Going back to Quagliarella, the EPL site has an interesting analysis: http://www.eplindex.com/36190/norwich-fabio-quagliarella-good-move.html?
I've posted this before and have now decided to drone on and on about it like a Pink 'Un, well, drone I suppose. We need another quality CB. Bassong and Turner both missed matches last season. We especially missed Seb when he was missing. I agree that we have a very good second choices with Rusty and Bennett. But honestly - how comfortable are you all going to be,deep down in the pit of your tummies, when Seb ain't on the teamsheet?
IMO Turner to the end of the season was out performing Bassong in most games until he got injured, I would be happy to go into the season with the defenders we have. Bennett, Martin and even Ayala are capable central defenders
saying on twitter that we have agreed a fee for Quags, no source posted though! https://twitter.com/Norfolk_Ninja
OT Evidently Everton are being linked with a move for Joey Barton ! Yet another reason for me to dislike Everton if true
Could well still be the missing piece of the jigsaw, someone to play behind the striker and link play up when we have possession. Imagine a team spine of Ruddy, Bassong, Fer, Toivonen and RvW
There is something about this guy that spells trouble iIMO and I think we ought to leave him well alone. Could be very unsettling for the squad as a whole, bit of a prima donna.
If the Quagliarella rumours are true, Ola may have been too clever for his own good. Given the Hooper signing and the versatility that Fer has shown in mid-field, City may be losing interest in the Swede.
Absolutely. Also, conceivably, the boot could now be on the other foot - we might be able to play them off against each other if they are both interested in the terms we are offering by pointing out that we are no longer desperate and won't be taken to the cleaners on wages. I must admit that, while I can see what Thurnby means about Toivenon being a bit dodgy, I think I'd prefer that we sign him than Quagliarella because he offers something different
I totally agree, I think Bassong is by far our best CB and this showed at times when he was missing last season. I agree Rusty is an excellent CB but I dont think he has the same influence on his CB partner as Bassong does. Pairing Bassong with someone like Toby (unlikely I know) would give you a top CB pairing.
Sorry but this Ola chap is bad business for us. He is being forcibly ejected from the club (while they are completely overhauling the squad) and he is digging his heels in hoping for a top CL club to come in for him. Everything about his behaviour indicates that even should he join us, the first sign of another club inquiring about him, and he will be off faster than a greyhound. Toby on the other hand is perfectly entitled to wait a while. After all, perhaps he was looking for a show of ambition from Norwich, which is certainly what has occurred. He hasn't dismissed us directly, more like come back to me later... I want a player who is delighted to join our club, not just because there are no better alternatives
Quagliarella's stats are pretty impressive, given that he was at Juventus with a multitude of striking competition and still scored 22 goals in 3 seasons (one half of which was written off through injury). Looking at his appearances, the vast majority were as sub, didn't get given the opportunity for an extended run, which we all know is key to a striker's confidence. Besides he also brings a) invaluable experience from a CL club, 2) winner's mentality (Series A title twice), 3) role model for our young strikers (Hooper and RvW). Given our paucity of 30+, just Nash and Hoolahan, we are missing an old-hand who can help mentor our burgeoning attacking talent.
The posturing that he has shown in the process does not endear me to him and he has a reputation that has ruffled a few feathers in his current team Rich. He doesn't come across to me as a good addition to our squad but like I said originally it is only my opinion.
