Hear me out - I know there are 50 million threads on Wickham but just had this thought after seeing that Noble has been called up tot he U20's world cup squad. Wickham has been highly rated and, poersonally, I think is an excellent player. However, if he signs, he is 2 years younger than Ryan Noble and has been given a chance at U21 and Championship level. Something that young Noble has not really been afforded a chance at the same level as Wickham. Do I think he's as good as Connor Wickham - I seriously think he could be as, although I've seen quite a bit of Wickham and rate him very highly, I have also watched Noble at junior and reserve level and think he has as much quality. Wonder how young Ryan feels about this move by the club??
Whickham - Noble is potentially our future front two but they are too young at present. Noble on Loan next season coupled with Whickham getting some Premier League experience next few seasons could mean a formidable partnership for the 2012/2013 season or season after.
that is a great big man little man combo, 2 good wingers giving them the ammo and they would be a handful at championship level now.
Think Noble will be gutted.. It's not like i'm against the Wickham signing, but we already have Noble, who may turn out to be top class, but what this will do to his conficence or his belief in his SAFC future, i have no answer for. Maybe he to, will be taken on by a club, and there he will stay.. We don't know what's in Bruces mind about the lad, we can all only guess.
Maybe because Whickam has been playing regular first team footy and Noble has been for the most part, a reserve team player. If Ryan had played more at Derby and Watford then he could have got the experience that Connor has had. I fully support him going on loan next season and Ipswich would be a great club to do it with. They've done it before with young Jack. Coventry done a good job with Jordan and Leicester done a good job (maybe too good a job for their own good) on Waggy. It's a good situation to have (if we get Whack em) with him and Ryan both good prospects for a future partnership up front.
Completely agree commachio... Hope we're both wrong and that the other guys thoughts are right but noit sure. Hopefully Noble will up his game and all of a suidden we'll have Gyan, Wickham, Noble, Ji Dong-Won, Campbell, Sessegnon, Nzogbia (3 or 4 from those 7!!) Not too bad!!
Another angle of Noble, is that he clearly he isn't good enough. An angle which seems to be the same as the managers opinion.
I think that the obvious reason that Wickham seems to be deemed a bit more 'ready' at this stage is the physical side. Whereas Ryan is a small lad, Wickham is a hulk of a young lad. I'd absolutely send Noble out on loan till January, with a recall clause, to one of the good Championship clubs we have good relationships with, so either Ipswich or Leicester. I don't for a second thing Noble is gonna be another Waghorn, i think he'll make it, and getting shoved and kicked in the Championship would, in my opinion, be the making of him.
I assumed that the reason we sold Waghorn was that Noble was considered the better prospect? Can't remember where I heard that mind, could have just made it up!
IMO Noble is more of a goal scorer one these players that pops up every in the box. Whickham is more of a target man big strong who can find the back of the net (Just like Quinny)
Exactly Comm, That's what i feel makes him ready abefore Noble, he won't shirk, and won't be bullied physically. He and Ryan, long term, may be a wonderful combination.
I'd have to take issue with this having seen both Rush and Proctor as young lads. Ryan Noble is streets ahead of both of them. The thing with Wickham is he has been playing at a lower level for the last 2 years and has played over 100 first team games for Ipswich Town by his tender age. Ryan is a young lad trying to break into a Premiership Club first team and thats never going to be easy. Physically as well, Wickham is bigger and stronger (I know this is a very old fashioned view but it is the truth) and therefore is ahead in the England set up as well. I'd like to see Ryan go out to a Championship or newly promoted EPL club for 6 months to get some game time under his belt. Wickham wont be first team choice next season but will be a player given a chance from the bench for his debut season in the EPL. I think he will be a huge impact player for 30 mins and then be ready to challenge the following season for a first team berth. Trust me when I say that Noble is one of the best pound for pound finishers I have seen come through the ranks at SAFC in 30 years and he could be a little star in 12 months. Wickham is ready for that now.
Isn't Noble 6ft? hardy small. yes he looks abit weedy but still. I think this whole Noble thing is wishful thinkng on some peoples parts. Wasn't Waghorn sold to help fund the Gyan deal?
Noble is indeed 6ft, but he needs to bulk up a bit, unquestionably. Defenders in the top tier are physically very strong.
Parker have you watched him play?? I have watched him and his movement is superb and he's an excellent finisher - proper goalscorer IMO He hasn't had much gametime at any level above reserve but when he played last season he was scared of nobody and put himself about well. After watching him progress from the u18's into reserves and score almost a goal a game, regardless of anything most people would think "This lad's one to look out for". I don;t think Wickham will be playing every game (if he signs) as he'll be a bit part player to find his feet in the PL but Noble, I think, is a very good player with a future at the club
100% spot on mate. You too must have watched him from the youths to the reserves and like me, have been impressed with a top finisher. He really is player in the Ian Rush style of striker and will never be a bustling Cyrille Regis (one of my all time favourite striker btw) style centre forward, even if he goes on a meat and potato pie diet for the next 2 years. He is an athletic player and that shouldn’t be frowned upon. He doesn’t need to fill out, he needs game time and experience and then he really will be ready to start knocking them in. I truly believe he has the ability to be a regular 15 to 20 goal a season EPL striker and is a real sniffer as well as a dribbler and a long range shot merchant. He has it all.
