Sqaud for next season?.....

[GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary 2,035]

I''m taking a stab at Drury,Barnett,Lappin,Crofts,Wilbraham,Martin,Wilbraham, poss Jackson?? being surplus to requirements and Naughton going back to Spurs.

My signings (??) purely based on media rumour,

                                            Holt /Morison        (Rhodes ??) / Vaughan

Pilkington / Surman           Fox / Johnson     Howson / Hoolahan       Bennett / (Snodgrass??)

Tierney / (Aiden White??)    Whitbread / Ward        Bennett / Ayala     Martin / (Gunter??)

                                                          Ruddy / Steer / Rudd

                                

[CambridgeCanary 0]

Oh Joy!!!!

 

Yet another who will leave in the summer thread.  Is this the 9th or the 10th?

 

But just to engage with it for a moment, when has Lambert ever got rid of someone in his team or even in his match 18?  Answer is Russell and the Doc.  Of the players he has signed, the answer is none.   So, I just don''t get why so many think that Wilbraham and Drury will be on their way  Both were in the team on Monday.   It is not Lambert''s way.  He will bring in better players and relegate previous regulars to bit players but he doesn''t push people out who can make a realistic contribution.  The one exception is Nelson and that was Lambert being kind as the offer to Nelson was a good one and the Club got a fee.

 

As for Crofts and Jackson; really?  Again total change of character and policy required for Lambert to move them on.   I just don''t believe it.

 

Are you saying what you want to happen in which case your dreams are your own and you are welcome to them?  Or are you saying what you think will happen in which case on what evidence?

 

 

[Indy 3,471]

Don''t thnik your too far off the mark.

I question Morison, not that I don''t rate him but there is something just not right here! He''s just not the player for what ever reason, but one thing is clear he does look like he doesn''t want to be here in recent games, going through the motions.

I think Drury will stay and go on into some form of backroom support.

Have to agree that Crofts, Lappin, Barnett, Chrissy Martin, will be moved on if replacements are found, I would add to that Adeyemi and Korey Smith.

The link with Rhodes, Gunter and Snodgrass have not gone away all season, so who knows but I would say if we can get all three it would be a very good pre-season!

 

[alysha 0]

Snodgrass spoke out last night about Leeds'' lack of ambition, and how they couldn''t have ever been serious about promotion if they were so willing to sell their captain - Howson. A lot of Leeds fans are interpreting this as his moment to put his side across before he inevitably leaves this summer. Just hoping Lambert''s interest in him is still as strong as it was last summer. He would be a great addition to the squadm, in my opinion.

[Jim Smith 2,610]

Hopefully a summer of quiet evolution rather than revolution as i think we did some of our summer business early in bringing in Howson and Bennett. I really don''t think we need to bring in too many new faces. Maybe 4-5 out with the same number coming in to replace them, I can see C.Martin, Lappin, Drury, Crofts and Barnett going. Maybe also one of Jackson or Wilbraham.

 

I would hope that now we are safe we will offer Fox and Whitbread new contracts. I would also offer Wilby another year. Coming in I think the Gunter rumours have been so persistent i can see that happening. This Wood link is also quite random so may be some truth in that. Other than those i would like a defensive midfielder and some pace up front/on the wing. If Drury goes we will also need another left back. All in all though the squad looks decent already and even if we had to start next season with the squad we have now I think we would do ok.

 

 

 

[Bill 1,788]

I think Cambridge you are missing the point of only being allowed a 25 man squad, we currently have -John RuddyRussell MartinAdam DruryBradley JohnsonSteve MorisonZak WhitbreadAndrew CroftsJames VaughanGrant HoltSimeon JacksonAndrew SurmanAnthony PilkingtonDeclan RuddWes HoolahanDavid FoxElliott BennettSimon LappinLeon BarnettAaron WilbrahamElliott WardMarc TierneyJonny HowsonKyle Naughton Daniel AyalaJed Steer under 21,so not includedRyan Bennettthat gives 25which means that if Naughton returns to Spurs we can only bring in ONE more player, as it stands. Assuming Chris Martin does not return.So I would suggest Rudd or Steer will go put on loan and Barnett will certainly leave allowing for three more signings We will have to see if any of Crofts, Lappin, Drury also move on freeing up another place or two. So I don''t expect any major clearout out or large numbers coming in.What is very rarely mentioned and seems to have been overlooked is whether any of our players will be signed by a ''bigger'' club. This has been very noticable since McNally took over. In three years/seasons we have not sold one player to a ''bigger'' club and there has rarely been any serious suggestion that any would go either.I suspect it is down to his negotiating skills, whereby players are brought in who see their medium term future at City, not viewing us as a short term stepping stone to ''better things.

