paddycanary

[quote user="Mad Steve"]It''s not just CamJam we need to replace but the absolute minimum to cover loss of form and injury is 3 I can''t see us being able to afford 2 decent strikers[/quote] Mad Steve, you forgot to say ‘Delia out’.

Top six extremely unlikely and the club probably isn’t ready to go up yet due to changes being implemented & upheaval. Serious nosedive in form required for relegation to become likely. Will probably finish somewhere around where we are now. I predicted 8th back in August but probably a few spots lower is the likelihood due to home form, lack of goals & inconsistency. Loaning players in is a tricky one because we now need to keep trying to win each game while bedding in the Farke playing philosophy with one eye on next season. But these loan players will most likely not be here in August so their training & instruction doesn’t benefit Norwich city going forward. But then we’re told the club is uncompetitive financially & purchasing players on a contract is too ‘risky’ or uneconomical under the current model. Throwing the towel in in January is defeatist but could possibly stand us in better stead next season. Of the current squad, it’s fairly likely that Gunn, Klose, Tettey, Reed, Naismith, Watkins, Franke, Martin, Maddison, Oliveira and possibly even our beloved Wes will all be gone, as will Marcus Edwards and whoever else is loaned in this week. So without taking our eye completely off the ball for this season, should we be thinking about bedding in young players in the ‘Farke philosophy’ for next season? Something like: Matthews Pinto Hanley Raggett Zimmermann Lewis Godfrey Thompson/Trybull Vrancic Murphy AN Other forward to be signed over the summer A flexible & young team with only one permanent signing required. Youth and potential there but maybe not enough to trouble the top end of the table. Who knows who might arrive next summer and make the difference? We wait and see.

Not beyond the realms of possibility that he might elect to ''make his bones'' for one more year here. That said, long way to go this season yet and a lot could happen between now and may. We''re probably looking at a similar finish to last season, with ups & downs before the end. A solid, calm & reliable goalkeeper is fundamental and I''d say we haven''t had that since ruddy got that injury. Agreed that Webber is probably planning for a replacement over the summer. Re: komakino, you state this 7k cap for new acquisitions as fact. Is this the case? If true, does seem relatively low in today''s market for a team supposedly building for a serious promotion push over the next couple of years.

An enjoyable read! Leave them waiting 4 minutes this time.

I wouldn''t be too impressed with what Watkins has delivered thus far either if I were Farke. Below average and better was expected. He''s had a fair few opportunities without much product. Possibly counterproductive to broadcast dissatisfaction publicly though. Saying that, I trust DF''s judgement.

Hopefully people remember that effort & performance after the next rocky result. Unlikely; as farke himself mentioned, one win, we''re in the playoffs, one loss we''re relegated. Form dipped after arsenal, but surely the group will take confidence from that display, despite the disappointment. Tettey should be starting on Saturday too. His knees should be bubble-wrapped! Looking forward to Sheffield united. Well done to the lads.

Arguably the best signing last summer, what''s the likelihood of him coming for another year next season?

A bitter pill to lose on penalties and poor klose''s face after that header on the final whistle. 3 or 4 more mins against 9 men and we might have snuck the winner. Probably got away with the Willian penalty, possibly due to the earlier Pedro dive and an on form morata might have been more clinical. But Murphy hit the post, Maddison went so close and oh, that klose header!! Massive effort from each and every player, great togetherness, morale looks intact and a proud performance. Well done to the lads and commiserations but heads can be held high. Gunn, pinto, klose, Zimmerman, Lewis, reed and Murphy all outstanding, no weak links across the team, Wes nutmegged kante! So disappointing to go out but very proud. Hopefully we see the opposite from the post-emirates fallout. Tettey''s fit! Bring on the blades! OTBC

Re: Alex Tettey, the Newcastle debacle springs to mind when he was taken off by Alex Neil in that disastrous tactical change (with hindsight!). Dilemma for Farke this Wednesday - strong team = Tettey starting. But perhaps the three points next Saturday against a highly motivated Sheffield United team should be prioritised, and beyond that. Another injury to Tettey; we all know what that means. With a fully fit squad, we''re very competitive, but that''s a rarity. If we lose the likes of Gunn, Pinto, Klose, Lewis, Tettey, Maddison or Murphy, suddenly things look thin. Maybe everyone bar Wolves is like that, I don''t know. Re: Oliveira, unless a ridiculous offer, e.g. £8m+ is on the table, I think we should try to keep him (assuming he wants to be here). Form can indeed go through peaks & troughs and he is right up there with the best at Championship level when he''s on his game. As much as I like him, perhaps it''s time to bank a million for Big Cam and bring in a ''younger model''. Sorry CJ! It happens to us all!

