I am not sure how many players we have or if we need to off load but I get the feeling there may be one or two surprise departures from Carrow Road in the coming weeks. I would not be surprised if Hoolahan was to move away, not saying that is what I want but I just get that feeling. In December I stated Crofts would be leaving soon, which was largely laughed off on here, but it's going to happen sooner rather than later.
i think crofts will be off now and one other probably, not sure who though. could be fox - remember, he didn't sign a new contract - the club took up the one year extension. i still think villa will be in for him at some point - lambert loves foxy. this way, at least we'll get a pay out for him (not that villa like paying for things...) i think it would be a shame if he were to leave as i'm a big fan but only hughton will know if he figures in his plans or not.
Agree that Fox is a possibility but who knows, maybe Brad Johnson's shooting has got CH thinking a bit
I think it is a question of priorities. Many people would agree with you about a defensive midfielder and nobody can surely deny that we need at least 2 quality defenders but, having bought Snodgrass will we have the money? With only 2 further defenders it has to be accepted that we will be heavily reliant on Ward and Barnett for back up - is that wise? You suggest a loaned left back - great if you can get it but who is going to loan us a premiership left back to spend most of the time sitting on our bench. With Francomb we are back to a matter of opinion and unfortunately I don't think he will be anywhere good enough to cut it in the premiership and I must admit I feel the same about Smith, Adeyemi and Chris Martin. I cannot deny that Snodgrass looks to be a good addition to the squad but was he a priority? I, personally, would have preferred to see the purchase of 3 defenders and a holding player followed by Snodgrass if there was enough money left. As always it is down to personal opinion and very often I find myself in the minority.
Think I just want it put to bed now so we can put all efforts into the next recruit. Happy its nearing conclusion - think he'll do well for us if it all comes off. Hard to feel too much sympathy for Leeds fans for me - they drive me crazy with this why-would-he-want-to-leave-the-greatest-club-in-England attitude many of them seem to have.
To be fair, it was only Simon that was banging that particular tune, from what I have seen on their board in recent times is that most, although not exactly happy about the prospect of losing him, are quite gracious and accepting he has earned a move to a PL team. Further more, I have not seen any comments about Norwich City other than positive ones I do think a fair number of their fans are beginning to realise that they are not the club they were even 10 years ago. It may be a reluctant acceptance but the mind set does appear to be changing and credit to them for that
I'm in a bit of a quandry with this, on one hand I agree with 1950, why do we need more midfield/wingers, we already have Martin, Crofts, Fox, Hoolahan, Howson, Johnson, Pilkington, Bennet and now Snodgrass? Agree though that width is important as we now don't have the raiding full backs, but Supermans point about the defensive enforcer must be our priority now, we can't keep leaking goals like we did last year, we need a strong organiser back there. ILD OTBC Sorry Beef, missed Lappin out!
Sorry to keep banging on about this but these signings are part of a team development/strengthening strategy that has been in place for some time. It represents the priorities as seen by PL and his coaching staff, and must also have the blessing/approval of CH and his coaches. We know that Snodgrass has long been a target within this strategy and we actually tried to sign him in January. So it is simply one of several pieces of the jigsaw fitted neatly into place. We also know that there are other empty bits of jigsaw still to be filled, and the club is working away to complete the picture. Either you have confidence in the club and the strategy or you don't. Personally I have.
BREAKING NEWS: Police arrest drunken middle-aged woman outside Elland Road, screaming: "Snoddy, Where are you? Let's be 'avin you !" Should we feel sorry for Leeds fans ? If in doubt read this: http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/leedsunited/fb_news.php?storyid=17619
Martin is really a striker so that list you mentioned ILD is of eight names, add to that is Butterfield, Surman and Lappin, who can cover at left cover. Eleven midfielders in a 25 man squad where the first XI is four or five midfielders. That's one cover for each position. Add to that the under 21s in Adeyemi and K Smith. We then have one 'keeper in the 25 man squad with the cover being under 21. Then we have six in defence. With Francomb under 21 being a seventh. Up front we then have five strikers. That's 23 players in a possible 25 man squad. I feel if more were to come in then others will have to go out.
yes we'll have the money. i don't think transfer funds is our problem - its what we can pay the player when they get here! hughton knows his budget and he knows the areas which need strengthening. its madness to think he doesn't know what we can spend in what areas. as it happens, snodgrass is a £6m player we are getting for less than half price. that's exceptional business. people talking about priorities need to think more carefully about what they are saying. its completely misleading to say 'is this a priority position' because the manager never actually gets to pick which order players will arrive. hughton will have given his list to the board and whichever ones come off first are down to negotiations. we know hughton has been after a centre half since he pretty much landed in norfolk, so you can hardly say he isn't looking. ward and barnett seem to be getting an awful lot of stick on here, which startles me because neither are as bad as is being made out. are they both capable back up? yes they are! if we add another to that list of four centre backs (plus russell martin) we are in very good shape in that department. we've been linked to young robinson from liverpool whose a left back and very talented. we've still got lappin who can cover that position and surman too. smith, adeyemi and martin will probably all either go out on loan or leave so they aren't an issue anyway. we really aren't that weak at the back. we need to replace whitbread and if possible, find a left back - that's it. a defensive midfielder is arguably more important to find than either of those positions as we don't have one at the club!
I am not going to turn on a fan base based on that Of course there are still a good number who think PL inclusion for Leeds is a birth right and that may well never change. That's their problem
apparently it has been reported that the fee is around 2.5 million http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/s...edium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed&cc=5739#
While i'm happy that you guys seem to have the player you wanted, if he is that highly rated why no other premiership club are interested at that price?