[pete_norw 0]

[quote user="alysha"]Snodgrass spoke out last night about Leeds'' lack of ambition, and how they couldn''t have ever been serious about promotion if they were so willing to sell their captain - Howson. A lot of Leeds fans are interpreting this as his moment to put his side across before he inevitably leaves this summer. Just hoping Lambert''s interest in him is still as strong as it was last summer. He would be a great addition to the squadm, in my opinion.[/quote]

I hope in all honesty that PL keeps the bulk of the squad that we have, maybe 2 or 3 signings in the summer, as I believe to many will probably not work next season, it will break the ballance of the team.

[Aggy 944]

I think it depends on finances. If you''ve got a capable back up option in a position, it only makes sense to spend money on a player who will be good enough for the first team.

So, for instance, Drury - is Aiden White going to oust Tierney from the first choice left back slot? I doubt it. So then what''s the point in offloading Drury and spending money on another back up left back, when we''ve got a perfectly capable back up left back at the club already? Unless we''re spending more money on someone who should be better than Tierney, then there''s no point getting rid of Drury.

If Vaughan stays, we''ll go into the season with 5 forwards. Vaughan has never stayed fit. If you only have 3 other options, and he gets injured again like this season, even if it was a Holt, Morison and Rhodes combination, you''re always worried that a suspension or injury to one of those and you''re really, really struggling up top.

I only really think we''ll sign three players; a forward, a right back and another central midfielder (either an out and out ball winner, or another Howson midfield general type).

As such, I think maybe Crofts will be going, and one of Vaughan, Wilbraham or Jackson will be going as well. Plus Barnett, Chris Martin and only possibly Lappin (although I think Lappin has good versatility and seems to fit in well with the group, so I don''t think he will go unless a good offer comes in and he''s told Lambert he wants first team football). Other than that, I think the squad will be pretty similar - maybe we''ll bring in another centre half, and either Ward or Whitbread will be on the way out too, but I doubt that to be honest.

[Indy 3,471]

"What is very rarely mentioned and seems to have been overlooked is whether any of our players will be signed by a ''bigger'' club. This has been very noticable since McNally took over. In three years/seasons we have not sold one player to a ''bigger'' club and there has rarely been any serious suggestion that any would go either.

I suspect it is down to his negotiating skills, whereby players are brought in who see their medium term future at City, not viewing us as a short term stepping stone to ''better things."

That indeed is a very good point and one I''ve not considered!

I think this summer might be too early for the likes of Pilkington and Bennett but I''m sure a strong start to next season will make some of our players the focus of the bigger clubs next January. It will be interesting to see how good we are then to fighting off this selling club tag. Although I''m not daft enugh to think players will want to stay if the likes of Spurs, Liverpool or Newcastle come calling, if the right offer is made!

 

[Aggy 944]

I''m not really all that worried about players going to bigger clubs. Firstly, I think the team spirit here makes players want to stay - so I can''t see any of them making sideways moves. Why go to someone like Villa when you enjoy it here? You''re no more likely to achieve anything with a Villa than you are with us to be honest.

Obviously if a chance to win more silverware comes along, they may take it. But Man Utd, Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea, you''d think would be looking at better players. Liverpool I''m looking at the likes of Downing and Carroll signings and wondering whether they''re going to go down the domestic route for a while; and Spurs I expect to bring in some real big names with champions league experience, not norwich players.

So who else is there? Newcastle are a possibility, as are Everton I suppose, maybe Sunderland. Everyone else would be a sideways or backwards move. Which of our players are those three clubs likely to want? Sunderland after Ruddy perhaps? Pilks to one of them? Other than that, nothing is likely to happen at all in my opinion.

