I don't particularly think any of those kids weaken our starting 11 at all. I'd personally rather see Jacob or Canos over Jarvis on the right. The left depends on whether Brady stays but Murphy has certainly shown enough in pre-season to stake a claim. I think Maddison will be used for cameo's or starts against weaker teams when the fixtures build up. He is realistically going to be behind Hoolahan and Naismith, as much as I'd like to see him play more often I think it will be a season of learning from Hoolahan. Toffolo will be around the squad, again it will depend if Olsson leaves. Godfrey has looked decent in pre-season, he might benefit from a loan to a league 1 or championship side this season, I cant see him being used enough ahead of Klose, Bennett, Bassong, Martin and Turner. Morris is probably 3rd or 4th choice striker behind Jerome, Naismith, possibly Lafferty and RvW. I haven't heard much about how Thompson has done this pre-season but again he's got Howson, Tettey, Mulumbu, Dorrans and Vadis ahead of him.
When Redmond arrived, he had to prove himself (though CH had managed him at Brum). His first role was as an impact sub and I suspect that will be the same for the Murphys initially, much as they did last night. Canos is a bit different as he has less opposition at RW, but I could see him being replaced by Jacob for the final 20 minutes or more. With Jarvis injured, Wes or Naismith could well start, but again it's likely they could be subbed after 60-70 minutes giving Josh and/or Maddison a chance. It may be tougher for Toffolo to make the bench though, given that Whittaker can play anywhere on the back line, though Godfrey has shown similar abilities as well as being able to play in CM. I'd be surprised if any of the youngsters other than Canos start games anytime soon. There's simply too much at stake.
I don't think anyone will get on AN's back for selecting the Murphy's however they perform, they're fan favourites!
Reading reports and fan reactions so far it is Ben Godfrey that has got me excited. AN commented a couple of weeks ago that the club were not sure yet about his best position, which was derided, probably rightly at the time, by fans saying that he was bought as a CM I believe and should be played there. But his subsequent outings have been in various positions, and all seeming to be successful. For an 18 year old from the lower reaches of the football pyramid he seems remarkable mature and assured and maybe AN is right to try to assess his best position. With Maddison also such an exciting prospect, his pass for Murphys goal being a case in point, it appears we may have a couple of very promising youngsters on our books.
Godfrey isn't alien to the CB position, he's played there for our U21's and for York too, albeit infrequently. It's not like AN is trying him as a left winger. He's a defensive minded central player.
And sadly, it looks like that's where they'll stay. If the sole purpose of this season is to play an experienced team to regain promotion, they'll hardly feature in that. And, should the dream become a reality again next May, they won't have the experience to make the step up to the top flight. So it's one big vicious circle which begs the question 'why persevere with an academy when NCFC never reaps the rewards of all that work and investment' (Apologies, going over old ground again )
Very doom and gloom Cromer! It has been the recent cycle but I think this is the first time where these younger players really are impressing and could easily do as good, if not better, jobs than the senior players. AN has had a tough start at Norwich. Being thrown in to the championship and getting promotion was very impressive, but then trying to remould a squad and get to grips with the Prem clearly was more than he could do, whichI think is fair given how young he is and how much he has acheived already as a manager. This is his first chance to have a complete overhaul on ground he knows and with his own ethos settled in. I can see Maddison, The Murphy's and maybe Thompson and Toffolo getting a decent amount of game time between them this season, hopefully coming in to supplement our experienced squad and provide an impact from the bench. I'd say things look promising, but then I'm a hopeless optimist.
Thanks for that, Woodbine. Not long to weight until the players show the youngsters the benefits of having some senior service around the squad - I wonder who'll be craven a result most [ Thought I'd get the slaphead in before anyone else felt obliged to ]
They were all supposed to be plain, as in non-tipped brands, though I realise some are available in both styles. So glad I gave up in Feb 2010 - smoking, that is, not making hideously bad "puns"!
I gave up in 1987 when I was 25, I was smoking nigh on 30 a day at the time. Best thing I've ever done was give up, worst thing was starting in the first place. I managed to give up by smoking small cigars at first and then a pipe. Could never manage to keep the bloody pipe alight so in the end I binned it and the smoking habit too.
Team today: Ruddy; Whittaker, Bennett, Klose, Olsson; Jacob Murphy, Howson, Tettey, Hoolahan; Naismith; Jerome. Bench: McGovern (GK), Bassong, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Pinto, Lafferty, Andreu, Josh Murphy, Maddison, Toffolo That looks close to a season-opening line-up to me. Brady missing from the squad, as are Canos and Vadis, but Mulumbu included. Naismith or Wes forced to play wider by the looks. Surprised Pinto didn't get the nod as starting RB, but presume we'll see him at some point.
Jacob starting ahead of Josh is a surprise one. Josh was always seen as the more advanced one. Seems like Jacobs really upped his game. It is brilliant for us if so. Twins trying to one better each other is good for competition.
I see Newcastle play Vitesse today. Be hilarious if our Ricky banged a couple in against the champions-elect!
I suspect they'll both get a reasonable amount of game time. Being right sided, Jacob perhaps has less competition at the moment for a starting berth when the season begins though.
They can both play either side can't they? Josh is mainly Left footed and Jacob right, but I think I have seen them both play on either wing. Would be great to see both of them on the score sheet again.
Hannover lead in the 5th minute, sloppy goal. So far Wes is playing centrally and Naismith on the left. Not that they've seen much of the ball yet, Hannover well on top.
