Monty13
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Posts posted by Monty13
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I think its a great thing that we have done in showing that home grown talent can compete in the premier league. The fact that the majority of our squad (either bought or carried with us) was playing league 1 football in the last two years is a major recommendation for young home grown talent. Hopefully other teams will also look to do this as the benefit to the national teams would be great. Its often struck me that the fringe foreign players at many clubs are no better that their championship equivalent, and while I have no issue with foreign players, it does seem strange to support a British team with little or no British players. I''m glad we have a squad of talented players from around the UK and Ireland showing what they can do on the biggest club football stage and holding their own. (generally speaking) I actually wish as well that more would get/take the opportunity to go abroad and showcase their talent. -
Personally have no problem with people airing their negative views, its their opinion, however it would be nice if some of these opinions were backed up by any take on the available evidence. I''ve got no problem with someone telling me something negative if they have something to back it up with. All too often on this board if you try to back up your opinion with any sort of facts or interpretation of available evidence the the debate either finishes or resorts to being childish.So with respect to the original poster "At this stage of pre season I am underwhelmed by City''s progress" - We haven''t made any, its preseason, and as many have already pointed out on other threads are results in preseason are comparatively slightly better than last year when we lost to Palace."Not happy with the way Chris Hughton has invested the largest transfer chest available to a City manager or is this just pure bollox?" - Well forgive me but I don''t think the window is slammed shut yet so maybe he will spend more, we usually do our business early but with the change of manager who needs time to assess the squad you would surely be surprised if he had immediately blown all of our budget. If we don''t get anybody else in then your right this will be an area of much debate."Not happy with pre season results yes clean sheets are good but only if we can keep these in the Prem it was scoring goals which kept us in the position we ultimately achieved." Well as said above our preseason last year was dire on the goalscroring against credible opposition yet we then achieved what you have said in your line, lots of goals and a 12th finish. All of our main threats are still here so how do you surmise this year would be different?"Would like to see a couple of loanees of sufficient quality no apparent movement on that front." Maybe we could do with loans, where and why do you think so, who? also how do you know there isn''t movement, loans usually happen later on when managers have started to finalise their own squads and know who can be released. Personally I would rather we buy now in our second year, especially as although Naughton was sensational De Laet was less so.  "Would like see cover for the Full Backs." I agree and I think most do, Lappin is a hard worker but we lost Drury and ultimately need a Left Back as first choice replacement or cover for Tierney. "Would like to see possible added striker options." Yep fair enough opinion, but who? why? as you said we scored loads last year."Turner looks solid addition in central defence" yep agree, did very well at Hull, Ok at Sunderland, could turn out to be a great bit of business. "but is Whittaker a good option as defensive cover?" who knows, have you seen him play? what are your doubts based on? We haven''t seen him play really and we obviously went in early to secure his signature so the management must think he has something about him."Pre Season is a time for looking forward to the new season like a number on this Board I have severe misgivings not enough has been done" It is for us, for the management its trial and error on tactics, and player assessment time, for the players its getting fitter and avoiding injury. What has not been done by a man whose been in the job 2 months, 2 weeks of which everyone was on holiday? Holts got a new contract, we have brought in 4 players. There''s still time for more and nothing competitive has happened"I hope I''m just being negative and not a soothsayer."Well you are being negative and as I said I have no problem with that. I just wish some of the negative posters would give some evidence or facts to back up there negative opinions otherwise I can''t really understand why they have them. A messageboard is a place for people to air there opinions but all to often people just say all this negative stuff and don''t explain why they have come to these conclusions. -
