Canary Man of Kent

[quote user="JF"]Of all the comments on waccoe slagging us of and Howson of, this one made me laugh the most. "was only an average at best midfielder im sure matty pattison is just as good." Poor deluded Leeds fans![/quote]   That is surely sarcasm??!

[quote user="Bethnal Yellow and Green"][quote user="nutty nigel"][quote user="The Butler"] [quote user="Sports Desk Pete"][quote user="Twitchy"][quote user="CDMullins"]Jesus Christ, whats with the inner circle hissy fits ruining every thread?[/quote] This. [/quote] Agreed. People come on here expecting to discuss Norwich City, not to see grown men trade insults. This ends. Now. [/quote] Well said(typed) Pete! [/quote] Well typed Butler.   You people who never post about Norwich City or football just spoil it for the rest of us.   Now what do you think about Howson? Do you think the deal will go through? What difference do you think he will make to our midfield? Do you think someone will be sold or will he just give the others a hand?   I think the deal will go through but I thought that last year about the guy from Peterborough. I don''t think anyone will be sold but think he''s a good addition to what we have. I think he will help us play more direct football through the midfield and will also get beyond the strikers at times. And I think he will score goals. [/quote] Do you mean the guy from Cardiff? Forgotten his name now, but came in and failed a medical.   From speaking to Leeds supporting friends they say Howson is best just behind a striker, which confused me as we have a guy who is already pretty good in that position. But maybe Lambert has something else planned for young Jonny. Agree that he will get beyond the strikers and into scoring positions, which will be great as in many games this season there has seemed a massive gap between Holt/Morison and the midfield.   Would imagine he''ll sign later today or tomorrow, maybe announced in the build up to the reserves game whilst everyone is around anyway. [/quote]   I presume he was referring to CMS rather than Taiwo or whatever his name was.    

It''s still there when I open the link.

[quote user="Bethnal Yellow and Green"]It''s also interesting Naughton can''t play in the FA Cup, suggests there is the option for Tottenham to recall him if they need to.[/quote] Maybe, but could also just be that the final of the cup falls after the end of his loan.

That was probably the last low attendence of that season!!   That game was most definitely a watershed moment for the club.

The lads that started the "There''s only one John Terry..." chant were sat behind me in block Y6 row I.   They arrived in the ground drunk and it all started off in good spirits - i.e. loud but just that - and I''m all for that kind of support for the club. The problems started when QPR scored, I couldn''t see who it was aimed at, but one or two QPR kids in the area next to us were getting singled out and subject to some pretty serious threats. The police came and spoke to them, and they calmed down - from what they were saying to one another they were all familiar with the risks of continuing with their behaviour, in particular one of them who had been arrested at the Spurs game.   The threatening of the QPR fans continued throughout the game, in particular one of them saying "Remember this" (pointing at his fist) and saying "I''m going to cave your skull in".   A few times in the game they started the "One John Terry " chant, only once did it catch on a little bit, towards the end of the second half I think. The stewards must have seen who they were, didn''t do anything about it though. A guy in front of me turned round and said something to them in the end and they piped down pretty quickly - there''s no doubt they knew they shouldn''t be singing it, doesn''t make it right though.   I''m in two minds really as to whether to report it to the club. I''m fairly sure they weren''t in their allocated seats is my main issue with it.  

What''s your psn id? I''ll add you. It''s a great game :-)

[quote user="Webbo118"][quote user="Norfolk Mustard"] [quote user="Webbo118"]Lucky for us then that the games are actually played on grass. Not sure where the 85% and 60% figures come from. Out of a hat perhaps?[/quote] The figures are selected to make (in my opinion at least!) a very good point. I like this example and regarding the average % performance of certain players I will canvass the opinions of a couple of ex-pro''s and other professional sports performance specialists that I work with. Their valued opinions will not come out of a hat! [/quote] Ludicrous! Selected from what and from where. The average % performance of certain players? How on earth do you measure that? I''m sorry but you are living in a dream world but please feel free to enjoy it. [/quote] Webbo118

[quote user="BroadstairsR"] "Lawro," awful individual, uncharasmistic to the point of death it''self, unintersting, miserable, predictable. To refere to him as "Lawro" is far too affectionate for me.   Lawrenson, the W----r, is a more appropriate label.   At least most of the others, including Merson, have a bit of spark about them.   The "w----r," is , of course a partially incorrect, description as he gets a few things right in a very basic way.    But that''s not exactly difficult. Yet, for an ex-pro who has been there and done it, he is so remarkebly predictable.   Detest the man.  Rant over.   Can I now claim back some licence money? [/quote]   I agree. He puts forward a very limited view on things. He has been quite nice about us when I''ve seen him on TV of late though which makes a pleasant change!

[quote user="Webbo118"][quote user="Canary Man of Kent"] [quote user="Webbo118"]Lucky for us then that the games are actually played on grass. Not sure where the 85% and 60% figures come from. Out of a hat perhaps?[/quote]   Did you have a point to make? Or just showing off your skill with the quote button?   Pick whatever numbers you want for the relative performance of our squad and other squads, it doesn''t matter; the point is simply that Lambert gets more out of our squad than other managers get out of their''s.       [/quote] I do not disagree that we have a wonderful Manager who motivates and achieves beyond expectations. But to pick random numbers of relative performance is ridiculous and based on absolutely nothing of any substance. What ratings, for example, would you give Pulis, Ferguson, Mancini and Redknapp? As for poster''s skill, you aint half bad on the old keyboard. [/quote] You''re getting fixated on an irrelevance; as I said in my previous post, my point is simply one of relative performance and the numbers are simply to illustrate that. I would hardly call that ridiculous, it''s an opinion and it is put across as such, it''s not a fact based on Football365/Opta indices and nor is it claimed to be.   Don''t feel the need to reply if we''re just going to have to go over the same thing again. Of course, if you have a point to make, feel free to make it. The topic being discussed, I believe, is the rights and wrongs of Lawro in particular, but also Merson predicting us to lose.

[quote user="Webbo118"]Lucky for us then that the games are actually played on grass. Not sure where the 85% and 60% figures come from. Out of a hat perhaps?[/quote]   Did you have a point to make? Or just showing off your skill with the quote button?   Pick whatever numbers you want for the relative performance of our squad and other squads, it doesn''t matter; the point is simply that Lambert gets more out of our squad than other managers get out of their''s.      

To be honest, I can''t really blame Merson and Lawro for their predictions, they aren''t particularly sophisticated afterall. If you look at our squad on paper, i.e. just their raw ability and not the combined result that Lambert miraculously seems to generate, there''s only a couple of squads I would put us as on a par with.   We don''t have anyone as good as Jarvis at Wolves, Fletcher is a quality player and so is Roger Johnson (although I here he''s not on good form). Then you look at Everton and the likes of Saha, Cahill, Baines, Drenthe etc. Merson''s prediction said that if Everton play to their best there''s only going to be one winner - hard to argue with that.   My point is, is that if every team in the league played to their absolute best every week then I don''t think we''d get too many points. However, our average performance is probably about 85% of the maximum ability of our squad, whereas most other teams probably only reach about 60% on average. So yes, you might expect a Wolves/Everton etc etc win if you predict results in a world where every team turns up and plays their best each week, but that ignores our secret weapon - the Lambert factor! And long may that continue.   Seriously, who wants the pressure of expectation? That''s the very worst thing that could happen to us right now.

[quote user="priceyrice"][quote user="Canary Man of Kent"] I just typed out a message saying we should go 4-5-1, but on reflection, I think I''d rather see a proper 4-4-2 with no Hoolahan.   Usual back 5, Holt and Morison up front, and then Bennett, Pilks, Johnson and Fox across the middle.   I''d be worried about a diamond midfield with Jarvis in their team and you just can''t drop Holt at the moment but Morison would have to be the starter if only 1 up front I think.   I don''t think we''re good enough (and nor is Lambert stupid enough) to think that we can ignore opponents strengths and line up as we like. [/quote] Interesting you put Johnson in the lineup Canary man. I have held in in high regard since he joined, but recent weeks have seen him go off the boil a little. i actually put the blame for the goal against Everton on him, he was just sooooo slow and Drenthe (i think) just lost him with two touches, this was done on a good few occasions in the space of 10 mins on Saturday. On his day though i think Johnson offers us a bit more than crofts, but on recent performances i think Crofts deserves to keep his place. [/quote] I feel that Johnson uses the ball a little better than Crofts. I must say, I''ve missed the last couple of games though so I''m willing to defer to the judgement of those that have been at the most recent games.   The last away game I went to was Villa, and a major turning point in the game for me was Johnson going off injured and crofts coming on.    

I just typed out a message saying we should go 4-5-1, but on reflection, I think I''d rather see a proper 4-4-2 with no Hoolahan.   Usual back 5, Holt and Morison up front, and then Bennett, Pilks, Johnson and Fox across the middle.   I''d be worried about a diamond midfield with Jarvis in their team and you just can''t drop Holt at the moment but Morison would have to be the starter if only 1 up front I think.   I don''t think we''re good enough (and nor is Lambert stupid enough) to think that we can ignore opponents strengths and line up as we like.

