I can see both arguments. On the DM situation, I can't believe that we've recruited 3 new players and won't play them because they're new to the Championship. Sørensen is well experienced in Denmark, Sitti in France as a specialist DM and Skipp has played in 15 games as a DM in the PL and in England's youth teams. Spurs wouldn't be well pleased if he doesn't play. As DH says, Tettey can be rested against lesser teams. The new midfielders are ball players and will help to break down packed defences. I can't see us recruiting another DM this window. On the striker issue, I'm less sure. Hugill may be similar to Holt (or not) but is he worth £5m when we could have Rhodes on a free? DH would be satisfied with 5 goals as back-up to Pukki but Rhodes had 6 goals in that role and 3 more from 2 starts and 2 sub appearances in the cup. I'm not against Hugill, but it doesn't seem like long-term strengthening to me.
Cheap, promising/young, proven...none of our signings will be more than 2 of those things. Perhaps the exception so far is Keiran Dowell. But when we're trying to refresh large areas of the squad, we're going to struggle to bring in the more expensive, promising and proven players without making sacrifices elsewhere. In the DM position, I think the plan is for Skipp to be a two season option, should we get promoted. He plays a key role in our promotion season, but he won't be ready for the Spurs first team the following season. So then he gets a Prem season loaned to a team he knows, to really shine at that level. Then he goes back to Spurs ready for their first team. Should we fail to win promotion, then Sorensen or Sitti are perhaps 12 months behind Skipp, and they can be the key player in the Championship and hopefully step up. Up front, Idah is the one to improve us in the Prem. I think the club rate him highly enough that he can start as Pukki's deputy this season, and if Pukki doesn't find form then he might displace him sooner rather than later. If we go up, then Idah is the next "crown jewel". To sign another would be wildly expensive, and the competition for minutes between them would harm the development of both. So instead, we go affordable, proven, and offering something different. Of Hugill or Rhodes, I think Hugill is the better option. He's two years younger, had a better 19/20 season, and his greater aerial threat gives us a different attacking threat. But also, he helps us close games out. Bringing Hugill on when we're winning 1-0 gives us much more protection when defending set pieces than Idah or Rhodes. Hugill is more expensive than Rhodes (who isn't free), but West Ham will likely sell below "true" value, compared to Wednesday who seem desperate for a significant fee. Whoever signs, I think the idea is that they're third choice. My "Hugill scores 5 goals" prediction was meant in that context. He's third choice because Idah and Pukki are scoring for fun, and Hugill can't get much of a look in. He stays for a couple of seasons, in a backup role, then as a 30 year old is probably still worth £1m or so. Worst case scenario. I think he can offer more than that, and hold more value. In contrast, Rhodes plays a similar role in the squad, but without offering as much tactical flexibility. In what circumstances would you bring Rhodes on rather than Idah? Rhodes is then 32 or 33, and realistically leaves on a free, even if he scores 10 goals next season.
I think your glass is certainly more than half full DH, but I can't help feeling that things may not be all that rosy. Skipp looks to be an exciting talent, but he's still only 19, whereas Sørensen is 22 and Sitti 20. Both have far more experience than Skipp's 15 appearances for Spurs over the last two years. Perhaps Jakob is seen as a Trybull type DM/CM to play alongside Tettey, Sitti or Skipp or McLean or Vrančić when he plays more defensively. Perhaps the games in Germany will tell us more. Once again we'll be a youthful squad and that will bring a degree of uncertainty which makes me cautious about how the season will go. As for Hugill, I can see now why he's of interest. I mistakenly thought Rhodes was out of contract this summer but he has another year left which makes him less likely an option.
Hugill appears to be done, the Pinkun expect an announcement tomorrow, with the player joining the German tour: https://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/canaries-jordan-hugill-west-ham-transfer-deal-1-6805470
That surprises me a bit. What happens with Idah now? He needs playing time at a decent level. Any Idea of the fee? I'm not complaining just curious about Idah. I expect news of a loan for him soon, but where to?