Difficult to see where goals might come from without these two. Even with replacements coming in, given the financial situation we''re in, very tricky to fill their boots with quality.

If I remember rightly, it was fergie who began fielding weaker teams in the domestic cup competitions which is now the norm, round about the time the champions league was replacing the European cup. Money, money, money

I''d expect to see the same team that started against millwall. Wes or Vrancic might sneak into the starting 11. Farke went for it against arsenal and has mentioned several times that he values cup games. If I was a player, I''d love a crack at Chelsea. Yes, form dipped dramatically after the emirates but general squad fitness looks better now, with less midweek games. Have a go! A win would be great for squad morale.

How''s this team? Matthews Pinto Raggett Hanley Lewis Thompson/Trybull Godfrey Josh Murphy Cantwell Phillips AN other forward as yet unsigned Subs: Jones, Zimmermann, Adams, Middleton, Toffolo, Abrahams Only one new signing in that list, with a few getting game experience at the moment to hopefully benefit over the next few seasons. We''ve been told in no uncertain terms that the pockets are empty and that acquiring & developing youth through the academy is the chosen path. Perhaps the team next year or the year after is envisioned something like that above? Youthful prospects at this point in time and looks like a mid-table championship team. As often lamented on here, football is now less a sport than a money-hungry machine and the gravy train that is the EPL has left NCFC on the platform. We had a couple of chances to consolidate over the last 6 or 7 years but failed. Bloody Sunderland!

Just unwrapped a lovely new jersey! Great start to the festive season!

Where would you rank Tommy "The Machine" Gunn from Rocky V? A street-brawler?

grim reading indeed. Has defensive midfield become a problem area again? No Tettey, Trybull off the boil, Reed not quite the anchor required. If this area is not screening effectively, it leads to indecision & apprehension all over the pitch, with & without the ball. Worrying times. Hopefully Farke & the players can find a formula to get the balance right, sooner rather than later. Thanks Ricardo

If Godfrey comes back in January, he''d probably see a fair bit of game time but it''s unlikely he''d be a starter. I think both he and the club would be better off with him getting miles on the clock this season with a view to becoming a more important player here from next summer. Godfrey could become a big player over the next few years. Louis Thompson was very unfortunate to suffer such a nasty injury when his chance came. If he can get back to the desired level, the two could potentially be a tasty midfield combo. Tettey and Reed will both be gone and we can''t predict where Trybull will end up. If we harbour ambitions of being a top six Championship team, Toffolo isn''t quite at that level but he''s out to learn & improve so no harm in keeping him on the books for the moment. Good attacking left-backs are hard to come by. Raggett looks as though he''s being ''groomed'' to be a starter for us in the not too distant future, probably from next summer realistically. Klose is probably the one who''ll be sacrificed soon to generate funds to get a striker in, if not in January then next summer. Hopefully Morris learns and develops this season to our benefit in the future. But at the moment, I don''t think he''s the man to look to if the playoffs are the target. As much as we all want Oliveira to be the main man, it increasingly looks like it just isn''t going to happen. He''s often unavailable, has a (sometimes) volatile temperament, has openly displayed a disrespectful side to the coaching team and we''re unsure if he even wants to be here. Even though he''s the main goal threat in the current squad, he could be making way soon to provide funds for someone we haven''t even heard of yet - step up Mr Webber! Is Big Cam out of contract next summer? Stuart Webber wasn''t lying when he said it would take a few windows to truly shape the squad. I thought last summer and still think now that the true drive for promotion is planned for next season with a younger, well drilled squad on manageable wages. It''s a gamble of course; money is tight and there''s very little margin for error. If the likes of Klose, Oliveira, Maddison, Tettey, Wes and Big Cam are all gone by next September, is it possible to improve the quality of the squad with very little investment? We are surely looking for someone up top in January and we might very well already have the players on the books to replace the rest on that list (with the obvious exception of Wes!) It''s an intrigueing time to follow the club through this transitional period. Are we witnessing the gestation of a new forward-thinking footballing philosophy, driven on by a dynamic academy and a young & hungry first team leading to consolidation in the top tier? Or are we watching the slow decline of the club into a drab period of mid-championship mediocrity where any half-decent player is picked off to balance the books? Time will tell I suppose. This post has been far too long - I''ve work to do!!

