I really can't get excited about this and I fail to see how it fits in with DF/SW style of play. I will, of course, support him until he proves me right. OTBC
Rhodes is English - born in Oldham. Like Russell Martin, he chose to play for Scotland but he's not Scottish. I agree with HMQC that if SW and DF think he's a good fit the I'm ok with it. He's different to the other strikers we have and could turn out well. At Kings Lynn we played a 3-4-3 with WBs and Srbeny, Pukki and Hernandez up front. Rhodes could be good in that front three, giving Pukki and Hernandez more freedom to attack while also having a fox in the box when the ball comes in.
I generally agree, I fail to see how Rhodes can be worse than Srbeny? Given its a loan and it looks odds on to happen, we can only assume that the terms were satisfactory relative to our current financial situation. It seems a fairly good gamble to me. If, and its a big if, we can get him scoring like 2+ seasons ago, he could make the difference between relegation and mid table. Bah!
I fail to see how signing two sub-six foot strikers fits into DFs style of play... unless he is planning on playing two up top this season? Not many smaller strikers can hold the ball up like a Holt or Roberts type player (unless they are as good as Defoe?! Who has sublime movement). Think we could be in for another season of hard working strikers struggling because they are up against big, tough centre backs! Was hoping the movr for the PSG lad would come off as he is (whilst young I concede) exactly the type of player we need. Big, strong, quick and has an eye for goal. Yes Rhodes is proven (last season aside) but not in a system such as ours. He needs fast moving, counter-attacking football with balls in behind defenders... not sideways, backwards, sideways, slow build up play!
Not massively impressed, but would love to be proved wrong!! So we can expect MORE signings!!! http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/farke-expects-more-arrivals-1-5598632
Rhodes is 6'1" and Pukki is 5'11", so neither is particularly short. IMO, our style of play last year was slow in build-up because of the players involved and our dependence upon Madders in a 4-2-3-1 formation. In a 3-4-3 with WBs and Pukki and Hernandez alongside Rhodes up front, we have other options. With WBs to provide width, Leitner or Vrancic can get the ball forward more quickly, giving Pukki and Hernandez more freedom to attack while also having Rhodes in the box when the ball comes in. I'm hoping that this will be both more productive and more entertaining.
Rhodes scored those 5 goals in 17 starts and 14 sub appearances, which though not great is reasonable. Another Wednesday fan said they were trying the change the way he plays rather than changing their play to suit him. This could be similar to Oliveira with us. Presumably SW and DF see changing our playing style this season to one which he will be suited to his play, as I suggested above. I'm willing to keep an open mind and see how it goes.
How the mighty are fallen! John Percy @JPercyTelegraph Looking even bleaker for Ross McCormack at #avfc. Has not attended training camp in Portugal & will not be reintegrated into squad by Steve Bruce, despite the club’s financial crisis. Available for transfer
Michael Bailey @michaeljbailey That said... Yes, from all I’ve heard Jordan Rhodes to Norwich City on a season’s loan is a done deal. Sheffield Wednesday may well have settled on a loan fee closer to £1.5m - as well as #ncfc paying a chunk of his £40k weekly wages (how much would be a guess). #swfc
He's followed that up with an interesting theory. The "on, off, on" nature of the saga is related to Angus Gunn moving permanently to Southampton. Previously we've been interested in Rhodes, but couldn't fund the move at the price Wednesday wanted, especially with Oliveira still on our books. However, we apparently do have a sell-on clause on Gunn from when he left our academy, guessing at 20%. 20% of the rumoured £13.5m fee is £2.7m, which was completely unexpected income. £1.5m in loan fee for Rhodes, with £1.2m left over with which to fund £24k p/w in wages for a year. The bonus money coming from Gunn means we don't have to sell Oliveira to be able to afford Rhodes - we can get the signing done first then worry about shifting Oliveira.
Still think it's a little bit of a bizarre signing for your lot, particularly as all his successful spells have been playing alongside a big striker in a front 2 and is famously poor playing a lone striker. That said, a couple of seasons ago he would have walked into any side in this league with welcome arms so he could rediscover some of his past form and be really effective for you you guys. If you gave me the scenario of one of Rhodes or Marriott signing for you, then I would pick Rhodes so I'm a little relieved... But also have a nagging feeling that he's bound to score against us (again) this season.