Second half side: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DEOL3u1XoAAiKvO?format=jpg 5-1 at the moment, Vrancic and Oliveira after the break.
From today's offering by Robin Sainty on MFW - "While I think it’s unlikely that the likes of Alex Pritchard or Jacob Murpy will go, the ultimate consideration for Webber and Co has to be how can they get the best from the budget and therefore they have to look at every offer in the context of “can we use this money to improve the squad?” Ultimately, I’m prepared to accept that that might mean I have to accept the loss of some of my favourites and put my faith in the new broom sweeping through Carrow Road. Whether that’s right or wrong can only be judged when the squad is complete, but so far I like the way things are going." Full article here - http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...ting-like-grown-ups-if-our-favourites-depart/
Player ratings from yesterday - MAN OF THE MATCH James Maddison Daniel Farke’s preferred formation suits the former Coventry City playmaker’s blossoming talents very nicely. In the thick of the action throughout the first half and constantly looking to get City on the front foot. Really should have scored at least one but starting to show glimpses of huge potential that made him such a sought-after prospect. Michael McGovern – 6, Yanic Wildschut – 6.5, Christoph Zimmermann – 6.5, Ben Godfrey – 6.5' Jamal Lewis – 7, Harrison Reed – 6.5, Marley Watkins – 7, Steven Naismith – 6.5, James Maddison – 7.5, Josh Murphy – 7, Cameron Jerome – 6.5 Subs Remi Matthews (for McGovern, 46) – 6, Harry Toffolo (for Lewis, 46) – 6, Mario Vrancic (for Maddison, 46) –7, Alex Pritchard (for Naismith, 46) – 6.5, Carlton Morris (for Murphy, 46) –7, Nelson Oliveira (for Jerome, 46) – 6.5 Really pleased to see JM getting 'rave' reviews and also pleasing to see both Morris and Lewis doing well, as I had high hopes for them having seen them in the under 23 games. Watkins seems to have settled in well too
Don't if you read GG's column today, but it includes this (chilling?) line:- Sorry, buddy, shoot the soothsayer, not the messenger http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...aplenty-to-keep-the-city-faithful-interested/
I hadn't read the article until I saw it in your post and I have to say it makes sense and we're just lucky that SW and DF got him to sign a contract extension. So AN DID make a few good signings (but steadfastly refused to play him!!!). Also good to read more praise for Jamal Lewis, as I was very impressed with him in the under 23 games.
Post #6431. Lewis may well be ahead of him, but I think SW/DF are trying to sign a LB. Read more here - http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwic...ason-friendly-win-at-lowestoft-town-1-5098225
Unfortunitely I see him as another Rudd, he'll likely never quite be good enough for the first XI, at nearly 22 (Birthday in August) he still has time on his side, but he will need football and i just don't know if Farke will want to risk him here. Ideally we need to loan him to someone at the lower end of the championship and see if he can cut it? If he can't then sell him to the highest bidder, maybe he'll then over time like McGeehan work his way back up, but how long do we cling on for that possibility? How many can we cling on to and keep loaning out under the hope they might make it? I know some on here criticise the club for players like McGeehen who were sold for peanuts and have supposedly come good, but McGeehan is still playing at a lower level than us (In theory, at least, who knows if the Farke era doesn't go as planned we could be lower than Barnsley) I want Harry to prove me wrong, from all reports he is a great lad and actively seeks out chances to help the local communities where ever he is playing. OK so I have not seen him play too often, what I have seen, concerns me defensively, on top of that, he has hardly been heralded as some great success during his loans either. In his defense, none of our defenders looked like they could defend under the last couple of managers, so maybe there is hope yet. Bah!
Spot on, DH, and this is another reason we need to hang on to Jerome. Surely with the money from selling Dorrans and Howson as well as the savings in wages from all those leaving we now have the money we need to buy the 2-3 quality players we now need. I can't see any need to sell Jerome or Jacob, not to mention Oliveira.
To my mind, he has not kicked on from our youth cup win. Only Swindon seemed to get the best out of him. His spell at Scunny last season was mediocre at best. I can't see him making it in the championship unfortunately, so obviously I can't see him making it with us. To put things into perspective, our two pre-season games to date would seem to indicate that Jamal Lewis is rated at least as promising by DF.