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GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary

Do we actually need to sign anyone else in January??

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After yesterdays great all-round performance it would be diffucult in my opinion for us to sign anyone within our budget that would get into our side.

When you also consider that we had 8 players out who would have been around the 18 man squad if fit (Surman,Lansbury,Barnett,Ward,Fox,Lappin,Smith and Hughes) plus Adeyemi and Francomb who could be recalled during this month, if we can get everyone fit its diffuclt to see where would need strengthening?

We''ve got decent cover in goal, I cant imagine too many sides in this league having 4 better central defenders than Ward,Barnett,Nelson and Whitbread and three decent left backs. In the midfield department ,I wouldn''t swap Hoolahan,Surman and Lansbury for anyone elses attacking midfielders in this league (if we can get Lansbury for the rest of the season), Lambert has now got the cover he needed for Holt in Wilbraham in attack.

The only problem that I could possibly see is having a adequate cover for Crofts in that ''base'' of the diamond?

I''ll get shot down for this but I would love to see if Darel Russell would admit the error of his ways and come back as that cover.......and I''d sacrifrice all of Gill,Tudur-Jones and Hughes wages'' to get him back,....and I''d even bet that he''d prefer to sit on our bench than continue in his misery at Preston at the moment !!

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I''d say cover at RB and like you say someone in the Crofts mould, although I wouldn''t want to see Russell back

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I would really like to see Sammy Clingan back as cover for Crofts, he doesn''t seem to feature in Coventry''s long-ball plan.

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I wouldnt want croft, clingan nor anybody else who left when we got relegated.

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Someone to cover Crofts and a young lad to cover Drury I think. I said young lad becasuse Id rather see someone whos going to grow at the club than replace Adam.I also would like to see Cody Mac in a Norwich shirt and would risk saying its time to bid a fond farewll to Oli, Askou and either Gill or Tudor Jones.

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[quote user="Nexus_Canary"]Someone to cover Crofts and a young lad to cover Drury I think. I said young lad becasuse Id rather see someone whos going to grow at the club than replace Adam.I also would like to see Cody Mac in a Norwich shirt and would risk saying its time to bid a fond farewll to Oli, Askou and either Gill or Tudor Jones.[/quote]Oli needs a full season in league 1.....

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I think the idea is to get in cover rather than replacements - though no one should be guaranteed a place.

Lambert and the club will know that they may not be such an ''easy'' season to grab a promotion spot. We have played all other teams and other than where I think Lambert got the formation/tactics wrong (Watford and Doncaster) I can''t really think of any team that we were outclassed by. Beaten yes, but not outclassed.

As short term injuries seem so prevalent nowadays cover is going to be needed to maintain the momentum - likewise as we also seem to be losing players through suspension (red and yellow cards).

Russel Martins growing influence suggests that there is a place that needs cover if he has to miss games, likewise Crofts. Whether any players coming in will be up to a step up to the Premiership (should it happen) or whether they will be stop gaps such as Rose and Elliot last year is a moot point.

I shouldn''t, however, take too much notice of the handwringing claims that the club the cupboard is bare. There is always money when needed - it just depends how well it is used. At the moment Lambett seems to be getting it right.

.... and yes, Olly needs a few games elsewhere. Wilbraham has pushed him further down the pecking order, suppose it''s finding the right club though.

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[quote user="canary_girl"]I''d say cover at RB and like you say someone in the Crofts mould, although I wouldn''t want to see Russell back[/quote]

If Lansbury signs for the rest of the season he actually is a very good right back, just does not like playing there. He is also a very good goalkeeper it may surprise you to know 

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[quote user="Lambert is King"]

[quote user="canary_girl"]I''d say cover at RB and like you say someone in the Crofts mould, although I wouldn''t want to see Russell back[/quote]

If Lansbury signs for the rest of the season he actually is a very good right back, just does not like playing there. He is also a very good goalkeeper it may surprise you to know 

[/quote]Yeah i heard this few times from die hard arsenal fans about lansbury.I would like to see him bought back for the rest of the season. i think if we do sign someone mayb just one quality player, striker or midfielder (prefer striker) and cheap cover at RB, saving some money for any emergency loans we may need as the season goes on.I dont like this talk about cover for someone, no ones place should be guaranteed so whoever we bring in needs to be quality to challange for a place in a team where everyone is playing well. Does anyone know how long fox is out for, if a while then would like to see another work hard midfielder who can defend but is better than Korey.I would be surprised though if we bring anyone in with much quality, i dont think theres any position we desperately need, except RB, but whats point in bringing in cover, they may just get pissed off at never getting played, i think a loan player could do the job there if needed at any point.this is the strongest team we have had in years, a lot of depth, wont be good enough for prem and we are probably in need of another quality striker to play with holt, but the link up play between Wes, Martin and Holt has worked wonders for year and a half now.On oli Johnson i think hes being kept at the club so they can work with him in training, they prob dont want him going to a team where they dont know there trainign methods- he hasnt been in pro football for long so he probably still has a lot of raw talent which needs to be moulded with the right training methods. Although matches will do him a world of good, theres no point sending him out if the club dont think they turned him into the player they want yet- if that makes sense, makes sense in my head!

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For me, cover at RB would be the first priority - someone who Culverhouse can develop the way he has helped R. Martin. I think that Gill and OTJ both provide reasonable cover for Crofts, so I would go for an attacking midfielder with pace and strength who can also play as a striker. Interesting about Lansbury''s versatility, but IMO he would be wasted playing at RB, though it might be useful to use that in an emergency during a match.

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I think i saw a recent rumour that David Edgar was being linked, he''d probably be good as he could cover along the whole back line. Other than that unless it was someone who would walk into the side or someone with potential, like alot of people i cant really see where we need it.

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[quote user="Yelloow Since 72"]For me, cover at RB would be the first priority - someone who Culverhouse can develop the way he has helped R. Martin. I think that Gill and OTJ both provide reasonable cover for Crofts, so I would go for an attacking midfielder with pace and strength who can also play as a striker. Interesting about Lansbury''s versatility, but IMO he would be wasted playing at RB, though it might be useful to use that in an emergency during a match.[/quote]

George Francomb appears to be highly rated by the club and hoefully his loan at Barnet will do him good, I wouldn''t want us to sign some cheap lower league cover for Russell Martin to slow Francombs future path at the club.

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Anyone know if Barnett could do a job at RB?  I know we''d lose a bit off the centre of defence, but if he could do a job there as well, then that would be the reason why theres no noise from PL about a RB.  I dont really see why not, hes got plent of pace, just not too sure on his crossing and i wouldn''t wanna rely on him to give width in the diamond.  Just a thought...

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i dont think we need anyone.

we could play 3 at the back now, any off barnett, ward, zak, nelson, askou

with russell martin - or drury/lappin on the left as more attacking wing backs. if martin gets crocked then korey plays more or less right side of midfield.

got plenty of cover in midfield, with the young lad at bradford, now presumably back.

we have good striking options only thing i would change, maybe getting oli out on loan and maybe some one in.

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" if that makes sense, makes sense in my head!"

makes perfect sense, pricey - well reasoned argument

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We may not NEED anyone, but Lambert clearly wants two more additions, so hopefully there will be some movement.

Personally, I think we need a versatile defender. Our CB''s have proven themselves to be excellent recently, but we''ve looked stretched defensively as well. I''d definitely be pleased to see us bring in David Edgar (as he can play across the back four, and even as a defensive midfielder in an emergency).

I also think we could do with an extra winger/attacking player. Jason Puncheon looks in superb form, and can play LM/RM, or even in the ''Hoolahan Role''. If we can nick him from under the noses of Millwall, he''d be a great signing, and could even act as a 5th striker if push came to shove.

I''d look to get Rudd/Johnson/Daley/etc out on loan, and would consider offers for Askou. I can''t see us letting OTJ or Gill go at the moment, simply due to how many injuries we''ve got in midfield.

Finally, get Lansbury for the season!

Not asking for much!

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The time to strengthen the squad is when you are doing well, it''s far easier to tempt players to sign when things are going well and you can never have enough good players imo. We need another right back but if Zak can stay fit and play as he did yesterday I think the centre of defence is sorted, I think we can offload Askou.

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The responses to this thread have been very interesting. I am fascinated to see that nobody has suggested we go out and obtain any "fancy dan" loan players - a view I entirely agree with. Our success has mainly been due to teamwork and commitment, coupled with a definite improvement in some skill levels. I feel it would be an insult to those players who have given us 100% in nearly every game, to then push them aside in the hope that a temporary replacement will get us promoted.

Korey, who I highly rated last season, has perhaps not pushed on this season as expected, but he would probably be good/adequate cover for right back. The uncompromising Crofts is ideal for the base of the diamond. Fox has been OK but this is a position where we could do with cover in the form of another tough tackling midfielder. Definitely not Russell/Clingan/Croft.

Amazingly there is nobody in this division to fear whilst we continue to punch above our weight in what is a fairly average Championship League. Barring a lot of suspensions/injuries, then with continued consistency we could reach the promised land - for what it is worth !!!

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Its quite extrordinary to think that in over half a season we''ve only lost 2 away games, If we can get anywhere close to maintaining that in the 2nd half of the season and improve on our home form , its there for us , if we want it.

There hasn''t been a lot wrong so far so I dont see too much need to change a lot.

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Whislt I agree with the rest of your thread I cannot for the life of me understand why you would tag

" we continue to punch above our weight" when you even disprove that with the rest of your sentence " in what is a fairly average Championship League"

Teams and players are judged by their performances. We have won enough games to be third.

What is our weight ?

A club that has some of the highest attendances in the country, never nind this division

A club that has it''s finances in order

A club that, barring parachute payments, has one of the highest turnovers in this division (way above our i,poverished neighbours)

If anything, given all the factors above, the manager and the well organised board we are about roughly where we deserve/

So plase lets drop this silly ''little old Norwich'' stuff

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"Punch above our weight" I think this is one of Paul Lambert''s comments, so it must be right !!!! What we mean is that bearing in mind we have only just returned to this division and spent a very modest sum on new players, we are in a higher position than expected. In my view that is mainly due to Lambert/Culverhouse management. I am not suggesting at all that we are "little old Norwich".

Hardly any Club in the country has its finances in order, by normal commercial standards, and we are one of them. The Club are currently taking money for season tickets for 2011-2012. Not a bad idea but would you give B & Q £300 for an order which will not be completely fulfilled until April 2012 !!

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[quote user="vos"]"Punch above our weight" I think this is one of Paul Lambert''s comments, so it must be right !!!! What we mean is that bearing in mind we have only just returned to this division and spent a very modest sum on new players, we are in a higher position than expected. In my view that is mainly due to Lambert/Culverhouse management. I am not suggesting at all that we are "little old Norwich".

Hardly any Club in the country has its finances in order, by normal commercial standards, and we are one of them. The Club are currently taking money for season tickets for 2011-2012. Not a bad idea but would you give B & Q £300 for an order which will not be completely fulfilled until April 2012 !![/quote]We''re not punching above our weight in terms of the size and scope of the club; I think it''s more that it is taking less time than anyone dared to dream to rebuild the mess that Grant, Roeder and Gunn left behind. Even after Lambert worked wonders last season, did anybody honestly expect us to be on the fringes of the top two? Lambert is clearly extremely talented at getting the best out of players - when you look at the other supposed ''top'' teams in this league, there''s a hell of a lot more Premiership/Championship experience than we have in our squad, but by developing a real team ethic, no reliance on loan players, tactical nous and intelligent signings, he has got a squad that is greater than the sum of its parts, and for me that''s a sign of a manager with terrific charisma and coaching ability.I know this is totally hypothetical, but do you really think that any of our three previous managers could have taken this squad of players as high as Lambert has? In some ways it bears the hallmarks of our great teams of the late 80s and early 90s - no superstars, no egos, just a squad of players who other clubs underestimate at their peril. I can see how that could be interpreted as ''punching above our weight'', but this team deserves to be where it is right now.

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That was my first thought - when the injured recover, do we need anyone?

Added to this is the fact that there is a certain amount of panic to buy and releuctance to sell, so prices can be high in January.

One advantage of buying in January, however, is to buy early those players whose contracts end in the Summer, and not lose out later, and of course to have them available for five months.

One signing is, of course, Barnett, who proved an excellent signing when we had Nelson and Zach out.

We still have no specialist cover for RB. So far Russell Martin has not been sidelined, but if he were we would have to play a non-specialist, Korey, a CB, or a youngster. This would not be attractive if we are still promotion candidates. We have cover in most positions, but not at RB.

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I don''t see Rudd going out on loan, purely because then we have no cover for Ruddy if he gets an injury or something. No point loaning/signing a more experienced keeper to sit on the bench just so we can send Rudd out.

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