Tommo

Ruddy Martin Bennett Turner/new CB Garrido Fox/new DMC signing Bennett Howson Snoddy Jackson/new signing Holt I am hoping for new signings this week. Also need Whittaker and Butterfield back and in starting eleven. Johnson too slow and hasn''t got long range passing that Fox possesses. Think Vaughan will be on his way this week (unfortunately) so Jackson or new striker to play alongside Holt.

Hughton quote from yeterday "This won''t be the only defeat that we will have and it won''t be the only defeat that we will have by a few goals, but the players will want to react well" The lads cant be feeling that confident at the moment- with Lambert he managed to get the best out of the ability the lads have and went into every game trying to win. Yesterday just shows how uncomfortable the lads are with the 4-5-1 formation and trying to operate more defensively. Sloppy passing and unable to get our dangerous players (Howson, Snodgrass and Pilks) into advanced positions to support Holt. I remember last season when we went 4-5-1 but the difference was that Wes was there to pick up the knock downs from Morrison or Holt. Yesterday I was under the impression that Snodgrass was going to be deployed in that role but ended up on the wing and spending more time in our own half. We need to start Vaughan or Jackson with Holty to pull the opposition defence apart. I am not against us playing 4-5-1 in away games in the future but its got to be with an attacking creative midfielder just off Holt. Butterfield could be this man once he is back. Would also get Fox back in there to spray the passes out to wing and get us attacking. Garrido also in for Tierney- incredible how many times the long ball over the top into Duff was happening yet Tierney continued to play Duff on and be on the wrong side of him. Martin is a back up centre half and we need Whittaker back to get a more experienced head at right back (looked pretty useful at Celtic).

We looked very slow in moving ball in Midfield and Holty was so isolated upfront. Whilst Simeon Jackson needs to be more clinical infront of goal, he nevertheless does provide pace upfront and pulls defenders into different positions. This would then allow the likes of Snodgrass, Pilks, Howson etc to get up and support and create chances. It is early days and will be interesting to see if Hughton sticks to 4-5-1. There is likely to be more new faces through the door between now and end of August. We need a pacey striker, another centre back, reserve keeper and ball winning midfielder. Johnson is too slow and left our defence exposed too often today. Howson needs to play higher up the pitch as does Snoddy. Bennett should be starting on the right to give more pace and protection to Martin when he makes forward runs. Got to stay positive and in a perverse way getting tonked 5-0 could be a great wake up call to get us going this season

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/7976214/Lukaku-rules-out-Fulham-move Apparently close to deal with Premier League club on loan. Would be interesting signing if we got him but sounds like Sunderland and Stoke are more likely destinations.

As much as I like Leon, he isn''t up to premier league standard and if we are to improve, we need to bring in extra defender. Ward is also questionable when up against the better PL teams. James Nursey of the Mirror has tweeted earlier today that there are a few hurdles to Vaughan to Birmingham deal. Hughton also recently said that he will only bring in players if it fits with our transfer and wage structure. Its clear from recent press speculation over last month or so that he is an admirer of Curtis Davies so I am guessing the Vaughan and Ayala deals hinge on getting Davies in. Another striker definitely needed

Will only go if Vaughan can be used as part of deal to bring Curtis Davies to Carrow Road. We obviously don''t want to pay the asking price for Davies so are using Vaughan to broker a deal

http://www.thisisanfield.com/2012/07/left-back-robinson-wanted-on-loan/ Sounds like a promising player and would be a good move as Tierney is clearly first choice but definitely need cover

Looks like a strong possibility of a starting line up but reckon we need another midfielder in place of Johnson. McCann at Burnley has been mentioned, could he play the ball winning/deep lying playmaker role?

Apparently he is on the standby list for GB Olympic team:- http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/03/london-2012-daniel-sturridge-team-gb?newsfeed=true

http://www.eatsleepsport.com/west-ham-united/fresh-striker-link-1442380.html Recent article stating West Ham have moved on from trying to sign Holty. Could the announcement be a new deal? Hope there is a midday announcement today so we can move on and progress bringing in new players and getting ready for pre season.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/9790023.Quality_first_for_Burnley/ Apparently interested - anyone know anything about him?

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/fulham-qpr-track-mag-simpson-1-4630066 Apparently CH keeping tabs on him

From memory he went there for about £2m as was in last year of Leeds contract. Agree he is more of a forward player and if we keep Holty and could get Gradel and Snodgrass, it would be a great attacking line IMO

Would personally like us to sign him along with Snodgrass. Always looked a handful together and would be two more good wingers to alternate with Pilks and Benno. Snodgrass probably going to cost £4m but maybe able to get Gradel for around £3m from St-Etienne?

