Baracouda

I believe we only loaned Huckerby, as we had played against him (when on loan v Forest) and we couldnt live with him, we was already a top8 side at the time in the division and one of the best defences, so the gamble is minimal. I really can''t think of anyone at this moment in time, who is similar to Huckerby maybe Wright-Phillips in dribbling and skill, but final third Huckerby was far better (i think). Crouch i believe had just scored a shed load of goals for Portsmouth(when in championship)? or someone like that and been transferred for £5million? or around that mark was sitting wasting away in Villa''s reserves so that deal kind of suited both parties. Most players now who have scored a decent figure in the championship are still with their respective clubs after promotion, or still in this division. The only potentially, tasty player (many would hate this) would be Beckford. I also think Norwich will be (i would) for a "cant recall" agreement so the lower league clubs in premiership will potentially against loaning 4 or 5 choices in cases of injuries and suspensions.

oh and Sheff Utd have in last 13 games to play: Forest, Watford, Leeds, QPR, Cardiff, Swansea. That being said is only 5 points behind potentially safety, but tough gams to come and they can''t beat their relegation rivals. Writing appears to be on the wall.

I think it''s highly unlikely, but i''ll try to find a reason why it might happen (lol) Sheffield United realised they''re relegated and seriously short of cash, kept him for the matches v Palace and Scunthorpe and lost both. 5 points behind Palace, 2 Points behind scunthorpe and scunthorpe have 2 games in hand. No win under manager (something like 12 games). Situation not looking great,

good point bloodwagon, but since half the premiership reserve teams and anyone outside of the top10 (championship) have been seemingly named by people. He''ll be going some to get "off the radar". I wouldn''t like to be Lambert trying to find a striker at the minute. a) Lower player = gamble. b) Premiership player (obviously be reserve or youth) = gamble regardless who it is. Even look at Bellamy hasn''t scored alot and everyone was saying he''ll definately score 20+ even from right mid. c) Championship players (vast majority of sides aren''t safe or have outside hopes of playoffs and fans wont be happy at loaning players out). I just hope that scout from Rangers we hired, has a full note book on players. That been said most people thought Holt would struggle and Martin would outscore him. Whoever it is, needs a good or luck start to get the confidence up and the fans/players behind him. Does anyone know how much money the playoffs are worth? I think someone said losing finalist get about £3m in total (if teams agree that loser gets winners share).

Dani Pacheco had the potential to be amazing imo he needs a break and potentially a move to fulfil it. Unfortunately, he decided to leave Barcelona to join Liverpool under Rafa. Unfortunately, he''ll be more suited to Barcelona than Rafa''s Liverpool, considering they mainly played 451 with Rafa and then Hodgson. He naturally comes with high work rate which gets inbred into most of the barce players these days and a run of games, certainly think he''ll be worth it. Our options our very limited there''s lots of teams looking for that goalscorer to keep them up, or push for promotion. Proven one''s are already (usually) at the teams fighting for honours. Delfouso would certainly be an option still bit of a gamble, but probably would have happened if O''Neill was still in charge of Villa. Pacheco at the Euro U19''s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nE14YqFwvY&feature=related

I thought this was a league, and it''s 46 games. There''s going to be twists and turns. Unexpected results happen, tis is life. Why bookies take bets as the favourities don''t always win. Hopefully, lambert and the team will bounce back against Barnsley. We dont usually have two bad games in a row. Never know might turn out to be a blessing, with loan signins who knows.

I respect your views on Nelson and must admit I was shocked to see him go. But lets be honest Nelson is no good for Norwich style of play. That''s nothing against the bloke. But as a passing team with views on building from the back, and it means we need centre halfs who are comfortable on the ball and unfortunately, for Nelson he was not. Nelson''s might have also been distracted by not having a new contract or only one year contract extension at his age A long term injury effectively could end your career. Playing the majority of his career for Hartlepool it''s unlikely he would have massive savings.

Yes, Unfortunately it''s the downside of the way we play. The passing teams usually commit the fullbacks forward to create extra men in attack. However, when it breaks down the quick counter is always on the cards. But most of these sides have switched to 433 or 451 formations to try and counter this problem, deep laying playmaker and a defensive midfielder. Maybe this is why Lambert wanted Bennett, try and copy Barce formation. With two skillful wingers (Wes/Bennett) but given licence to drift about. Admittedly that would then leave 3 positions for Surmon, Lansbury, Fox, Crofts, Smith.

Maybe he''s going off the colour of the hair. or, We''ve signed a new Ginger Pele. Looks 50 when he''s 21.

he did seem to know who it was. "looked remarkably like an experienced defender". Admittedly, could be anyone. But does seem intriguing, I mean would you say it the same way for some old cart-horse whose been doing the rounds (oh sorry that is Sol).

Unfortunately, it could mean the FA will hit us with a bigger fine from our exploits. You know how they work, it''ll have to be a similar fine for both clubs, unless they can prove (without using their reputation) there are very clear differences between the two incidients. Did anything happen with our "missile" hitting the linesman.

I would quite like to see Pacheco. I think the lads class. Anyone, who gets the nickname "Killer" while at a barce youth academy for his scoring exploits is potentially worth a look. From the limited action I''ve seen him in, he does have a nice first touch and passing (as you would expect from his Barce days) would fit our style of play. Delfouso would be a interesting signing, we already have someone with pace to burn (Jackson) but we dont seem to play a style to suit him.

