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I think its pretty obvious what our game plan was last season. Webber clearly didn't feel that additional transfer outlay would represent good value in terms of improving our chances in staying up. I.e. we could've spent £10m-£20m and still ended up in the exact same position. This certainly proved the case retrospectively given our injury problems! Rightly or wrongly, Webber chose this path and our season was about giving our youngsters a chance to gain experience (and £££), maintaining the core of our squad and giving ourselves the best possible chance of building a stronger and deeper squad for the next attempt (and if we stayed up then its a huge bonus and we can build from there). We are now seeing the benefit of this approach in spades with no shackles holding us down in the transfer market. In a time where other teams are struggling to nail down even a couple of players, we have managed to sign 11 - before even losing any of our key players - and the team is bursting with competition all over the park. I think massive props to Webber for this transfer window, we have been seriously driven and appear to have strengthened in every single area. I am sure if we go up this season we will invest again in similar fashion to this window (but maybe less signings more concentrated on specific areas) and work to establish ourselves in the prem on steadier ground. I think we are in good hands.

Can't agree with this much, I'm afraid. Webber is essentially the reason we've taken the path we have chosen, focusing far more on developing youth, and Farke was his choice of head coach. We have already tried the spend your way in method with the aim of staying up, and nearly went bankrupt as a result of it (Naismith's contract, von Wolfswinkel's transfer and the fall into Division One before that, anyone?). Recruiting is a field that is usually far more miss than hit. We've had some absolutely brilliant hits in the last three years. Pukki and Buendia came out of left-field to be well on their way to being cult heroes (sure, we've also had Franke, Husband, Drmic and Watkins). Lewis and Maddison have made the club a nice packet and Lewis's fee will be handy for covering what was lost during the pandemic. Even the likes of Trybull, Leitner, Stiepermann, Vrancic more than played their part when we went up. We won the Championship with four lads in the eighteen that had come through the youth ranks two years previously. Not many do that. And without Webber I doubt we'd have got that extra few million for Lewis as well. Apparently we've got a reputation for being far more hard-nosed to deal with compared to previous, more compliant days. We've remembered what a quality youth set-up looks like after a good decade of not producing much apart from a few goalies. And it was the mother of all injury crises and the global side-effects of an undercooked bat that really hurt us more than most. The criticism of Webber and Farke seems to lie in the roots of overachieving and then some when we won the Champs.

Hopefully Josip Drmic.

Sad to see him go - Feels wrong seeing him in a Newcastle shirt. Wish him all the best though, he's been great for us.

UK still within the 2-3k positives range. Fatalities back down after the weekend catch up effect Latest UK Numbers 2659 - 8 There has been a noticeable jump in the number of inpatients from 767 to 843 https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ Yesterdays European. Italy 1370 - 10 France 6544 - 38 Spain 8964 - 78 Germany 1331 - 4 France and Spain accelerate again

Yet another post full of your self-serving, tendentious horse do-do. There are things about the Premier League that our majority owners do not like. That is not the same as not wanting to Norwich City to be in the Premier League. What is the purpose of our owners? Like the owners of any business, it is primarily to ensure the ongoing survival and then success of that business. We can argue the toss about whether we are successful or not, but over the tenure of the current owners, for a club of our size and history, we are doing well against the majority of similar clubs you could benchmark us against - and against clubs that could argue that they are "bigger" than us, Leeds for one. What you and the others who see last season as 'not trying' seem to miss is any sort of perspective. It's like a gambler who puts all the money he has left on a bet because the bookie is closing. Webber didn't see a sensible way last season of spending all the money potentially available - although he did spend money on new contracts and several loans but that keeps getting forgotten - so chose to keep it to use on another day. If that makes us stronger in the long-term, then that was the right thing to do.

Who is next? Jax Aaron's Jen Godfrey Jemelio Buendia

I do find it ironic that Johnson is preparing to fine people for breaking the law, whilst at the same time preparing a bill to break international law.

