I like the structure of the Quintilla and Gibson deals. Agreeing a fee long in advance means we get a great deal if we win promotion with them playing a key role. Gibson could prove why he was a £15m signing from the Championship before, yet he'd cost us less than £8m. If we have a poor season, then there's no dead weight on expensive deals to shift. Unless Gibson is player of the season and everyone else sucks, we're in a strong position. Only other bit of business I could envisage (save departures of key individuals), would be a third GK. I wonder if the Luton game is essentially an audition for Barden, and the club will decide whether he's done enough to make the cut.
I did a similar comparison for our promotion season when we had very stable pairings (Zimmermann/Klose until Klose was injured, then Zimmermann/Godfrey for most of the second half of the season). The best partnership defensively was Zimmermann/Klose.
Given the injury records of the rest of our CBs, I imagine he'll start the season on the bench then step into the first team once someone is inevitably crocked. Gibson is left footed, and for Boro predominantly played as the left-sided CB. I suspect the aim is to pair him with Godfrey if he's still here, and Zimmerman/Hanley if not.
That's what I feared. Let's hope someone comes in for Godfrey -- though after last season the likelihood has significantly diminished.
We've not had a solid rumour for any of our youngsters for a while now, which is surprising. The type of club prepared to spend £20m+ on young talent is probably unlikely to be doing so in a rush at the end of a window, so I'd have thought we'd have had more rumours by now. Leicester identified Maddison and that deal was done early. Unless clubs find surprise departures open up gaps in their squad (Wolves needing a RB for example), or have long-term injuries in the first month of the season, I don't think we're going to see much more interest at this point. Really, Lewis to Liverpool appears to have been the only firm interest. Godfrey/Aarons were touted with a move to every big club in Europe, but that sounded an awful lot like over-active agents than anything else. Buendia had the Leeds link, but that's gone quiet and they've signed Rodrigo for a presumably similar role. Nothing for Cantwell remarkably. Looking at the big Prem clubs who could come in for one of our players. Arsenal might feel they need a creative midfielder, particularly if Ozil leaves. Burnley too, but not sure they could persuade Buendia/Cantwell. Palace might want either as a late Zaha replacement if he moves on for big money.
Gibson would complete the 25 man squad for this season (plus 6 who are under 21). That shows the importance of cup games to keep match fitness up unless DF becomes more open to squad rotation. The younger players could also play for the U23s to get game time. SW has done a great job of getting all of these players in well before the season starts.
I think the fans have under-estimated 3 things 1 Our young players aren't as good as some fans think they are 2 We want to keep them if we can. We have always said we don't need to sell and we're only sell if we get silly offers. 3 They are happy with the club and how they are managed / coached. I wouldn't be surprised if they are all still here at the start of the season/
Both our big signings were English players that made big money moves to teams that play in claret , then spent the next couple of seasons frozen out by the club. Burnley I can't get my head around as £15m was their club record signing at the time , so there must have been something horribly wrong . I read that he refused to play , and at £45k week he may put a few noses out of joint in our squad if we're not careful. He was on the verge of an England place a few years ago so there's a good player in there somewhere. If it doesn't work out hopefully we can send him back . I'm terrified of being saddled with another Naismith type leech.
Can't disagree with any of that, and the players signed contracts at the beginning of last season knowing what our stance would be. At £20m+ a player, clubs have to really believe in the potential of our players to want them. At that price you can buy a lot more than someone who played a key part in a comfortably relegated side. Also, the price for our players is much more likely to decrease than increase. If we're mid-table in January, and players are looking for a way out, we aren't going to be able to command a £20m+ fee. It gets worse next summer if we don't go up, especially if performances this season don't allow those players to shine. We'd have to go up and stay up for Aarons, Lewis, etc to command a £30m+ fee really.
French CB linked: https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-west-ham-leeds-among-six-tracking-6ft-4in-defender-billong If that rumour has any substance behind it, I imagine the Gibson deal kills it off regardless.
Not just playing in a comfortably relegated side but, in the case of Aarons, Lewis and Godfrey, three of a back four that shipped 75 goals. The hype surrounding them is a testament to the fixation of media and fans with attacking football and the corresponding blindness when it comes to defensive quality. A club looking to sign a FB or CB, on the other hand, will look at the quality of defending first and foremost.
DF: 'Our gut feeling is not the group is too big. Of course with some of the really younger players there might be a loan option or two. But I don't see major outgoings.' DF asked does he expect the speculation around his 'crown jewels' to intensify between now and the deadline: 'That is what normally happens. But we are clear, honest and transparent with those lads. We don't want to sell. Unless we get a crazy offer they are in our plans.'
I think most open minded football fans. will accept that we leaked 75 goals largely due not being able to put out a settled side. The stats that you produced about last season CB pairings illustrates this point very well. And I think you will find that it is you that is fixated , finding every given opportunity to have a go at DF. Lets hope , that with better luck with injuries , a better squad giving our coach more options , we hit the road running, and that by Christmas we are favourites to go straight back up. It is what you hope for, isn't it, or is it more important for you to be proved right ?
Aarons to PSG ? https://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/canaries-transfer-rumours-max-aarons-psg-1-6822259
I think most open minded football fans will accept that we leaked goals in part but far from entirely due to not being able to put out a settled side. Other major factors were poor set piece defending, poor team defending, inexperience in the back line, and an over-ambitious approach which regularly left the CBs without the necessary cover. Did you ever listen to commentaries on our games other than Radio Norfolk?
Not 'entirely' due to injuries but that was certainly by far the main factor. The lack of a settled partnership of CBs for one, but often not even having two CBs available was an absolute killer. Even when we returned after the break we had two CBs injured. It was a freak situation which hopefully will never occur again.
Arrons linked to PSG. These type of rumours make me laugh. Linked to PSG by who ? The media, PSG head scout or John down the pub ?
