I'm starting this thread to try to cheer us all up because I think our squad is superior to last season's squad and therefore we should be able to survive comfortably (but cue the cliches about football being played on grass, not paper). Please let's not turn it into another Hughton debate - there are plenty of places to do that elsewhere. I think Fer is definitely an improvement on anything we have had in midfield since we started our rise up the leagues. He has physical presence mixed with that technical ability which most Dutch players have as a result of how they develop players. The thing that would make me worry most about our survival would be a long-term injury to Fer (I hate these friendly internationals where clubs like ours have to take such risks to our season for no particular reason.) A huge step up. We haven't seen much of Olsson, but so far he looks the real deal, too. He just has so much more of a range to his game than Garrido. The latter is generally solid, but packs much less threat. Olsson is very mobile in comparison whilst also looking good defensively. Another big step up. RvW's toe has been very frustrating and means we can't really judge him yet. I think he looks class, with an excellent footballing brain and consequently lots of good movement. Another step up. I'm yet to be convinced by Hooper, although I recognise he's also had injury issues and we can't really judge him yet either. He'll certainly score goals against weaker defenders but I don't yet see the guile of RvW. Good back-up to RvW but perhaps doesn't have his class. Elmander is an intelligent footballer, I think, and also looks pretty adaptable. I'd worry if he were our first or second striker, but I think as back-up he also looks like a step-up from Jackson (and probably Becchio, who is hard to judge as he almost never gets to play). Regarding the forwards in general, I think we are still missing Holt. It was certainly the right decision for him to go - he wanted to be closer to his family and there are some indications that he didn't really get on that well with the current regime. But we have missed his nuisance value up front and his overall effect as a leader. As we also all agree, I'm sure, he has a lot more skill than he is generally given credit for outside of NCFC - he may be a 'donkey' compared to Aguero or van Persie, but certainly stands up to the likes of Carroll. Which brings us to Redmond, who probably polarises people more than any of the others. He certainly needs to learn, as I think we'll all agree. I am old enough to have seen lots of young footballers like Redmond, who have marvellous feet but not much of a footballing brain. I don't think our fans are doing him any long-term favours by turning him into a hero at this stage of his career, because the danger of this kind of player is that he never grows up. In my opinion, at the moment he gives less to the team than either Snodgrass or Pilkington (or even E. Bennett once he is over his injury). But, if (and history of other players suggests it's a big if) he can learn to harness his ability for the good of the team and to make intelligent decisions on the pitch, he could have a great future ahead of him. Long post, sorry. But I'd be interested to know how everyone else rates the new boys.
From an outsiders perspective, I'd say the following; RVW... Hardly seen a mention of him. Fer... Very disappointing. In my opinion, he's not adapted well to the league yet, and even though he has pace, tenacity and technique, he is usually anonymous or gets blown away by the opposition. Passing and judgement have been way off, which is just testament to the quick nature of the premier league compared with the Dutch game, and the fact he is having to do a lot of adapting to Hughton's very English tactics. His last game showed a glimpse of the player I believed you had signed, and maybe a freer role will reap rewards, but I think that's unlikely to be honest. I think it'll take time and two good defensive midfielders behind him to actually use his quality, but this isn't Chris's game. 4-4-2 or 4-4-1, I think he'll continue to frustrate. RvW... Does he actually exist? Redmond, while young, seems a really poor version of Wayne Routledge (who I rate as a decent player), as I don't think he's particularly talented technically. My Dad is a Birmingham fan, and he was absolutely perplexed by the a lot of the lad's displays. I think he's just another athlete, rather than a footballer. Chris think's he can get the best from him, and maybe he can, but much development work needed because he's obviously still a championship player. Elmander is passed his best, by quite a long way, but I think he's still got something to offer in the back-up capacity you suggest. Olsson I rate as a good bit of business, because I think he's an outstanding little player, but defensive frailties in the centre are where Norwich are suffering at the moment. I would give them time though. Chris and the board have brought in a number of players who need games and training to settle. I think the team has missed a bit of the rub of the green, had a difficult run of fixtures and not even hinted at the true potential of this set of players as yet. I hope Hughton gets it right though. He's a fantastic guy who carries himself well, has time for anybody, and keeps a squad together and working hard. You aren't going to see flamboyance or continental tactics from him, but Lambert is hardly flamboyant (I watched some of your pretty dog turd performances under him, which were in fact AT BEST as bad as some of those under Chris), and when you're trying to achieve something you have to relent to the fact it takes the courage to stay the course. The board have given their faith in £££, I think the fans at least owe patience.