[Bill 1,788]

" fighting off this selling club tag"another type of urban myth I''m afraidevery club is a selling club, players will usually have a clause in their contract that allows them to leave if a certain offer is made - as with Torres and Ronaldo. Players will always look to improve their lot so as with Howson and Bennett and the club is often contractually unable to block any move.Unfortunately this does allows fans to whine about ''lack of hambition'' etc etcBased on what I hear locally, I think what has happened with McNally is he has set out to put the ball back in clubs court so to speak and has ensured that kind of get out clause is not so frequent, and has indentified players who want to commit to the club. Most likely the word will have got round and so agents are not planting stories in the lower rags to try and cause disquiet. Players joining us have mostly seen the move as a massive step up so it would undoubtedly have the been the club in the driving seat in most contracts.As Aggy says there are not too many clubs that are now a big step up from City. There are also a fair number whose finances look fragile and with the upcoming court ruling, whereby a clubs ''football'' debts always take priority, looking to be overturned a fair few players will be looking as much for security as they are a chance of a quick buck.

ps there is also the suggestion that the club is not too willing to engage in what might be thought ''Redknapp'' style dealings, so large sums/fees that are quoted but never appear as such in the clubs accounts are far less likely

[Lets be aving you! 0]

I think we''re unlikely to make more than about 3 signings. Lambert has himself hinted in an interview that he would like to change from getting in 6 or 7 players during the close season. As another poster has said, Howson and R. Bennett just represented some early shopping.

 

Any purchases are likely to be to replace players:

1. refusing to sign new contracts (rumours of Whitbread not re-signing have been circulating, with Sunderland possibly interested),

2. for whom the club receives an attractive offer (C. Martin?, Barnett?, Crofts?), or

3. to which the club does not offer a new contract (e.g. Drury, Wilbraham).

 

There will likely be a little ''natural wastage'' from these routes.

 

I can see a striker coming in (probably a youngish understudy) and 2 full-backs - one to replace Naughton (Gunter maybe) and the other (Aidy White rumoured) as cover because Tierney''s injury now seems quite serious and potentially longer-term.

 

Further additions will likely be made only to replace players for whom we receive good offers and where the player himself wants to go.

[Excited Canary 19]

[quote user="Lambert is god"]

I think we''re unlikely to make more than about 3 signings. Lambert has himself hinted in an interview that he would like to change from getting in 6 or 7 players during the close season. As another poster has said, Howson and R. Bennett just represented some early shopping.

 

Any purchases are likely to be to replace players:

1. refusing to sign new contracts (rumours of Whitbread not re-signing have been circulating, with Sunderland possibly interested),

2. for whom the club receives an attractive offer (C. Martin?, Barnett?, Crofts?), or

3. to which the club does not offer a new contract (e.g. Drury, Wilbraham).

 

There will likely be a little ''natural wastage'' from these routes.

 

I can see a striker coming in (probably a youngish understudy) and 2 full-backs - one to replace Naughton (Gunter maybe) and the other (Aidy White rumoured) as cover because Tierney''s injury now seems quite serious and potentially longer-term.

 

Further additions will likely be made only to replace players for whom we receive good offers and where the player himself wants to go.

[/quote] @ZakWhitbread Would you want to stay at #ncfc for another few seasons if offered a new contract?” Yes great club

[Lets be aving you! 0]

Hadn''t seen that, Excited C., so good news because I really like him as a player.

[GJP 79]

Thought this might have been the last season for Adam Drury in a Norwich shirt but now I''m not so sure.

 

Not sure I see Wilbraham leaving earlier.

 

Players the "right" side of 30 who aren''t getting much first team football may wish to move on.

[GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary 2,035]

[quote user="CambridgeCanary"]

Oh Joy!!!!

 

Yet another who will leave in the summer thread.  Is this the 9th or the 10th?

 

But just to engage with it for a moment, when has Lambert ever got rid of someone in his team or even in his match 18?  Answer is Russell and the Doc.  Of the players he has signed, the answer is none.   So, I just don''t get why so many think that Wilbraham and Drury will be on their way  Both were in the team on Monday.   It is not Lambert''s way.  He will bring in better players and relegate previous regulars to bit players but he doesn''t push people out who can make a realistic contribution.  The one exception is Nelson and that was Lambert being kind as the offer to Nelson was a good one and the Club got a fee.