[quote user="priceyrice"][quote user="CDMullins"] [quote user="Ben "]Wolves 1-3 Norwich - Holt double and Wesley to bang one in from 30 yards.[/quote]   Wes cant kick a ball 30 yards!   2-0 City, 1 each from Morison and Holt, either side of halt time [/quote] Haha, yeah I would be surprised if a shot from Wes from 30 yards even reached the goalline! What is everyone thinking about the lineup tomorrow. I would go the same team but with Bennet and Pilky in for Wes and Surman. i think these two will cause a lot more problems for Wolves, lets get some pace on the pitch and run at Wolves, getting some wide crosses in for the two on fire big men. Bennet can also aid in defending against Jarvis, my favourite Wolves player [/quote]   Jarvis is their dangerman no doubt about it. He led to Woodgate getting subbed after about 20 mins on Saturday! We definitely can''t line up narrow for this one, if we do the result will be the same as the Villa game with loads of balls fizzing across our 6 yard box one will go in eventually.

I agree with you CDM - a player like that would be great.   Problem is, if you want a proven player in that mould, you''re looking at £7m+. The only way I can see a really top calibre player coming in would be if we were to sign Naughton permanently and then get a loan in from one of the big 4.   Otherwise, someone like Albert Adomah or Matt Phillips (although I note he''s been out on loan at Sheff Utd, so not sure what''s up there). A player like Lallana would be great, but again I don''t think we have the money or the gravitas to lure him from St Mary''s.   I''m not sure who else there is. Players like Darren Ambrose, Snodgrass and Whittingham don''t fill me with masses of excitement. I don''t think Whittingham offers as much as Pilkington and probably not much better than Surman if at all. Snodgrass probably isn''t going to be worth the kind of money we''d have to pay to get him, and again he doesn''t have pace which is what we need. Ambrose is an interesting one - I think he could do a job, but I gather he''s lost a bit of pace over the last couple of years - definitely a good player though.   We will see - I trust Lambo, and he knows a lot better than I do without a doubt!

It''s games like this that make me really appreciate the value of points away at the likes of Everton and Liverpool and also wins like QPR and Newcastle - all of which could feasibly have not gone our way.   The pressure is really on Wolves, but I wouldn''t really say it''s on us. It''s a big game for us, no doubt about that, but if we lose we''ve just got a bit more work to do than if we win and puts us under a bit more pressure for our next two home games. If Wolves lose however, Mick McCarthy might lose his job and all the fans will be assuming relegation is a foregone conclusion.   In my opinion that will make a massive difference to the ability of each side to play to their potential. I think they will really come at us early on, but if we hold them off then they will get tense and either way, I think we''ll have chances.   An interesting game coming up, and I can''t wait!   OTBC

Are you serious? I''m going to assume you are...   Teams that finish 3rd in the Champions League get moved into the current season''s Europa League as if they qualified from their group in the Europa League.   There is only one Europa league per season.

BW probably thought we were better off without Dickson Etuhu - all he does is run around right? Never make it in the Prem.....eh? What? Oh.....

He definitely did not feature in the squad for that match.   http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14539084.stm

I play Fifa 12 on the PS3 as WesOTBC   Add me if any of you fancy a game sometime.   I''m an average player, struggling a bit in division 5 at the moment - nearly got promoted the previous season but not doing so well this season.    

Chesterfield v Sheffield United   Away win. Chesterfield are bottom with a home record of 2-3-4. Sheffield United have an away record of 3-3-2.   Chesterfield haven''t won any of their last 9 games.

If anyone fancies a game of Fifa 12 on the PS3, my PSN ID is WesOTBC so add me.   I''m a pretty average player, have reached division 5 on the head to head season''s mode - not sure if I''ll be able to get up much higher anytime soon though!

[quote user="vos"]To answer some of Purple''s points. 2)BDO probably cheaper. McNally would look for a better deal. 3)McNally bonus.He is a tough hands on businessman in the mould of Robert Chase.He has done a good job. But why pay him a ridiculous bonus when he is only doing his job. Sadly thats the way it is these days. 4) There is no such thing as an official share price.Its all about supply and demand plus negotiation. £25 was a very fair price to pay and reflects Mr. Foulger''s support for the Club. The actual book value of the shares as at May 2011 was more or less Nil. It looks as if the Turners were repaid after the accounts were drawn up.[/quote]   I don''t agree with this - why should McNally not share in the success of the club? Particularly when he plays such a pivotal role in delivering that success. I agree that in certain industries bonuses seem to be handed out regardless of performance, however I think McNally has earned this. We were on the brink of administration and now we''re in the premier league - it was him (and others) that negotiated with our creditors to ensure there still is a football club and not only that has managed to deliver outstanding results on the playing field through his management of the club.   Furthermore, I doubt a league 1 club was able to offer McNally the kind of salary that he has had previously, but with a success incentive we were able to secure his services (that is obviously just speculation). So if it makes you happier, I think this bonus can be considered back dated salary that has been very hard earned!

Looking at the rules, they are set out very clearly so I''m not sure what this compliance officer knows that isn''t included in there:   http://www.premierleague.com/page/Handbook/0,,12306,00.html   It''s rules M. 6 - 10 that deal with loans. The rules are written exactly how ZLF says they are.