Essjayess

Well this topic sure has brought out the usual whiners and doom mongers again, if nothing else.

Well JF it is maybe a matter of opinion but point was and is  my after words...that we aint Prem anyway, and whatever you or i think about Pritch  going to Huddersfield, itll happen anyway, so lets everyone have a good whine now, then move on. NCFC have been around  all my life, Pritch was here 18 months, half of that time injured.

[quote user="Indy"]Essjayess, how many on this forum have been taking the piss out of the binners being a championship side for 15 consecutive seasons? Now most on here are quite happy to see this club at this level as they buy into this small minded club mentality! No club or support has the right to be premiership but every football club and fan has the right to want the best for their club. If the owners can’t buy into that then it’s time for a change IMO. Funny how each season most supporters are happy with each step towards a downward spiral, not so long ago, we had to hope our youngsters would step up along with really poor loan signings, who wants to go back to Sibierski and Andy Hughes![/quote]Indy, why the heck do you bring the binners into this topic? keep it on Pritch and our club, dont need carp messing up the topic.Ive not once said i would be happy on a every step is a downward spiral, those are your words not mine. I just see the reality of selling one of our best players to a higher placed club who can pay this guy better wages and offer him Prem football, a move that he is keen to see happen.Pritch is a really good player, but a guy like him always has a price, and if that price is 11 mill, so be it, it will no doubt financially help the club. I all to remember a decade ago, yea was rough being in L1, but nearly folding was a far bigger catastrophe. I never want our club in that position ever again, you can bandy words around like prudence and / or ambition, but more than anything i want our board to keep our club solvent and without huge debts.On the pitch its a level playing field, 11 vs 11, but off it, financially, its anything but. You can wrap tings up in any way you want, but the Pritchards and Maddisons would have been sold anyway, even if we were in the Prem, but we aint, which makes 11 mill even more valuable as an asset to City right now financially. It aint fair i know, but like i said, nothing in football outside the pitch itself is hardly ever fair.

JF..i dont see the club as downgrading...i see it as probably about halfway thru downsizing the wage bill. As to where do i think we are headed...wel l in the short term..meaning this season and the next..likely staying where we are, in the Champs.You have it in your head that any City player of quality is to be sold either now or in the summer..that depends on who you think is quality i guess. Personally i think City have plenty of quality..the current defence of Pinto, Klose, Zimbo, Lewis, Hanley, midfield and upfront, Tettey, Trybill, Ollie, Madders, Josh...lots of promising youngsters like Louis Thomson, Ben Godfrey, Raggett, and others...so are we selling all these guys?Keep things in perspective JF..if we do sell 1 or 2 like Pritchard and Maddison...then we will go out and buy other players...the club have already said that. At the absolute least i see us retaining our Champs status..with  much more chance of heading up than down...eventually.

Nick Mashiter is saying that Pritchard is keen to move to Huddersfield and this feels like a deal that is going to happen...in which case grab the 11 mill and move on, theres 3 weeks of the window left.

[quote user="JF"]It’s all so predictable! The rest of the talent will be sold off in the summer. I’d hate to think what our squad will consist of next season. We’re heading back to where Paul Lambert saved us from....[/quote]For goodness sake JF..Pritch is one guy. Yes we know how valuable he is to us but to say we are headed back to L1..you are honestly that negative about our club for the rest of the year?..and why think about the summer?..think about the here and now..summer will come when it comes.I know its been a topsy turvy season so far...suppose many fans views on Pritchard are so highly esteemed that well..in such a season as this we could never win any game say as away to Reading, Sheff. Utd, Boro and Ipswich without him...could we...

Yes i to am disapointed that Pritch is almost for sure on his way..and it hurts more right now as we saw a real good partnership forming with him and Madders..but whats new? To be a fan of our club means dealing with the reality of our club..likely the only true self funding football club in the entire top two divisions. I hear so much talk of us being small, pathetic, amateurish etc etc..blame it on Delia blah blah..but its realism, pragmatic and absolutely professional to sell on our players for a decent sum, in this case a profit. We knew it was coming so lets get it done, move on and see what develops  before the window closes.

