Sadly, this is the most relevant point thus far! Dembele is more important to us at the moment than Dempsey, especially with Murphy moving on. I still think we have enough quality in the team to be okay, but it is of course a big concern to potentially lose two high quality players (Dempsey & Dembele) in the same summer. We do have Ruiz and Diarra which softens any blow, although we would definitely need to spend to replace someone like Dembele. I also agree that Hugo is a depth player rather than a number 9, and that AJ is/was a good player (around the injuries, unfortunately).
But even that one good season brought him 10 goals in 38 games, the same number as Steve Morison scored in far less appearances. I heard rumours he was asking for 40k+ a week as well, that might be a load of balls but if Fulham really are paying him anything like that then they deserve to struggle if you ask me.
Just want to point out that I have nothing against Fulham by the way, far from it in fact. I've got a couple of good mates at work who are Fulham fans and I work in the borough of H&F so I don't want you to go down at all, just stating my concerns for them next season ahead in the context of the thread
Why worry, what will be will be, just enjoy the moment and remember where we've come from. Can't wait for the season to start COYY!
I think it will be tough but that is the nature of being in this league. We have made it the holy grail due to money, tv influence, corporate greed ..etc that "affects" us as fans, as being outside it means so much these days for your club, which is sad reflection on how things have gone. Always happy to support Norwich whatever league they are in. Watching in league 1 was not what I wanted to see but what a great season that was for footballing reasons.Obviously seeing the world class players in this league is fantastic but it is not the be all and end all of following a club.
Judging from the attendances at CR during our season in league 1 (and at away games), there are a great many fans would agree with you.
Looks like we may have to surprise a few of our own fans as well as the rest of the league this season then. I wonder how long it will be before we are no longer the favourites for certain failure?? Have people not learnt to never write us off or underestimate this clubs spirit, ethos and talented young squad.
Totally agree Luke. We have a squad of proven Premier League players; Hughton has brought in improvements on what we had. But it's competition; if we knew for certain how we were going to perform there'd be no point in holding the games; we could just divvy up the points based on a panel of pundits. It's exciting and unpredictable; it's football, and it starts in 9 days time!
Cant wait just seems like this closed season has gone on for ever! seems like a year ago since the season ended. Fed up with all the ifs buts & maybe's give us some football to talk about!
lots of people seem to think Swansea will struggle next year... they were great to watch last year (i did most weeks) and they've only strengthened their team really! Obviously Siggy is gone, but Michu should more than compensate. I think they'll be far more comfortable than Reading, West Brom, and West Ham. Similar thoughts with Stoke too, everyone says they were terrible but I think they're serious battlers! Signing Owen looks likely, and thats going to go one of two ways, but Pulis knows what hes doing.
Why would you wory about a team that has given you so much? We will be fine, I'm feeling very confident.
I'm still not happy with what we've got up front or at the back. IMO we need to spend some of that 'biggest transfer budget ever' on a striker AND centre back. For once I find myself agreeing with carrowroad.net http://www.carrowroad.net/cnews/index.php?post=are-you-disappointed-so-far
I can show my fears in one simple statement. A couple of weeks ago I saw City at 7/4 to be relegated and had a £100's worth. It is a bet I will happy to lose but I suspect that I wasn't the only tempted as they are now only 5/4. Only Reading are shorter at Evs - move over Gregor Traitorelli!!!
As you may be aware I enjoy a flutter as much as the next man, but regardless of how generous the odds are (and I personally don't think 7/4 is particularly generous if I'm being honest) you would never, ever find me betting even a pound on us to get relegated let alone putting a ton on it. #disappointing
OK, we're all entitled to our opinions, but I for one wouldn't be spending money on a striker just now, but would rather wait until January to see if we really need one. I agree to some extent with the article that GH won't score as many goals, but how do you think teams will stop him - possibly by marking him more tightly and so leaving other players better opportunities to score instead. I still fancy we'll score more than 50 goals next season. IMO, the most pressing signing is someone to cover for Tierney and Lappin is not the answer in the long term and then someone to play in a defensive/holding midfield role!!
JR i agree with left back and holding mid needed. But i do think a striker will be needed. I would go aboard or maybe look signing Guidetti on loan. I think Holt will still get goals. I don't think morison will get as many. I think Vaughan can but relying on him to stay fit is a gamble. I do think jackson is brilliant and should be kept but his goals very much come in waves. I think someone else is needed myself. Especially if we play two up top which i think we will do for a fair amount of games not season.
wait till january always makes me think of where we would be if we had just coughed up for ashton at the start of that premier league season...i dont think we'd have gone down...that said, im not desperate for a striker at the moment - i think a few folk have become a little worried by a couple of 0-0s, something we aren't really used to...i've got full faith in the old holt proving the doubters wrong yet again - the full back positions are where i'm slightly nervous...i'd be worried if tierney picked up something nasty early on - in fact, reading that back i'm 99% convinced we will be getting ourselves a new left back at some point before august... if we were in the market for a striker - my choice would be mr charles austin...really hope this emnes rumour is wide of the mark...
got to say i see us filling the midfield more this year - maybe with one up front and a couple behind - snods, hoolahoops, butterfield (going in my dream team), pilks - this is based largely on how CH played at brum, and very little else...still, we'll know soon enough...can. not. bloody. wait.
