we signed steven whittaker from rangers on 4 year deal http://www.canaries.co.uk/page/NewsDetails/0,,10355~2827524,00.html
I will be completely honest, is he capable of filling the boots of naughton?? Atleast its a free and so extra pennies to spend on elsewhere...
Different type of RB to Naughton. Not as quick but decent positionally and good experience, a signing in a position which required addressing and versatile as well. Pretty good free signing
apparently he can play anywhere in the back four and anywhere in midfield so he can do both so thats good as hughton says he is versatile and can play anywhere in midfield and defence so we just got two players in one now we have more money for other players like strikers and stuff. what a great signing more like that please hughton.
well he's £6m cheaper than naughton but he has similar attributes. pretty quick and good going forward but decent enough at the back too. i don't think we could ever afford to bring naughton back (other than another loan) so this was about as good as we could hope. good age as well, experienced but still coming towards the prime of his career
He looks a completely different player to Naughton. He's a big bloke (6'1") and quite fast by the looks of the odd video. He can also score from range and took penalties! Quite a few Rangers fans feel he might struggle though. I suspect we'll sign another right back on top and this guy is a back-up
really doubt he'll be back up! very difficult to tell if he'll struggle as its a massive risk to take someone from the scottish premier division these days, but he has pace (which is important in this league) and he likes to get forward so it won't be much change from having martin or naughton there. people have to realise that naughton was exceptionally good and difficult to replace - don't get on whittaker's back if he starts a bit slow, as happened with martin - he's experienced and has ability, he'll quickly get up to speed
I assume he was purchased primarily as a RB but do you think we will sign another LB now Drury has gone or will he be used as cover there? Personally I would say we must still get a LB in
I think naismith is going to Everton. To be fair you can't argue with the signing of whittaker on a free transfer!
Looks a very good signing to me,has good pace likes to go forward,and has a terrific right foot on him.
shame about naismith going to everton - he'd have been on the top of my wanted list but never mind. whittaker is certainly not going to be as good defensively as naughton was but i'd argue he's better going forward than he is. at least he offers the same kind of flexibility which is required and can play in any number of positions, just like naughton
Versatility is an important attribute for a team like Norwich and with a squad limited to 25 players as last season showed. Particularly the game against Bolton where our defence had three full backs and a winger.
I do hope he is better than the last defender we signed from rangers in steven smith! Although a freebie I also hope that this signing isnt a sign of things to come for strengthening our first XI.
whittaker was a regular for rangers over a five year period, winning nine major honours and reached a uefa cup final. steven smith played a handful of games. big difference
Wonky: I'd forgotten about that Bolton game. Both cb's off injured and young Elliot as full back. That was one helluva game!
One of our best performances of last season when you consider how defensively "backs to the wall" we were
