Dirty Lyle

Afternoon Temp, hope the trip back to Crewe was OK. I think I have inadvertantly started the Sign McKenna campaign in another thread. Having just got back to work from Sunderland though I have to say that their left winger (Sean Thornton I think) looked useful too and would perhaps be a better bet if Sunderland dont go up.

Sorry Irish, WLY is Paul McVeigh as in "We Love You".

I wish Clint all the best but what use is a footballer who cannot play at temperatures below 20 degrees C? I hope Mr Perma-tan finds a new club somewhere nice and warm.

Most improved player - I wanted to say Malky or Flem both of whom have quietened the doubters to the point that there is an almost unanimous consensus that they should start next season together (Malky''s Scotland call up indicates this and as John Terry appeared to be limping last night Flem has to be going to Portugal!) However I would give it to Greeno. We knew he was good before but now you can put a serious argument for him being the best English keeper out there and deserves a place on the plane to Portugal. As much as Hucks has done for us this season, promotion wouldn''t have been achieved so easily without Greeno''s extraordinary saves which have secured us three points at times when the pressure was on. Most disappointing player - I agree with the Rivo argument as there is no excuse why he shouldn''t be playing a greater part. But for me, the biggest disappointment was Zema. He must be gutted that he has been out of the scene for so long. There is a chance too that he will be released soon and another club will get the benefits of a fully fit Zema and Im sure he will vindicate our original decision to buy him. Without ever being able to prove himself without an injury we cannot tell how good he could be.

Mullers is safe for now. His position in the pecking order will be threatened if Koumas or someone similar arrives. Even so with the midfield being lightweight we cant discard a player of his quality unless the offer is right or he wants to leave - both of which are unlikely. IMHO the player who should be watching his back is WLY who has had an average season after being given ample chance. He may not have the necessary qualities for the Premiership could be physically dominated there. He will drop behind any wide midfielder that NW brings in either on permanently or on loan. NW could be istening to offers for him.

Holty has had an excuse over the previous two games... Remember he was stretchered off against Denmark? His performance against Sunderland was below his usual high standard but wasnt for a lack of trying. Hopefully he will have a rest this and be bossing Crewe about come Sunday. On sheer commitment to the cause no one is more deserving of a new contract. Well done Gary, you Champion you!

I really hope this rumour is more Carl Cort than Darren Huckerby. I dont think he would add anything to the squad. Between us and the Baggies he is more likely to go to them as he won''t have to relocate - or am I being too logical? BTW, I have been struggling since the mighty Clint was released (is terminated more appropriate?). Never again will the phrase "Even Clint could have done better than that!" be uttered. NW needs to give serious consideration to replacing the gaping hole in our squad. Fair play to Clint though, he was there when we needed him and had a decent season in the playoff year.

We don''t have the same problem as Arsenal who have to play Keown every game to get Mr Sourface his medal so no reason not to play 4-3-3 with our usual team and stuff Crewe good n proper. Mulryne, Jarvis and the Big Man all to come on NW to be professional to the end.

Commons looks quality but have to agree he is not Premiership quality - besides he recently signed a contract extension at Stoke. Temp and I agreed that Paul McKenna of Preston looked "magic" on Saturday and may be worth sounding out. Also the Mackems left winger on Tuesday night (Sean Thornton) I think looked very dangerous, quick with good feet giving Eddie some trouble.

The Mackems really are a great bunch. I hope they get up through the playoffs because their fans deserve to be in the Premiership. Best of luck lads and hopefully next season Sunderland away will be on a saturday so we can all go out drinking together afterwards!

I sincerely hope NW doesn''t play CM. It is dangerously addictive and leads to neglect of virtually every other aspect of your life if my experience is anything to go by. He gets to do it for real anyway. Interesting way to find players for City though, I shall send out my scouts tonight!

I agree its good to see a balanced debate on this topic and also that if they complement and improve our squad at the right price it doesn''t matter who they are or where they come from. If NW thinks they are worthy of wearing the colours then they have my support. However, I think it would be unrealistic to burden a player who moves across the border with the venom that would be spat in their direction by those less openminded than the posters in this thread. The example of Andy Marshall is an indication of this. We need players that will settle quickly into Premiership football, ex blues would not be given this chance.

Definitely getting another away season ticket next year after getting one for this season. Until recently there was a better atmosphere amongst the fans away from home (more singing/banter etc) but the home games have been great too since the new stand opened/promotion etc. It is a big time commitment especially with the longer trips and of course the cost of travelling. If you can afford it in time and money I would recommend it especially if you are an exile.

Always a pleasure to see Gunny attempt to nut the crossbar but I agree with Jonzey on this. A testimonial year is organised not only to recognise the player''s contribution to the Club but to provide some element of financial security for the future. Iwan, I suspect is not in need of financial help, especially with the job offers he must be receiving, so any testimonial would be to acknowledge the respect and love of the fans. In Iwan''s case the Preston game serves the adulation purpose. If, however the proceeds of any game were to go charity then it would be a worthwhile event. Having said all of the above the man is a hero and if a testimonial were arranged I would certainly be there.

