad in those windows? Yes we paid a lot for both Naismith and Wildschut, but the first was a gamble to stay in the PL and the second was to replace the more expensive Brady in both price and wages. The leavers last season were the likes of O'Neil, who was reasonable, and Odjidja-Ofoe whose time was disrupted by injuries. Wisdom was a reasonable loan, IMO, so what made those 3-4 windows so bad? Yes, there was the failure to sign a quality CB before the PL season started, but Klose did come in the following January. My concern about this is the implication that the solution lies in the next transfer window. It is imperative that we sign another quality CB (two if Klose leaves) and a LB if Dijks leaves (two if Toffolo isn't deemed sufficient cover). Another striker to replace Lafferty is also needed, but IMO there isn't a great need beyond that if our young players are going to have a chance.

 

[Hairy Mary Quite Canary]

I was talking to a fellow fan the other day and we agreed that he sees NCFC as a ‘stepping stone’ – nothing more!!!

I'd agree he's ultimately got his sights set higher than Norwich in the mid-long term, but surely that's the same for anyone joining us (players or management). He did say he's brought his family with him this time which interestingly he didn't to Huddersfield. I'd assume therefore he's expecting to stick around at least for a while.

 

[Hairy Mary Quite Canary]

I think we're on the same wave length JMF, but to me saying the last 3-4 transfer windows were bad suggests that there was no good in those windows. Mbokani was a good loan imo, Mulumbu was a reasonable FT as well (we couldn't have known he would have a spate of injury problems), so where was the bad in those windows? Yes we paid a lot for both Naismith and Wildschut, but the first was a gamble to stay in the PL and the second was to replace the more expensive Brady in both price and wages. The leavers last season were the likes of O'Neil, who was reasonable, and Odjidja-Ofoe whose time was disrupted by injuries. Wisdom was a reasonable loan, IMO, so what made those 3-4 windows so bad? Yes, there was the failure to sign a quality CB before the PL season started, but Klose did come in the following January. My concern about this is the implication that the solution lies in the next transfer window. It is imperative that we sign another quality CB (two if Klose leaves) and a LB if Dijks leaves (two if Toffolo isn't deemed sufficient cover). Another striker to replace Lafferty is also needed, but IMO there isn't a great need beyond that if our young players are going to have a chance.

You could add Jarvis to the Mulumbu / Ofoe injury hires too. Agree we've had some useful freebies and new recruits amongst a handful of poor hires. Ultimately though Klose, Dijks and Pinto don't make up for the massive gaps we've failed to seal in our defence over many more transfer windows than just 4.

 

[goldeneadie]

Very good news that Dijks agent is meeting SW next week for discussions on his Norwich future. That fact would seen that Mitch could be interested in staying permanently. What a brilliant start to the summer transfer season that would be.

 

[KIO]

Very good news that Dijks agent is meeting SW next week for discussions on his Norwich future. That fact would seen that Mitch could be interested in staying permanently. What a brilliant start to the summer transfer season that would be.

I think the best we could hope for there is either a 6 or 12 month loan, mind you I'd certainly take that especially the latter

 

[carrowcanario]

I think that the last 3/4 transfer windows have been bad because

1) Despite having a fairly old squad we have recruited too many older players in the twilight of their career.

2) We have failed to move on enough players, particularly older players that formed no significant part of our future plans.

3) We have failed in almost every window to recruit key targets and have either made panic buys or not made any buys before the window closes, virtually forcing us to persists with and offer extensions to players who we would not want to play.

4) We have spent too much money on players for some roles whilst totally neglecting other roles.

In isolation we have made some good purchases, but sometimes the thinking has been muddled. We seem to have put greater weight on the quality of individuals we want to purchase rather than how they strengthen the team. The result being that on paper we look to have strong individuals / squad, but who have consistently failed to perform as a team.

 

[RiverEndRick]

I think the best we could hope for there is either a 6 or 12 month loan, mind you I'd certainly take that especially the latter

I'm not sure about that, KIO. Dijks only has a year left on his current contract at AJax so they would want something permanent or face losing him for nothing. It will be SW's first test for sure, but a great start if he pulls it off and even better if he can convince Klose to stay. Having seen SW's latest interview with MB in the Pink'un I'm a bit more convinced about his commitment for at least 2 years or so, as he's done at Huddersfield. Hopefully, should the new structure come off and we make the PL next year it could be longer as he builds his reputation.

 

[RiverEndRick]

I think that the last 3/4 transfer windows have been bad because

1) Despite having a fairly old squad we have recruited too many older players in the twilight of their career.

2) We have failed to move on enough many players, particularly older players that formed no significant part of our future plans.

3) We have failed in almost every window to recruit key targets and have either made panic buys or not made any buys before the window closes, virtually forcing us to persists with and offer extensions to players who we would not want to play.

4) We have spent too much money on players for some roles whilst totally neglecting other roles.

In isolation we have made some good purchases, but sometimes the thinking has been muddled. We seem to have put greater weight on the quality of individuals we want to purchase rather than how they strengthen the team. The result being that on paper we look to have strong individuals / squad, but who have consistently failed to perform as a team.

That's a good point about the aging squad, canario, as is your point about moving on the likes of Lafferty and others simply seeing out their contracts. That's the problem, though, as to buy out their contracts would cost a fortune and they are too expensive for other teams to buy. Recruitment is SW's specialism, so it'll be interesting to see how he handles that while still having enough to spend on new players. On your final point, SW's emphasis on the 'team concept' could be the key to the future shape of the squad and recruiting the right HC to make it happen will be crucial to that. It worked at Huddersfield, so let's hope it works here as well.