I think following Mcnally''s comments about looking to Europe for the next manager and for someone with top league experience, it seems to rule out the likes of Malky, Hughton, Lee Clark etc. At least it means that we can think a bit higher up the market than perhaps those young managers in lower leagues. I would be going for:- 1. Rafa Benitez- unlikely to afford his wages but nonetheless he might take the challenge short term to prove he still has top flight managerial ability 2. Roberto Martinez- seems to still have a loyalty towards Wigan but we should test this as am sure our current squad and future spending power this summer is greater than Wigan''s 3. Ruud Gullit- has previous experience of PL and am sure would jump at the chance to get back into management Other targets mentioned on here like Hughton, Holloway, Malky are just too risky IMO. Others like Bruce, McCarthy, Curbishley dont fit the mould of person that McNally has referred to in recent interviews. Interesting to see how it pans out but definitely want it resolving quickly so that we can get on with getting in the new players that are needed for us to kick on next season, as well as put the Holty issue to bed as I for one still want to see him at CR next season and beyond.

We have to be realistic in that if we go for a young and hungry manager they wont have that prem experience. Good difference pointed out in that when Grayson needed extra funds (not massive amounts) to bring in extra players for promotion push, he never got it. Holloway might have prem experience but ultimately they were relegated and his approach is too gung-ho with attacking. Other targets with prem experience who would consider coming here (McCarthy, Bruce) just dont do it for me. Grayson has to be considered for me, Bates and his lack of investment ultimately held Grayson and Leeds back and he took them as far as he could. Colin is certainly finding out the difficulties at Leeds as they slide down the championship table.

Apparently Lambert to sign 3 year contract.

The most frustrating thing about Lambert going is the sheer lack of obvious choice young and hungry manager of his mould who could work within the budget that we can offer. I agree about Malky and not convinced about Hughton either. Appreciate that there are doubts about Grayson but I think that he is still young and hungry, could attract the likes of Snodgrass, Rhodes to CR. He has also been tactically astute in some of Leeds recent FA cup scalps and I think he is worth at least a meeting with McNally etc to gauge his ability/motivation for the job

Number 1 choice for me. Not so long ago he was rated as one of the top up and coming managers. Has an eye for a player at reasonable price (Snodgrass, Gradel) as well as nurturing talent like Howson etc. He stagnated at Leeds because of Bates and I reckon with the funds available here, we could kick on and maintain our prem status with Grayson. Go get him Mcnally

My targets would be:- 1. Malky Mackay 2. Chris Hughton 3. Nigel Pearson 4. Dougie Freedman 5. Simon Grayson

http://www.squeakybumtime.com/premiership/3286/norwich-city-showing-interest-in-carl-jenkinson-loan-deal-from-arsenal/ Another rumour going round- any thoughts?

http://www.squeakybumtime.com/premiership/3277/swansea-manager-brendan-rodgers-looking-to-poach-wes-hoolahan-from-norwich/ Cant see this one happening personally, as well as cant see Sinclair going to Spurs for 9m. If we cant get anyone in then like Lambert I am more than happy with the current squad plus when Vaughan comes back he will be like a new signing for us as he really hasn''t had much game time yet. Hope he can finally put his injury problems behind him.

I can see De Laet being sent back due to injuries and also he really hasn''d been good enough. Gunter and Naughton on permanent deals for right back positions to enable De Laet to go back. With 2 loan options available, Delfouneso on loan from Villa and Gibson from Man Utd could be possibilities, especially as Lambert has talked up bringing more experienced lads who could hit the ground running. I think they both still have the attributes that Lambert would look for.

Just been confirmed on Arsenal website. Disappointing news but have full faith that Lambert has lined up some astute signings to keep us in the PL. Highly unlikely we will get anyone in before QPR game but sounds like Delfouneso on a temp loan is a possibility according to Footy Bunker website. Would also like to see Kebe and Jobi Mcanuff come in.

I would go with:- Ruddy Martin Ayala Barnett Tierney Fox Bennett Crofts Pilkington Hoolahan Holt Like others, I felt that we were too narrow against Wigan and looked more of an attacking threat when the two wingers came on. I would keep Russell Martin in the team as he is a quality right back and because of the pace of Moses last weekend, when Martin had made the runs forward and possession was lost, Crofts found himself having to quickly track back and cover. I am not suggesting dropping De Laet purely because of the Wigan howler but because I think Barnett and Ayala have more aerial ability and strength. De Laet would be a good cover for either CB or RB but shouldn''t be first choice in my opinion.