Fer is a fantastic player and you obviously haven`t watched many games as Ollson plays left back so the defensive frailties in the centre are not really his concern.
I think you're a Sunderland fan, so you certainly have seen one of the dog-turd performances of the last few years - when we lost 0-3 to you guys under Lambert. Thanks for replying. I think you're wrong about Fer - he has had several good games already, although I think there is more to come still. Otherwise, I think fair comment. How do you feel now? Optimistic after two home wins? At least you look like you might join the pack. How on earth did you beat Man City?
erm, I never said he played centre back, merely pointed our Turner is costing you points And Fer might be a "fantastic player", but he's yet to show that in a Norwich shirt, like I said. I suggest you watch some games, Pal.
Sunderland fan?! I'll not hold it against you for thinking Fer's impressed if your judgement tells you I'm a Mackem fella I've been a season ticket holder at St James', and seen both Lambert and Hughton teams play us (with much the same game-plan) at home, and watched several of your games as a keen follower of football in general. Like I noted, Fer has talent (you may have heard of Cove, a young dutch chap who promoted the Dutch league to us and many other sets of fans on here, who introduced me to watching Fer and others abroad), but he's quite obviously not up to pace with the premier league, especially as a CM in a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1. Even Match of the Day pundits, who couldn't locate their own elbows half the time, highlighted segments of him struggling before the romp.
Your way off on Fer mate. I don't know if you're a wum or what. He's been one of the most physical midfielders in the Premier League and looks very comfortable with the pace of the game. I've not seen many players adapt to the Premier League as well as Fer has to be honest. We've seen Fer play in an advanced midfield position and he was non existent. He should be playing deep to get the best out of him, he still gets forward and is effective doing so. The fact you reference MOTD pundits is quite embarrassing, I have to say. I suggest you read this article on Fer: http://squawka.com/news/2013/11/11/...-norwichs-relegation-dog-fight/2013111134264? Also not sure you've seen how many times Redmond this season. He beats players at ease at times with a combination of good skill and agility. His downfall at the moment is final ball, similar to most young wingers. He has improving to do, but he'll be an England player in a few years, no doubt whatsoever. RVW hasn't got the goals, but if you've seen Norwich play (which I assume you have with your views on our players) than you'll see it's not through his lack of quality but instead the lack of service from our midfield. Our big problem this season has been our approach play and creating chances for our new strike force.
Firstly vc, well done for posting a thread to divert attention away from 'Hughton in/out' to focus on the team. I'd pretty much agree with your summary of each of our players and the biggest disappointment has been the imjures to both our strikers and for anyone to write them off iis foolish, as you can see that the rest of the team are struggling to get decent balls to them and when RvW has played, his movement has been very impressed by his movement - let's hope Redmond et al see him and try to 'feed teh wolf', rsther than go for a 'long range attempt at goal'. I'm sure the new players are a significant improvement on what he had lsat year and I hope is that CH and his team can get them all to gel in the next few weeks and propel us further up the league - otherwise it will be time for DM to come out and tell the fans what his plans for the future are - I trust him to make the right decision.
@TheJudeanPeoplesFront With respect, squire, your comments on Redmond are a bit dismissive out of hand. While you accept he's still young (he's 19, whereas Routledge - who you indirectly compare him to is 28) in terms of raw potential, he was one of the signings of the last transfer window, at (reportedly) £2m plus £1.2m add ons. I also disagree with your comments on Leroy Fer, who again was a comparative steal based on the (undisclosed, but believed to be circa £4.5m) fee we payed F C Twente for him. Plus he hasn't fully hit the straps yet, and was just bedding in to an increasingly fluid midfield when it had to be changed due to a long term injury to Alex Tettey. Maybe we can have a character assassination thread of all the Toon players when this one has run it's course?
