Okay, its over and we didn't get the striker we all wanted and hoped for. We got 2 emergency defenders in and both bring a wealth of experience with them. If the newspaper stories are to be believed and our wage contribution is only £20k per week for Bridge, then well done SAFC. Only Kevin Davies will know if he has made the right choice now but Bolton must have expected him to be going, as they splashed out £3m on his replacement from watford. What does this window tell us all then? Well imo, Campbell must be ready for the run in, that's a given. Bendtner and Wickham injuries not too serious and Ji will get a chance now as well. No big name striker was targeted, which makes of think there is something in these Gyan stories. I'd have him back this summer for sure. Our defence needed 2 in, which suggests Brown may be out sometime and Brambles situation is very unclear still. Mind you, having Bridge at left back gives Mon a nice selection problem with Richardson. I like him when if is our wide or in midfield, as his pace is a huge plus, so he could be like having a new player for the next 4 months. This window came too soon for Mon but this summer may well see a different set of thinking. We don't have multi millions like man city or Chelsea but money will be made available and an injection of pace the priority. I think we have more than enough to see out a mid table finish this season and plans will be under way for 2012/13 campaign now. That said, we have the little matter of a cup derby replay and if successful, a mouthwatering 5th round game at home to The Arsenal. Season over now the window has closed? Not on your nelly people. Watch this space.
Think exactly the same C'est although you put things more eloquently than I do. Except when the scumbags are mentioned of course.
Well I do wonder if not getting another striker in will affect the restless of the season, in the league position we end up in the Cup and the game against the skunks. I am pleased we brought in the defenders they were undoubtedly needed. I am bitterly disappointed we did not bring a striker in. Time will tell, starting tonight how big a problem that will be, I.e. Who is to play up front?
Id be happy to stay away from the trapdoor. Im thinking with a realists cap on that our form will taper off. Id be pleased with anything above 12th if im being truthful, given that if we still had Bruce wed be rock bottom of the league.
I was thinking about our squad from another viewpoint today. By signing two defenders we've improved every position apart from in goal. Read me out on this one however... Richardson can be pushed forward into midfield where I've seen him play effectively in every position across there, granted he's not consistent with his good performances but he can at least hold is own in there. Also however I remember him playing well up front as well and scoring a couple of goals, perhaps this is in O'Neill's thinking as well. Personally I'm glad we didn't sign Davies, I'd have happily took his contract off Bolton's wages for the remainder of his time there and give him another year on top but think of a £3m signing for a 34 year old target man who appears to have aged over pre-season and lost some of his really good form. The deal for a £3m player with agents fees, signing on fee, wages for even 5 month would surely be getting close to £5m. Given we are not in a horrific position anyway and long may that continue then I'd rather use that approximate figure towards a permanent signing who could be here in say 3 years time. Tash, I won't have a go like usual, I'm in a good mood today ;-) I think you might be right but these next two games will paint a bigger picture of where we'll be come May, playing the two sides around us. Just been talking to one of the lads about Newcastle on my dinner, discussing tonights game, who do you's play on Saturday? I presume you are at the Sports Direct Arena?
I always rated Davies, but to sign a new contract at club at his age while he isint playing makes me think twice, he had one last chance to be a hero!
Make an article and ignore the obvious... My opinion... every team in the Premier League are starting to wind their necks in, collectively in an attempt to foil these daft "big", clubs across Europe who deem their average-at-best players are worth £20m upwards. The English Premier League's participating teams have been taken for a ride for far too long. It was only a matter of time before the clubs have collectively decided to stop propping up these poor countries like Italy and Spain by paying for their overpriced junk. Of course, the more obvious point is that Martin O'Neill has known from day 0 that he's had no money to spend. He has added experience which you definitely will benefit from, so fair play to him for addressing that issue, but the struggle starts when you establish you have another Tevez (nowhere near as good) on your hands in Gyan who won't play for you, and you need to generate income, as Niall (all hail the muppet) Quinn has ran you so far off the beaten track, financially, that you're losing money left, right and centre...that of course is not opinion. But yet you still seek to ignore this, when will it be addressed that you're losing £25m per year whilst adding 12 players to your payroll? Balancing the books, tightening your belts, whatever you want to call it. That's exactly what is happening because, like it or not, no matter how much your owner is prepared to write off as interest free loans or whatever, you are running an unsustainable model according to Uefa, although now, you've ran out of £20m assets like Bent and Henderson (Henderson was only ever £2m at best).
Never since Neville Chamberlain got off the plane has anyone been as wrong as Terry Hardcore. Since Ellis Short took over Sunderland AFC has never actually made a loss, Ellis Short has always pumped the funds into break even financially, now he's obviously thinking it's time for the club to run themselves which I for one am delighted with. I'd rather a football club for 100 years winning nothing than say a Portsmouth or loads who have a season of glory. As for your opinion on Gyan, we'll see on that one, do you know him though? You seem pretty adament that's he'll refuse to play for us. Oh and we didn't add 12 players to our payroll, we lost a shed load of loan players and Henderson went, I'm pretty sure we generated more going out than we spent coming in. As for Henderson only being worth £2m at best, I think you'll find he was worth £16-£20m as that's what Liverpool were perfectly happy to pay.
What I'm having difficulty of fathoming out is why our crowds are down despite our improved results under MON. According to a member of staff at the ticket office, only 32,000 tickets sold for tonights game, which could mean our lowest league crowd for absolutely yonks!!!
I'll still be there. Would like more but long travel for Norwich fans, especially midweek. Its on TV, its bloody freezing, finances are tight for most people AND like cyprussyd said in an earlier thread MONs style of football isn't the most pleasing. Don't get me wrong I am firmly in the results first, entertainment afterwards brigade but its nerve wracking defending most of the time. Hopefully crowds will pick up significantly after 3 wins in the next 3 games.
I think a lot of people are struggling at the moment, especially having just got over Xmas. Also, we've had a fair old number of home games recently, so people are probably picking and choosing. On top of that, as Gil says, it's effin freezing!
Another self opinionated mag with acne ... bored with his own board .... trying hard ... must be play time....
Considering 2 months ago we'd have snapped your hand off for 17th that's certainly not a bad thing is it!! As for Cest's mentioning the window coming too soon - totally agree - although it didn't appear to come too soon for Hughes at QPR - but I remember a number of teams in the past who've made wholesale changes in January and it hasn't worked - I'm glad we gaven't made silly money signings and glad we're waiting until the summer to do whatever business we need... Long may our form continue (currently top of the form guide after City's loss last night!!) - win tonight to cememnt that place at the top of the form guide and set us up for another massive game on Saturday!!
Two of the lads who go with my son are having to pick and choose which games they go to Reg. They are young lads on low wages who have to prioritise where their money goes. Even the lad has had to cut back to make sure he can afford to go. (Running his car and insurance are hitting his money big time.)