[quote user="king canary"]Mashiter has just tweeted that Huddersfield have made a second, ''significantly higher offer'' than the £5m we rejected.[/quote]This is the one that really adds credence to this story. If Mashiter is saying the offer is significantly higher then 11 mill would seem to be about right. Really need to think that if the finer details are being worked on, then this instance the Sun were bang on the money and Pritch is on his way.Maybe this opens the door for Naismith to get back in the team and start earning the wages we pay him...i know, i know..hes not a Pritch, but hes earning a lot here and is a City player.

[quote user="Alex "]£11 million for Alex Pritchard, contracted to us till 2020 is an absolute joke, for a relatively young English player better than Jacob Murphy. We could easily get that for him in the summer. No coincidence there’s been an upturn in results since he came back into the side (with Tettey, granted). Despite what people say, we’re not out of the Play Off picture just yet, but surely will be if we lose him. I trust my club to do the right thing, but not £11 million in the January transfer window - that would be ridiculous.[/quote]Would be disapointing Alex...but not ridiculous. If there is 11 million on the table then City will take it..after all hes one of the high earners and we all knew he would be away at some point. He could get crocked between now and summer or any one of many scenarios..fact is we all know the club had  more cloth cutting to do, in a perfect world we would as fans no doubt hoped it was Naismith going, not Pritch..but it is what it is.

I agree with lincoln, in any transfer window there are literally hundreds of useless rumours in "club A  are interested in club B''s player", but looking at how the reports have come out today suggest that its near to the mark as to whats happening. Archant factually come out with Huddersfields initial 5 mill "testing the waters" bid and a bit later the Sun break the up to date info.What the Sun are claiming is much more than just an interest, its that just the finer details are being hammered out. If there is complete untruth about this story then the Sun are going to be made to look stupid and i know...it would not be the first time thats happened. But could we be so lucky?..This is City we are talking about..Redmond went for 11 mill..Jacob for 12 mill...so Pritch going for 11 would be  no surprise sadly.We need this deal wrapped up quickly if its true..to find a replacement before the month ends.

HITC saying clubs have agreed a deal for Pritch at 11 mill..a 4 and half year deal, but finalising is still ongoing.

[quote user="kingsway"]I personally disagree with Farkes treatment of Russell Martin since the Millwall debacle cause he was far from being our worst player that day. That said, though if Martins not going to feature now then for the sake of relieving the club of most or all of the surely highest earner Martins wages will beneficial! When Martin does go we will need another rightback cause that leaves Pinto as our only player in that position![/quote]Hence why we are in for young Ebuehi from Den Haag, only 22 and a Nigerian international. Nick Mashiter seemed certain we were after him and Nick is prolly the only journo reliable enough with his info that makes me think theres solidity behind it.With Russ seemingly resigned to leaving and with Wes likely to end his days at end of season, with the likes of Godfrey, Thomson, Adams etc. hopefully making their mark with us next season, is not just the change of personnel but the change in the average age of the squad that is so noticeable now.

Agree with Lincoln. Thinking of that day 2 years ago this month when Naisy and Timm were both rolled out together and Timm saying how Naismith ran around on the training ground like a madman. Great banter between them that day. How fortunes have gone so differently for them. Timm started off in a defence of old aged guys  clearly past their best in Martin, Bassong, Bennett and Whitts and now has Zimbo, Hanley and Raggett, had to personally adjust from the Prem into  the Champs arena and for me has been worth every penny of the money we paid for him. Agree to that Naismith has to still be a decent player but for whatever reasons it just never worked out for him here. Really hope that his situation is sorted out asap which is in the best interests of him and our club.

Far to negative MP..lower half of Champs the best to hope for? Despite two apalling runs, at start of season and again after Arsenal we are 9 points from play offs with 20 games to go. You cite a list of names there and of course given a Prem club comes a knocking with its prospect of higher wages and City cant refuse a to good a offer then sure those guys would be off to the Prem...what player would not? But heaven sake, dont under estimate their desire to give their all for the club..im positive that all of them..maybe barring Naismith..love being here and not urgently seeking new pastures. Look at Pinto..given the captaincy and since day one has said nothing but positives about the club and the area. Timm Klose, another one..has he really been here 2 years already?...and 18 months of that spent in the Champs. The amount of times the clubs fans thought he would be moving on..but still here and playing as well as gone with us.Having Premier League interest is one thing...as DF said it could be looked upon in a positive way..but actually bidding...and bidding high enough to attract City to sell a top player, and for the player to agree all personal terms..are something quite different indeed. Its simple...the club are under no financial pressure to sell anyone this month, hence they can afford to slap big asking prices on their best guys. If any Prem club decide they will pay said amount, then of course City would sell...as would any other Champs team.Last 2 or 3 years, as ever has been, we seen a raft of players leave our club, for decent money..Bradley, Hooper, Olssen, Redmond, Jacob M, Howson etc but the club is still here and my optimism has not dimmed for the now and the future. Of huge importance to me was how Webber arrived, immediately got stuck into the overhaul, clearing out the Laffertys, Turners and Whittakers etc and setting up a  new style on and off the pitch. Guys like Pritch and Madders are finally starting to blossom under DF and the young guns of City are going thru the hoops and being given every chance to move forward in their young careers here, I also am impressed how many young City starlets are loaned out to L1/2 clubs to give them actual playing minutes. This post is getting long so i''ll conclude with DF''s words...that Prem interest in City players is a good thing.

[quote user="Woodman"]Wasn''t the pic taken at the Holiday Inn with Farke confirmed as Onel Hernandez, a Cuban born German winger? Originally thought to be Collin Quaner, currently playing for Huddersfield. If he does come, that facilitates Russell Martin''s move to Rangers - to provide cover for Pinto (or to replace him if he goes when the next round of selling the high earners happens in the summer).[/quote]Dont know if it was ever 100% confirmed as being Hernandez, but anyway, seems Norwich hotels are not the safest havens if you''re looking for transfer negotiations / interests anonymity.

Supposedly seen in a Norwich hotel..wonder if its that same pic that was floated around the media a few days ago with DF in the pic also?..a couple of names were bandied about then as to who it may have been..if it is the same pic then this Dutch journo seems to think its Ebuehi from Den Haag. Is''nt that who Trybull recently played for? Anyway, 4 days into the window and the transfer rumour circus is nicely getting up to speed.

[quote user="king canary"]14 wins? We''ve managed 9 in 26 so picking up 14 wins in 20 is not happening.[/quote]How many of those 26 games did we have the likes of half a season injured (Pritch, Lewis) guys and quarter of a season (Tettey, Trybull) guys all fit and all playing in the same eleven? And you cant deny they all had good form against Millwall. I just posted in another topic, if and yes its an if, Farke can now be lucky to go on a string of fixtures with such an eleven, it could be interesting to see what can be achieved.

[quote user="Jim Smith"]What is bugging me at present is this "well we won;t go down and we won;t go up so its all about transition and rebuilding" attitude that seems to have spread amongst many in the fanbase to the extent that many seem happy just to write off this season (again). our best chance of promotion (which has to be the ultimate goal) remains through the playoffs this season. its a slim chance, admittedly, but we should be doing everything we can to try and take it. quite why people think the team is likely to be better in 2 years time than it is nnow when we will have sold anyone vaguely decent who can command a fee is beyond me.[/quote]Agree totally with posters such as Lakey and Badger. Have quoted you Jim as what you say just might have some merit. I to am of the opinion that likely we will finish mid table, but goodness me its an opinion that''s not set in stone. We have had to wait half a season for the likes of Pritch and Jamal Lewis to regain fitness, also a couple of months or more for Tettey and Trybull to get their solid partnership back together. Now that the madness of xmas and new year is out the way and providing we keep this team together thru this transfer month, im eager to see what Farke''s main eleven can do on a sustained run of fixtures. Once Chelsea is done and dusted we have a pretty testing string of matches to really see what this team can do. Only 9 or 10 points outside 6th place, slim possibly yes, but with 20 games still to play we should still allow ourselves to dream because its still there for the taking.

McGovern is on decent wages YnG? How much exactly?..would be interested to know what a decent wage is. Anyway, all the guys on that list, far as i know, none of them have been put up for sale or asked to move, so its merely conjecture based on a sole reason that they have not been regular first teamers this season.As for the no contractors at end season, there sure seems to be a good case for saying bye to Wes, Jones and Toffolo, but of course would be nice if somehow we could keep Tettey here awhile longer. Ditto Angus, if Man. City could be persuaded to loan him another season that would be good. Harrison Reed?...i dunno, hes been good though not great, but im hoping on Farke bringing more young uns thru, hoping Louis Thomson and Godfrey can make the grade  like Lewis has done.

[quote user="norfolkbroadslim"]Would you be happy with that?  Presumably a massive influence would be what was done with the money?[/quote]I would not be happy or sad, but maybe the club itself could find the money useful. Anycase, trying to put a transfer fee figure on a Maddison sell is a pointless exercise, may as well guess how many grains of sand there are on a beach.DF made it quite clear no one has knocked on his door asking to leave along with the club telling him there is no urgency to sell anyone so outside of any crazy fee offers for any player (such as a tenner from West Ham to have Jarvis back) then im hoping and mostly expecting a quiet month for exiting City players.

 So many new faces arrived in the summer, strange how some like Husband and Watkins so far have not worked out, while others, when they first arrived were thought to be here only as fringe players, such as Trybull and Zimbo, but have become mainstays in the team. Trybull in particular has exceeded expectations by a country mile. Was a free agent if i recall and seemed to have done nothing of note at the club he left. A gem has been dug up, one we should absolutely nail down for a longer contract.

Way to much emphasis in this topic about Burton''s previous stats, but i understand that of course, after all its part of the "Along Came Norwich" syndrome, which even Paddy Davitt succumbed to. And yay would you believe it, we have another for Monday, Millwall''s current away record stands at played 12, w0, d6, l6.But i fully agree with Lakey, in fact i was not even surprised at the team selection put out, given that DF  had more than dropped enough hints that he would make changes at the pre match presser. Absolute fact that Tettey, Lewis, Pritch, Trybull etc had been out injured for months, is a squad game and to pitch them into 3 games in 6 days would have been nuts. As for Burton away is easier than Millwall at home, who says?Any league table during the course of a season is only as good as the next set of fixtures of course, the only finality being when all have played 46. But as it stands the away point at Burton moved us up 2 places to 13th, the home point for them dropped them 2 places to 23rd.As for lack of club ambition, that is a mantra thats absurd. Neil failed to get us up last season, relying on a worn out old, aged defence and a mix of to many bought high wage earners that never  made the grade and selling decent existing players to keep the club on even keel. The club faced reality of what had to be done for the immediate future of NCFC, not for any other club and at same time plumped for a complete new set up and style that had never been tried at this club before. To do both things together was hugely ambitious in my eyes.The city squad got us an away point on Saturday, yes playing dire stuff indeed. But if you fans who think we are not being competitive in this division want to support a club who are, go try the other ex Prem teams such as Reading, Hull, Sunderland, QPR and others who currently sit proudly below us in the table.

[quote user="kick it off"][quote user="Rogue Baboon"]I think Naismith to Rangers is the most obvious transfer out there. Always had a feeling he wants to return there and it would happen at some point - January seems like a good time for all parties (although not sure what they would pay in terms of a fee)[/quote]Don''t think it matters what they pay in terms of fee. It''s probably the one place that would lure him away (presuming that he will have to take a wage cut to go anywhere), and his wages will probably cost us the best part of 3 million if he sees his contract out here. Good move for all parties I think - we get a non-contributor off the wage bill, Rangers get a player who will probably immediately be one of the best players in their squad and is already a fan favourite, and Naismith gets to go back to a club where he is idolised, an area he knows well and likes and the opportunity to put himself back in the Scotland squad.[/quote]Naismith is not as idolised up there as you may think kio. in fact to many fans its the opposite, all to do with how he and other players left the club during the Rangers fiasco of a few seasons ago. Memories of things such as that die slowly in the minds of football fans, but of course should he move back there and quickly bang a few goals in, then it would be forgotten in an instant.

[quote user="Rhubarb"]  " There''s only one L Hernandez "  [/quote]I guess 4 or 5 Rhubarb..maybe we are going for a team squad of 65 players..all on very modest wages...if so then we definitely do need to move on Naismith which should keep the wage level at status quo at the very least.

All indicators point to a phantom investor indeed heading to NCFC..on the very same day that a phantom Motorway is finally opened in Norfolk.