Ahhh, the classic, "You support another team, therefore your opinion is purely designed to wind me up" ****... Sorry I'm not kissing your arses I came here, on a multi-board forum to give my honest opinion. Look at the league table (and form), you're struggling, which would be adequate enough proof to even the simplest of creatures (whoops, bringing Mackems into it again) that your newbies have not had the desired effect. But no, that's all the manager's fault, isn't it? That's how it reads on here. As I've alluded, I watch football as often as I can, and that's my honest assessment of what I've seen. I'm quite willing to put out my two cents, to be wrong, to change my opinion and to engage with supporters of other clubs, rather than retain an insular and pathetic approach to fanship. I ACTUALLY LIKE TALKING ABOUT FOOTBALL. Rather than being all offended that I don't spunk over your players just so you like me, maybe offer some valid insight This is a very subjective game, stop being so arrogant as to believe your opinion, and those who agree with you, are the only ones that matter. To be fair, on Fer, I've suggested he hasn't hit his stride yet, that my disappointment is based on a relatively small sample which is fundamentally a significant period of adaptation. I would say that those that are impressed with him are in for a treat when he actually starts playing! Norwich's midfield has been a bit of a mess at times, and that's made weaknesses in the defence even more obvious. Redmond is worthy of a "meh" at present. The comparison with Routledge is not an unfair one in my opinion, because Routledge was actually a better player around the same age (which tells me if Redmond ever becomes an England player without significant improvement, we'll have regressed beyond even our current ineptitude), and they share similar characteristics. Both are slight, pacey wingers. The difference between them is that Routledge had genuine talent in crossing. The fact there are so many of these types who fail to make the grade for England should aptly highlight to you the size of the task before the lad. It won't take long before a player like Redmond is completely admonished by the fanbase, because it's horrible watching a player beat someone, then lump it out of play or lose possession weakly every time. See Jonas Gutierrez (probably the least technically talented footballer the premier league has ever seen (if you discount his dribbling ability), it took him 3 seasons to learn to cross the ball off the ground, and even then they're weak lobs at waist height). And yes, please come and contribute your opinion on our board. THIS IS A MULTI-BOARD FORUM. The whole point is conversation. I don't care if I agree with you or disagree, that's the point. We're here because we want to discuss football as it makes us happy, not coax out an erection. If you want the latter, I can refer you to some well researched branches of my search history The more opinions, the better the forum is, the more worthwhile the discussion, and the more open-minded the posters become.
Fair enough assessment, but I'm totally perplexed by your view that Fer has been a disappointment. Player of the season for us so far without doubt.
If you (Judean) are right and Fer has merely been a shadow of himself so far, I'm looking forward to what he is going to do for the rest of the season.
Can I interject? Just saw that Jemaine Defoe is looking to play football to get into the England squad. Maybe a cheeky bid in Jan or take him on loan. For all that he is he can score goals at premier league level.
RvW and Hooper will score goals for us at Premier League level. Spurs have scored just 9 PL goals so far, exactly the same as us. Defoe has appeared in 8 league games and hasn't yet scored. His goals this season have largely come in the Europa League.
I think Ollson and Fer have been very good. Redmond is of no use on the left and struggles to involve others.I'd either get him out on loan or play him on the right which would give him more and easier options to pass. RVW has had nobody who's good enough to pass to Hooper has been disappointing for me but has suffered like RVW from isolation and a lack of movement from others
I think Fer, who has been picked for the Netherland's squad and played in the last 2 qualifiers (clearly doing something right, Judean) is an outstanding player. He's had his shaky moments and sometimes spends too long on the ball in the wrong areas but his strength and power from the centre of the pitch is something Norwich had needed. Johnson and Tettey both provide that cover but not the pace and power getting forward. Having Howson with his guile and drive alongside him has really improved our midfield. Redmond is a good player, knows how to get past his man but needs to supply the rest of his team more often. He'd be far better on the right for his crossing ability but that makes it hard to accommodate Snodgrass and Pilks, who are far better team players while not being as direct. Hooper and RvW have both had injury hit seasons already. RvW showed he can finish with his header against Everton, just need to get the ball to him in more dangerous areas, same goes for Hooper. Overall, the signings we got in in the summer were good and I think some were really great value, Fer and Redmond mainly. Olsson has also started brilliantly, his pace going forward adds an extra dimension to our attack. I'm not going to start throwing insults, Judean, but you have clearly been watching a different player in Fer. He's been a real bargain and once he gets a bit more used to the rest of the team I'm sure he'll be consider one of the best midfielders in this league.
The reason I thought you were a wum is because I have no idea how you come up with that assessment on Fer. I still don't, probably more so now because you've said you've watched him. Hughton has his downfalls but his signings have generally been fairly spot on. I never said anything was Hughton's fault.
