Looks like they're both going to miss the start of season with knee injuries. We have the depth and cover in our squad but do you reckon Lambert will get in another Centre Back? As it's a department we could appear light in especially if Whitbread or Barnett pick up a knock.
Coped with 3 last season and Lambert would have signed players aware that injuries could occur. Even at centre back.
I know Russell Martin can double up as a Centre Back but I'm not a big fan of playing people out of their position, but it's just a thought Whitbread and Barnett were out for a while with their injuries.
Completely agree, especially now you mention the long term injuries. PL is a tough and fast league. Now I'm worried...
Don't panic. a slight knock meaning they could possibly miss 1 game. Lets face it, Ward was unlikely to be first choice against Wigan anyway. And Vaughan? Well, we have plenty of options there. Lambert always overstates injuries so as to manage expectation. I think it is likely that both players will be available shortly after the start of the season. And if I am wrong? well, that is what a squad is for. We certainly wont be the only PL side starting with one or two out injured. It is the same for everyone.
I'm sure Lambert's got some people lined up to bring in on loan if the worst case scenario ever happens. Gutted for Vaughany though, I'm going to the Parma game and would of liked to of seen him in action along with other new players.
No problems upfront, I don't find who starts, they're all great strikers in my opinion, even Wilbraham! As for Ward, his form did noticeably slip after he came back from injury but I felt he recovered and most fans haven't given him a chance since. I'm only worried at how tough the PL can be - will this bring back the injuries that took them out of the game for such a long time. Too much stress on the legs and all that. May be completely wrong as they are professional athletes and they're no where near as bad as Hargreaves or Owen.
It is not just them, there are professionals in all roles at Carrow road. The physio set up is as good as anywhere. The professional coaches etc at the club will be well aware how tough the prem is andwill know exactly how strongly our players have recovered from their injuries. They are not stupid, if it was beleived that Barnett or Whitbread were likely to breakdown again because of the extra stresses imposed by the prem then we would have signed more CB's and offloaded Barnett and Whitbread to Championship clubs. In truth, there is not much in the prem more likely to cause an injury than there is in the Championship. The premier league is not some mystical place inhabited by superhumans who will break you in half if you so much as put a foot into a tackle. When Norwich take the field against Wigan, it will be our 11 professional footballers against their 11 professional footballers. Their 11 guys are equally as human and breakable as ours.
We'll be playing with our first choice centrebacks I reckon Whitbread & Barnett are a good partnership, at the same time De Laet was very good in the pre season friendlies.
Excellent post Kenny, but when you have teams such as Liverpool, Bolton, Manchester United you have teams with more money, fitter players and some fast players. Walcott v Whitbred is much harder than Whitbred v Scotland.
I don't buy that. why on earth should their players be fitter? There would be absolutely no excuse for our player not being at their peek fitness-wise. and Pace? we have lots of pace now. Jackson, Vaughan (when fit), Morrison, Bennett, Pilkington etc are all very fast players. The main difference between a good player and a great player is speed of thought. making a good decision under pressure and executing it well. That is the only area where out players could be found wanting, but we will see. their desire should hopefully bridge this gap.
The only thing I would add to my post above is that there may be a moment or two fo sheer brilliance which undoes us. These wont be too frequent though and are unlikely to be the difference between staying up and going back down.
Yes, there won't be a significant difference, but I would expect Champions League/Europa League players to be fitter as there is a higher level of competition and more games to play.
I seem to recall Lambert saying that he saw Francomb eventually as a centre back and he played there in one of the friendlies. Another possible emergency option?