Well done Angus Gunn. The best of luck to him. We should be glad to have him and enjoy him while he''s here. Arguably the best signing of the lot over the summer window.

True, Ireland were fairly brutal last night but solid enough defensively away from home. Denmark had three good chances, one of which should definitely have been put away. Looks like Martin O''Neill wanted to make sure they didn''t concede in the first leg and make sure they were well in the tie coming back to Dublin. No away goal could yet prove very costly. We might see David Meyler, Wes (more likely off the bench after 65mins) and Shane Long starting the second leg; fresh legs, give Denmark something different to think about and perhaps try to actually score a goal! Was pondering while watching the game how Shane Duffy might look in yellow and green, particularly if Timm Klose hands in his cards. He''s a no-nonsense, body on the line, kick it into Row Z merchant, dominant in the air, a decent leader & organiser, a threat from set-pieces and has become very important in this Irish team. Doing the business with Brighton at the moment in the top tier but maybe in a year or two. We''d be a step down at the moment sadly.

I suspect Farke''s going to give it a right go and I''m with him. A good performance and possibly even a sneaky win would lift the club. If Zimmermann & Stiepermann are fit to start, Josh & Watkins are unavailable and Nelson is still struggling, I''d go for: Gunn Pinto Zimmermann (or Hanley if CZ is unfit and GH not cup-tied) Klose Husband Reed Trybull Wildschut Maddison Stiepermann Jerome Wes, Oliveira & Vrancic (possibly Josh?) off the bench assuming unforced changes (which is unlikely due to bumps & bruises from Sunday). You never know what might happen. This squad are gelling well, morale is high, we''re difficult to score against... could see this going to extra time, maybe even a shoot-out! OTBC!!!

[quote user="wcorkcanary"]Its always a good sign when the back four picks itself, we also look more solid with Steiperman in front of husband. I can also see Madders starting, to be joined by Wes if were chasing the game or replaced by him if we are closing the game out. Jerome up top for me, bags of experience , a cool head and you just know he loves to score against them, our third in playoff semi was Cam Jam Cool Cont all over. Panic Wildshot on the right, Trybull /Reed shielding and though its not most attack minded set up, it should be tough to score against. so for me... Gunno Ivo Zimmo Timmo Husbo Reedo Trybo Wildo Maddo Stiepo Camo Jamo Subs Nelso, Weso, Hanlo, Mairio o, Murpho, and that GK that cant take in a crosso.[/quote] Wcorkcanary - You sure you''re not from Dublin-o???

(Jerome) Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode Klose to You - The Carpenters Reed, Eat, Sleep - The Books Frankee - Sister Sledge Nothing Else Matthews - Metallica ...I can get worse if you like

Think you might have it there Mr Woodman. Physicality, bit of pace, passing quality, cover for the full backs, I like it. The likes of Nelson, Wes, Vrancic or possibly even Murphy if he''s available to change things in the last half hour. The Reed/Trybull area and down the channels is where this game will most likely be won or lost. I''m thinking a 1-1 draw. As usual that first goal is so important.

Have to say I certainly am. Thoroughly enjoyed Ireland''s battling win in the Millenium Stadium to dump out Wales and just sneak into the playoffs. Don''t think any of the teams will fancy drawing the Boys in Green! Fairly average squad but great courage & team ethic. And Wes was even needed tonight. Great night to be a Paddy!

Surely you need a full wet bar, pool/card table & dartboard?