Jenny Mclean?

Aviva were the absolute worst for this. Three decent kits here pretty much ruined by the giant yellow box over most of the pattern.

Fair play to him. Gave us three good years, came through the academy, Farke gave him his chance, and he took it brilliantly becoming a full Northern Ireland international in the process. And he's moved to a club where he's got every chance of starting every week in the top flight and developing his game further. Right move, right time, decent price gained with definite potential of getting more via a sell-on clause, and we've ostensibly got the players in place to replace him already. On top of that, we've sent a message to promising youngsters all over. That message is "we'll give you your chance, train you, and play you in our first team if you work hard enough, and you can take it on from there - and Jamal Lewis / James Maddison are two fine examples of what can happen if you entrust us with your development if you still want to make it big or have international ambitions even if we fall a little short". He should be fondly remembered, really. Here's hoping he kicks on nicely over there.

*somewhere in the background, Lukas Rupp can be heard breathing a huge sigh of relief*

And let’s not forget, as the pundits insist.., “if there’s contact, he has the right to go down” #pathetic

You mean a misconception then.

Hardly putting the brakes on. I’m shocked to find out the “rule of six” wasn’t the case all along and almost everyone I’ve spoken to today thought that was already the case (including people outside of the north west where apparently it hasn’t been the case at any point). Also confused that the rules now appear to be bringing the “outdoor rules” in line with the “indoor rules” in terms of numbers gathering . Is the virus now equally as ‘spreadable’ indoors as out? Surely six people meeting up indoors is far more dangerous than six people sitting 2 metres apart in a park? That’s what we’ve been told for months. If it’s only safe to have six people sitting 2 metres apart in a park, then surely (on the government’s previous logic) it should only be safe for something like 2 or 3 people to meet up inside? Today seems like little more than “let’s say anything to make it look we’re doing something” rather than anything which will make any difference.

Hair splitting here but we did not plan TO get relegated, we planned FOR the likely scenario of relegation. There is a subtle but very important difference.

Here's my reasoning: Signed for not much money to be 3rd choice, wasn't asked to contribute much, alway put himself about, scored a few, and then was sold at a profit. I feel like relative to what was expected he did okay and we made money on him so I'm giving that to Webber.

I'd put Srbeny down as a 'no'. Other than that, I agree with the ratings.

Considering the vast majority of PL clubs splash out in the transfer market, did he not take a bigger risk by not following suit and doing the same? Webber clearly felt the potential cost was greater than the potential benefit, or the benefit was not deemed achievable enough as a result of this additional cost. We took an opportunistic approach in the transfer market, picking up loans and bargains where available, which clearly did not pay off. But I'm sure for the outlay spent, Webber was aware this was a small bet to make with a high chance of failure. The good thing is that this failure has not hamstrung us in any way. Let's wait and see how it proves for us over the next season or two, I think any judgement can be put on hold until then. But I am enjoying how things have been shaping up this transfer window. Let's hope we follow through. If we do fail to get promoted then I expect us to remain competitive at the top of the championship - but if we fall further from this then you will have to say the approach has been a failure.

In terms of performance alone then it certainly was a failure, that much I do readily agree with. However, the silver lining in the whole affair is that he did it in a way that didn't remotely bust the bank. We didn't have a load of underachieving and reputed "star" players on contract and their wages on the books for much longer than was necessary. It was a gamble, but one that fell short. We've failed magnificently via purchases before when going into the Premiership. We nearly lost the club as a result. Webber took a financially less risky approach, but was happy to gamble status on it. Even then, we still had the mother of all defensive injury crises. I certainly don't remember a season where we had so many centre-halves out for so long over the course of it.

