Pretty fair summary RER and it certainly served us quite well once the players bought into it. My real area of concern going into the new season is the susceptibility of the defence to concede soft goals. There is still plenty of time to get new signings in, but I would prefer them to be part of the squad playing in the pre season friendlies.
I was probably being a bit unfair. He may indeed suit our style of play well. I was stupidly excited over 'the winkel', so I've learned to temper my expectations. PS At least he's cheaper!
The defence would be my priority as well, JR. I notice Elliot Bennett played at RB yesterday. With Martin and Whittaker not available that may have been by necessity, but he does offer another option against pacey wingers. There may also be games where he plays RW instead of Redmond because of his better tracking back abilities. A quality CB is the biggest priority though.
Probably over wage demands, I'd guess we were unwilling to pay what he wanted to be an understudy. He had an offer from Qatar as well no doubt that came with a large pay cheque. I'm not too disappointed here really I think he was the right sort of player for our system but not too uncommon a type of player.
Dos Reis is reportedly quoted as saying, “There has not been any problem that may have lead to this. Nor has there been any change in the numbers of the operation. This is a total lack of seriousness, professionalism and ethics by Norwich.” Don't think its related to wages... We've pulled out of whatever was previously agreed, or so it would read - meaning something else must be moving that we are presumably more interested in. Expect some activity this week I reckon...
Mbokani complications sorted out so things are ready to move forward perhaps? He's a more complete player than Larrivey and 15 months younger. Would fit AN's system even better, IMO.
Actually from memory we quite often did a lot of business after the season had started. It is only since Lambert have we done our trading early. Due to not knowing which division we were going to be in we could not start planning until significantly later than all the other teams.
But don't forget our season didn't end until May 25th, so in terms of player / coaching staff holidays, etc we're three weeks behind everyone else. Plus there's only been one low-key friendly so far, and even that gave him a chance to run the rule over Vadis, Andreu, McGrandles and Thompson. Not all "Don't panic. captain KIO" just yet
Larrivey seems like someone who would come in as a squad option, Mbokani more likely to push to start regularly I'd guess. Hopefully you're right in assuming we've pulled out because of developments on another deal. We don't seem as certain in our transfer dealings this summer. Previously we seem to have identified a player, and bought them before the press could report much at all.
Really this seems more like the previous PL seasons. Press are interested earlier and shows up that we consider lots of options. Last year dud feel like that mostly because the press didn't care very much. We also had the advantage of being, financially and prospects wise, a big fish in a smaller pond. This year were a far less attractive prospect so have to keep more irons in the fire.
All that's true Bath, but it's also that the people we've been dealing with this year are anything but discreet about their dealings.
True. Hull are playing in the press, probably in an attempt to start a bidding war as they fear Brady won't sign the new contract they have offered.
