A luxury we cannot afford next year?

[BlyBlyBabes 0]

And what is that?

Huckerby and Earnshaw in the same team?

I don''t think that a side seriously challenging for promotion from this tough league can afford to accommodate both of them at the same time. Huckerby cannot defend to save his life (& is not inclined to) and Earnshaw is a pure, old-fashioned, tunnel-visioned ''goal hanger'' in the Jimmy Greaves mold. Unless Grant can somehow get them working together as twin strikers.

Just as Alf Ramsay had to drop Jimmy Greaves for the rather utilitarian Geoff Hurst in order to win the World Cup in 1966, it is very likely that Grant will have to chose between Huckerby and Earnshaw to challenge for promotion next year.

Now for the firestorm![st]

I''m taking cover![um] 

OTBC

 

[megson 0]

Its an interesting point, especially with Martin in the frame as well.

For me hucks and Martin provide more to the ''team'' than Earnie does, but Earnie will score more goals.

Its going to be a tough choice, that is if he has to make it! Will Earnie be leaving, may give some funds to strengthen other areas if he does.

[Tumbleweed 106]

I agree with you its going to be tough and that''s without considering young Martin. If you play him (Hux) and Earnie up front you lose Martin and there is no target man to aim for when needed. If you play martin and earnie we end up exposed down the left midfield and we know how sides have been able to exploit that.

The only way I can see all three figuring is a slightly odd looking 4-3-1-2 formation where Hux sits behind the front two, and the left and right midfielders tuck in. It means you need two super fit chaps as they will have to cover the left flanks at times, but Chelsea have been very successful with a narrow formation and have played Robben in this type of position supporting Drogba and Shevchenko. Same principle would apply to us. I can see Lappin working well on the left and Saf in the middle, but I am not sure either Croft or Chadwick would offer enough tackling on the right. A thought though.

Either way it will be a nice problem for PG to have, with too much talent for too few slots.

 

 

[Carlos Valderrama 0]

Agree with this totally, no cover needed....

I think the real question is though, who partners Martin up front, Huckerby or Earnshaw?  I think that it is good for Norwich to have both options in the squad, plus Huckerby isn''t getting any younger, 31 next year...

Personally, and as much as it pains me to say it, Huckerby should make way for Earnshaw.  Earnie will get 25+ next season (if he stays fit), Martin could quite easily get 15-20.

We could try and play a 4-3-3 system with Huckerby playing just off an orthadox front 2, then he could pop up wherever he wants.  This is probably unlikely as Grant seems to like a good old fashioned 4-4-2.

On the plus side though, what a nice problem to have, what a motoivator for whoever is out of the team.

[TheMarshmallowMan 0]

It''s difficult to see where Huckerby and Earnshaw will fit. Without a doubt, we''ve been alot more solid with Hucks up front. Hucks has been scoring the goals as well which makes it harder. We''re going to want Martin to continue in the side, which means we''ve got a bit of a nice selection headache.

Good luck to Granty in solving it!

[Syteanric 1]

the hucks Martin Partnership is working.. why change it? if it means Earnie sits on the bench then so be it.... u cant break up a successful partnership just because u have a good player who isnt playing.. its about success...not keeping someone "sweet" so they dont go off in a sulk

jas :)

[JC 0]

I would say a side seriously pushing for promotion next year can afford to let any of them go! 

Earnshaw is a guaranteed 25 goals next season, Martin is your third striker, and dont forget brown as well.  That is four into two, or into three if we play huckerby behind a front two.

Losing any one of the three from Huckerby, Earnshaw and Martin is in my view a serious mistake, and if the club is serious about promotion next season then these players need to be available. 

Do not forget that they are not all going to be fit for the whole season.

[quote user="BlyBlyBabes"]

And what is that?

Huckerby and Earnshaw in the same team?