Iwan wants a medal (extra motivation for the others if they needed it) - the way the team is playing should not altered significantly by giving him a start. Perhaps add Jarvis to the bench as well and give the Big Man the last 15 if the result is right (or if we are drawing) but take him off for Jarvis in injury time after his last goal in front of the Barclay wins us the match. There won''t be a dry eye in the house.

My first game was the final match of 1985-86 season (i think although it might have been the year after) as a nipper against Everton at CR. Everton had to win the game to become champions and did so 1-0. Pat van den Haawe scored after 45 seconds I believe! Was sitting in the old family enclosure in the South Stand and went with my Dad as part of a Sunday School outing! Ironic that it was Christianity that introduced me to City which has since become my religion. It was God''s way of showing me the light and telling me to support Norwich I suppose. The church bit has long since passed me by however.

Rick Waghorn always seems to manage to put into words what I cannot. "A chapter of legend is coming to a close" It just isn''t going to be the same. Anyone know of a young Premiership quality striker on a free who happens to be missing his front teeth?

Excellent work NMTD it would appear Mr Hoy and the club are telling porkies. However, Jim has opened the door onto the murky worlds of contract law and occupier''s liability. A contract is formed between you and the club when you buy a ticket. In return for your hard-earned you are granted access to watch the lads play subject to the Terms and Conditions on the ticket. I don''t have a ticket with me at the moment to verify these terms but Im sure one of you has. It would be interesting to know if there is anything concerning the steward''s right to confiscate offensive items (the stewards could argue this point about flags) or not affecting anyone else''s view of the pitch which a flag clearly would. There may be a general term that covers the issue. The owner/occupier of any piece of land has a general duty of care towards anyone on that land (even Binners) to see that they do not come to any harm and probably to go so far as to ensure their time on the land is safe. The club could argue this point that everyone has a right to watch the match in physical safety but this is a tenuous point riding on whether a flag could be construed as a weapon. If a flag is a "weapon" then there should be no flags at all at the ground and this should be made clear at the turnstyles. Then there are market forces. Naturally, as the street traders have fewer overheads they are able to offer cheaper merchandise than the club. People will always buy what they perceive as better value. In this case the club either did not stock the same products or theirs were more expensive. The club should not have a monopoly on Norwich City merchandise. They own the trademarks anyway so will always make money if there is a market by appealing to the quality end of the market with "official" products while the street traders deal in the cheaper end. Im all for the club making money but I can understand why some people bought flags at Watford last week as they were caught in the moment and wanted to be part of something special. The club should stop being so petty over what is really only a small amount of money and not penalise those who are simply swept away by all the euphoria. Lets all stay one big happy family.

I am gutted by this. I know he was old and slow and this was inevitable as the Premiership would have been too much but it is a sad day. Legend is not too strong a word to word to use and he is a top bloke as well. I hope he is successful in whatever he does next. He won''t be short of offers. It does make Saturday extra special as well.

Agreed. 10/10 for decisiveness.

Link - I believe the police have to take their share of blame because they will have advised the Council as to the limits of the parade according to manpower and resources available. Im frustrated because they have put an artificial limit on the celebrations (whether justified or not) which will mean people will not enjoy themselves as much. I just want to celebrate my team''s tremendous achievement like everyone who has commented on this thread but imagine my day will be curtailed by excessive red tape and planning which has been ill conceived. Pete - I obviously don''t want anyone to get injured and there has to be some supervision but this appears to be overkill. There are so many rules and regulations now that any public gathering is a sanitised occasion - especially where football is involved. We have all lost part of our freedom as a result. I think we all want the same thing - to see as much of the team as possible on the day - I am upset by the way it has been organised.

This whole business makes me angry and has been a totally bodged job. I dont think we could expect anything else from the joke that calls itself the Council. They are more interested in PC, H&S and not offending the non football public who may want to get on with their lives. They shouldn''t be allowed to get on with their lives, the whole City should grind to a halt (it doesnt normally need the a procession for this to happen anyway). The spineless idiots at the Council are simply afraid of large congregations forming for whatever reason because of the potential for litigious claims. Naturally all of this would be solved by having the procession/presentation on 15/16th May with the bus starting outside the City, passing City Hall and culminating at Carrow Road and the presentation of the trophy. What hope do the exiles have of making a 7.15 presentation on a week night without taking time off work (Im taking 2 days off for the Sunderland trip). That those of us who put in the emotional, physical and financial graft over season and the hard times before are being denying our true formal moment of glory by petty minded self serving individuals. The club is at fault for removing the pitch early but after everything they have done this season they can be excused one error - besides the seats could still be sold for any presentation even if the pitch was not there. Those culpable are the police and Council who should seriously consider their positions. Lets hope thats remembered come the local elections.

DD, Routledge did OK against us for Palace partly because Shackell had an off day. While Im sure he is a good player he may be lightweight for the Premiership. Besides, Palace need to determine which league they are playing in next season before before we consider asset stripping. Do the MK Dons have any other gems like Francis left or have they all blowing bubbles?

After missing only a couple of games all season, albeit on the bench, Paul Crichton may be a bit miffed to miss out on a medal JF!

According to the Football League website (updated at the start of the 2003-2004 season) we have a 3rd choice kit of sky blue and white halves with navy shorts and socks. This sounds like the Centenary shirt but I doubt we have ever worn it. Did the club nominate it as our 3rd choice kit as part of the centenary celebrations?