I think your point about a bloated midfield (the centre of midfield anyway) is valid. So too is that we have a lot of options up front, but not necessarily any real 'Premier League quality'. In terms of 'trimming', perhaps it is required, if only to potentially free up space in the '25-man squad'.
Patrick Bamford ? http://www.caughtoffside.com/2015/07/14/norwich-city-plot-move-to-sign-chelsea-youngster/
Interesting. A player I would be more than happy to see come in, even if only a season long loan. Could be difference between finishing in the bottom three and avoiding it.
Hard to know for sure but we do know he scored goals for fun at a slightly lower level. A better option (and affordable one) than a good number of others I could mention
The issue of a 'bloated midfield' is an interesting one, as AN's tactical approach is based on a strong midfield. IMO, we do have 'options' which could prove important over the season as a whole. At DM Tettey and Mulumbu offer different options in that Tettey is right-sided and Mulumbu left-sided and gets forward to support the attack more often with an ability to play through balls. Dorrans is a versatile player who can play at CM or further forward in the centre or on the left. Howson and Odjidja-Ofoe are both primarily CM players who can also play at AM. The former is more a possession player with good passing skills whereas Odjidja-Ofoe's strength is to collect the ball from defence and take it forward with pace, using his strength and skills to avoid tackles and link up with the forward players. O'Neil is a useful player, but may prove expendable now that Dorrans and Mulumbu have been added.
Mulumbu Tettey O-Ofoe Howson Dorrans O'Neil Andreu Hoolahan Johnson? - what's his 'best position' now? + Louis Thompson I can see 2 or 3 of those being elsewhere at the start of the season.
IMO, BJ's best position is on the left. His shooting will be important this season, but so will his ability to track back and support Olsson. I can't see him moving back to DM now that Dorrans and Mulumbu have joined, unless injuries dictate. Given that AN has said 4 players to come in, 4 will need to leave, as the squad is presently full. If we sign a quality CB, I think Turner may leave and Miquel could go on loan. O'Neil is the most likely midfielder to leave. The other would be likely to be a striker, most probably Lafferty or RvW.
Bamford is a good player as a striker or AM, but Pritchard, who has also been mentioned, can play at AM or wide, which might be more useful for our situation, given how many strikers we have.
Changing the subject slightly; is it just me, or is an aging Wes Hoolahan in the Premier League a potential worry? Am I being overly critical asking? I mean, I know he won't play every single game, and I'm not writing him off completely, but do we think he's completely up to it? Am I now a confirmed heretic for even doubting him?
You're both heretics! I certainly think he will play less this season, but he's still one of our most skilful players.
We have no one that can do what Wes can do. He can truly change a game, even as a sub to get us going forward more. We would be crazy to get rid of that.
