First and foremost, it will be good if he has that choice to make every game. All too often the question is whether Pilks is fit to play. Elliott Bennett tries his best if put out there on the left, but he's not comfortable there IMO. But I do think we will see more variation in selection this season. It will also be interesting to see if having more options is reflected in CH's use of substitutes. (Incidentally, on that point, while there is a general perception that CH is reluctant to make substitutions, an analysis showed that last season he made more substitutions than Lambert at Villa; if I remember correctly CH's use of the substitutes available to him was somewhere about 86%.)
I think Redmond will be primarily an impact sub and start in the cup games. Should Pilks pick up an injury, though, he's a useful option to come in rather than play Snods or Benno out of position.
Slightly off topic. But in the telegraph Coyle is quoted saying 'Grant will be outstanding for us. He’s got a point to prove'. Sorry, but what point is that? he has already proven himself. LINK
I agree with this and think that we will see more rotation with the depth of quality in the side this season. The competition for places should be a lot higher as well. IMO, fatigue played a big part in the drop off in form at the Christmas crunch of matches and throughout the second half of the season.
All this talk of Toivonen, I think we should be looking into the Championship to one Henri Lansbury. He's only 22, over the past couple of years has been the stand-out player for England U21s, is way too good not just for Forest but for the Championship and would be very versatile - either behind a front two of Hopper and van Wolfswinkel or in midfield alongside Fer. Wouldn't cost that much either...
I was thinking the same thing just the other day. He's a very classy player and seems to have impressed at every club he has been to. I certainly wouldn't mind going for him, surprised bigger clubs than Forest haven't already.
Always rated Lansbury but his a bit too box to box for me, he has a decent passing range though, I will never forget that through ball to Holt against the Scum, I do think he could cut it at this level but he'd need to work on a couple of things. In our case we've got the brawn and the drive we just need some brains and technique in the midfield.
We're looking to make a step up in quality from Hoolahan. Lansbury certainly isn't that! I will be slightly surprised if Toivonen goes to Benfica as the word in the press is that he's being lined up as a replacement for Cordoza, yet Toivonen tells us he's not an out n out striker.
Henri is 22, Wes, i think, 31 but even so, Henri is several leagues better already - more creative, a better passer, better technique and certainly a better goalscorer. Where was Wes at the same age? Shelbourne; although that is often a reflection of opportunity rather than skill, technique etc, Hoolahan is so often a headless chicken, running around but achieving little, well, other than giving the ball away. Henri had problems with his ego for a while but he seems to have overcome that, and if Stuart Pearce achieved anything with the U21s, it was to make Henri work more when his team doesn't have the ball - it was such a shame he wasn't fit for the Euro U21s this year, as he was absolutely brilliant in the qualifying games. I would love to see him back at Carrow Road. He would be a HUGE asset.
Too box to box ? I don't really see why that's a problem; would like to know what you mean: IMO that is a rare and needed quality
No way is Henri better than Wes, let alone "several leagues". Wes has excellent technique and touch. Of course he has his faults but Lansbury is not the same style of player and is just not a step up from Wes. 1 or 2 Seasons ago I would of loved him here but we need to make a step up to continue our progression and he is not that.
Since our season in league 1 Hoolahan has been the most important player in our team, everything going forwards goes through him. Last season when he wasn't on the pitch we looked like a clueless long ball team. It's a concern that we don't have genuine competition for his place.
Disagree entirely. By far the most important players have been Pilkington and Snodgrass. I live in Edinburgh (as per my previous comments on Hooper when i said most Norwich fans won't understand at all how he plays) and saw Wes' 15 or so appearances for Livingston. There is absolutely no comparison between the players at a similar age, nor now. Lansbury is a much better player already, indeed, leagues better. Even Wenger said Lansbury would be a major player, and is technically very gifted - it was his ego and attitude that led him into trouble at Arsenal and these are historic problems as he has matured. Hoolahan gives the ball away constantly, he is easy to mark and tackle, his shooting is dire he struggles to create space for his team, he himself cannot tackle and he continually runs into 'blind alleys' on the pitch. Please tell me how he is creative? How many assists did he have last year? Have many goals? I think in his 31 appearances in the league, he scored once and had three assists. (Snodgrass had 6 assists and scored 6 times). As for being a 'WUM". Just because I don't rate Hoolahan? Geez! He is a Championshp level player at best. Henri, I guarantee, will be back in the Premier League before the end of the new season. Is there a rule that says I have to agree with you? I live in Edinburgh, Norwich is my hometown, and I make the return trek for every home game I can, as well, as several away games. Another guarantee, Hoolahan won't get many games this season, irrespective of whether anyone is brought in.
Really? According to you. Perhaps you can enlighten me on the comparative technical ability of Hoolahan v Lansbury (even throwing in Snodgrass if you wish) at the same age and now. Rather than just making idiotic unsubstantiated comments because someone has an opinion which differs to yours.
I'm waiting for your comparison, Ahh, you can't. I couldn't give a damn what your opinion of me is. Rather than contribute through insight and actually having a view, you prefer just to make ridiculous accusations from your keyboard. Big man.
