Was not intended as a 'cheap shot' at either you or anyone else Rick, I just think we should play the 'wait and see' game before getting overly concerned at this early stage that's all
Gary Gowers MFW column makes for a good read also - he's on the same hymn sheet as Superman's pyjamas http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...ving-doors-of-colney-promise-to-keep-turning/
We do have Marley Watkins who has played that role in this league before, and I am sure would offer similar levels of workrate, we also have Wildschut who can play up front or Morris, Ashley-Seal, on top of Oliveira obviously.
If we see a weaker attempt at a rumour this summer, I'll be impressed! Old, high wages and not exactly a stranger to injuries and suspensions, he seems exactly what we don't want! We have that already in Tettey, I certainly can't see a comparable player coming in unless he's moved on first, and even then I imagine there'll be heaps of players further up the shopping list. I expect Flamini will end up in Turkey, or similar.
I can't think of a proven replacement who would give us at least what Jerome does in the Championship, who would cost under 3 Million. There isn't one. That would mean bringing in another unknown foreign player or 2, and taking a chance on them. Which seems silly when we have a proven scorer in the squad already. Yes, I agree he does waste a good load of chances, but he still manages to score and assist a very respectable amount.
For all CamJam's frustrating faults, notably his "easy misses", I really don't think that Wildschut, Morris, Ashley Seal or even Watkins can be seen as an adequate replacement. I am not doubting their worth or what individually they'd bring to the party but Jerome has certain qualities that we are difficult to replicate and if to place all our hopes on a slightly unpredictable Basil and the other guys named here would be a bit risky in my lowly opinion. In my view I'd rather we had Jerome scoring for us rather than against us....
I'd rather get the money for him while we still can, he's turning 31 this season. He misses an awful lot of chances, although in fairness he does still score regularly. I just think that if we are going to overhaul the squad he isn't someone I would be too bothered about sacrificing. As part of the bigger picture it may be the best thing. I really don't want Howson to leave, he's been my favourite player for years, but I am coming around to the rationale...slowly. We have all spoken about a stagnation in the playing squad and the board having too much sentimentality, we cant then be guilty of the same when new management starts making big changes.
Jerome's main strength lies in away games where he scored most of his goals last season. His ability to provide an outlet and hold the ball up is far better than Oliveira's. At home, however, Oliveira's technical skills are better against packed defenses and it's valuable to have two complementary strikers like that. Watkins could provide a third option as he played as a striker 13 times last season, but usually as one of a pair up front. Steve Bruce has often said, "You're as good as your strikers" and it's true, as we found out when we brought in RvW. If Jerome leaves and his replacement fails, we fail. I'm not at all convinced that CBs like Raggett or Bielik will make us strong enough at the back for us to fight for promotion without Jerome's goals.
When possession football isn't working and we need a goal or 2 late on. Not having an alternative, more direct option would be naive and a mistake, for me. That's my 2 pence on that comment. I understand the opinion, but I think it's short sighted.
I agree. How many times was Alex Neil pilloried for not having a 'plan B' to fall back on? Last thing we need is a repeat of that scenario!
I disagree that Jerome encourages long-ball tactics. He's not a target-man in the traditional sense. With midfield players who can pass the ball like Howson and Vrancic, Jerome provides an option up the middle while the wide players stretch the defense. That allows more room for Pritchard and Wes to create chances behind Jerome. Farke has emphasized getting the ball forward quickly and Jerome's play makes that possible. For example, Vrancic takes the ball forward out of defence, passes out wide to Jacob or Watkins who then crosses to Jerome who then lays it back to Pritchard or Wes to look for the best option, one of which is Jerome. The idea is to get the ball forward before the defense is in position, something we didn't do enough under AN. In other cases, Jerome is at the heart of counter-attacks with pacey wide players coming forward with him and that is crucial away from home. Oliveira is not a counter-attacking striker in that sense. We need both options.
Jerome often runs the flanks with his speed and work-rate. He doesn't just stand there waving for the ball. So I agree, it's reductive to say he just promotes the long ball.
Bummer. On that proviso, we could have had five (5) Dutch defenders for the price of one Scottish, never-quite-made-it forward player on dumbass money (for NCFC) we're bending over backwards to get off the payroll. Sorry, but losing Naismith's high wages could be of significant value if they really are totally reshaping the team