I don''t think that a side seriously challenging for promotion from this tough league can afford to accommodate both of them at the same time. Huckerby cannot defend to save his life (& is not inclined to) and Earnshaw is a pure, old-fashioned, tunnel-visioned ''goal hanger'' in the Jimmy Greaves mold. Unless Grant can somehow get them working together as twin strikers.

Just as Alf Ramsay had to drop Jimmy Greaves for the rather utilitarian Geoff Hurst in order to win the World Cup in 1966, it is very likely that Grant will have to chose between Huckerby and Earnshaw to challenge for promotion next year.

Now for the firestorm![st]

I''m taking cover![um] 

OTBC

 

[/quote]

[Saint Canary 0]

[quote user="BlyBlyBabes"]

And what is that?

Huckerby and Earnshaw in the same team?

I don''t think that a side seriously challenging for promotion from this tough league can afford to accommodate both of them at the same time. Huckerby cannot defend to save his life (& is not inclined to) and Earnshaw is a pure, old-fashioned, tunnel-visioned ''goal hanger'' in the Jimmy Greaves mold. Unless Grant can somehow get them working together as twin strikers.

Just as Alf Ramsay had to drop Jimmy Greaves for the rather utilitarian Geoff Hurst in order to win the World Cup in 1966, it is very likely that Grant will have to chose between Huckerby and Earnshaw to challenge for promotion next year.

Now for the firestorm![st]

I''m taking cover![um] 

OTBC

 

[/quote]

I really don’t see the Earnie/Hux conundrum being a problem next season because I fully expect Earnshaw to be playing football elsewhere comes September.  That is not a slight on the board etc just being realistic.  We will need the money and selling Earnshaw will reduce the wage bill and make up a large proportion of the shortfall from not receiving the parachute payments.  I think half the reason why the board allowed Worthy to spend so much on a player while we were in the Championship is because in some ways buying Earnie was like stashing money under the duvet.  They knew he would not devalue by any great deal and could cash in on him should we not get promoted.

 

Grant may not want to sell him, Earnie himself may not particularly want to leave but I fully expect him to be gone by the time the summer transfer window ends.

 

[YankeeCanary 0]

[quote user="BlyBlyBabes"]

And what is that?

Huckerby and Earnshaw in the same team?

I don''t think that a side seriously challenging for promotion from this tough league can afford to accommodate both of them at the same time. Huckerby cannot defend to save his life (& is not inclined to) and Earnshaw is a pure, old-fashioned, tunnel-visioned ''goal hanger'' in the Jimmy Greaves mold. Unless Grant can somehow get them working together as twin strikers.

Just as Alf Ramsay had to drop Jimmy Greaves for the rather utilitarian Geoff Hurst in order to win the World Cup in 1966, it is very likely that Grant will have to chose between Huckerby and Earnshaw to challenge for promotion next year.

Now for the firestorm![st]

I''m taking cover![um] 

OTBC

 

[/quote]

Well, I''m flabbergasted BBB. After observing your criticism of the Norwich board for so long for being overly prudent and lacking ambition, when we see the signs of improvement emerging with some competitive talent in place up front for the beginning of next season, you pop up and suggest we cannot afford them. It''s a good job you don''t sit on the Board....even poor Neil would be wondering if you know what you really want. Of course, I''m being a little "tongue in cheek".....but only a little.  

 

[gissing canary 2]

Grant doesnt plan to solve it, thats the clever part.

its clear under worthy that although the squad wasnt that small, there was a huge gulf in class of who you would want to play and who u wouldnt, if u think about it brown, hucks, earnie, martin, and maybe after a good loan spell jarvis.  its now real competition for places.  and its a problem, but grant doesnt solve it, like jas said u dont change a winning partnership, everyone will get there chance and its upto them to prove it and take the role.

its like under worthy we kept having no right wingers, now we have 2 out and out right wingers, who will play?  its upto them!  we need competition all over the side.  gallacher, and the centre backs need it, and the centre mids look like they are getting it too!

u need squad depth and competition, players get injured and go off form, we need about 21-3 potential first team players then we are a real threat.

I say keep both and let them fight it out.  replace the worst players (thorne, mcveigh, mlj, hend) and replace with more quality, ala lappin, and chadwick.  This will create a real sense of competition, and the prem beckons!

[nutty nigel 7,784]

Good interesting thread this BBB, and there have been some good replies.

Thing is Alf Ramsey was only picking the best team with the players he had available. If the 1966 World Cup had been played over 46 games through and English winter there is no doubt there would have been times when all his strikers would have played.

I don''t think we can seriously challenge for promotion from this tough league without a squad including at least half a dozen good striking options.

We could go into next season with Brown, Dublin, Earnshaw, Jarvis, Huckerby and Martin as our striking options and IMO thats the least we would need.

Birmingham are still not certain to get promotion and they have: Aluko, Bendtner, Cambell, Forssel, Jerome, McSheffrey, Vine as their options and have just added Andy Cole until the end of the season.

 

[BlyBlyBabes 0]

Just to set the record straight.

My original post only had to do with football tactics and my view of a necessary element for success next year.

Afford was not used in money terms. Maybe to protect my a** I should have entitled the thread           ''A luxury we cannot accomodate next year''?

My views on prudence, ambition and the NCFC board remain resolute and unchanged.

I think that the fate of the US dollar has unbalanced Yankee these days - and he sees money in every post.

Good luck Peter Grant. And I really do hope that our dear NCFC board will allow you to keep Huckerby (as a striker please), Earnshaw, Martin (and Brown/Jarvis) next year. Then, we might have the basis for a promotion push.

Steve Bruce said yesterday - on signining Andy Cole - that a team is as good as it''s strikers. Some truth in that. And he chas collected about 10 of them.

Ah well. When we need the final little push next year, I wonder what our board will do. Send for Dean Windass at last??!!

OTBC

 

[Bernard Futter 0]

Just as Alf Ramsay had to drop Jimmy Greaves for the rather utilitarian Geoff Hurst...

FYI Roger Hunt replaced Jimmy Greaves - Hurst had the no 10 shirt so was always in the preferred starting 11.

[1st Wizard 0]

                 warner

colin   doherty   shackell   drury

      etuhu   safri   lappin

             huckerby

       earnshaw   martin

subs: lewis, dublin, chadwick, croft, brown/jarvis

                 warner

colin   doherty   shackell   drury

chadwick/croft   safri   etuhu   lappin

         earnshaw   martin

subs: lewis, dublin, croft/chadwick, huckerby, brown/jarvis

[nutty nigel 7,784]

[quote user="Bernard Futter"]Just as Alf Ramsay had to drop Jimmy Greaves for the rather utilitarian Geoff Hurst... FYI Roger Hunt replaced Jimmy Greaves - Hurst had the no 10 shirt so was always in the preferred starting 11.[/quote]

I think the team that played was always 1-11 in those days. Roger Hunt wore No. 8 and was ever-present for the entire tournament.

1966 world cup is my first memory of football. One of the best things about being over 50 is that I saw us win the world cup!! [:D]

 

[Mook 0]

I''m pretty sure Hurst came in because Greaves got injured - and because we were winning, Ramsey didn''t change a winning team just to accomodate possibly England''s greatest post-war striker. Seemed to work ok didn''t it?!

[sheded 0]

Sorry to rain on your picnic  , but Martin has STILL not signed a contract  , why are you all so certain he`ll be present next season ?  

Earnie  just might be  head hunted by prem clubs too  !   in both cases   its , alas , down to money .....  [:^)]

[YankeeCanary 0]

[quote user="BlyBlyBabes"]

Just to set the record straight.

My original post only had to do with football tactics and my view of a necessary element for success next year.

Afford was not used in money terms. Maybe to protect my a** I should have entitled the thread           ''A luxury we cannot accomodate next year''?

My views on prudence, ambition and the NCFC board remain resolute and unchanged.

I think that the fate of the US dollar has unbalanced Yankee these days - and he sees money in every post.

Good luck Peter Grant. And I really do hope that our dear NCFC board will allow you to keep Huckerby (as a striker please), Earnshaw, Martin (and Brown/Jarvis) next year. Then, we might have the basis for a promotion push.

Steve Bruce said yesterday - on signining Andy Cole - that a team is as good as it''s strikers. Some truth in that. And he chas collected about 10 of them.

Ah well. When we need the final little push next year, I wonder what our board will do. Send for Dean Windass at last??!!

OTBC

[/quote]

Thanks for clarifying BBB. It was necessary. Incidentally, there are two ''m''s" in "accommodate". You are probably being a little prudent again rather than speculating to "accommodate".

With respect to the Yankee dollar, I don''t think this is its fate, it will be back stronger than ever so prepare thyself. It''s struggling at the moment trying to carry the weight of the world on its shoulders in the fight against global terrorism. Don''t worry, I''ll cover my share of the tax burden to cover it, while the moaners on this site complain about not getting football value for their 300 pound plus a season.

 

[nutty nigel 7,784]

[quote user="sheded"]

Sorry to rain on your picnic  , but Martin has STILL not signed a contract  , why are you all so certain he`ll be present next season ?  

Earnie  just might be  head hunted by prem clubs too  !   in both cases   its , alas , down to money .....  [:^)]

[/quote]

Thinking about watching Martin Peters in a yellow shirt, more recent thoughts of  Darren Huckerby scoring fabulous goals, remembering  the 1983 FA Youth Cup win, smirking about getting 650,000 for Lee Marshall, and just when it''s teatime you come and pee on my sarnies! Go away Sheded!!! [:)] [:P] [;)] [:^)] [sn] [au] [ap]

 

[GJP 79]

I think...the manager should be able to find a way to accomodate our best players. It''s pretty good for Norwich to have players with the calibre of Huckerby and Earnshaw so we should aim to get the best out of them

Obviously Hucks should never be left out as he''s just awesome.

Earnshaw is the best goalscorer in this league and is thoroughly worthy of his place in the team. That guy is money in the bank. People say he might only have eyes for the goal but the fact is that any good striker should have a selfish streak. There''s something wrong if a striker doesn''t want the headlines.

As for Chris Martin, he has been mighty impressive since he came into the team but it''s always the first full season that''s the hardest. He might struggle next year, I think the technical term for it is ''Jon Stead Syndrome''. Of course he may not...he might be unstoppable.

It remains to be seen how Earnie and Martin would function together, neither of them are cut out to be a target man.

In conclusion I think we need to look at Earnshaw as our main striker but find the right strike partner for him. But also a strike partner who could work with Chris Martin, just so we''ve got the option to mix things up a bit.

[chicken 0]

[quote user="BlyBlyBabes"]

And what is that?

Huckerby and Earnshaw in the same team?

I don''t think that a side seriously challenging for promotion from this tough league can afford to accommodate both of them at the same time. Huckerby cannot defend to save his life (& is not inclined to) and Earnshaw is a pure, old-fashioned, tunnel-visioned ''goal hanger'' in the Jimmy Greaves mold. Unless Grant can somehow get them working together as twin strikers.

Just as Alf Ramsay had to drop Jimmy Greaves for the rather utilitarian Geoff Hurst in order to win the World Cup in 1966, it is very likely that Grant will have to chose between Huckerby and Earnshaw to challenge for promotion next year.

Now for the firestorm![st]

I''m taking cover![um] 

OTBC

 

[/quote]

Forgive me if I am wrong as I was not alive at the time, but legend has it - by those who were alive and like to tell me about it, say that our front two in 1966 was actually decided by an injury to one of our first choice strikers after the first game or so and that kept him out untill the final where the big decision had to be made who to start?

[ca 1]

I love luxurys [:D]

[sheded 0]

Thinking about watching Martin Peters in a yellow shirt, more recent thoughts of  Darren Huckerby scoring fabulous goals, remembering  the 1983 FA Youth Cup win, smirking about getting 650,000 for Lee Marshall, and just when it''s teatime you come and pee on my sarnies! Go away Sheded!!!     Nutty Nigel 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Awrite ! I`ll go ,   snot my fault if the troof urts ..........[:''(][li]

 

[lucky green trainers 0]

its not only that, if hucks drops back to left wing to accomodate earnie alongside martin upfront, then what of simon lappin?

[BlyBlyBabes 0]

[quote user="Bernard Futter"]Just as Alf Ramsay had to drop Jimmy Greaves for the rather utilitarian Geoff Hurst... FYI Roger Hunt replaced Jimmy Greaves - Hurst had the no 10 shirt so was always in the preferred starting 11.[/quote]

As I recall it Bernard - and I know I''m right -

Jimmy Greaves played with Roger Hunt (and Bobby Charlton) in the three group matches against Uruguay, Mexico and France; didn''t score any goals; and got injured in the third match (against France). Hunt scored 3 and Charlton 1 of our 4 goals in those group matches.

Greaves being injured for the quarter-final against Argentina was replaced by Hurst who promptly scored our winner.

There was great debate about the two strikers for the next match, Greaves being fit again.

Ramsay decided that Greaves unbalanced the team somewhat because of his low work rate and ''goal hanging'' tendencies, left him out in favour of Hunt and Hurst for the semi-final against Portugal (Charlton scored our 2) and the final (Hurst 3 and Peters 1) - and the rest was history!

FYI as you put it, Bernard.

And I just checked my ticket stubs to make sure that I wasn''t dreaming. Can you believe that it only cost me ten shillings to stand on the terraces at one end and watch most football fans dream of a lifetime unfold and come true.

Still didn''t match 1958-59 though! That was the ultimate ecstasy Angel!

OTBC

 

 

  

[Bigmarkcanary 0]

[quote user="cityangel"]I love luxurys [:D][/quote]

So do I ca, but at the moment I cannot see past Hucks and Martin as a front two. They appear to have a very good understanding already, so why break that up?

[jjohnny 0]

Imho we have got to keep all 3 of them,rotation,injuries,and if we do well all 3 playing at once .We have got to have a stronger squad than this season .Lets show some ambition and not worry about what we can or can''t afford

[Matt_1 0]

DO MY EYES DECEIVE ME!!!??  Are we arguing because we have too many players for a position!!!??? oh my bloody god!  Can you remember when we were moaning we barely had enough to play on the bench!!! 

 

This is a fantastic situation and time for the board to stand up and be counted and show some balls.   We must keep all of these players.  If Martin becomes the player we are all imagining....if Hucks continues his form....if Earnshaw is happy to stay at little Norwich.....If Dion stays as a guiding star.... we have the nucleus for a superb next season.

 

The defence is a different matter however.  We need a couple of players cover here....THEN we are a force to be reckoned with.

 

DELIA.....PLEASE SEE WHAT IS POSSIBLE HERE.   If it''s money you are after, the Prem is there for the taking.  Give us another glory season,  take the money you would reap as reap for investment...and take your place in our hearts if you can run with this.......

....this is your chance to unite once again with the fans and be Mr and Mrs Norwich City.   COME ON YOU SMITHS .....LETS BE HAVING YOU!

 

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

[salp 0]

what is wrong with Earnie and Martin up front with Hux running around causing mayhem?

would get even more goals between the three, call me oldfashioned maybe...

[sheded 0]

[quote user="salp"]

what is wrong with Earnie and Martin up front with Hux running around causing mayhem?

would get even more goals between the three, call me oldfashioned maybe...

[/quote]

Here might be the problem with that idea Salp ,  Earnie and Martin ?   clash of ego`s ?    definately !   Martin and Hucks  ? yes ... Hucks doesn`t  have an ego  ,  if Martin wants to net it  , Hucks will let him  !  it depends on opportunities  .....

Problem is , will Martin be here next season ?   this is an 18 yr old  thats been suddenly headhunted  by the high rollers,   wow !