Link here :- http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/norwich-set-to-sign-palermo-striker-kyle-lafferty493/? His record in Switzerland was no great shakes. The more strikers we're linked with, the more obvious it gets that we'll lose Hooper and or RvW bwfore the season commences.
I think it's likely that RvW may move, Cromer, but I think Hooper will stay unless QPR make a silly offer. Lafferty would add another option up front and his experiences in Switzerland and Italy will have improved him. Hooper, Grabban, Becchio and Lafferty would be a useful set of strikers, backed up by Loza.
Bag of ****, doesn't fill me with any confidence going into the new season signing players like this.
He did all right for a promotion winning side in Italy last year though. Football Italia seems convinced that he's on his way to the Fine City for a medical: http://www.football-italia.net/50972/lafferty-set-norwich? We've seen this sort of rumour from Italy before though.
Dave, His 10 goals at Burnley were between 2005 and 2008 when he was between 17 and 20 lol. Though his record is hardly inspiring since then :-/
Bit harsh to refer to his Burnley record when he was aged between 17 and 20!! Let's be reasonable. Look at the style of player as a striker before criticising goal-scoring. Anyway, he scored a goal c. every 160 minutes for Palermo last season (way better than any of our strikers...) is very experienced for a 26yo, offers far more to the game than a penalty box striker. I see him as a replacement for Elmander and, given his height, I think he's more likely to be effective in the Championship than Elmander. Let's not forget Hooper thrives next to players like this. And Lafferty is used to being a substitute so he's not going to be a pain. So it's a bit ridiculous to suggest he's **** or anything like that - he's clearly a decent player having helped get Palermo promoted to Serie A. We haven't even signed him yet anyway! If we're honest, of course he's not the sort of player we'd be looking at if we were in the Premier League. But we're not in the PL. We have to look at Championship level signings, and yes, unfortunately, he is one - BUT he's a good one; I bet most, if not all, other clubs in the Championship, would leap at the chance to sign him. We weren't able to sign Messi in the PL, so why anyone would expect us to sign a high standard in the Championship is beyond me. Lafferty's decent enough and adds good depth.
Pretty heavy Monday morning feeling on here today. Lafferty's 11 goals in 33 games for promotion winning Palermo last season might be more to the point. Do people really think City are going to pay £12m for Rhodes or £6m for Deeney? He was only 20 when he left Burnley in 2008, Dave. If it is true, I suspect it was the recommendation of Ewan Chester, who's no fool.
Season by season minutes per goal for Lafferty: 13/14: 36 games, 12 goals - 163.5 minutes per goal 12/13: 28 games, 8 goals - 204.6 minutes per goal 11/12: 23 games, 7 goals - 200.5 minutes per goal 10/11: 44 games, 15 goals - 182.7 minutes per goal 09/10: 39 games, 7 goals - 339.8 minutes per goal 08/09: 28 games, 7 goals - 190 minutes per goal So since leaving Burnley, one poor season aside, he's basically been a goal every other game he's played.
£6m for Deeney is a lot but you cant argue with his record at Champ level. If we want an instant return to the PL I reckon we might have to splash out a little (not £12m for Rhodes.. thats too much). With regards to Lafferty I see what River is saying. He will probably bring a lot more than the odd goal and Hooper would do well next to him. Never gona happen but id be chuffed with a strike force of Hooper, Grabben, Deeney (or RVW if he stays) and Lafferty.
Why didn't Palermo fancy keeping him I wonder? None of their rivals who've seen him up close either? And sion didn't want him back? Yep, we've snagged ourselves a real gem here. We're back in this division to stay.
By way of comparison, RvW is roughly the same age 13/14: not even going to bother 12/13: 41 games, 20 goals - 184.5 minutes per goal 11/12: 47 games, 25 goals - 148.2 minutes per goal 10/11: 44 games, 23 goals - 150.6 minutes per goal 09/10: 36 games, 12 goals - 225.8 minutes per goal 08/09: 34 games, 8 goals - 291.3 minutes per goal I don't think the Scottish, Swiss and Italian leagues are that much worse than the Eredvisie/Portuguese league (especially considering RvW's PL performances...) But you can basically see that while RvW had two good season 10/11and 11/12 there's really not that much between them, yet one is priced four times as much, on bigger wages and is supposed to score lots of goals and doesn't offer much else.
I think your comparison with Elmander is apt, Rob, and Elmander was Hooper's best partner last year. His 9 goals in 36 internationals for NI should also be taken into account.
Oh come on. (a) we haven't bought him yet, (b) there are multiple reasons why a player from NI might be difficult to keep in Italy, (c) they have just been promoted and will want players effective for Serie A, (d) Tottenham sold Bale - I suppose that's evidence they thought he was crap was it? (e) he was a striker they had on the bench a lot of the time (and therefore perfect for us to buy). Wtf is wrong with our fan base? It's either "FEED THE WOLF" or "oh my god I've no idea about him but I've seen he only scored 44 goals in 52 matches and is 6'8" therefore he must be ****". Can't we just have a halfway house "Ok, he's not obviously world class, but he does look like a good fit, offers a different option and so why don't we give him a chance".
Hahaha. Are you really comparing the two? And I'd hardly say the leagues are comparable quality wise.
Palermo have been promoted to Serie A this year and are looking for PL level players as a result. It may just be that Lafferty doesn't want to stay in Italy or Switzerland any more.
