This is what Academy One status is for, allowing us to recruit promising young players from all over. Some questioned the financial commitment to this a few years back but it's paying off big time with the likes of Maddison, Lewis and Aarons as well as those like Idah and Spyrou (amongst others) currently in the pipeline. This is the 'Southampton model' of a few years back that some of us were hoping for and now it's coming good big time with SW and DF masterminding the recruitment and development of the youffs coming in. Finally we have a long-term plan that perfectly suits the club.
I thought the u23's had been somewhat decimated with promotions to the first team, injuries and departures. As a consequence I think some younger players perhaps not deemed to be ready were moved up and these new lads will help fill out that u23 squad again. There results have I think also suffered a little as a consequence of that shortage of ready players. With that said, we don't look short on strikers, with Spyrou and Idah both regularly hitting the net. Webber and his predacessors had a good hit rate with these youngsters, so hope springs for these guys too. Bah!
I don't think I know of one person who would question going for Cat 1 and trying to develop our own stars. Plenty might have questioned the performance of our academy for many years and whether it had or could represent value for money. But as strategies go, you always as a mid-sized club have to try to create your own stars. Prior to the Murphy's emergence. Players who came through who troubled the first team have been rare, ones who made it through but were good enough for the PL like hens teeth! Bah!
There is a strange tenet that says it your junior (U23) side is being successful you are doing something wrong. It should be used to bring YOUNG players through to train them to be first team players of the future, not a training ground for out of favour senior players. Results at this level are meaningless.
It seems that we are very unlikely to add to the first team squad in this transfer window. Two young players brought in with potential and whilst we applaud this policy, is the first team squad still strong enough to continue to mount a challenge for a top two finish? With the money available in the Premiership, should we be taking on a few more players that would ensure a place at the top table?
Bringing in quality young players and developing them is the club policy, I wouldn't expect that to change even if we get in the PL, let alone because we have a chance of promotion. There is no way we should be buying in experienced quality players at this time, that policy hasn't worked for us in the past and should we not get promoted then they will only hold us back financially. So for me it's buy the younger quality players and keep the conveyour belt going and if we need experienced players then get them on loan. Personally I don' think we need any additional players other than cover for Krul. Krul is probably our most important player at the moment, if he gets injured for any length of time, I think it would put any chance of us getting promoted at serious risk.
Talking of back up for Krul, it's a shame Bolton's embargo was lifted, I think Remi would have been a good fit in that role
I seem to remember from a couple of years ag that some on here were saying ‘why couldn’t we emulate Saints’, but ‘Supers’ felt we were many years away from that. However, here we are and IMO pretty much there!!! IF we fail to get promoted, I can see several clubs offering serious money for TC, Aarons and Lewis to name a few. Yes, last year's Under 23 squad has been pretty much decimated.
Id love to have seen Idah get a shot in a cup game! Be a shame if we never get to see him in action for the senior team. He is a bit good from what I have heard!
Given the goals we have been leaking and the fact that our team looked shattered vs Sheff on sat, id say a fresh face might just lift everyone and keep them fighting on?
Players who need to get match fit before playing. How long for Klose? He is the most desperate! Tettey replacement/ back up is important too, imo. Vs a team like Birmingham no CDM was fine as they didnt press. However, against teams like Sheff U who press high and attack quickly, we need a tough tackling CDM to help break up play.
So you think new players coming in will hit the ground running with no need to adapt to DF's style of play?
They might not... but they might just give the other players a boost or make an impact from the bench (assuming Farke learns how to make subs before 80th min lol)? No harm in bringing in some competition? Anymore injuries like the ones we have just had and we could be struggling. It all comes down to whether we go with "well we never expected to be in this position" or "well now we are here we should really push to stay here". For me we should look to bring in a loanee at least. Someone to add competition and who could possibly help make the difference between 2nd and 3rd.
Probably twitter-bollocks: "Norwich will bring in German left back Philip Heise from Dresden tomorrow. A good player in a position where they lack depth. #NCFC" Someone claiming to have contacts in football.
Well thats why we pay a scouting network and a SW... to ensure we are spending money on decent players. A good loan player to give us a boost wouldnt be a bad shout or a player like Mutch, who is on a free. Not him necessarily but he is proof that free signings can be decent. Im not looking for an arguement. I was merely saying that i think we could do with reinforcements if we are really serious about maintaining 2nd spot. We may stay there without... but id personally feel better if we brought someone in to help.