Found it

He played on the wing. Dennis filled in as an emergency right back at Arsenal but that isn’t his position. He wasn’t a regular in their U23 team, which is why his contract wasn’t renewed and he would get into the team when others were injured and he was a bit of a utility player. He played central midfield at U18s level. Dennis may have grabbed the headlines but Hondermarck is the star of that U21 team. Omotoye (a Belgian youth international) also has a lot of potential. After a couple of seasons of not having a great U23/U21 team (as many players were on loan or move up to the first team) is this cohort look pretty good.

Welcome to Rays Funds, supported by Turner European Consulting and Kare Plus. Let's start this new season with a look back to a great day three years ago... As is customary our reigning champion is in charge on the first week. So we have @Kathy picking the six results. Kathy, who finished last season with an amazing total of 36/37 97% winning picks. Kathy became the first PUP to do the double by also winning the profitability league on +7.97. Kathy also has three previous wins when making the six so we’re in great hands for the first week. But we know the early weeks can be notoriously difficult and of course we are still playing behind closed doors. So Kathy will need our very best selection from the games played on Saturday, Sunday and Monday of this weekend that are listed on the Bet 365 web site. Thanks to our generous anonymous benefactor PUPanon the Norwich game stakes are once again covered for the eigth successive season. First up for the Norwich picks against Huddersfield is @norfolkngood. Norfolk is signed up for the season for the first time and I know he’ll be an asset to our great team of PUPs. So let’s welcome him with some great suggestions for our opening game. Norfolk, you have a tenner to spend split how you like between the PUPs selections and your own. If you’re not sure of anything just ask on this thread or you can message me, and please enjoy the experience because all us PUPs are fully behind you and having fun is what we’re all about. Please leave a pick for Kathy too. Thanks the 26 who have sent a tenner so far. Although we do need the tenners to get through the season this is not pay to play so if you want to give it a go just join in and post some picks. Here’s the final selections rotas for the early weeks : - Final Six 19/09/20 – Indy - Confirmed 26/09/20 – First Wazzock - Confirmed 03/10/20 - @Cosmic Twin 10/10/20 – KiwiScot - Confirmed 17/10/20 – Mr Apples - Confirmed 24/10/20 - @Hissing Sid - Confirmed 31/10/20 – Jellytot - Confirmed Norwich Picks 19/09/20 - @Jools 26/09/20 – Duncan Edwards - Confirmed 03/10/20 - @Faded Jaded Semi Plastic SOB - Confirmed 10/10/20 - International Break 17/10/20 – Felixfan - Confirmed 24/10/20 – NFN FC - Confirmed Please let me know with your selections if the dates are ok. As always a massive thank-you to our benefactor PUPanon for making the Norwich match picks possible. Also to all the Pink Un posters who send me pledges and donations. And to our sponsors Turner European Consulting and Kare Plus. Their money all goes straight into the presentation pot. The CSF and our DS and Pan-disability boys and girls really appreciate this support. For more information on our sponsors take a look at their websites below:- http://www.turnereuropeanconsulting.com/ https://www.kareplus.co.uk/norwich/ Now I’ll hand the thread over to Kathy and Norfolkngood. Remember there’s no pressure because we are all going to be doing our best to help you to success. We all stand together with the single aim of raising money for the Community Sports Foundation and our fabulous Downs Syndrome and pan-disability boys and girls. Good luck all you PUPs... take it away Kathy and Norfolk... the thread is yours.......🙃......... Rays Funds on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/groups/124098287639888/ Rays Funds on Twitter : https://twitter.com/Raysfunds

You can also do some heavy weights for low reps in order to build some fast-twitch muscle fibres. It could improve pace a little bit but as has been said, it's often something you either have or you don't.

Pretty much, you can improve running technique etc but it ain't gonna turn Snoddy into Usain Bolt.

And probably for even longer than 20 seconds.

There he is.

He just needs some more powerful gloves, that's all

Sorry, but, all of the people saying we could have spent a bit more, could we? The point of taking a calculated gamble is that it's calculated, there was likely no one that it was felt would improve us sufficiently within our potential price range. We had a few million in funds that we tried to buy that french kid with, but if there was no one worth us spending money on then why should we spend it?