Spot on. People seem to have very short memories. The only teams we were banging in goals against in pre season last year were Gorleston and Wroxham.Our results this year are very similar:We beat Coventry 3-0 (well we have beaten Peterborough 2-0), We drew 0-0 with southend and lost to Palace 1-0 (sounds familiar with the MK and Hull results) and we drew 1-1 with Zaragoza (like we drew 1-1 with Ajax).Lets hope we beat Borussia at home in our final friendly like we beat Parma to give some cheer to the doubters.... -
Haha some of the negativity on here is brilliant, we lost to Palace last year and followed it up with a 0-0 draw at Southend, those results of course reflected our season........We won''t know how good Hughton is or the squad he has tweaked with until we see it play for real for at least a dozen games. Remember our third game last year was a 4-0 home thrashing by MKdons. Then come back and tell us all you told us so, but don''t base your opinion on pre season its meaningless. -
To be fair the only game I can remember them starting together was Sunderland away and that was a worse performance than the Liverpool home game imo. Not a great advert for the partnership! but I don''t think they were to blame for what went wrong that night, really woeful team performance. When Morrison came on as a sub in games I thought they did well together. -
Would be a fantastic signing, an almost no brainer even at the quoted 6 million, he was that good last year. There seems to be plenty left in this years warchest, but if anyone else was interested I wonder if we could compete on wages? -
I know it probably wont happen but I would actually like to see Holt and Morison start up front. I''m not really sure why they hardly ever play together, neither are all out bruiser strikers who just react to balls being pinged up field to them. They both have good feet, morison is no slouch (holt not far behind in pace), they can both run the channels and both cross. When I have seen them play together last year they seemed to work well so during pre season would be a perfect time to test it out but every game one seems to be asked to be the big striker and gets replaced by the other. -
I can''t see this happening but it is surprising that we are such hotly tipped seconds for his signature.But if we did get him, and we didn''t break the bank to do so I''m not really sure what there is to complain about. If he came to us as many have pointed out it wouldn''t be a big pay day or geographically an easy move for him. Therefore the only reason he would is because he still wants to play premiership football and score goals, can''t understand how anyone could look at him being here as a bad thing.For all those saying he is passed it and a crock, while he has nowhere near the pace he used to NYCanaries breakdown of his goalscoring form shows he can still be relied upon to score at a top strikers rate. His injury record has been light since the surgery which caused him to miss the last couple of months of his first season at Man U, until last years thigh injury which is obviously fresh in the mind. But if he passed a stringent medical who knows if he would stay fit, but on pay as you play like Man U who cares, not so much of a gamble. -
"I must be getting old Monty because I think 800 grand is a lot of money. I also think that Barnett was signed to play in the championship whilst Ayala was signed to play in the premier league. And I''m way too far behind the times to think little old Norwich could be signing players from the likes of Liverpool and Everton for that sort of money just to loan them out to gain experience."Well 800,000 to me is a lot of money, for a Premiership club its really not, as we have shown last year with the acquisition of Pilkington, Morrison, R Bennett, Vaughan and E Bennett for well over a million pounds each. Not to mention this years signings of Snodgrass and Turner. Yes Barnett was signed to play in the championship (but probably with half an eye on the premiership at that point) but then Ayala was signed to play in a debut premiership season. Since his purchase we have bought two other CBs, at far more expense, and who are arguably better quality. (Also relatively speaking Barnett cost far far more than Ayala in terms of the percentage budget available for the two seasons.) Its also fairly clichéd argument Nutty to say one was signed for one reason that doesn''t apply to the other when they were both in the squad last year and the majority of our squad was bought to play Championship or League 1 Football and have stepped up, it still makes the money spent on Barnett a waste if he was to be ultimately deemed surplus to requirements.And we didn''t buy Ayala just to loan him out, we bought him during a debut season in the premiership to be part of out first team squad, since then we have had a whole season and stayed up, and we have brought in, as stated above, 2 arguably better CBs. When he was fit he played, but the goalposts have changed a year after he was bought and he is now down the pecking order, but still with the long term potential to do well at the club. That''s how I see it, its not about who made what mistakes, its that the CB situation has changed due to us staying up and improving the squad. -
