Is Assombolonga a sensible suggestion? Apparently we've 'set our sights' on him. https://readnorwich.com/2019/05/24/promoted-duo-norwich-and-sheff-united-chasing-assombalonga/
Both of them would have made far more sense last year when they were blowing 100m on players for their PL campaign? Boro paid 15m for B.A. apparently, so will want a sizeable chunk of that back.
*Croatian keeper alert* https://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/norwich-city-transfer-rumours-simon-sluga-1-6069544
The case for a new DM option is well made in this article some time back https://statsbomb.com/2019/05/a-man-a-plan-a-promotion-norwich-city/ "Norwich are a decent defensive team, but not without their flaws. The lack of mobility down the central spine is particularly notable, leaving them open to being rather too easily bypassed. The aforementioned win over Leeds in February provided a good example of that. While Norwich prevailed, Leeds created a shooting opportunity almost every time they moved forward during the opening 30 minutes. None of them were even one in 10 chances, but this is still not exactly a series of shots you’d like to be giving up within such a short period." Our defence will be severely tested in the PL and we need to avoid being "too easily bypassed" by shifting the balance slightly towards defence and strengthening the screening. Have another look at Roofe running through our midfield to launch a shot from inside the area. If he can do it so can many PL attackers.
I strongly believe we will continue to find better value elsewhere. But for me especially in the striker position we are entering an arena where by to have a real chance of improving our options we will need to look at spending towards £10m, maybe more. Goals cost money (Unless they're free, take a bow Mr Webber and Mr Pukki). Strikers with any sort of track record are in demand. Look at Srbeny ~ £1.5m. Rhodes has no pedigree in the PL and he might cost £4m to be second choice. I think Assombalonga constitutes a player who could challenge Pukki and would be happy to have him. But I don't see us spunking 15 odd mill to get him. If boro are now desperate to get him off their still championship wage bill then a deal might be possible, but you have Fulham who now face the gamble season and I think might well still blow us out of the water both in fees and wages. Bah!
He also has a history of injury. I know there is now a spare bed on the Jarvis Ward but I'd rather we didn't spend £15m on someone to fill it. I'm sure SW is looking for a back-up to Pukki but, imo, neither Gayle nor Assombalonga represents that option. Bah !
I'd say Gayle could, he's in a relatively similar mould to Pukki as a striker, movement and pace being an important part of his game. But there's no way we spend £10m+ on a single player.
Looks like the binners are set to sign a Czech goalkeeper from Gillingham when his contract runs out - Tomas Holy, wonder if that describes his defence, full of holes. Supposed to be the world's 3rd tallest keeper - Keep it low, splendid rush, ON THE BALL CITY!!
He's a decent Keeper. Not a bad signing on a free if true. I heard they are pretty hotly tipped to sign League Two top scorer James Norwood. He reminds me a hell of a lot of Grant Holt.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/foot...-norwich-stewart-webber-director-of-football/ Ed can go and get lost!!!! Didn't see the post on Genera Football' Mods can you delete please??
I would have put it on this thread as it relates to someone possibly leaving the club. But as it's potentially so critical, it can stay on two threads for max exposure. As a tweet said that I put on the other thread, contingency plans are in place for the loss of both Webber and Farke - but SW's don't grow on trees. He's pretty unique, IMHO. Hope it's just the Sun waffling bullshit as per usual. But the implications are far more severe than losing, say, a Maddison or a Pukki
Thanks Cromer and as you say, if SW were to be lured by the £Ms that would be available at ManUre, we really would struggle to find anyone who could 'step into his shoes!!' Having seen the rumours etc, I'd be VERY surprised if he left, as IMO, part of his success lies in the working relationship he has with DF. 0 I did find a video showing an in-depth interview with SW, but I can't find it now.
I'd like to think he'd give it at least one more season here as having done lots of the hard work, i.e. losing the high wage earners, streamlining the club, maximising the academy and (not least) overseeing promotion, that he'd like to have a shot at helping to keep us up. His CV would look far more appetising to larger clubs if he managed to achieve that [mind you, it ain't too shabby as things stand! ]
I was concerned when I first saw it, but I can't see SW being a good fit for Utd. The style of play, the German sources, the recruiting system are not at all suited. If he were to go, it would be far more likely to be to a top German side like Dortmund or Bayern.
If ManUtd are already calling, which larger club is he hoping to hear from? Could be a good bet for him as they need some work. He's talked about working in Europe down the track but as you say let's hope he's keen to finish a job here.
I can't see Stuart having the same freedom at Manure as he does at NCFC. It must be very different answering to Woodward and the Glazers than to Smith & Jones. Any ideas on how much SW earns at Norwich vs what M.U. would pay?