Another rumour today is Ruairi Mcconnville, a young CB from Brighton on loan. I think he played against us in the cup
Here’s one of his goals from the game. https://x.com/norwichcityacad/status/1885636714510602571?s=46&t=eNUxKZQ4GDywJtSbgmpm6A
Taller than Duffy, 5 goals in 24 appearances, and a PS rate in the mid-80s; but from his career to date, the Championship would represent a big step up for him . A loan to allow Brad Hills to get some serious minutes elsewhere?
Surely if you play in an academy system knowing there's a clear path to the first team that has to be a big pull for young players signing. As well as the incredible Colney training facilities.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruairi_McConville https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ruairi-mcconville/profil/spieler/701021
Things are moving, but there's a problem about personal terms. https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk...nuel-fernandez-from-championship-side-4971268
Apparently Posh have accepted a huge bid from a championship club for Fernandez (believed to be the canaries), and he would go back to them on loan. City also in talks over the permanent addition of McConville, who is in the last 6 months of his contract at the Amex.
Posh fans on Twitter don’t seem that impressed by Fernandez, several offering to drive him to us…mind you, I did see a Norwich fan saying that Schwartau is **** yesterday so not the best judgement on there
There's an informative post re. Fernandez by Bethnal Yellow and Green on the equivalent thread of the Pink'Un forum. Summarising, Fernandez has all the physical attributes needed by a CB, tall, powerful, and with pace (paired with Cordoba, holding a higher line when in possession becomes possible in a way it isn't with Duffy and Doyle). Fernandez is also comfortable with the ball at his feet, a good passer, and confident in advancing with the ball. His current weak points e.g. positioning (vide Cordoba also) -- are of a kind resolvable by coaching. So Bethnal sees him as a good fit for the Knapper/Thorup "project".
Both Fernandez and McConville fit with Thorup's replies to Paddy Davitt's questions about further signings in this window. He referred to structuring things so that any late signings now would be available to him at the start of pre-season, rather than arriving late in the summer window.
Bethnal's comments: "Since the link I’ve watched some of his games. Can see why Norwich might be going for him. Physically, the guy is ridiculous. 6ft4 and fast, it makes him stand out pretty instantly. He is also a good passer, has a decent first touch and happy to carry the ball out of defence. He has aspects to his game that will translate well to a team looking to dominate possession. However, definitely some work to do on his defensive fundamentals. A classic case of a player who has a physical advantage at youth level so he didn’t need to work on the mental aspects as much. Less need to position yourself well if you can recover quickly or still head away the ball. This pans as he’s had a bit of an unusual start to his career and has probably lacked a decent period of high quality coaching. Suspect Norwich feel if they can improve the more coachable parts he’s already exceptional physically. Looks to be someone who could be the long term Duffy replacement." Bethnal is usually pretty reliable, so it seems Fernandez has a lot of potential but there will be a lot of coaching required before he becomes a starter. At least he'll get a lot of playing time at Posh before he comes to us.
If we sign both that would mean we would go into next season with possible centre backs - Duffy / Cordoba / Hills / Adeboyega / Fernandes / McConville. You would think that Duffy wouldn't have his contract extended beyond 2026, so does JHT continue to build a team with him or offload him in the summer. Cordoba has had his knee issues this year, so I was somewhat glad to find out he missed the weekends game due to a disciplinary issue rather than a re-occurence of the injury I'm not sure whether Hills is good enough on the ball for JHT's style, admittedly I haven't seen that much of him, it would be a real shame as I love having people that support the club playing for us. Adeboyega has played well out on loan from the reports that I have heard. Fernandes looks great physically but coaching required on his positioning. McConville looks like a good product and having been in the Brighton set up I would expect has been coached in playing out from the back.
Just seen that we have signed McConville until 2030, but pulled out of the Fernandez deal. Not sure if this is definite though. Edit:- Sussex World confirm the permanent transfer of McConville.
PinkUn appear to be confirming that we have pulled out of the Fernandes deal too, and not due to personal terms apparently. Perhaps it was either Fernandes or McConville. We would seem to be overloaded with right sided CBs if we signed both. Also the loan back to Peterborough didn't really seem to fit what JHT had said about bedding in new signings ahead of next season. McConville in should mean that we see Hills go out on loan to Stockport County.
