Perhaps Adams is considering Elliott Bennett and Martin as adequate cover between them? I think Bennett only played RB in the Braintree game so I'd be interested to see whether he's used there again, but I'd like to see it if we're playing a diamond against weaker sides. From what little Adams has given away, a CB sounds like it's a higher priority signing than RB to him.
Yes, perhaps he does. I prefer Bennett further up the pitch but he could certainly do a job there, as could Bennett of the Ryan variety. Just seen Southampton have had a bid turned down for Fraser Forster. Good they're not after Ruddy.
Reading between the lines, they may well turn their attentions to him if they've been knocked back for Forster.
True, but I wouldn't have thought Ruddy's valuation would be much less than Forster's. If he's their first choice and the values are similar I would hope they'll stay well clear, very happy with our keepers at the moment!
Bennett would be incredible useful as a wing back if were not playing with wide men, you'd see him getting forward lots anyway and it would allow for more central creativity. Good to see the plan is to speed up the right flank which should aid our counter attacks and allow us to get in behind defences. Personally I think Snodgrass leaving didn't concern Adams too much, talented player but he slows the play down too much and its clear adams likes pace, in the last few games last season he brought Snodgrass off the wing to play centrally anyway and we have better players in that area.
If its true whats been said about the Ruddy/Watson connection, I don't think we have anything to worry about losing JR to Southampton
Going back a bit, I think Adams sees Elliot Bennett as primarily a winger who can also play as a WB in the diamond formation. With a long season, we're going to need a fair bit of rotation and we have the squad to do that. I was also pleased to see Pilks' comments on the new season. Whatever the situation with match rearrangements, the squad seems to be gelling well in Italy. Fingers crossed.
I've said it before, but Benno and Surman are like new signings this year, but with the added bonus of knowing the other players and their abilities. To Lafferty and Grabban, you could add the Murphy twins, Loza, and Gafaiti to that as well. Having only lost Snodgrass, and the loanees Elmander and Yobo so far, we have 8 players as options to replace them. Obviously others will leave and replacements will come in, but the position is pretty good at the moment.
With players commenting on the team spirit in Italy, it's importance is emphasized in this excellent article: http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...ike-a-smiling-glaswegian-we-give-you-flecky/? Can we get that back again this year?
'Arry has bid for Leroy Fer knocked back, but likely to come back with improved offer http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/norwich-reject-bid-from-qpr-for-leroy-fer-football8421
Fer would, in my opinion, be a bigger loss than Snodgrass but at least we have plenty of other midfielders to prevent a panic rush into the transfer market. McNally is a shrewd cookie and won't want to be held to ransom. If we buy a LB and a GK then we will know that Ruddy and Olsson are on their way.
It can't be true. Leroy is a might be, not a hasbeen! Harry surely wouldn't buy someone under 25? would he? Bah!
Yep, sometimes you just get a feelings that in spite of all the goodwill in the world he'll be a goner. At least we've got a chief exec board who won't roll over and have his tummy tickled on price. If we can anything near what we got for Snodgrass that'd be great business. I think Olsson and Ruddy will stay. No real basis for saying this but I think they will.
ruddy isn't going to be leaving. nothing to worry about with him (at least for now!) fer, i agree, probably will but i'd be looking for an absolute minimum of £8m with numerous add ons
The only source for this is 'West London Sport', who say, "Redknapp is aware of Fer’s potential availability and is hoping Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes can agree a deal to sign him by the end of the week." No evidence of this is given, nor the amount they bid. This looks like mere journo speculation picking up on an old story to me. I could see Fer going to Southampton, but not QPR.