 

As for Crofts and Jackson; really?  Again total change of character and policy required for Lambert to move them on.   I just don''t believe it.

 

Are you saying what you want to happen in which case your dreams are your own and you are welcome to them?  Or are you saying what you think will happen in which case on what evidence?

 

 

[/quote]

Not particularly either of these, not so much a thread about who I think/want to leave but more one of what the gaps might be/ where we need strengthening should some of these players mentioned move on.

I not one for wanting players to move for the sake of it i.e Drury,Wilbraham,Crofts but as has been mentioned by others we do need to keep to a 25 man squad and can''t carry people who realistically won''t feature too much.

It has often been said of the premier league that "if you stand still ,you go backwards" and I would assume that Lambert will have a few improvements in mind??

[Syteanric 1]

no chance Wilbo will be let go.. more chance of Morison than him.. and thats not a criticism of Morro!

[smooth 114]

As said I expect one loan player to join another club - Chris Martin, possibly Korey SmithI expect two players to not be offered new contractsI expect a bid to come in from a bigger club for one of our players if it was either R. Martin or Surman, I think Surman is more easily replaced. But he has had a great season with goals and genuine quality.So I expect 4-5 holes in our squad and that is without Naughton returning to Spurs.He is the key signing, then look at a left back in January. Central midfield starter, winger and Centre Forward.The following season will be interesting as I think players have two seasons to prove themselves. Jackson has had two seasons and for me, on the field he has fallen short, off the field he seems a great professional. But that is a long way off.Summer - Naughton, Holden, Philips (Snodgrass) and a centre forward who is better quality than Holty.I would even still look at Lansbury.Exciting summer ahead isn''t it.

[lake district canary 0]

[quote user="smooth"]As said I expect one loan player to join another club - Chris Martin, possibly Korey Smith

I expect two players to not be offered new contracts

I expect a bid to come in from a bigger club for one of our players if it was either R. Martin or Surman, I think Surman is more easily replaced. But he has had a great season with goals and genuine quality.

So I expect 4-5 holes in our squad and that is without Naughton returning to Spurs.

He is the key signing, then look at a left back in January. Central midfield starter, winger and Centre Forward.

The following season will be interesting as I think players have two seasons to prove themselves. Jackson has had two seasons and for me, on the field he has fallen short, off the field he seems a great professional. But that is a long way off.

Summer - Naughton, Holden, Philips (Snodgrass) and a centre forward who is better quality than Holty.

I would even still look at Lansbury.

Exciting summer ahead isn''t it.
[/quote]

 

 

 

Better quality?  Have we got £30 million pounds to spend? 

 

 

 

[smooth 114]

Ha ha we have to move forward. We need that second striker, this period now through to the end of the season is a chacne for those fringe strikers to prove a point.If Holty gets injured we would play 2 out of Wilby, Jackson and Morison. These players have to show their quality. Vaughan, I believe when fit, is a cracking striker. But if we get a striker who is not as good as Holty he will join the group of Morison, Jackson and Wilby, we cannot afford that.A striker who is £3million would still be very capable, if we have £££ to spend why not a little more, but I do not think we will.We need that second striker and hence one ahead of Holty will mean the new striker is not competing with the other three but then Holty will be the second striker.

[Bill 1,788]

"So I expect 4-5 holes in our squad and that is without Naughton returning to Spurs."Chris Martin and Korey Smith are not part of current permitted 25 player squad (see post above)

"Better quality?  Have we got £30 million pounds to spend? "I expect this seasons ticket sales/corporate hospitality/ sponsorship to be far higher than what is was season 2010/11TV money appears to be what was budgeted forThis leaves prize money based on final placing. The ''ever so umble'' who wanted us to finish 17th would have given us £3.2m, currently 10th place gives us £8.8mPresuming outgoings are roughly the same we should have a fair bit extra this summer (not £30m) - but it does depend so much on maintaining the highest place possible

[lake district canary 0]

Smooth, a striker who is £3 million could be capable, but I wonder if  PL sees it the way you suggest.   We know the way he runs things is to give every player the opportunity to shine - that would mean the striker in form will get the nod.    At the start of the season Holt wasn''t apparently going to be the number one striker. but he forced his way back in.    If we have 5 strikers, who ever they are, it should be that they are all equally capable of being the number one striker at any given time.  If Jackson starts scoring like he did at the end of last season - he''ll make himself first choice.   Its swings and roundabouts.    I agree the players we''ve got need to show they are capable at that level - I believe Jackson can do that - his performances have been good - look at Bennett - good performances, just needed that spark to start scoring - and boy did he light that spark.   I think Jackson has the ability to score goals at this level - he has put in some good performances.  We know he can score goals - PL obviously believes in him and all the players to do the job.    So with the five we''ve got, good chances for everybody next season.   Do we need a number one striker? No, we have five decent strikers -  fit and firing they are all capable of doing the job asked of them.     

 

Moving forward?   Give the squad the chance to improve as they are with the minimum of disruption.  I don''t see any striker coming in and being first choice.  Maybe the answer lies within?   Vaughan, Jackson - botth with something to prove.  Holt - to prove he can still do it as he gets older.  Morison - prove the doubters wrong, Wilbraham - rapidly become a favourite and we know he will do a job for us when called upon.  

 

No worries. [:)]

 

 

 

[kdncfc 28]

I would imagine there''ll be 5 - 7 new players arriving in the summer with 4 or 5 going out. We should have a pretty decent transfer budget and I''d be very surprised if we don''t break our record transfer fee.

[Bill 1,788]

" Do we need a number one striker? No, we have five decent strikers - 

fit and firing they are all capable of doing the job asked of them."And therein lies the main point. Because that job is often different. Clealy the idea on Monday was to put two big strikers who would get into the face of the Spurs defence. Sometimes it may need a pacey player like Jackson to go past their defence.Lambert wants and has provided such optionsWe have scored more than Liverpool and Everton and pretty much the rest of the middle pack, so it''s not as if we have any real problem in that department

[lake district canary 0]

[quote user="kdncfc"]I would imagine there''ll be 5 - 7 new players arriving in the summer with 4 or 5 going out. We should have a pretty decent transfer budget and I''d be very surprised if we don''t break our record transfer fee.
[/quote]

 

 

This would be very surprising given the ethos of the manager.  Money isn''t everything as surely we are discovering as fans. If we take in what has been happening over the last three years, we have success not just due to having  money.   Just because you have more does not mean you have to go out and spend it.   PL will only bring in the odd player he finds who will fit in.  

 

Somehow I don''t think he will feel he has to go out and spend his whole summer buying/selling  players.

 

We have a good squad which is evolving all the time - slowly and steadily.

 

 

 

 

 

[smooth 114]

LDC isn''t a great place to be.We really are looking at great quality joining our team (as in january).I think you are right Lambert looks at who is the right fit and so far it has worked exceptionally well.I also think if the right player comes up in any position he may jump at it, example of that was Ayala last summer.I do think many people still think that Jackson hasn''t a point to prove, he scored goals between the end of March 2011 and the end of the 2010-11 season (about 5 weeks in a 2 year career), but at no other point has he been a regular striker. So he has a point to prove. I think our strikers who are here are very capable and Vaughan certainly will be like a new striker, but I do think another striker will join our ranks. Lambert is a bit more ruthless than he lets on, we all see how he feels every kick, pass and block in a game. He wants winners and demands it.Chrissy Martin may be on the move, Wilby (as of yet) has no contract... so these two may not be with us next season and if one player is injured and one is suspended then we could be very low on numbers. I think 5 strikers is a good number but I also think you have to improve your ranks. Personally if Holty and Vaughan were out next season I would not feel confident with Wilby, Jackson and Morison leading our line for a full season. Not when we have the summer to look at potential strikers who want to prove themselves.But again roll on the summer. My wishlist is Right back, holding, strong midfielder, winger and striker. If I had to say which is more important I couldn''t I would say that all four are vitally important, possibly right back and strong midfielder is key as we need to shore up our defence next season. Then striker, then winger.But god I can''t wait for the summer transfer dealings

[smooth 114]

Lambert will be planning his budget for the summer and have his targets already identified.Lambert will be looking now at the players where we will need re-inforcements in january and again allocating some budget for that point.I agree LDC, I do not think we will break the bank at all, but some money will be spent. I beleive I have read somewhere we have a large amount of debt to pay off this year and hence alot of money will be going in that direction. But we have been here before and you do not rest on your laurels. We have developed a great squad and team.But I believe we will have a good sized transfer budget still, it will not be massive and I do not expect us looking at breaking our transfer record each and every window. For four good quality players I could see a reasonable sized budget, but it would still be smaller than West Ham''s if they come up and possibly Reading''s. Hence I also think there may be one player who does leave for a nice fee.I would expect £10-12 million for the summer (that is if we sell a player) otherwise it will be £8-9 million.Just can''t wait for the rumours and new signings.

[Bill 1,788]

[quote user="lake district canary"]

[quote user="kdncfc"]I would imagine there''ll be 5 - 7 new players arriving in the summer with 4 or 5 going out. We should have a pretty decent transfer budget and I''d be very surprised if we don''t break our record transfer fee.[/quote]

This would be very surprising given the ethos of the manager.  Money isn''t everything as surely we are discovering as fans. If we take in what has been happening over the last three years, we have success not just due to having  money.   Just because you have more does not mean you have to go out and spend it.   PL will only bring in the odd player he finds who will fit in.  

Somehow I don''t think he will feel he has to go out and spend his whole summer buying/selling  players.

We have a good squad which is evolving all the time - slowly and steadily

[/quote]

Sot on LDC. I don''t think Lambert wants this massive churn approach. Players are (still) here because Lambert thinks they can do a job.

All he will do is add back up where we don''t have two players challenging for the same position.

Evolving is the word, and no doubt a couple more will arrive in January. Despite all the over excited nonsense about transfer fees, it is the wages that are the killer. I doubt Howson left Leeds to join us on the same wages - nor Bennett who switched from Swansea when he was halfway down there. So maybe 2 or 3 in the summer. it is stability he is after.

Quality costs - in the wage packet

[kdncfc 28]

[quote user="lake district canary"]

[quote user="kdncfc"]I would imagine there''ll be 5 - 7 new players arriving in the summer with 4 or 5 going out. We should have a pretty decent transfer budget and I''d be very surprised if we don''t break our record transfer fee.[/quote]

 

 

This would be very surprising given the ethos of the manager.  Money isn''t everything as surely we are discovering as fans. If we take in what has been happening over the last three years, we have success not just due to having  money.   Just because you have more does not mean you have to go out and spend it.   PL will only bring in the odd player he finds who will fit in.  

 

Somehow I don''t think he will feel he has to go out and spend his whole summer buying/selling  players.

 

We have a good squad which is evolving all the time - slowly and steadily.

 

 

 

 

 

[/quote]PL has said that he will only bring in players better than we already have so I''d expect him to up the ante a little and bring in players from the higher end of the Championship who are likely to cost a little more than the top league 1 players we signed last year. I''d be very surprised if any less than 5 new players arrived in the summer tbh.

[lake district canary 0]

[quote user="City1st"][quote user="lake district canary"]

[quote user="kdncfc"]I would imagine there''ll be 5 - 7 new players arriving in the summer with 4 or 5 going out. We should have a pretty decent transfer budget and I''d be very surprised if we don''t break our record transfer fee.
[/quote]

This would be very surprising given the ethos of the manager.  Money isn''t everything as surely we are discovering as fans. If we take in what has been happening over the last three years, we have success not just due to having  money.   Just because you have more does not mean you have to go out and spend it.   PL will only bring in the odd player he finds who will fit in.  

Somehow I don''t think he will feel he has to go out and spend his whole summer buying/selling  players.

We have a good squad which is evolving all the time - slowly and steadily

[/quote]

Sot on LDC. I don''t think Lambert wants this massive churn approach. Players are (still) here because Lambert thinks they can do a job.

All he will do is add back up where we don''t have two players challenging for the same position.

Evolving is the word, and no doubt a couple more will arrive in January. Despite all the over excited nonsense about transfer fees, it is the wages that are the killer. I doubt Howson left Leeds to join us on the same wages - nor Bennett who switched from Swansea when he was halfway down there. So maybe 2 or 3 in the summer. it is stability he is after.

Quality costs - in the wage packet

[/quote]

 

 

[Y][Y]  Total agreement City!