I hope they remember to wash their hands.

The other measure that should be considered is cost related. For example if Webber had unlimited budget he could bring in more or less sure fire winners. Messi for example would probably make the grade. Being able to extract oneself from a situation that didn't work out is also a plus in my book. So Heise is a case in point for this. Heise was no disaster for us financially. Because although he couldn't nail down a starting spot he's made a couple of loans and in the end the deal for Heise washes its own face for the club financially despite many having him down as a "no". We won't lose money on the Heise deal having paid a low fee for him initially and also having had a couple of loan deals. Without the cost measure applied Webber's results look good but not spectacular but with costs applied the true value of his work is obvious. What would Pukki cost? He'd easily be worth more than £10m even at his age. Webber got him on a free. There are many other examples. The financial element also applies to sale values too- the fee negotiated for Madison for example literally saved the club and is a good fee for a player who is not a striker and didn't have Prem experience at the time- probably one of the highest paid for a player of this profile. In terms of P&L on player trading Webber and his team are a business in their own right. Fortunately a very profitable one.

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." -- attributed to Sinclair Lewis His 1935 book “It can’t happen here” is worth a read - The main character, Buzz Windrip, appeals to voters with a mix of crass language and nativist ideology. Once elected, he solidifies his power by energizing his base against immigrants, people on welfare, and the liberal press.

There is also something in the scale of the 'yes' or 'no'. Raggert didn't work out at Norwich but cost only a couple of hundred thousand - Buendia could make the club a £20m profit.

Please do explain how trying to limit the spread of a virus which kills people is the actions of a mad government?

Whatever you think of Webber and our overall strategy last season you can't really see the recruitment last summer as anything other than a failure- Webber himself admitted this. Our 4 most high profile signings last season were all on loanees and yet come the last game of the season not a single one was still with the club. That is pretty abject. I personally think he still has quite a bit of credit in the bank but lets call a spade a spade here- in terms of first team recruitment he did a bad job last season.

Don’t know much about vaccine trials Wbb but my suspicion is that this event is something not unexpected and hopefully she will be taking it in her stride😀

Yep.. Alan Pardew probably still has 2 years left on his contract.

Reminds me of the old WW1 naval camo schemes designed to make it hard for enemy ships to shoot at them... Some were way more extreme than this example though.

Krul Arrons, Zimmerman, Godfrey, McCullum Skip McClean Cantwell Dowell Hernandez Pukki Gone for what I think he will pick, rather than what I would want.

Highlights here. Lovely finish by Dennis for the last goal - and great through ball by Hondermarck for the second - and a great finish by Hondermarck for the first.

We opened up far to much too soon and will be desperately trying to put the brakes on again. This rise in numbers and sadly what will follow is an inevitable consequence of the way people have been behaving, thinking, with mixed and poor quality messaging from Government.

Tough one this but my team would be Krul Zimmerman Godfrey Gibson Aaron's Skipp Mclean Quintilla Dowell Cantwell Pukki Subs Placheta Hernandez Tettey Sorensen Hugill Idah Mcgovern

For those of a certain age.... Daktari springs to mind.🦓🦁

He has to Soto out his paperwork

I have Running Away on a 12'' US Import - It's a cracker. If you like that have a listen to another ace Jazz drummer...Idris Muhammad I've got 3 LPs by this guy, some out and out disco, and some cracking jazz on all albums

That is Crazy Money Banked around 28 million and got Toney Brentford have done well i think we should have bought Toney for £5 million plus add on's i think he would have done well here before we bought Hugill but what do i know !

if you cant have fun with a third strip then when can you

Disrupting American business and politics in the same way Jimmy Savile disrupted British broadcasting.

From what I read around Matt Dennis, he was highly thought of at aresnal

If you work hard and the lucks with you you'll get your promotion. Will you keep us up to date on how you're doing?