Because of my prolonged absence I have no idea of the comings and goings last Jan but I had the impression, perhaps incorrectly, that we ended the season with a full squad. We already have 10 new players and on the assumption that the squad limit is still 25 how many have we now got including players who contributors assume or wish will be sold or sent out on loan. Is Carlton Morris still here? If so why?
Barred from 68 pubs? The guy is a legend! Certainly wouldn't be amused to see him back here (it won't happen), but to be fair to him, that was many years ago.
Just saw that Morris is back at M K Dons again next season. That will be the end of his contract with us, so don't expect to see him back. Not sure why we extended his contract for that year, guess we thought he'd come good. Hopefully he will be an asset for Russell Martin.
There's no 25 man limit in the Championship, 1950. The original 25 man PL squad included 3 loan players and we added Duda on loan and Rupp in January (after Amadou and Roberts ended their loans, as well as Fahrmann during lockdown). We've added 7 first team players plus 2 for the future and Adam Idah and Josh Martin have now moved up to the first team. That leaves a squad of 32 players, 4 of whom may play for the U23s as well. It's also likely that some players may leave, so SW seems to have it in hand.
Chris Martin 12 goals and 7 assists in 38 games this season. He has a 1 in 3 scoring ratio over his career at Derby. He is younger by some way than the Brighton lad Glen Murray. At 31 he still has 2/3 years left and a ton of experience in Championship. Would be better than Drmic and would be a free transfer so that’s a bonus. Also, Stephen Fletcher 33, scored 13 goals from 28 starts for Sheffield Wed this season.
One look at the Colney training schedule and I doubt if Chris Martin would be remotely interested in coming. I think I'd rather have Jamie Cureton back.
We don’t know what Chris Martins attitude is now. At 31 years old I would like to suggest that he has left his boozing days behind him and would put in a good shift both in training and on the pitch. Still, all this is speculation as he is unlikely to return to CR although he is a proven performer in Championship.
Oh, by the way, the Pink Un messages on the online board seems fairly positive about a C. Martin return. A suggested swap deal with Drmic which would not be necessary as Martin in on a free. However, if Derby wanted a replacement for say five bob then this could be the time to make such a bid. To you young people out there, 5 Bob is old pre decimal coinage and represents 25p. Trips to Wycombe, Coventry, Luton and Rotherham await us next season.
Of all the new signings, who is likely to see first team action on a fairly regular basis in the Championship season ahead?
Sørensen, Placheta and Dowell. But we don't yet know who the leavers are going to be so, with respect, I think the question is a little premature.
What I was thinking was are any of the new boys likely to replace the established players if nobody leaves? Or are these new boys being lined up to replace those who are rumoured to be leaving?
DF was asked about the new players and said: “We also need to have some proper experienced signings with a bit higher guarantee that they deliver on the top class level. That’s what we are looking for regarding the financial possibilities we have and if they can help us in the mid and long term, we’re focused on that type of transfer." He seems to suggest that these new players will require time for development towards "the mid and long term" but the emphasis for now is on our established players: "One key topic will be to keep our best players and we’re in a good position because we don’t have any financial problems at all. Our scouting and recruitment are always aware of young talent and it’s important not to put too much pressure on them. If we sign four or five young talents from lower tiers or tiers abroad like the Luxembourg league, the second tier in France or League One or League Two, you won’t expect them to immediately be the best player in their position." The clear intention is long-term development of the whole squad rather than any quick fix for now. “We’ll create a surrounding where if they are hard working and fully focused, they have everything in order to grow, improve and develop. Hopefully they will, but the core group will always be together and we need to keep our best players.” https://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/canaries-daniel-farke-transfer-next-stage-reveals-1-6772506
As I read that, Sørensen, Placheta and Dowell would all qualify as "proper experienced signings" rather than "young talent"; I don't think he is talking about signing ageing Premier League/Championship-hardened war horses.
My guess from that is that those three will have to adjust to Farkeball, as we've seen with new players before. Dowell has the advantage of considerable Championship experience equal or greater than many of our 'established' players, but he still has to adjust to our way of playing. Sørensen and Placheta will require a bigger adjustment, thus the emphasis on the "need to keep our best players.” Firstly, they'll have to earn a place on the bench and then come on as subs, like the new players last season. Obviously if any established players leave, the route to inclusion improves. Placheta's pace is a big advantage, but it will also depend on his ability to track back and help out the FB, though he can play at LB so this might not be a problem. Sørensen faces the biggest challenge, but it could be that he plays alongside Tettey initially, given his apparent attacking skills. Sinani is also experienced at 23, but it depends on how big the step up from the Luxembourg league is, though he does play for the national team as well. It'll be interesting to see how it goes.
I know absolutely nothing about the new signings other than Dowell and have absolutely no idea if they will turn out to be any good . They were relatively cheap or free so I'm not complaining, hopefully no more Naismith Wildshutt type of signings anymore. Credit to Webber we haven't been ****ed over with over priced donkeys on his watch .
