The defence next season.

[I am a Banana 0]

We currently have 9 recognised defenders. (although Elliott Bennett was good when he stepped in at right back.!)

Tierney, Drury

Naughton, Martin

Ward, Whitbread, Barnett, Bennett, Ayala

 

If reports today are true and we will be releasing Whitbread and Ward, Drury is also out of contract and Naughton will be going back to Spurs it would leave us VERY short at the back. Most also think Barnett will be leaving too. It would mean buying 1 xRB, 1 xLB and 2 xCB. Is this too much to do in a single summer? How much would this cost the club for a quality LB, RB ad 2 CBs? £2m each maybe more, with wages, agent fees and signing on fees all on top that could well total £12m-£15m just for the defence not adding any strength anywhere else on the pitch. Therefore Drury should stay another season, to save finding a new LB. A new RB is 1st priority with Martin the only recognised RB we will have. We will need 1 more CB but only as a back up IMO with Ayala and Bennett being the1st choice pairing.

 

Should be an interesting defence at the start of next season!

[Gingerpele 0]

Ward, Whitbread and Drury won''t leave.

Can''t believe anyone is taking a rumour from the Sun even slightly seriously, i''m probably more reliable.

[Yellowbeagle 0]

The Sun rumour is just lazy journalism, they''ve looked at our of contract players, doesnt mean things arnt going on behind the scenes to make sure they stay. We operate a behind closed doors on transfers and contracts lately which is why we usually dont have a clue who were signing.

[I am a Banana 0]

Well, if Ward leaves it will only be a good thing!

[Gingerpele 0]

Try watching Ward next game, you might see how good a defender he is.

[I am a Banana 0]

I''ve watched his every home game he has played. He isn''t good. When were in possession he is fine on the ball, when someone runs at him he is hopeless! He also gives up easy - watch the newcaslte goal, he could have attepted to block the cross prior to cisse getting his right peg on it!

[Legend Iwan 30]

Charlie Wyett has done a few pieces on us in the past and I get the feeling he must know someone within the club. But I highly doubt all three of Ward, Witbread and Drury will go. Lambert is happy to make substantial squad changes but seems to refer some continuity.

[The DicTaTor 0]

Oh dear, why are you even discussing something that is not going to happen? Just goes to show that if you publish something then a number of fools will take it as gospel.If the Republic of Wadiya Media told you that black was white, then would you believe them?

[thenorthstand 0]

I think maybe the defence needs strengthening, but not sure those players will be leaving. I predict Barnett will though...

[grantroederdisaster 0]

Lazy journalism from a guy who writes in the Norwich programme and supports the club as well!

 

I feel Drury could go either way although I think he should be given a new 1 year deal in recognition of his high level performances so far!

 

Whitbread has been one of our best players so why would Lambert want him to go although the same could have been said of the Doc in the League 1 campaign!

 

Ward although limited at Premiership level has shown hes capable of being a more than useful squad player at least!

[Gingerpele 0]

Yes you must be right Banana, thats why with Ward in defence, in a poor run of form, we''ve conceded slightly less goals per game in his 5 league games, including games against Man.U and Newcastle. He must be so poor, Whitbread is doing the job of two men...

If Ward could have blocked the cross, then Whitbread could have covered Cisse. But oh no, Whitbread is wonderful, Ward is rubbish so its all his fault, lets pick every little fault possible in Ward, and ignore the numerous times Whitbread gives away the ball, because for some reason we''ve decided Whitbread is the best thing since sliced bread and Ward is rubbish.

[Gingerpele 0]

For reference, Ward has played in five league games (WLLDL) (Form can''t be put down to one CB) in which time we have conceded 7 goals, or 1.4 goals per game.

In the 24 games Ward has not played in, we have conceded 39 goals, or 1.625 goals per game. Obviously not a huge difference, but the fact is we have conceded on average less goals per game with Ward at CB, than without Ward at CB... And the last four league games have seen our worst run of form (not by much, on two occasions we have only gained 2 points in 4 games, this time 1 point in 4 games).

[drurys testamonials V 15 0]

There''s plenty of posters who get all defensive over on the saga thread. Maybe they could do a job.

[I am a Banana 0]

Who will be the 2 1st choice CBs when Ayala is fit and Bennett has settled and understand the way we play?

[Gingerpele 0]

Ward and Gary Doherty

[I am a Banana 0]

[quote user="Gingerpele"]Ward and Gary Doherty[/quote]

Your footballing knowledge down to a T!

[Gingerpele 0]

Banana, don''t you dare question my football knowledge. You think Ward is rubbish, despite the fact we have a better defensive record with him in the league. You seem to think Rodriguez is the most important player ever, you ''support'' Holland, you think English 3PM games are superior. You get massively disappointed after a couple of losses, shall I go on?

We all have our opinions, they are right to us, some can be proved/disproven to an extent with stats, but a lot can''t. No one should take the piss out of other people''s football opinion/knowledge. (And the fact you disregard non-English football so much, I probably actually have ''more knowledge'' of football in general, as you only care about 3PM English games, Norwich and Dutch players.)

[I am a Banana 0]

[quote user="Gingerpele"]Banana, don''t you dare question my football knowledge. You think Ward is rubbish, despite the fact we have a better defensive record with him in the league. You seem to think Rodriguez is the most important player ever, you ''support'' Holland, you think English 3PM games are superior. You get massively disappointed after a couple of losses, shall I go on?

 

 We all have our opinions, they are right to us, some can be proved/disproven to an extent with stats, but a lot can''t. No one should take the piss out of other people''s football opinion/knowledge. (And the fact you disregard non-English football so much, I probably actually have ''more knowledge'' of football in general, as you only care about 3PM English games, Norwich and Dutch players.)[/quote]

I like Jay Ridriguez and would love to see him play in a Norwich Kit. He isn''t most important player ever. - No player will ever be most important ever.

I support holland, so what? As long as I stick with them nothing wrong at all. Supported them since I was 10/11. Not a sudden change.

English games that kick off at 3pm are the ''norm''. Non of the 4pm sunday or 12.30 saturday.

Who doesn''t get disapointed after a couple of losses? Especially against teams we should be beating (well fielding a full strength team)

You have a better football knowledge?? Just becasue I prefer 3pm English games doesn''t mean I don''t look at the other world football. 

[I am a Banana 0]

Rodriguez*

[Gingerpele 0]

I don''t get majourly disappointed and have a rant about it after a couple of losses, the only time I have been really disappointed or upset with Norwich, the two relegations.

And you don''t support other nations, its stupid, everyone else I know would say the same, its worse than glory hunting, I would rather you said you supported Man.U, Chelsea, Barca and AC Milan as well as Norwich. Your English, your parents are English (as far as i know, at least you never said otherwise when you previously mentioned your support for the Dutch), if your going to support a national team, it should be the nation you are born/raised in/parents are from. I might like the way Brazil play, I might even watch every single Brazil game, I would never say I support Brazil.

And of course I don''t have a ''better knowledge'' there is no easy way to judge that, but the way you go on about some things (such as English games, you seem to think its a chore to look at scored of games at other times...).

And 3pm games used to be the ''norm'' and of course its still the standard time, but Sky aren''t new, they''ve been showing games for years. Ok there are probably more games at different times. But there are hundreds of countries, with games kicking off at various times.

And you also take everything I say far to literally.