Here is the team that lost 6-0 to Fulham. Norwich: Green, Helveg (Jonson 45), Fleming, Shackell, Drury, Bentley (Svensson 59), Safri (Holt 33), Francis, Huckerby, Ashton, McKenzie. Subs Not Used: Charlton, Ward. Who is better? Green or Ruddy? Helveg or Martin? Fleming or Ward? Shackell or Whitbread? Drury ('04) or Tierney? Bentley or Crofts? Safri or Fox? Huckerby or Hoolahan? Francis or Surman? Holt or Ashton? Vaughan or McKenzie? Feel free to change comparisons/ add players almost signed etc.
Ooh, really hard isn't it? Players who were tried (even if only one season) at Prem level, against those who almost all haven't played there yet. Of that selection I'd go for: Green Martin, Fleming, Whitbread, Drury Crofts, Safri, Huckerby, Francis Ashton, Vaughan But I'd swap Barnett for Whitbread if I was breaking from the list of comparisons.
Agreed, quite sobering how many good players we had in 2004 who by this game had one season's premiership experience. My picks: Green Martin Whitbread Shackell Drury Crofts Safri Francis Huckerby Holt Ashton I know I cheated a bit over the strikers, but with 7 players from 2004 it clearly shows the task ahead of Lambert and the team. In fairness however, I wouldn't play Francis, Safri and Crofts in the same midfield.
I don't understand the choice between Vaughan and Mackenzie. Surely Jackson V Mckenzie would be fairer, as we've seen what he can do in a yellow shirt.
I don't see the point in any of the comparisons, we have who we've got now, we don't have who we had then! It's a bit like asking if David Haye would beat Cassius Clay
Can someone please explain what has happened to our best centre-back Leon Barnett? He does still exist right?
I think it's an interesting thread because it shows the quality we had in our squad the last time we were in the Prem, and yet we still fell short. We got some really promising players but this comparison reminds of the step up needed. And DM, that includes Barnett (great player) as he was felt by WBA not to be of Prem standard. Now before I get accused of being negative, I feel more positive than last time because of Lambert and the collective will of the club. Bring it on.
Green Martin Fleming Whitbread Drury Crofts Safri Huckerby Surman Holt Jackson To avoid a verbal bashing, i should probably further explain the Holt choice. I vyed for our present captain on account of how important he is, and has been to the side, filling in in department beyond his job criteria, be it on the wing or in defence, providing the most crucial and greatest amount of assists of any striker in the 2 leagues we have played with him in, and i genuinely believe, even in all of this disregarding how vital a goalscorer he is, he brings the side up a notch with his work ethic. In Ashtons favour, he excels in talent and ability (although that is certainly not to say Holt doesn't), and rather than bringing the side up a notch, he adds it. His former value as a player is more than Holts, but Holts value as a Norwich player is more so in my opinion. As for it being 6 to 5 in the currents sides favour, shoot me. For any of those concerned, remember we've only just entered June in the market. Give it time.
Green Martin (Helveg's best days were LONG gone by the time we had him). Ward Whitbread & Barnett Tough one, marginally Drury (then) but Tierney is aggressive and strong. Bentley Fox / Crofts Hucks...just Francis...purely from a goal scoring perspective. Surman probably adds more value to a hard working midfield aimed at winning posession and bringing in the strikers. Very tough..Ashton probably just edges it as he was an England international. Vaughan / Morison anyday
Great thread Kent- Worthington deserves more credit than he gets for the quality of the team he assembled! Although I think the 04 team has more quality, I would take the team spirit and workrate of 2011 any day! For me... Green Martin Fleming Shackell Drury (04) Crofts Safri Huckerby Surman Ashton Holt
Green Martin Ward Whitbread Drury Crofts Fox (very underrated IMO) Huckerby Surman/Francis (can't choose!) Holt Ashton. Worthington did have a very good team. The spirit and workrate as the poster above suggested are much better in Lambert's squad though.
Green or Ruddy?.Green Helveg or Martin? Martin Fleming or Ward? Fleming Shackell or Whitbread? Whitbread Drury ('04) or Tierney? Tierney Bentley or Crofts? Bentley Safri or Fox? Safri Huckerby or Hoolahan? Huckerby Francis or Surman? Francis Holt or Ashton? Ashton Vaughan or McKenzie? Vaughan Thats what I would go for. It was pretty hard on alot of them.
I think that if Paul Lambert had been in charge of the 2004 side we would not have been relegated in the first place. There were certainly some good players in that squad. First ever post by the way!
Too many people are picking Francis!!!!!! He did OK but was never THAT good!!!! He also disrupted the dressing room with all that nonsense about McKenzie's wife. Also my Dad went to the Fulham game (6-0), a game we only needed to draw to stay up, and said Francis just couldn't be bothered! I know it wasnt just him but my Dad said that he wasnt just bad, it was as if he didnt care. So for that reason my choices would be: GREEN R.MARTIN BARNETT FLEMING DRURY (then, not now) HUCKERBY GARRY HOLT CROFTS HOOLAHAN (instead of Safri) ASHTON GRANT HOLT