Whilst this year is going to have much greater demands on the squad than previous seasons, due to the fixture congestion, Hugill takes us up to 34 first team players. We had 22 in 18/19, and I believe there's a squad cap now of 25 + youths? Looks like outgoings are going to outnumber signings from hereon. Drmic, Leitner, Trybull seem set to leave. Presumably a loan for Sitti, and maybe a couple of others depending on departures of our bigger names. So I can't see McCallum and Mumba in our squad if Lewis and Aarons are. GK: Krul, McGovern, perhaps we need a third given injuries?? RB: Max, Byram, Mumba. 2 of 3 stay. CB: Godfrey, Hanley, Klose, Zimmerman, Famewo. I'd expect Famewo to go out on loan, looks like we want another CB but perhaps anticipating Godfrey leaving. The TalkNorwichCity "in the know" moment last week was apparently them believing a CB announcement was imminent. Apparently not. LB: Lewis, Quintilla, McCallum. 2 of 3 stay. Midfield "2": Tettey, Skipp, Sorensen for the defensive slot, McLean, Vrancic, Rupp to play alongside them. Dowell also an option. LAM: Hernandez, Placheta, Sinani. Feels like the club want to work with Sinani to figure him out, perhaps as a striker, rather than loan him. CAM: Stiepermann, Cantwell, Dowell. Could see a surprise departure for Stiepermann, but would be disappointed by that RAM; Buendia stays and we win the league. Plenty of other options in the squad here, but perhaps none for whom it's their first position. Thomas? ST: Pukki, Idah, Hugill. Sorted.
I think Idah is backup to Pukki, with the aim of development his playing style to match our Plan A. So he'll start cup games and help Farke manage Pukki's game time. Hugill will be the late game battering ram option, brought on as a second striker, or to help us see games out Three good strikers is a healthy position.
But has Hugill come here to merely sit in the bench? He could have done that at Wet spam and for more money. I suspect tactically there will be some variation that might make use if his attributes. Whether that's crosses from the byline with our new found wide pace? But I suspect as with Pukki hd has been analysed as particularly adept at converting a certain type of chances that fit with plan A or B Bah!
His wife apparently said on Instagram that "we're here for now" or similar. I don't follow her so can't say I've seen it myself.
Good summary, DH, but Josh Martin is another LAM option after his opening brace against the Dons. I'm also not sure that Mumba, McCallum and Sitti will necessarily be going out on loan. They're all under 21 so don't impact on the 25 limit and they have a decent amount of experience already. They can feature in cup games and get game time with the U23s as well. Given our injuries last season I'd hope we're looking to avoid being left short on match days, given the hectic schedule. With 6 players under 21, Hugill will make the squad 26 + young guns. It now depends on how many leave. Certainly the 10 new players give DF a lot of options, especially in defence and attack. Sinani, Placheta and Dowell will add to our mobility up front and the new midfield options are intriguing as well.
I reckon we bought Hugill so we don't need to panic to replace Pukki at the last minute. Pukki has to be worth £10m or more even at 30 . It would be a shame to see him go but we need to keep moving forward and constantly evolve . I'm not especially excited by the Hugill move
I'd be really disappointed if Teemu leaves and it would be a big blow to our chances this season. If Emi and Todd also leave we will be looking at a significant change in our playing style, though Sinari and Idah offer different options. Another change will be our physical presence with 7 six foot or over players added and physical strength as well. Then there's Placheta's blistering pace to add to that of Onel which could be critical to our counter-attacking.
Maybe, with the postponed Euros being played next summer, Teemu doesn't want to finish the season completely knocked out. He's two seasons older, and the already demanding Championship programme has been condensed. Could be that this is what the Finland manager had in mind when he advised Teemu to move on.
International managers always want as many top league players as possible. It was the same with Jamal and his N.I. manager. Teemu was at his best for club and country in 2018-19. With four strikers now there could be more rotation to avoid overloads. Meanwhile, Adam Idah has been included in the RoI squad for the first time: https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/202...ublic-of-ireland-senior-squad-for-first-time/
confirmation from the canaries website of our new striker signing: https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2020/august/jordan-hugill-signs-for-norwich-city/
