Interesting quote from Paddy when referring to our inability to win home games - "Josh Murphy and Lafferty injected a direct thrust to Cityâs urgings as the Millers retreated towards Collin with time running out." Come on NA - replace Hoolahan and Grabban with these 2 in your starting line up for the next few games and especially against Leeds. Full article here - http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwic...e_hurt_is_for_norwich_city_1_3795296#cxrecs_s
Much has been said about Josh not being 'ready' to start games, let alone have a run of games under his belt, but although I have not seen a huge amount of him, I do believe I have seen enough to suggest he would not be out of place at this level. If anything, he should get as much game time as possible this season, because if we do go up, he sure as hell wont the game time in the PL if he does not regularly feature this season. I remain undecided with Grabban, really not sure what to make of him yet. Clearly he gets in to scoring positions, so has a reasonable brain for the game, just the end product seems only marginally better that that of Redmond
On the subject of 'injecting some direct thrust' into the starting line-up; has Adams forgotten about Elliott Bennett? I like Murphy as a sub (for now). I know Bennett wasn't great against Wolves in the season-opener, but I don't think any of our more attacking-minded players had a great game. Why not give him a go out wide again?
I've only missed one home game this season and IMO, he certainly deserves a starting place. His ball control is excellent and he just needs a little more thought with his final ball, but that will come. (BTW - I also thought Wilshire had a great game when we played Arsenal reserves a few years ago) Whilst we can't argue with the number goals Grabban has scored, several posters feel he should have scored more (I would say the same!!) Yes JK, I'm a fan of Elliott Bennett as well.
I am still a bit concerned at the lack of back up in the striker position, if Jerome and Grabban get injured we have Lafferty and Loza as back up. If we can get a young Premier League striker who has no chance of game time with his parent club in that could be a good insurance policy. Playing Jerome and Grabban every game will eventually cause burn out. Someone like Harry Kane again would be ideal.
As with Grabban - still to be convinced mate. Never really saw much of him last season (for whatever reason - numerous as they probably were), and nothing so far this season.
It definitely won't be Harry Kane, he's firmly a part of spurs first team squad this year and has chipped in with a few goals already. I think he looks good personally, far more accomplished than he did a couple of years ago (he was only 19 then don't forget) when we had him on loan. If it were possible then I'd love to have him here personally, but there is absolutely zero chance of that happening.
Why is it taking Hooper so long to get fit? I appreciate he won't have 'match fitness' or 'match sharpness' but he came back from injury at the same time as Howson, who has started a game. I can't help thinking there's more to Hoops situation than Howson's.
That's what I was thinking, though he took a long time to get up to speed last year when he got injured too. Might just be his physique
That may well be the case Rob, but if it takes him twice as long to get fit then he should be working twice as hard. There just doesn't seem any desire on his part to get back playing.
Good point and is he delaying his return in the hope that by the time the window opens again in January, he will be fit and so ready to move on??
i was staggered when i saw hooper selected in the squad for the shrewsbury cup game. i was informed in august that he was some way from returning to fitness and we should expect a return around november, so based on that i guess we've tried to rush him back a bit too quick from what was quite a serious injury. plus, from what adams has said in the last week it does seems to tally with that. even hooper himself admits he's a long way from any return to the first team.
