You're right DD, though I'm sure I saw him taking part in training before returning to UK. I think he would play a similar rôle to McLean and he's been getting pretty good revues. Edit - A couple of comments filched from today's MFW re the GK conundrum - 'Remi Matthews has had a lot of stick for a couple of mistakes pre-season, but I remember John Ruddy getting absolute pelters for his first few friendlies after signing for us and he didn’t turn out too bad. On this basis I’m keeping the faith with Matthews. Let’s see how he does in the heat of actual battle. And another - after 15 clean sheets for Plymouth he must have something about him otherwise the clubs he has been loaned to wouldn’t have praised him so highly.' #letsseewhatthisweekbrings http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...-pre-season-everything-is-geared-to-august-4/
We'll have to watch a few Friday night U23 games again next season, I can't do the Pizza think I'm in Spain that week.
We're gonna win the league, we're gonna win the league. ee ai adio, we're gonna win the league. Thanks Mikey.
Interesting reading the thoughts of Gary re the GK conundrum in today's MFW - http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...t-for-mfw-it-was-a-german-tour-like-no-other/ We should know more after this week's friendlies I like his 'bullet points' Daniel Farke can do ‘angry’ very well Felix Passlack’s arrival means their is life for ‘diminutive’ after Wes Marco Stiepermann is a better midfielder than he is left-back. Pretty good in fact Rhodes and Pukki both resemble goalscorers The new kit is ‘peng’ (ask your kids) The defence can still do ‘cock-ups’ - No surprise there!!!! We have lots of good defensive midfielders (including Godfrey and Thomson) There is visibly more attacking tempo and oomph Onel Hernandez is a bloody good player Jacob Bowles is a top lad .
Interesting comment from someone who has actually SEEN Mathews in action - 'I’m a Canary supporter who lives in Cornwall. Several times last season I was fortunate to seeing Remi Matthews performing heroics for Plymouth Argyle. I was extremely proud that ‘one of our own’ was such a success at Home Park. He has all the makings of an excellent Championship goalkeeper and I look forward to watching his City debut at St Andrew’s on August 4.' Yes, I know it's ONLY the views of another fan and we should know more when DF announces his starting 11 on Wednesday!!!! Edit - And now this from DF - “We decided to have a bit of competition between Remi and Michael. “There have been some good games but also some mistakes. I am pleased with their attitude, they are both working hard. I trust them both and I would have no problem if one of them would be between the posts when the real stuff starts. " “I trust my keepers but without any pressure we can watch the market." “Let’s see how it develops.” http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/canaries-farke-on-keeper-battle-1-5618319
He also said this, JM Fan: “In general, you can say you need a really outstanding goalkeeper to be successful,”. I think Remi has as much chance as anyone we could afford to bring in to become that outstanding keeper, so I'm happy to have him in goal to start the season. And I'm not worried about what has happened so far in pre-season where Remi is concerned. There were plenty of people to blame for the goals we let in.
I liked the Wolfsburg coach's comment, "...our opponents were quick to close us down. It was a good test for us at this moment in time.”
This is pre-season with constantly changing line-ups - of course mistakes and misunderstandings are going to happen. Hopefully we'll have settled line-ups for our final pre-season games.
That's how how I see it, too, and why I'm not worried about giving Remi the start. This is still a mid-table rebuilding year imo.
Last season we started badly and never caught up. With deals done early this window, I'm hoping we can start well and then keep going. This is potentially the best squad we've had in years. A solid defence now well established, a good midfield mix of skills and an attack which could be very potent with the options available. Time will tell, but my feeling is that this season could be far better than the last.