I think Sinani has the potential to match or even exceed Buendia's stats, especially with Hayden, Núñez and/or Sara behind him. The next two matches may tell us more. With the born again Sargent and Cantwell this has the potential to be our best Championship squad in years as long as we solve the LB problem soon.
Sinani is good, but not even close to Emi imo. Emi has strength, vision, workrate, goals, assists, tracked back well and was phenominal in a tight space. Hopefully Danel can prove me wrong. Yes, he has goals and assists so far, but he is far from as good as Emi overall atm
It may be that clubs want us to loan their LB for a full season of experience but we only need short term cover for the next 10 weeks. Teams and players will be wanting to maximise game time which we can’t guarantee when our first and second choice return to fitness
Yeah I think this is a good point. A club could send us their promising young full back and find he's 4th/5th choice by December, not even making the bench. And it seems our funds are tight now, so we're not exactly offering a financial incentive for them to loan us a player. Whilst Newcastle being flush with cash doesn't make them pushovers, it is a reason why Lewis makes sense. He's so far from the first team there he clearly just needs to play some games and create interest in him. A loan until January could remind other teams what he's capable of, and cover our short term needs. Then hopefully he gets a more lucrative move in January. Equally, I can see a left sided CB who can cover LB being a smart way of getting a club to agree to loan us a player. They'd start at LB now, and then could easily be considered third choice CB (ahead of Gibson and Tomkinson) by the time a LB returns to fitness. Then they'd at least make the bench as defensive cover every week, and would be able to push Hanley hard for that LCB role.
I like the possibility of a LCB who can also play LB, but that would probably be hard to find and pay for. As you say, DH, Lewis on loan for 6 months seems a more viable solution in the interest of all parties.
Looking at our U21 squad, there is another possible solution, as Lewis Shipley is described as an "aggressive centre-back, who can operate at left-back". Maybe he's not ready yet, but he could be one in the making. https://norwichcity.myfootballwriter.com/2022/08/30/academy-a-good-start-for-citys-under-21s/
We probably said the same when Lewis and Aarons were given a starting place in the match day squad Rick. The old addage, if they're good enough they're old enough. As opposed to Alan Hansen proclamation that you win nothing with kids.
I see the Aarons transfer rumours are exactly what they are - just rumours. Still there is the January window yet………..
Totally agree GE. Our future lies in the development and inclusion of our young players. Gibbs and Tomkinson are the latest to come through and there will be more.
Looking at the current squad it’s actually quite amazing to think of the number that have come through the academy here. I love seeing players that we have developed through the academy make it to the first team and flourish. Currently we have: Gunn Aarons Omobamidele Tomkinson Gibbs (ish) Cantwell Springett Rowe Idah With several more in the pipeline potentially with the likes of Barden, Clarke, Kamara
Josh Martin has just completed a loan move to league 1 Barnsley https://www.canaries.co.uk/content/josh-martin-moves-to-barnsley-on-loan
Here we go for the next Max Aarons transfer saga. Would we sell him and leave us without a recognised RB or then scramble to obtain a replacement?
Bologna have announced the mutually agreed termination of Mitchell Dijks contract....new (old) NCFC LB? Had a quick look at free agent LBs (which is how I spotted Dijks) and noticed Neil Taylor (mainly known for his spell at Swansea) is a free agent. 33, but still managed 17 starts for Boro after joining them in January last season. Could be an option to cover for a few weeks?