Interesting topic, still think we might be having this conversation throughout the season even with 2 games to go. Simple facts with so many to go, is most of the teams will look shaky and go through a 2 or 3 game bad patch but I suspect one or another will go on a very good 7 or 8 game steak. I''ll find it hard to think Forest and Leicester will keep their runs upto the end of season, if they do just have to take your hat off to them. Not beyond possability that top7 (or majority) will be split by 3 points with 2 games to go. Be hell of a finish. Afterall, we''re still only in February, so many twists and turns to go. I fancy Cardiff or Leeds to miss out of the 7. Think from yesterday''s match, from the commentary the apparent players and fans were starting to feel desperate. Maybe pressure is starting to get the better of them.

I think any away game is tricky in this league. Espically, against low end table sides. Hopefully, are ''easier'' home games on paper will translate into a decent points tally. I can''t help but think our next 5 games will make or break our season.

I think Forest have a hard run in. But obviously that counts for nothing, just means more odds wise less likely to win games.  Just because they''ve won 5 out 6. They''re unlikely to keep that going for 20games (14/15 remaining). As that form over a season would be 115pts. Statistically they''re due a bad patch or two between now and the end of the season. Forest: Away:  Millwall, Boro, Sheff utd, Swansea, Leeds, Norwich, Bristol City and Palace. (even though 3 of those in bottom 4 or 5) But these teams will usually get majority of points at Home and fighting for their lives.Home:   Cardiff, Preston, Hull, Doncaster, Reading, Burnley, Leicester, Scunthorpe. (Some difficult games). Norwich (as your all aware): Away: Barnsley, Leicester, Hull, Swansea, Watford, Scum, Portsmouth (Tricky games).Home: Doncaster, Preston, Bristol City, Scunthorpe, Forest, Derby, Coventry. Any away game in any league are always difficult, simple statistics more matches won by home teams. So not concerned too much playing good sides away and easier teams home. Hopefully, we can get maximum points from majority of home games and a couple of away wins. With a bit of luck be very close.

sorry, meant carrow road game shown on tele and not the rematch at portman road.

The 4-1 was on bbc if I remember, and they did a regular game each week. But not sure, if that died a death. Hasn''t it become the case in recent seasons that Carrow Road gets the game and not Portman Road. anything, to do with them not filling their ground?

is bbc still covering some championship games?

I would quite like to see an attacking 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1  v Leeds and for other top of table matches.The midfield 5. Crofts    FoxLansbury, Wes, Surmon.

What is the problem with his statement?McNally isn''t saying they''re not spending it, he said there''s no rush. Which simple means, Lambert will wait for someone who compliments the team, rather than desperately buying someone... or loaning. We have to remember they have a 7 year plan, we''re not Cardiff who appear to be "premiership or bust" mentality.

[quote user="PurpleCanary"][quote user="Baracouda"]It''s not a football only trend. NBA play pre-season friendlies across Europe. NFL play a season game at wembley. Most European teams target foreign markets by either player signings and/or friendlies. However, you question is a little more direction, is it the participation or just the economic globalisation. (The majority of world has played football before the first world cup 1930). The game would have been taken to South America by Spain/Portugal/Italy. The recent globalisation economic, would be directly impacted by the improvements in "civilisation"... Satellite TV (resulting in easy world wide coverage). The improvements in the internet, meaning information, reports etc are just as easy whether you live in Japan or Norwich. Ultimately, the improvements in air flight and travelling meaning technically, you could have a season ticket for a top european team and live in London and go to every game and be back for work Monday. [/quote] -- You would expect so, but as with pretty much the whole world it was the English and the Scots. Sailors, merchants, teachers, railway engineers, consular officials etc. And several English teams (Southampton, Spurs, Forest) toured South America before world war one. The British influence is why some South American teams still have Anglicised names (River Plate, The Strongest) rather than Spanish or Portuguese ones. [/quote] I had forgotten the impact of British influence at this time, and her dominance. That been said only a few places in the world took off with cricket and rugby. (Interestingly, many of which didn''t play football seriously could include scotland (hehe) in that).

It''s not a football only trend. NBA play pre-season friendlies across Europe. NFL play a season game at wembley. Most European teams target foreign markets by either player signings and/or friendlies. However, you question is a little more direction, is it the participation or just the economic globalisation. (The majority of world has played football before the first world cup 1930). The game would have been taken to South America by Spain/Portugal/Italy. The recent globalisation economic, would be directly impacted by the improvements in "civilisation"... Satellite TV (resulting in easy world wide coverage). The improvements in the internet, meaning information, reports etc are just as easy whether you live in Japan or Norwich. Ultimately, the improvements in air flight and travelling meaning technically, you could have a season ticket for a top european team and live in London and go to every game and be back for work Monday.

I''ve been a very long time lurker on here, but thought I''ll create an account to respond. How are you looking at "football"? is this UK only, European, Global. For example, the make up of many European clubs is there are no ''owners'' and whoever is a member of the club votes on elections. I believe the American Sports, are a lot stricter in governance (i.e NFL) I would assume this is the case with MLS.  The players are centrally contracted to the governing body, there''s salary caps for squads. I would also look at football pre-sky and has the increase in ''guaranteed'' monies (Just playing in Premiership) and the increased monies for champions league and other competitions had a direct impact on the financial risks clubs are willing to take. My personal view is sky have marketed the premiership as "sexy", to sell the subscription service. I believe pre-sky the game was still more for the working man. But subsequent to sky investing large amounts of money, the game instantly became more marketable, many "flair" players joined from Europe. The likes of David Ginola/David Beckham became highly marketable assets away from a football field. Was this the case before, in such an extent?  Increasing the financial benefits of purchasing highly valued players and did this directly make it more "appealing" to rich people, who wanted to invest for various reasons. (and subsequently escalated). My personal view might be wrong, but for arguement''s sake we follow my line of thought. Does it follow to reason, the game moved too quickly for the governing bodies to control? Hope this helps.