I'm not convinced we would have too much to worry about. If we get relegated then any PL chairman is going to assume he isn't quite ready and with good reason. If we get relegated it will be because of the manager and the squad. Our squad is not great by PL standards but has enough quality to save itself from the drop, likewise the manager, but if his learning takes too long he and we will be better for it long term but are any other chairman going to be beating on our door with one seasons PL experience and that being relegation? Not mid level clubs like everton, a struggler maybe, but it's a hell of a gamble and not many fans would be jumping for joy. I'm convinced he will be our manager next season irrespective of division, unless there is division in the squad and some sort of melt down. Bah!
I think Redmond would be interested in leaving for the right offer, but the only players I'd be happy bin are Grabban and whittaker. Martin is certainly a good player at Champ level. The other two are capable at that level but if we are to improve inspite of relegation then they should be moved on. Brady I would also worry about losing as more so than Redmond he has shown the requisite quality for the PL. Bah!
Head and shoulders in front in POTS stakes for the first third of the season Now if only we could locate a central defender and a goalscorer for similar fees, I'd feel much more confident that the "R" word could be stuck on the back burner for a while longer!
If we are relegated at the end of the season and let's be honest here the chances are we will with the squad we've got, AN staying then depends on HOW we are relegated. If we are involved in a real battle at the bottom of the league and go down fighting, then fair enough AN probably deserves a crack at the Chumpionship next term. If however we drop like a stone and are relegated without a wimper then IMO we should look elsewhere
I'm more positive about our squad and the way they have played so far, except for Southampton and that fluke game at Newcastle. Yes, we need another CB and AN knows that and he seems determined to make sure that we get one this time. If one or more of our strikers leave we'll need a quality replacement. The final priority for me is an AM if Andreu is not going to feature. Other than that I think we have a good squad to push us away from relegation.
Good summary RER. I feel that if we can pick up more than 4 points between now and Xmas, then we'll bi in a more favourable position when the window reopens in January and so be more attractive to any players AN tries to sign. I saw an article a few days ago that Charlie Austin doesn't want to join a team involved in a relegation battle and I wouldn't want him anyway. My choice for a striker would be Afobe from Wolves and I'm sure there must be some reasonably good CBs who wouldn't cost a fortune. Interesting article on AN;s recruitment policy forf the upcoming window - http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwic...ransfer_frustration_at_norwich_city_1_4325779
Pretty much this. Maybe we're all wrong, and he's a dud, but I don't think so, and hope he stays for a few seasons yet. I guess I'm from an era where a couple of defeats didn't mean 'sack the manager'. Give him time, and he could surprise a lot of people.
I'm from an era that in theory has as much of a foot in the sack the bugger, a hat has dropped and the more patient 80-90s. I'd never be in the sack the manager after a couple of defeats. I will only call for the manager to be given the old heave-ho if the football and the results are dreadful over a relatively sustained period. Ally that to whether you have belief that the manager/team are learning/improving and what they are achieving relative to the resources of themselves and those around them. Some would argue that 1/2 a season is an insufficiently long period (And call me a hat dropper, OOO er!) to make a judgement like that, but there are enough managers around that can make instant strides, AN last season for instance, PL when he joined us, Pulis seeemingly everywhere he goes that if 6 months yields no visable improvement then may be you've got yourself a dud! Bah!
Just to add, I'm convinced AN is not a dud and relegation which is still very possible (I still think we'll avoid it) would not be cause to sack him, the only caveat being if world war breaks out behind the scenes and his position were to become untenable. Or I suppose if all improvement ceases from here, he continues to get more defensive and we lose pretty much every game from here to the end of the season! Then I might consider a change! (He won't let that happen) Bah!
Please can we knock this AN being booted out stuff on the head. He has performed exceptionally well for us overall to date and barring total capitulation he should be here and building for next season irrespective of what division we are in. He ticks pretty much all the boxes that we have wanted on this board and as has been said above, our squad is probably around relegation level on paper so we are getting pretty much what we expected. A change of manager would be just stupid. Who would we bring in\/ \a successful Championship manager? CH?
Well, the two promoted sides, Bournemouth and Watford, scored three goals each today - up to us now to match that tomorrow