Naughton. Quality at Right or Left Back, which we are seriously lacking in depth. Would almost certainly dislodge Martin from the first team as well imho, leaving a back line of Naughton, Turner, Bennett, Tierney. Would feel a lot happier about our defence, but I''m not as worried about the current starters as some. Its just Naughton would be both an improvement and add depth to the squad, win win. -
We paid 750,000 for Barnett only 7 months before getting Ayala in and most supporters seem to want Barnett out after his displays last year. Is 800,000 really considered that big an outlay nowadays for Norwich? Ryan Bennett cost a reported 3.5 million plus who knows what add ons. Now if we were talking about loaning him out I think people would be up in arms.But loaning a young player out who cost you less than a million implies A) you still want him in the future and B) we have come quite far if we are happy to do that. I''m not sure why we are talking about Ayala as being either a mistake by Lambert or a potential mistake by Hughton if we loan him out? He''s not leaving the club, he is one for the future, bought at a very cheap price for his age and potential ability. -
To be honest this seems like a good idea, provided that it is the precursor for a better player being brought in.We have Turner, Ward and Bennet who would seem to all be in the managers plans for this year based on friendlies and transfer dealings (Jury is maybe still out on Barnett but as potentially 5th choice CB, are people really that bothered if he is still here?) so if someone else came in , say we were to sign Curtis Davis, Ayala would be getting little game time. At 21 a years loan to a Championship Club after an injury hit season could be just what he needs to push his career on. However if we don''t get another CB I would be a little perplexed why we would do this. -
I really don''t understand why we would send him on loan or sell him unless it was silly money. He''s looked fantastic next to a less than super sharp looking Holt.Also why keep giving him long spells in the team during vital pre season games if he wont be here. That would be worryingly difficult to comprehend. If clubs are that interested then we don''t need to show him off to them. -
I think your right Ricardo, and I think barring any further injuries, buying someone of real quality in the back four (and I would put Naughton in that category) or Turner pushing his way beyond question into Hughtons first team plan, that what we saw last night is the back four for Fulham. Martin, Ward, Bennett and Tierney. Just to remind people that is three quarters of the starting line up at Tottenham last season and although I still miss Drury, Tierney is looking sharp again and a worthy replacement.I don''t think anyone will disagree we could do with another Left back, but if we line up like that against Fulham a small part of me will be disappointed that we haven''t strengthened with a real quality player, but I trust those players to perform. -
I can see why ricardo wasn''t impressed, from watching the game online I found it pretty dull. However with so many clamours for us to tighten up at the back at least this game showed we do have the potential to shut up shop against, lets face it, superior opposition. It was a good defensive display, but that makes a poor viewers game, hopefully Hughton got out of it what he wanted.
I was wondering when the Ward bashing would start, thought he had a very composed game and worked well with Bennet. Some people praising the defence but completely ignoring his contribution or singling out Bennet for praise when Ward played well is pretty hard on the guy. I don''t think he is a world class defender but quite frankly I would be worried about a CD partnership as young as Ayala and Bennet, as good a prospect as both look. Martin seems to be a RB again and therefore I think Ward is going to be fighting with Turner (Poss Barnett) for one CB berth while Ayala and Bennet vie for the other unless we bring someone else in.
The Liverpool game seems to have been a turning point for Ward, he had a stinker, but by the same token the team didn''t play well and but for some good blocks by Bennet AND Ward the score could have been far worse, however Ward seems to take the blame in entirety for that performance. People questioning his ability, wantng rid of him and wanting him to fail before the season kicks off again and when two Managers (who people generally seem to agree are both pretty good) both appear seem to rate him, seems pretty childish to me. Let the guy prove himself in a settled defence with a new manager and if he can''t make the grade i''m sure he will be replaced. I''m not suggesting that know one is allowed to criticise him or not rate him, but when he does play well, he deserves credit for the performance he has just put in rather than questioning his selection.
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After the initial kids choirs which were good I was starting to get a bit embarrassed by the twee country scene! But then Boyle just blew it out of the water with the transition to industry and the ring creation. Fantastic, made me very proud. -
Russ played 33 games last year, and quite a few were at RB, especially towards the end of the season. Just off the top of my head he played Spurs, Man City and Blackburn. He got rotated out of the team for Liverpool but came on after about 10 mins when Drury got injured and Naughton switched to LB. I think he played as a right wing back when we went to Fulham as well. Martin looked good at centre back and although not a world class RB I''m not sure why you feel he wasn''t very good Tom? -
I think bethnal has it spot on. I think howson is the perfect player to take the ball off the back four and drive the play forward rather than in the more advanced role that Wes plays. I actually enjoyed watching the two play together against Celtic, and think they could very much play in the same team together, in fact I think having both on the pitch would be part of our strongest midfield. I think butterfield is the long term replacement/competition for Wes, but hes got plenty left in him in my opinion.I feel sorry for crofts as he never really got a run in the team last year, but if space needed to be freed up he is probably the obvious choice. Korey again had no chance to prove his worth and could still be a good player for us. Surman has just signed a new contract so seems unlikely he would be leaving. I like fox but at some point I can see him being replaced with a player of better quality and again I see Howson as the number one candidate for his role.If we are going to play five in midfield I would like to see Howson central, Snodgrass right, Pilkington left, Wes just behind strikers then either Johnson to be more solid or Surman/Butterfiled for greater attacking/creativity. Hard on Bennet but i think Snodgrass just became first choice right wing. -
Great signing, job well done by the manager and the board. -
I may be wrong, but i''m pretty sure Mick Dennis confirmed in an article when Lambert left that the policy of buying young lower league talent was the boards. Obviously Lambert would have chosen the players he wanted, i''m not suggesting the board signed the players, but that it was their policy to focus on those players. Hence why we continue to pursue Snodgrass and have signed Butterfield. -
Happy with this signing, a good experienced Prem centre back, 28 is around the peak of his career and being in the last year of his contract the suggested 2 million fee is a bargain. Everyone seems to have been screaming out for a prem expereinced central defender and it looks like weve just gone out and got one. Hes not pacey but the Sunderland fans seem to think fairly high of him.
I think people are right we still need a left back, I like Lappin but by his own admission he just "does a job" in that position and really you need 2 dedicated players in each position in the prem. I agree with many that we need another striker, but Hughton may disagree on that, especially if Vaughan stays fit.
If Snoddy and Turner come in we have spent approx 6 millionish based on the fee estimates (1 mil Butterfield, 2 Mil Turner, 3 mil Snodgrass) plus whatever signing on fee we paid Whittaker. Should leave plenty left for a LB and a Striker plus Davies if Hughton really wants him.
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I''d be happy with Davies, Snodgrass and Naughton. Although your realistic prices are roughly estimated at 4 Million, 2-3 Million and 5-6 million, not sure that would leave much else. Another striker would be next on the shopping list, we look well priced out of Rhodes but know one has snapped him up yet, maybe others don''t want to gamble. But then then surely there wouldn''t be the funds for us anyway, if we bought the defenders we arguably need, so he drifts out of the realistic target category in which case. Not sure we need Lansbury, Howson and Butterfield are similar in position and playstyle, and are both arguably better. -
It is just a runout for fitness, but it is still nice to see Vaughan getting goals. He''s been desperately unlucky, but if he could just stay fit I think he could really be a top player for us. I''ve seen a few suggestion on the transfer threads that he should be shipped out and I personally think that''s crazy now he appears over the injury. The fact that Lambert wanted him to play as soon as he was fit shows how much he thought of him. -
In terms of PL goals, I would be happy with reaching double figures, 15 would be a superb return and if he makes it to 20 he has earned that contract in one years work imo.
Underwhelmed
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