It has been rumoured that Sunderland will come calling again for Naismith in January. I cant see a problem with us letting him go as he certainly hasn't floated any boats since arriving. This comment is based on the general tone of the comments about him that I have read on these pages. AN has recently shown his feelings about this player who has not even made the bench for the past two games and there doesn't seem to be an injury involved. I have a few thoughts: firstly he appears to be disinterested in playing to his full potential for NCFC and possibly may have thrown his rattle out of his pram. Two: because of this he may be aware of the fans feelings towards him and thinks he is better than we think he is and consequently has gone into his shell. Three: from what I read he appears to be on good money (by NCFC standards). There may be a rift between him and others in the squad who are displeased with the attitude he portrays on the pitch and their perceived level of his salary. Pritchard seems a more than adequate replacement and so if Naismith goes I don't think he will be missed. His wages will be saved and as long as we recoup most of the £8m he cost, his transfer will be seen as a logical move. Perhaps the money we get for him will be used for an extra striker in the January transfer window? A possible stumbling block against his transfer will be the level of wages he feels he is worth, so Sunderland will need to at least match his present wages. I feel that he has been such a disappointment along with RvW (and Vardis?) in recent years.
I think you'll find many on here would pay Sunderland to take him. The fact he was seen as one of AN's favourites but has not even made the squad for the last two games would seem to indicate there may be off field problems!
I generally agree with you but it won't be as cut and dried as all that. Naismith first needs to still be on Sunderlands radar. If he plays little or no football between now and January will Sunderland want to take a chance on his fitness and form? If he does play but continues to have little to no positive impact then once again will they want him? If he plays and plays well we will likely be in the promotion picture so will we sell him? Sunderland would probably want him in the 3rd scenario, but would they be able to persuade him to join a sinking ship. Sunderland look like they might finally get relegated and will they be willing to pay him not only more in January but in the event of relegation? They weren't willing in the window just gone. Of course he could be playing well but we are out of the promotion picture by January and Sunderland could be looking well placed to stay up in which case SUnderland may be able to get him. But will they want him? Bah!
I think the problem with Naismith that I can see is that he came with great expectations. "Works his ass off", "Gives all for the Team" and "Totally Committed" were comments bandied about before and soon after he joined (a lot of this came from Toffees fans who were sad to see him leave). To date I don't think we've really see that work rate or team commitment thus far and this has led to a biased view against him. This may be manifesting itself on the training ground and this is why (perhaps) we've not seen him in the last two line-ups. Only he can change that (if he wants to). AN can work with him and motivate him but if Naismith himself sees no reason to "work his ass off" or "commit to the team" then he is very unlikely to feature that much and I would expect to see him leave in January for a cut-price fee. Hope this isn't the case but it's what I feel from the times I have seen him play.
Don't forget the fact that Maddison's loan is only until January. Assuming he's done well enough to earn a recall to base camp, we 'd have Wes, Pritchard and Maddison all vying for the same slot in the team - at which point Naismith. imho, becomes a disposable asset. That money could have been put to better use and as per the OP, he's not exactly pulled up any trees in the yellow shirt.
I don't guess we'll ever know what is really going on. AN has simply said that there are only 18 places available for each match and our strong squad means that someone will have to miss out. That seems to be Naismith and Canos at the moment. I thought Wes might miss out against Wigan as he had a lacklustre match against Cardiff, but not so, and he was much better against Wigan. Jacob got into the team because of injuries, but has taken his chance so well that he's a virtual certain starter now. Similarly Josh has done well when he's got on and that puts further pressure on. Now that Pritchard is fit it's probably a battle between him and Naismith at the moment and AN seems to be leaning towards Pritchard. What will happen in the long term is more difficult to say, but it's good to have that competition for places.
That's about right. I said on a previous post that I'll drive him up there for free...I'll even feed him as well, anything to get rid of him.
I agree with the previous comments that Naismith doesn't seem to have done himself any favours. Both he and AN were promising so much pre season, but have both spectacularly failed to deliver IMO.
The general consensus was that he was going to set the championship on fire, score a hat full of goals! I really can't see Sunderland spending huge money on him because he's failed to do any of those things. If we get half of what we paid it'll be a result!
Maybe the more interesting question is why can't AN seem to get the best out of almost all of his players. Very few if any of them seem to be playing to their full potential.
Blimey, that again? She's rather nice. The two idiots should have been impaled on the fencing, and I don't mean sexually!
Yes, the COMPLETE opposite of Paul Lambert - I wouldn't want him back though, but I feel something needs to change and sooner rather than later.
I believe this was reported, or at least mentioned yesterday - but, when it comes to articles reporting Naismith's departure from the club 'I just can't get enough' https://www.clubcall.com/championship/norwich-striker-set-for-january-exit-1825307.html?
The General makes some valid points but if we are stuck with him how long is his contract? Is this going to be another loan arrangement? I am under the impression that this could be an ego issue which could be resolved by a good performance on the pitch
If it is an "ego" issue and he thinks he is better than most of his team-mates and most other players in the Championship then he needs to show that is backed up by talent, drive and passion doesn't he ? Thinking it is not the same as doing it.
