Interesting look at possible revision of City's long-term strategy: https://www.pinkun.com/sport/norwich-city/matt-howman-time-for-norwich-to-change-strategy-6862852
I think it is more the next step than a throw the baby out with the bathwater. If we can get promotion then if we can keep Skipp on loan for another year and buy a couple of defenders (over and above what we have on loan) I think we'll be a harder nut to crack then last year
That was pretty much my thinking ZK, but we'll probably need to replace Tettey, though if Skipp does come back Alex could provide useful back-up and come on as sub when needed.
Agree. The pain of relegation for some of our young blood and a potential promotion again in a season will serve them very well. Keeping key assets will be key and if we keep a clean sheet during the transfer window, hopefully the momentum will continue for a place in the PL again. Our defensive fragility needs shoring up big time if we are to return. One player could make all the difference to our back line. Who that is and for what price though? Sheffield have struggled with the loss of onloan keeper Henderson, which shows the influence of one top player to the whole backline. We need a Linigan Butterworth partnership (apologies that's the best reference I have). We have a Bowen in Max albeit on the other side of the pitch. 30 to 35 million spent might make all the difference. Skipp would be an absolute bonus to keep for a season as he gives us so much in breakaways as well as break up play. I have enjoyed immensely what I've seen this season, but the Bluebird game exposed our defensive weaknesses all too often against a big combative heading force. But for McGovern, we could have been in more trouble.
Tetts is in his final year with us. Signed a one year extension to stay with us for this season. Fairly certain he will be heading back to Norway next season. At, I believe, 33 next season we should be looking for a younger first choice/back up player. We have at least two out on loan, but will we ever discover it they are good enough for us if they are never given a chance. Tetty has been a magnificent servant to our club, and under DF his knees are better than ever, plus many fewer cards waved in his direction.
Yes, I realise that he could well finish when his contract ends, but if we're promoted I hope we retain experience to back up younger players like Skipp and Cantwell. We paid a price for our lack of experience last time. Also there's no guarantee that we'll have Skipp next season.
But I bet we already have a shortlist of replacements. Is there anyone who doesn't now accept that a genuine DM is an absolute must?
Don't think anyone has doubted the importance of a DM, Robbie. The difficulty lies in getting the right one. We all thought Amidou would be an upgrade, but sadly not. If we gain promotion and manage to get another loan year for Skipp it would allow continuity for us and PL experience for him.
With Quintilla coming back soon I’d love to see what Sorensen could do at DM. Would also give us an opportunity to rest Skipp.
We have Thompson, who is likely to leave I would think, and Sitti out on loan, but he is an unknown quality to us fans.
We paid £3m for Sitti, so we must really rate his potential. Whether he'd be up to PL demands should we be promoted is the big question.
Forums are for discussion, so differences of opinion should be natural. It just seems that your responses are often closed to any further discussion - not opinion, but FACT, as ColU Mike used to say.
Let me rephrase it: rather than a difference of opinion, I think we probably mean different things when talking about "a genuine DM".
Yusuf Safri was another. In between there were 'hybrids' like Gary Holt, Johnny Howson and Harrison Reed.
