smooth

It is a really interesting debate actually. I would agree that if we get the recruitment right our midfield base of 2 would see 2 more defensive shields allowing Mclean to play in that 10 role for some games. I think for the balance of the team that can work well. But that requires those 2 central midfielders being new additions, possibly if Skipp came back we know what we would be getting. I make the point in some games, I can see Mclean or Lungi playing alongside a new defensive midfielder, but if that player was to get injured I would also have concerns. Therefore I feel we need 2 players for the key position, it could be Skipp and another, but more likely 2 new additions. I also feel this is in an ideal world as we do have to upgrade striker number 2, number 10, one more wide player, Centre half and possibly a full back and bring back Nyland. So a busy Summer. We had this debate the last promotion when we had more attacking full back play and less defensive strength, but I do believe that a nice sold base in those 2 positions allowing Kenny to play further forward will work in some games. Some people said we did not need 2 defensive shields and I agree at times I would rather see us more on the front foot. But with our full backs, Buendia, Mclean, cantwell and pukki you would have a good amount going forward still. I also would like to see Dowell get his chance in the 10 position, although of course he can challenge Cantwell and Buendia in their roles. But also a new addition to the 10 role that has a record of scoring more goals. We need goals outside of Pukki next year and that 10 position needs to provide them. I cannot see Vrancic or Stiepi playing in that role next season. It is a fascinating window but I also believe the centre back links we have been part of are of the calibre we need to be looking at. We need to get in strength through the group and bench that is on par or better than what we have.

Just watched a few videos and he looks very good. He looks strong, his positioning is very good, pace and great reading of the game. Let's get busy early and if this is a link then keep this quality in the mix. This is the type of player we need, from the write up and video. Players from the championship are going to cost much more, but he looks a perfect fit for what we need. We certainly should be busy in the transfer market. Def need a centre half and possibly 2 defensive midfielders, will Skipp be one? If skipp doesn't join then Lungi as cover possibly. But we saw last prem campaign injuries to key positions hindered us. We need that DM position truly covered it is so important in this league and in our style of play.

Gordon, it has been a fantastic season, fantastic season. Look where we were for most of last season before the pandemic and how we have now acquired players like Skipp on loan, Gibson and Dimi. We have built a philosophy of reaching high and taking players with us, we have turned a very flat feeling after the end of the prem season to one with flow and attractive football. We have achieved our goal this season, we have others this season. It is fantastic. It means that next season we have to strive to be better with a higher level of competition. Improvement, responsibility collectively and individually will be required at a higher level next season. Constructive criticism is fine at all levels of management, as we have heard Farke is meticulous about that. I like that, I want our manager striving to get the best, whether that is with new competition fighting for a spot against a stalwart starter this season or if it a genuine starter. We have had many recent promotions through great cohesion, technically ability and momentum. Many things I am grateful for but we have never addressed the bite and aggression in tackles or physicality we have needed across the park for the prem. We need to improve our squad for next season, we need players on the bench who will make a difference at prem level. So our recruitment begins and there are areas to improve now we have the means, finances and prem league football. It is not a bad thing it should be embraced rather than thinking we need to sell a star player to stay afloat or if we realise we don't have star players for whichever league we are in. Roll on the summer and new additions to build our squad into a better group. There are positions that we all have outlined and centre half, defensive central midfield, number 10, striker etc. There is a lot we can do in-house and have with many players improving each season. But now we build again for a Premier league campaign.

Mary Whyte tonight I have filled up one of my belgian beer glasses with a belgian beer and hoping we can keep it going. I will be wearing my norwich shirt tomorrow in Salisbury with pride.

Hugill we will be part of squad but we need new additions and a centre forward in thd pukki mould is needed. So he will be 3rd choice. I like the idea of 4 strikers and of course Idah may go on loan so there may be another. But Hugill will be part of the team but we need better challengers to pukki

Hugill we will be part of squad but we need new additions and a centre forward in thd pukki mould is needed. So he will be 3rd choice. I like the idea of 4 strikers and of course Idah may go on loan so there may be another. But Hugill will be part of the team but we need better challengers to pukki

I have just moved to Salisbury, from Watford, a great city with a cathedral with a series and fantastic city centre pubs. Sounds familiar;) Tonight I am watching the game at home but I know there is a keen Norwich fan on my road with Norwich memorabilia, always in a window!!! I am very keen to help celebrate a promotion and hopeful title celebration with you. So I will introduce myself so we can celebrate together with a drink or 2

I think having the full week to prepare is great and we had that 'ugly win against Derby after the thumping of the terriers. These are still stiff tests and I am glad we still have them, we need to push over the final line and take momentum into next season. Always beating the teams closest is satisfying and I feel we will be very much at the races for both Watford and Bournemouth. I do feel we have grit, belief, ability and the right approach for our end of campaign. I also feel we have proven that as a tactically prepared team we can muscle in more this season than 2 years ago. I hope we have a good week at Colney preparing and getting ready for this run in. This time last year we all felt very different and it is great to see this change in fortunes from a team that have fully deserved it.

This pretty much sums up my view and opinions on a few threads for POTS. Hanley and Gibson have been great but Hanley was under pressure, he has led as a captain should, helped new players 3 left backs this season, 1 young goalkeeper in burden, partnered 3 centre halves and performed at a high level. I would 100% agree Move klose

He challenges those runners through the middle, he uses his balance and strength brilliantly. He understands what he can do when his team is under pressure, he is secure with the ball at feet, he covers marauding full backs. He understands positional sense and when he challenges it gets the ball he looks to move forward. I do like his ability to break up a breakaway or understand the cynical foul (we fell so short of that last year) If he returns fantastic, there will be many disruptive players across Europe but he knows the guys and that is big. He will be in the mix for certain but I would say that it will be tight, Buendia is the best player I have seen in a NCFC shirt and is the best player in the championship. But I would 100% agree that Skipp has been exceptional and finally he is showing the attributes that all us NCFC fans have been wanting in that shirt for 4-5 years or at least the last 3 promotions. Tettey needed competition and right now Skipp is performing so highly.

I agree with a lot of the posts here. I was chatting earlier about how he has been so impressive this year. True captains performance throughout the season, has built a great partnership with Gibson and has led by example with new players in that back line and of course with Barden for some games in goal. He is a player worthy of talking in the player of the season conversation. Yes buendia, skipp, pukki have been in that conversation most of the year and other players too, but Hanley deserves to be in that conversation.

I have tried to work this out and the roku stick and remote never worked for any NCFC game that was on midweek on the red button. The only games I can access are the ones on sky channels through nowtv I have read that if you run it through a PlayStation the Red button works, but tbh I have no idea and grumbled too many times ha ha

For me our model does bring in a level of respect from a player to our ongoing development and success as NCFC. If any bid for any of our players meets the valuation that the club decides is fair then they will allow conversations to flow, I am not naive to say that agents, clubs and other parties can manufacture moves but after the interest in Aarons in January from Roma and the reported pieces by the player himself and Webber it was handled in a certain way. Our model is to develop and prepare players to be the best they can be here but also elsewhere, a number of players have grown up after being in the spotlight and proved they belong in it by staying in it, many this season at CR and those that have flown the nest and performed at other clubs. I am delighted when a player moves that he performs, Morris, Godfrey, both Murphys, Madders etc. Lewis will continue to develop and again with the right formation and tactics is a premier league left back. Buendia can be a perfect piece to build a team around any established European team from the more prominent leagues looking to play in the Europa but more likely Champions League. We have seen this player light up the championship previously, be part of a team that at times played superby in the premier league but injuries and other factors led to relegation. The rebuild over the summer of confidence, process, desire etc is superb this season and Buendia is a player that again has lit up the league by showing his exceptional talent, a number of his goals and assists are outstanding and if he did them in the premier league he could well be on the back pages of the national papers instead of just the write ups. He is that exceptional. Long let in continue, the time will come and he has just a new born so the family are getting settled, that may help with some things. One thing I will say is what Farke, Webber and the coaching team have done has made a player develop year on year. Previously there have been some that have been sold after a year and TBH I always would look and think they can't get any better and so the price is the ceiling for that player. We have seen it in the past and I am sure there are still some players in our future where we will miss out on a big selling fee. But right now we have Buendia, Aarons, Cantwell and a few others growing each and every week and season.

He is a very creative player and one that already has many championship teams and players fearing. At 19 that is quite a reputation. His level now warrants 8 million as he can grow into a very good player in his early 20s and beyond. I am sure many are watching him and rightly so, it could be that we see him as an option. I think the number 10 position is certainly up for grabs and is very important for us next season. I would hope we also are willing to get a player who can bring it from day 1 as we need this position to tick and have Dowell, Stiepi and others as back up.

Buendia is the most technical gifted player I have seen since going to Carrow Road in the late 80s. His vision is exceptional, weight of pass, anticipation of what a defender will do as he struts by. He has great balance, he makes incredible passes on the volley, can shoot when no one else would think they could, he has tenacity. He is a player I am thankful I have seen many times but I will say when you watch him on TV he is still a joy to watch. Huckerby was that x factor, maddison also and a few others most definitely over my time being a supporter. But I would say Buendia is exceptional. Hence why with him not going on international duty we have the best player in the league and he wants prem football and he can turn a game instantly. Preston certainly will have their hands full with him.

Farje mentioned we are finding a solution to the defensive shape for the next few games. Tettey, Lungi and Omobamidele would have been aware and the group would be preparing for thus. Communication would have been made with players on international duty so all the group are in the know. We will have a number of players back ready for Preston and we also have one of our best players who did not even go on international duty, Buendia. Yes there will be growing pains with a new system but we have a great group that will rally around 'to finish the job' I say bring on the game and bring on huddersfield, let get into them and move forward

This is the second game of a run of 3 big games before the international break. A few distractions with call ups etc and a very good win at Sheffield Wednesday will put us in a good place. Sheffield Wednesdays' game plan was executed very well in the first half and we struggled to be as smooth as we can. But we showed bottle and desire to get back in to the game coming back to win after conceding first. I mentioned earlier some teams fold quickly when they go behind and when they feel the team they are playing are going to score anytime, you can see it. So I would love us to get out at them. A draw is certainly not a bad result with a home game (hopefully with a win) to finish the 3 games. So I would like 4-6 points from these 2 games before the international break. But tonight I can see a win 2-0, hopefully keeping the performance levels high. It has been a highly demanding season and I hope we can keep it going by raising our game one more level for a final push.

It is a sensible move. Ask the question. If the conversation last year took a couple of months to get over the line then Skipp being here this season means he can see what he would be getting here on loan next season too. Skipp will know the group, philosophy, style and the area etc next year if he were to be here. But he would also be aware we would be the underdog in almost every game. There will be suitors from current premier league teams too, I am certain. It is an easier conversation with Skipp being here this season. Of course there are 3 parties in this conversation and we do not know what spurs think. I am sure we will be looking at other alternatives, we have said over and over this is the critical position we have needed to get right for years. Tettey had always performed well but he has not had any competition until now and possibly lungi is showing some grit too. But it's the right thing to do and see where we potentially are.

I think if at the end of the season we have secured promotion, then we will then see the great deal of work our scouting team are doing now and also what this group has learnt. As fans we have seen our club go up and make mistakes in the past that have cost us, and Webber himself said some of the moves last year did not work. Of course not every move can work out but I really feel we will be looking at some very good additions, if Gibson and Dimi are examples of the calibre then it is a good step up. We have a group of 4 strikers, with the GOAT, carrying the load due to injuries and our style of play. Idah is a player who will get on a little scoring run we have seen him be in the right place, show strength, desire and an ability to shoot. Hugill has found the net and has improved in performances, certainly he will be a squad player for next year. Soto, looks to be a real natural finisher, poise, great balance and read of the game. He will be learning from the other 3 and his ceiling is potentially very high. I expect a striker, a centre half (in addition to Gibson), a defensive midfielder (could be skipp on loan again but I think unlikely as Spurs will want to play him) and potentially a number 10 - sounds similar to the last promotion really. Of course this does not account for any of our talent leaving. We cannot make the same mistakes as years gone by and quite happy for a player who has done it previously and has age and experience on his side. We can have youngsters that are here to improve but some wise heads can help the camp. But of course the season is not over and Dowell, Hugill etc may show masses of improvement. We are building something here and Dimi, Placheta, Onel and others will all be ready to unleashed in the premier league with new vigour. Finally of course we are not up yet so let the boys prove it now and keep on gaining points and develop into better players.

Agree with a lot here, yesterday was a possible banana skin against a well drilled team. If Gibson is fit he comes straight back in. We have had that discussion when our 'better' players come back or are ready to be in contention. He hasn't out too long just hope he is back for Brentford. You for the 3 points with Wycombe and this not resting a player. We can rest and change up players later in the season when more points are on board and their are less games to go. You do not want to lose momentum and I also feel teams will begin to feel beaten before the start of the game soon. If we look fragile or indecisive that presence leaves us. That is what we want to create, doubt, fear and a beaten opposition before the game starts. Keep the games coming and keep going guys

Vrancic starts, no question. Breaking down birmingham is going to be very, very difficult. I would rather have vrancic in the side in case we get a free kick in shooting distance. This is going to be a very hard game, we are going to have to be patient, play our most astute football to break them down. They will happily have us play in front of them so moments of quality are needed to score. There were a few chances against rotherham we did not take. So now we need to take them

Hogesar, I see your point. However I would say any player can learn from others. McLean is often tailing players and gets out of position so I hope he learns from Skipp. I know he will learn from a few of his very misplaced passes. He has shown he has raised his game a bit this season. Just want him to improve to not be a jack of all trades so he can stamp a position for next year. We will see.

I will admit earlier this year he played at a very good level. He has recently had some shocking moments and I mean shocking. Since he joined he struggled to get in the team, he then joined during the run in to our championship win and he was probably our most unimpressive midfielder at that point. That is because the midfield had been so good that year, he came in and did a job but we felt there were players who should have been back with McLean making way. As NCFC fans we have seen us go to the premier league and not purchase the right midfielder in many years. That defensive commander who had an engine and voice. It was the position where McLean was playing. If we go up we know we need that player still, that is another story. Can mclean play alongside that player? Well he needs to prove it, I do think we have rupp, lungi and who knows if we go up. I feel that he is a jack of all trades and that is not the player that I think is ideal if we go up to be a starter. If we stay down he and lungi are a great midfield but will he take us to the next level I think not. So a good squad player if we go up, but he needs to stop making mistakes and learn better positioning from skipp for the rest of the season.

The fee was always to high, I think he would have been a perfect fit after promotion if the fee was sensible. But it wasn't. He brought nous, commitment, leadership, strength on the ball and goals. Unfortunately the fee was too much and Drmic didn't work out. Always pleased to see him do well but obviously not a topic with the transfer window is closed for any reinforcements other than the good business we did do. It is a lesson however that we do need to learn as we have seen us go up before and sign Ashton in January and sign players that maybe were not an upgrade in what we had in the promotion team and also not realising that we needed more than 3 strikers. It costs money but we have learnt and if we go up this season I think it will be a very interesting summer.

I dont think pukki's chances were great last night. The ball from Cantwell was going to take a sublime finish as he was running away from goal and woodman had the goal covered. The second option probably looks worse on tv, yes it was rising but it could have bulged in the net. We are looking toothless and providing him with tough chances. Idah came on and gave a difference with 2 up top. Reaction is 100% needed and was needed after the last 2 performances. Results have been ok, with draws it is the performance. For me we have never found 4th gear this season and it makes me think maybe we have but our 4th gear is not as good as seasons past.