Hi All, Well after the fun of deadline day, some fans are jubilant and some are disappointed. As NCFC fans we must be somewhere in the middle. Pleased with the new acquisition, although gutted he won't be here for another month! and also please we haven't panic bought .......... um Stand up Mr Hughes and QPR!! However, people still go about Snodgrass. Now, do we really need him? Do we really want him? We already have Johnson, and now Howson from Leeds if we also got Snodgrass, we could potentially line up in a Premiership game boasting the Leeds League 1 midfield of 2 seasons ago. I'm not saying these players aren't class, or don't have the potential to be top prem players (Johnson already proving this) and I'm sure Lambert would get the very best out of them, but I think I would rather look at our team, and think "this is Norwich" not "this is Norwich, with a Leeds Midfield". I like the joking of Leeds being our feeder club, and I wouldn't want us to miss out on someone Lambert thinks is right. But why couldn't Grayson get the best out of them, and why are Leeds not where we are with such a strong midfield. It probably sounds stupid, and I'm not quite sure what I am trying to get across, I just have this niggling feeling that it would be detrimental to the squad. Does anyone see where I am coming from, and if so, please explain it to me or put my mind at ease!! as I have feeling Lambert will be in for Snodgrass again in the Summer!!
Nothing wrong with taking all the best players from Feeds, don't forget their team from two years ago had Andy Hughes in it as a regular so maybe that's why they weren't as succesful as us?
Personally, I don't think he will go for Snodgrass. I think the midfield area that needs strenghtening is the defensive role, I think that Johnson does a pretty good job, but would like to see another defensive midfielder brought into the squad and i would actually let Crofts go, (don't tar me feathers)
I agree with that. I only think we need a better defending midfielder to help out our back four. I am very happy with out team. have a good squad. back four is sorted with very able back up, in midfield we have so many options with pilks/ bennett on the wings crafts fox johnson etc. My only real worry is if holt of morrison or god forbid both get injured. That will leave us with Jackson and willbraham. Jackson i think is a great player but you couldnt play him up top on his own. Im still not convinced in wilbraham. not sure what you lot think? I would have liked another striker, even if it was just a loanee!
If Wilbs is still at NCFC next season I would be amazed. Don't forget Vaughan will be ready for first team action soon.
Does my head in when people are critical of Wilbraham, shows they don't appreciate what part he plays in the squad. Yes, he may have only scored one goal for us, but that was a vital goal and the stats don't show how many he assisted for last year by coming on as a sub and making a nuisance. He's actually looked useful in the two cameos he has played this season so far and I'm syre if called upon again he wouldn't let us down. However, none of those are the reason I like having him in the squad as he offers more than that. From what I know of Albie he is a great character to have around the club, he's definitely 'one of the boys' who provides a good influence amongst the younger players. Being part of a squad isn't just about what you do on the pitch as Lambert clearly appreciates far more than Worthy did when we went up last time. Remember that year when we ripped the heart out of the squad's characters by releasing Iwan, malky and even Paul Crichton who was a key part of the dressing room despite never playing for us. Whilst I admit none of those guys would have been able to make the step-up to the PL in terms of footballing ability, what we lost in terms of characters was a huge part of our downfall that year in my opinion. So glad that we've kept Albie and Simon Lappin at the club, despite them not being key members of the playing staff as they are two fantastic professionals who would put themselves on the line for the shirt, and as neither are on anything like big money I see no reason to ship them out for the sake of it. The only scenario where they would be allowed to leave would be like in the case of Michael Nelson who asked for the chance to play more football at that stage of his career. I'm sure if either had that chat with the gaffer then he would find a new home for them
I know no-one was specifically having a go at Wilbraham by the way, and I do agree with what has been said, just thought I'd put a different slant on it
I think it doesn't matter where these players have come from. These players have been signed from League 1 and the Championship, some were playing non-league football not so long a go, yet they look like they belong in the Premiership. Lambert has been able to develop these players to compete at a very high level. So I think that it is irrelevant that they came from Leeds and the team hasn't quite been successful. Lambert will get them playing the way he wants them to.
These people who slate Wilbraham are unbelievable, surely he realises that his own ability isn't top notch, but yet in all the games he has played he has given 110%, I only criticise players who don't try, if they aren't good enough then I criticise the manager for throwing them on, simple. However, he has done all that was asked of him, namely a physical presence to hold the ball up, not score zillions of goals, we have enough goal-threat from our midfielders alone to make up for one goal-shy striker...cut him some slack for once.
This hardly concerns me in the slightest: If Holt is injured, play Morrison on his own If Morrison is injured, play Holt and Jackson If Both are injured, play Jackson on his own/him and Vaughan If Holt, Morrison, Jackson are injured, play Vaughan on his own If Holt, Morrison, Jackson, Vaughan are injured, recall Martin and play midfielders and wingers If Holt, Morrison, Jackson, Vaughan and Martin are injured, loan someone (last resort, after our relegation, I HATE EXPENSIVE LOANEES) --- Chances of 3 strikers being injured, same as if 1p5wich reached the promotion spots, Feeds United reaching the automatic spots, or Cardiff holding their nerve to promotion. AKA 1 in a million
We can still play Wilbraham. I remember against Doncaster the team didn't play brilliantly but I thought Wilbraham did well when he came on, holding the ball, flicking the ball on to another player, heading it down yet people didn't like him doing that. He was one of the better players for me that day. Don't talk about loans please. We would be fine with Wilbraham in an injury crisis. Also, loans are no longer available as the transfer window closed yesterday.
I wouldn't dispute that he is a good squad member, same as I wouldn't have disputed that about many many players, but who were replaced because a better alternative came along. What is the big deal with voicing the opinion that someone better is needed? I don't get the problem
Harking back to the 03/04 season again. We replaced Marc Edworthy with a international captain who had played for some of the top clubs in Europe in Thomas Helveg, who on paper should have been a far, far better player than the journeyman Rb we replaced. I actually shed a little tear when I first saw that we'd signed him and stupidly thought to myself "we've made it, we're in the big time now" but of course that went horribly wrong and I maintain if we'd have kept Edworthy then we'd have stayed up. Be careful what you wish for sometimes
Bit like Zamora, Cisse etc etc then At the time when we signed Helveg I don't remember anyone having any concerns and we all thought it was a step in the right direction given all his suppoed ability and experience, and like I said I was actually incredibly excited at the prospect.
wilbraham is very well liked within the squad and has never let us down when he has been asked to play. when the time is right and when, more importantly, the right player to replace him with crops up, lambert will make his move.
My worry is that if you cant score you cant win and I personally dont believe wilbraham, like c.martin, is good enough for the prem and wouldnt score many goals. I no our midfield is chipping in with a goals but for example without holt and morrisons goals we wouldnt be where we are. Vaughan I believe has the potential to be one of the best forwards we have ever had, i really rate him as a forward IF he can stay fit and injury free. I worry he will be a Saha type player and need wrapping up in cotton wool!! I just think another striker even if it had have been a loanee would have been great and I would be able to be sleep easyer about our prem safety!
