St.John Cooper 0 Posted July 7, 2011 Hi allI am very happy with our current signings and think we have the type of squad that can keep us up. We seem to be missing one important link and that is a defender. I would like to see someone come in who has some experience at this level, Upson I think fits the bill, still considered an international, wanting a club, solid defender who can score goals and someone who has big match experienceIf not him I think we need someone like him, while I am happy with young hungry players I would like one "old" head, especially at the backThoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BroadstairsR 0 Posted July 7, 2011 [quote user="St.John Cooper"]Hi allI am very happy with our current signings and think we have the type of squad that can keep us up. We seem to be missing one important link and that is a defender. I would like to see someone come in who has some experience at this level, Upson I think fits the bill, still considered an international, wanting a club, solid defender who can score goals and someone who has big match experienceIf not him I think we need someone like him, while I am happy with young hungry players I would like one "old" head, especially at the backThoughts?[/quote] Agree with all of that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Carrow 367 Posted July 7, 2011 A recent rumour was M.Taylor from Watford- 31 with plenty of Prem experience and fantastic opta stats from last season. Would be fairly cheap and i`d be extremely pleased if we got him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete_norw 0 Posted July 7, 2011 [quote user="Mr.Carrow"]A recent rumour was M.Taylor from Watford- 31 with plenty of Prem experience and fantastic opta stats from last season. Would be fairly cheap and i`d be extremely pleased if we got him.[/quote]So would I but he was loaned out to us from Birmingham and friends of mine say he was not Premier league class, how sweet would it be for him to come to us and do a good job for us, I''ll be the first to let my Blues friends know how he''s doing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Man-E-Faces 0 Posted July 7, 2011 Totally agree. I think we need a couple of old heads in to ''''help out'''' the youngsters and Upson certainly fits the bill. I guess it will all come down to wages. Am I being greedy wanting another keeper in as well? That would be 9 new signings! I also want the dead wood out ASAP. I put Stephen Hughes, Tom Adeyemi, Simon Lappin, Aaron Wilbraham, Oli Johnson, Anthony McNamee, Luke Daley, Steven Smith and Owain Tudur Jones in this bracket. Yes, I know I want it all!! I would like to add, I''m so much more confident than when we last got promoted to the Prem. What a fantastic manager we have in Lambert. Bring on Aug 13th and Wigan!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lets be aving you! 0 Posted July 7, 2011 I don''t ever recall it being first on rumours before, but the Yorkshire Evening Post, in an article on Pilkington, reckons we''re after Ilunga:"After missing out on England Under-21 international Steven Caulker after he joined fellow Premier League newcomers Swansea on loan from Tottenham, Norwich have been linked with a move for Congo defender Herita Ilunga, who is keen to play in the top flight again following West Ham’s relegation." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mahogany 0 Posted July 7, 2011 I have a feeling that S.Smith may be in Lambert''s plans for next season. He came here with pretty high praise and Rangers had wanted to keep him. He injured during the close season didn''t he? If he can stay fit and train with the rest of the squad hopefully he will settle in the area. He could be a really useful member of the squad, and would save us the expense of bringing in another defender. (Though I would quite like to see Taylor brought back).Upson was on massive wages at West Ham (like 50k massive) and now that he''s a free agent he''ll probably expect the same or more. There''d be no better way of ruining the team spirit at the club than bringing someone in on twice the wages that anyone else is getting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muddy funster 0 Posted July 7, 2011 I wonder if our scouting system has identified any Eastern European international defenders. This seems to be the Premiership "go to" area for a quality defender. Relatively cheap and an uncompromising attitude to defence. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lambo 0 Posted July 7, 2011 I''d have liked Sean St.Ledger personally. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
211203 0 Posted July 7, 2011 [quote user="St.John Cooper"]Hi allI am very happy with our current signings and think we have the type of squad that can keep us up. We seem to be missing one important link and that is a defender. I would like to see someone come in who has some experience at this level, Upson I think fits the bill, still considered an international, wanting a club, solid defender who can score goals and someone who has big match experienceIf not him I think we need someone like him, while I am happy with young hungry players I would like one "old" head, especially at the backThoughts?[/quote] I agree with this too. I think for a defender, anticipation of what an attacker is going to do is key, so experience is more important than up front. Having said that, we''ve been very tight-lipped about who we''re interested in, and its been noticeable that rumours about signings have come out from other clubs not us. So I''m sure we''re working on a signing or maybe two at the back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary 1,655 Posted July 7, 2011 is Martin Taylor raelly that much better than Ward,Whitbread or Barnett?.I too would like a better central defender but only one thats significantly so. I believe that the real defensive problems from last season weren''t necessarily our back 4 ,but the protection in front of it. I think that a defensive midfield breaker of play was a priority and I''m not sure if Bradley Johnson is that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Desert Fox 0 Posted July 7, 2011 [quote user="Mahogany"]I have a feeling that S.Smith may be in Lambert''s plans for next season. He came here with pretty high praise and Rangers had wanted to keep him. He injured during the close season didn''t he? If he can stay fit and train with the rest of the squad hopefully he will settle in the area. He could be a really useful member of the squad, and would save us the expense of bringing in another defender. (Though I would quite like to see Taylor brought back). Upson was on massive wages at West Ham (like 50k massive) and now that he''s a free agent he''ll probably expect the same or more. There''d be no better way of ruining the team spirit at the club than bringing someone in on twice the wages that anyone else is getting.[/quote]You are having a laugh re Smith. With De Laet, we now have three players capable of playing left back plus Lappin in an emergency. If Lambert had rated him highly, he would no have been loaned out to Aberdeen last season.We are most exposed at right back in terms of cover, although I think/hope that De Laet can also play there too or perhaps Korey Smith. There is no way that Francomb is ready for the PL.This leaves CB. Although we are ok in numbers (Tierney can also play this position), the concern of most fans is not so much quantity, but quality, particulalry in terms of PL experience. Our defence wasnt that tight last year and with the step in class, we will be more exposed, particularly concerning pace. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Salopian 1 Posted July 7, 2011 We have some experience, in Ward, and we could probably do with some more.The problem is that experience can often mean a lack of pace, although experience can compensate in other ways.Of our present defenders only de Laet and Barnett are blessed with good pace, however willing Tierney and Martin may be.Barnett and De Laet are both fairly in experienced at the Premiership level.I hope that PL can solve this particular problem because last year our defence was caught out several times by quick championship wingers and strikers, and we shall face even more of this next season. Last year our defensive record was not good, compared to the other top half teams, and we really must tighten up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheGoogler 324 Posted July 7, 2011 Not entirely sure Matthew Upson is the answer but I agree a defender is needed. I wonder if Sir Alex could be persuaded to also lend us Chris Smalling. I think Ferdinand, Vidic, Jones and Johnny Evans will all be ahead of him in the first team and I think he could do a very good job for us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Desert Fox 0 Posted July 7, 2011 [quote user="Salopian"]We have some experience, in Ward, and we could probably do with some more. The problem is that experience can often mean a lack of pace, although experience can compensate in other ways. Of our present defenders only de Laet and Barnett are blessed with good pace, however willing Tierney and Martin may be.Barnett and De Laet are both fairly in experienced at the Premiership level. I hope that PL can solve this particular problem because last year our defence was caught out several times by quick championship wingers and strikers, and we shall face even more of this next season. Last year our defensive record was not good, compared to the other top half teams, and we really must tighten up.[/quote]I agree completely about exposure to pace - this is a real worry with the step up in class. However, I think you are over egging the experience that Ward, De Laet and Barnett have in the PL. I woudl be surprised if they have started more than 15 games collectively. You point about wingers has perhaps not gone un-noticed by PL and I wonder if this has partly influenced the recruitment fo Bennett and Pilkington? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willo2 0 Posted July 7, 2011 For what it is worth, my opinion is that PL has bought wingers so that our full backs stay in a more solid back four next season. We were exposed with the diamond at times last season, when our full backs pushed forward at every opportunity, so the wingers give us a more solid 4-4-2 option or even 4-5-1 away with Wes off Holt/Morrison. and 2of Johnson/Croft/Fox sitting.Just my thought. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter-plastic 0 Posted July 7, 2011 I would be very surprised if we were interested in Martin Taylor, even if we were still in the Championship. Don''t think he''s as good now as he was a few years back, on the evidence of a few of his displays that I''ve seen in the last year or so. Think we already have better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Desert Fox 0 Posted July 7, 2011 [quote user="willo2"]For what it is worth, my opinion is that PL has bought wingers so that our full backs stay in a more solid back four next season. We were exposed with the diamond at times last season, when our full backs pushed forward at every opportunity, so the wingers give us a more solid 4-4-2 option or even 4-5-1 away with Wes off Holt/Morrison. and 2of Johnson/Croft/Fox sitting.Just my thought.[/quote] Willo,Completely agree - these formations would also enable Crofts/Johnson to sit back more and give more protection to the back four. Speedy wingers will also keep the opposition''s full backs from pushing too far forward, and if our wingers are grafters, they can also provide better protecton to the FBs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Legend Iwan 30 Posted July 7, 2011 Anyone else think the 5mil Leicester have bid for Matt Mills is too much? Would be a great signing, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Morisons Prozac 0 Posted July 7, 2011 [quote user="TheGoogler"]Not entirely sure Matthew Upson is the answer but I agree a defender is needed. I wonder if Sir Alex could be persuaded to also lend us Chris Smalling. I think Ferdinand, Vidic, Jones and Johnny Evans will all be ahead of him in the first team and I think he could do a very good job for us.[/quote]Smalling? He was there first choice centre half after Ferdinand and Vidic and Evans can''t get anywhere near the team. Do your research mate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave 0 Posted July 7, 2011 A defender or 2 is deffo needed we let in far too many last season and against the likes of some of the best forwards in the world, we need a defence as tight as my wallet when my wife wants to go shopping!!!Ideally for strength in depth 2 more defenders would be good and possibly an experienced keeper as backup Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
San Miguel 0 Posted July 7, 2011 i''d like to see an experienced centre back come in - Ward, Whitbread and Barnett are fine but Whitbread has well documented injury concerns and Barnett has only just come back from a long term injury himself.Upson could be a good option, what with his Norfolk connections. He may have been on £40-50k pw at West Ham but he''s not stupid - a player on a free transfer at his age is not going to demand "at least what i was on at West Ham".Also talks about Illunga and Gabbidon. I''d prefer Upson out of those and Martin Taylor personally. Would also like to see Adeyemi stay - even if just out on loan again for next season. Bradford didn''t go as well for him as i''d hoped but in some friendlies i watched him play in he looks really promising. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Desert Fox 0 Posted July 7, 2011 [quote user="San Miguel"]i''d like to see an experienced centre back come in - Ward, Whitbread and Barnett are fine but Whitbread has well documented injury concerns and Barnett has only just come back from a long term injury himself.Upson could be a good option, what with his Norfolk connections. He may have been on £40-50k pw at West Ham but he''s not stupid - a player on a free transfer at his age is not going to demand "at least what i was on at West Ham".Also talks about Illunga and Gabbidon. I''d prefer Upson out of those and Martin Taylor personally. Would also like to see Adeyemi stay - even if just out on loan again for next season. Bradford didn''t go as well for him as i''d hoped but in some friendlies i watched him play in he looks really promising.[/quote] One of my friends is a season ticket holder at Bradford. He said that under Peter Taylor Before he departed), Adyemi looked very lost becuase they played hoofball and the games was bypassing him. Also, that he was played out on the right rather than through the centre. My friend would be happy if he returned to Bradford (now sans Peter Taylor and playing better football) and thinks he is a long way off being able to play in the PL. I would be astonished if we didnt try to loan him out again as part of his development. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yella Foreva 0 Posted July 7, 2011 Personally i woud love to see Nedum Onuoha here. He is only 24 but has bags of premier league experience, over 100 games i think. I cant imagine he being wanted at Man City as he was at Sunderland on loan last year. I also cant imagine the transfer fee or his wages would be to high? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave 0 Posted July 7, 2011 [quote user="Yella Foreva"]Personally i woud love to see Nedum Onuoha here. He is only 24 but has bags of premier league experience, over 100 games i think. I cant imagine he being wanted at Man City as he was at Sunderland on loan last year. I also cant imagine the transfer fee or his wages would be to high?[/quote] If he ever made the full England 1st team, would he be the most unusual name ever to earn an full England cap Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yelloow Since 72 53 Posted July 7, 2011 PL has said that he wants the ability to trade in January, if necessary. Although it''d be nice to have another CB or RB or GK, he has to work within a budget. Last time in the Prem, City went with Doherty, Fleming and a very young Shackell and we nearly survived. Now there is Barnett, Whitbread, Ward and De Laet (who is a CB first and foremost). With De Laet able to cover at RB and LB as well, I don''t see the problem. As for GK, the need seems to be based on Rudd going out on loan. PL may feel that Rudd can get the necessary experience in Prem reserve games, backed up by Steer. The real problem last time in the Prem was up front, where Svensson and McKenzie were the only options until Ashton finally joined in January (so Doherty had to play up front some of the time). Now we have 6 or 7 strikers - I''m not including Johnson or Daley here -Holt, Morison, Vaughan, Jackson, Martin, and Wilbraham (and McDonald if he stays). Of these, Morison, Vaughan, Jackson and McDonald all have genuine pace. Add to this two new wingers/strikers who also have genuine pace and goalscoring ability as well. Back in 2005, Huckerby was the only player who had genuine pace. This will make a huge difference this season, especially if the strikers and wingers can use their pace to track back when we lose the ball. All of this makes me confident that Lambert knows what he is doing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alysha 0 Posted July 7, 2011 Would like to see another CB join the club; Luke Chambers from Nottingham Forest would be my choice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
star_manic 0 Posted July 7, 2011 [quote user="TheGoogler"]Not entirely sure Matthew Upson is the answer but I agree a defender is needed. I wonder if Sir Alex could be persuaded to also lend us Chris Smalling. I think Ferdinand, Vidic, Jones and Johnny Evans will all be ahead of him in the first team and I think he could do a very good job for us.[/quote] is this the johnny evans that has signed for sunderland? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanaryJames 0 Posted July 7, 2011 No it''s the Jonny Evans who plays for Manchester United.The ''Jonny Evans'' who signed for Sunderland is known better as ''Wes Brown'', or ''John O''Shea'' to friends... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ROBFLECK 131 Posted July 7, 2011 [quote user="St.John Cooper"]Hi allI am very happy with our current signings and think we have the type of squad that can keep us up. We seem to be missing one important link and that is a defender. I would like to see someone come in who has some experience at this level, Upson I think fits the bill, still considered an international, wanting a club, solid defender who can score goals and someone who has big match experienceIf not him I think we need someone like him, while I am happy with young hungry players I would like one "old" head, especially at the backThoughts?[/quote]Agree completely, but think Upson would be a bridge too far. Maybe we should look over the water? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites