king canary 7,580 Posted May 30, 2019 11 minutes ago, Bethnal Yellow and Green said: I seem to remember David Bentley being pretty good for Norwich that season. Roberts has almost 100 senior appearances already in his career, about the same amount as Ravel Morrison has now. Although Scotland isn’t the best league in the world the pressure of playing for Celtic, especially as a young player, can be overwhelming. He seemed to excel in that environment. I think he can make a good contribution, but if not then it isn’t going to cost Norwich a huge amount of cash. Tale of two seasons with Bentley. Spent the first half of the season trying to score 25 yard screamers without any consideration for the team- felt like the definition of 'not a team player' and much more focused on scoring worldies to make Wenger take notice. After Worthy booted him out of training he seemed to knuckle down and improved in the second half of the season. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ricardo 7,349 Posted May 30, 2019 The management think he's worth a go so I suggest we wait and see. They don't all come off by any means but if you don't spin the wheel you don't win the prize. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chichcan 147 Posted May 30, 2019 well it's official now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
king canary 7,580 Posted May 30, 2019 Interestingly he's also signed a new two year deal with Man City, I'd assume they are protecting their investment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HertsCanary93 222 Posted May 30, 2019 I think Marcus Edwards was also dubbed the "English Messi"... But whereas where Edwards was loaned out to Norwich in an attempt to get his head screwed on better, Roberts has already demonstrated that he is a good pro with 4 years solid first team experience. Very excited to see him play - hopefully there is an option to buy in January in case he does too well and gets snapped up by another team. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tetteys Jig 830 Posted May 30, 2019 Straight out of the Football Manager textbook this one! Get using that pl loan market before the others get involved for a quality player without spending £20m+ If he can avoid injuries he is a hell of a talent, up there with Maddison who took to the prem like a duck to water. David Silva wont have long at the top level left either so big chance to show Pep he can make it at Man City as well as catch the eye of Southgate ahead of Euro 2020. The likes of Lingard and co are hardly shoe ins to make the squad. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cornish sam 948 Posted May 30, 2019 28 minutes ago, king canary said: Interestingly he's also signed a new two year deal with Man City, I'd assume they are protecting their investment. I wonder if that's 2 years on the end of the current one or effectively just a one year extension? Either way, much as bethnal predicted... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
king canary 7,580 Posted May 30, 2019 3 minutes ago, cornish sam said: I wonder if that's 2 years on the end of the current one or effectively just a one year extension? Either way, much as bethnal predicted... 2 years on the end apparently- so he's signed up to 2022. I imagine this is with a view to selling him if he has a good season with us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lake district canary 4,531 Posted May 30, 2019 Good signing. Just the kind of player you would want. We really do have a great set up and one which will encourage the best young players to come here, whether on loan or as purchases - and this will create good competition for wide positions generally. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alfie54 76 Posted May 30, 2019 4 hours ago, Fromage Frais said: This guy seems to fit the mould. Good pedigree > overhyped > fell away. They come here get mega fit and get rebuilt in a supportive environment. Looks to have outstanding technique but that only gets you so far in the premier league which is full of very strong and very fast 6ft + athletes. They have seen something in him though maybe another x% they can extract with fitness and mentality. Have you not seen Raheem Sterling? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keelansgrandad 6,679 Posted May 30, 2019 Now it is sealed, I am relieved to hear that we have been following him. That is good news and not just a move for the sake of it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man 3,783 Posted May 30, 2019 (edited) Hopefully we've got first option on him, even if it isn't at a specifically agreed price. Unfortunately, I doubt it though. Edited May 31, 2019 by Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Van wink 2,994 Posted May 30, 2019 7 hours ago, Mr Apples said: Written off prior to signing as pub league experience, lack of ambition, couldn't cut it elsewhere...steadily wins miserablist fans over...becomes firm fan favourite and player of the year, fans all then proclaim "I always knew he was going to be good". Very much like Pukki. 👍😂 Apples Are people writing him off? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nuff Said 5,092 Posted May 30, 2019 Meh. Looks like a poor man’s Marco Stieperman to me. 😉 Rather have Audrey Roberts (has anyone done this one yet?). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nuff Said 5,092 Posted May 30, 2019 Someone needs to explain the difference between a manager and a head coach to him. Obviously. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Van wink 2,994 Posted May 30, 2019 37 minutes ago, Nuff Said said: Meh. Looks like a poor man’s Marco Stieperman to me. 😉 Rather have Audrey Roberts (has anyone done this one yet?). Please, I thought we had all grown out of that sort of stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nuff Said 5,092 Posted May 30, 2019 32 minutes ago, Van wink said: Please, I thought we had all grown out of that sort of stuff. What “stuff”??? Do we need to have the emoji conversation again? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ward 3 371 Posted May 30, 2019 Brilliant signing. Absolutely class Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Van wink 2,994 Posted May 30, 2019 (edited) G Edited June 27, 2020 by Van wink 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tetteys Jig 830 Posted May 30, 2019 the comparisons to Bentley... he was actually a good signing for us I thought and had a successful career. If he turns out as good as Bentley esp the Blackburn one, I will be happy enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
splendidrush 700 Posted May 30, 2019 The fact that Man C. have extended his contract suggests that they think that they have a player on their hands and a good season with us would make him a valuable asset. If it doesn't work out for him, they can move him on and still get a fee. The fact that they've gone down this road, as opposed to just selling him means we've got serious potential through the door for very little money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shefcanary 2,389 Posted May 30, 2019 Watching the interview with Webber, given they tried to sign him last year and Citeh have extended his contract, this really does seem a good signing. The excitement builds, who else is arriving? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hampton canary 24 Posted May 31, 2019 It is pleasing to see that once again Man City are happy to send one of their promising youngsters out on loan to us; look how well Angus Gunn did when he came to Norwich. You only have to look at the Man City squad to understand why the majority of their homegrown youngsters are unlikely to make it to the first team. I think a lot of managers in the Premiership would like to have Buendia, Hernandez, Cantwell and Roberts in their squad. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FenwayFrank 2,457 Posted May 31, 2019 If there was a photo of him holding a Sheffield Utd shirt we’d be saying how we’d missed a trick not getting him here so I’m pleased with this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BroadstairsR 2,138 Posted May 31, 2019 Th 3 minutes ago, FenwayFrank said: If there was a photo of him holding a Sheffield Utd shirt we’d be saying how we’d missed a trick not getting him here so I’m pleased with this True and this could turn out to be another Webber/Farke masterstroke. Citeh are quite careful with placing their youngsters when considering loaning them out it would seem (Cue: praise for the importance of Neil Adams' role at Carrow Road.) This signing has therefore no serendipity about it. Our splendid playing style last season and the feelgood factor surrounding the club.. Our subsequent promotion. Our success with young Gunn. Farke's growing reputation as a coach and handler of men. Must have all come into consideration when sending him to Carrow Road. Good deal all round. Roberts will be well looked after and, injuries aside, seems bound to progress in line with his parent club's plans. That these plans could well involve, for the most part, wishing him then prepared for a healthy sell-on income just goes to emphasise the rarefied atmosphere that that club now exists in, the massive gap between the top six and the also rans and the difficulty of the task facing NCFC next season. We can only do our best and moves like this seem to suggest that this best is pretty sensible. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ramrod 258 Posted May 31, 2019 Lovely early doors business. But he will have to fight to earn a place. One will be hard to shift because he is so physically strong and that suits him to the EPL. Likewise Stieps is classic EPL build. Emi is too class. Todd Cantwell has a big challenge. This will make or break him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 271 Posted May 31, 2019 He is a solid signing; low cost, low risk potentially high reward if it comes off and fits the home grown rules (8 of the 25 still I think). That is one of our two (domestic) loans sorted, I am assuming we will be seeking another as they are usually cost efficient. Will be interesting to see if we also seek any loans from overseas clubs; as long as they are not as expensive as the mbokani one they too could work for us - not sure what the limit is there. Roberts clearly has talent but needs to be injury free and want to show his worth, I am sure his honesty in recognising Girona was a tough season hints he is made of the right stuff. If he can do that he will be a great option that strengthens the depth of a squad that missed a spark when emi wasn't starting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fromage Frais 10 Posted May 31, 2019 20 hours ago, Alfie54 said: Have you not seen Raheem Sterling? Yes .. He is the 14th fastest player in the premier league apparently.https://talksport.com/football/348058/20-fastest-players-premier-league-walker/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites