In reality we need to build a team to get us out of the Championship at the first attempt (like before). The nucleus of the team is still there (Ruddy, Rusty, Bassong, Olsson, Howson, Tettey, Jerome) which is sort of the 7 odd eluded by Rick. I don't expect Redmond or Brady to stay but I would say that Josh is ready to step into Redmond's shoes and maybe Jarvis will stay to give us width on the other flank. I am sincerely hoping that Klose stays as he has been the marque signing of the past 4 years. I hope Pinto stays as the more I see him play the more I think he could be a good signing for us. We need another CB to partner Klose if he stays or two quality CB's if he doesn't. We need proven strikers (note plural) at Championship level (remember we brought Grabban last time we went down and although he was a lazy site he did score for us in the second tier) to supplement Jerome who we know is ok in the Championship. We need an attacking midfielder (hopefully that may/will be Maddison) in the Alex Pritchard mould and probably another keeper as I suspect Rudd may look elsewhere to get games. I expect to depart: Rudd, Whittaker, Brady, Redmond, Mbokani, Naismith (to Scotland somewhere - maybe Rangers) and one out of Dorrans, Mulumbu and O Neil (I'd keep O Neil).
Pretty much how I see it too, OCF. I'd keep O'Neil, who I believe is soon out of contract (?) but happily let Dorrans and Mulumbu go as neither has offered enough in a yellow shirt. I can't exactly see Middlesbrough or Burnley salivating or getting their cheque books out looking at the above list of names, though. I think a midfield quartet of Howson, Tettey, O'Neil and Vadis (plus the young lads Maddison / McGrandles) offers flexibility and balance - assuming all four are here in August!
If Naismith is Ok with which ever manager we start next season with, I can see him staying. It appeared to take some convincing to get him to come here and if rumours are to be believed it was in part because his Mrs "fell in love with the area". Maybe he might have the fight to get us promoted. I think the queue of PL suiters will be fairly short after the limited impact he's made with us. So his best way to a better retirement wage is to help get us back to the PL. We Must Keep O'Neil, if nothing else he is a promotional rabbits foot. first Wet sham, then QPHa then us and hopefully us again! Bah!
I also think Hoolahan still has a role to play for us next year. I know he's 33, but so is Defoe. As our most creative player, we're going to need him to find a way through packed defences. Similarly, I'd keep O'Neil as well, even though he's 32 (and not just because he's a 'lucky charm, though that as well!). The Championship is a hard grind and we need players who are up to that. I also hope that Odjidja-Ofoe stays and gets a chance to use his creative skills next year. With parachute payments, we should be able to keep a good sized squad bolstered by young players coming on. Pinto has really improved in recent games and his attacking pace could terrorize opposition defences, so I hope he stays. Whittaker has admitted that he'll probably be moving on, which I think is right.
Isn't Maddison kind of 'earmarked' or at least perceived as our Wes successor? Mind you, the same was said about Jacob Butterfield a few years back On the subject of which, it'll be amusing when we play Derby County next season - they'll have more NCFC experience in their team than we will!!
I've just read through the posts since this morning and they're nearly all excellent and we ask seem to be in agreement as to who we need to cull. I could accept Hoolahan as an impact sub, but wouldn't want to see him starting regularly.
Maddison is only 19, so will have to be brought on gradually. He could learn a lot from Wes and Naismith though. With 8 more games in the Championship, players like Hoolahan and O'Neil will have to pace themselves. Wes tends to start in home games more and I think that will continue, especially against packed defences. As for the cull, only 9 of the current 23 man senior squad have been brought in by AN, so I agree with GM that it's more likely to be evolution, depending on how many players leave.
For those specualting about AN's future, the Board's position seems quite clear: http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/...s_after_david_mcnally_s_resignation_1_4529224
I was going to say just that, Hoolahan maybe a good teacher and still has another season in his legs I reckon Bah!
