Right then, who should we sign?

[Boyerboy]

Arguably, it wasn't the defence that got us relegated anyway. True it wasn't brilliant but we lost a lot of games narrowly and drew games we should have won. The primary reason for that was our toothless attack. We would have greatly enhanced our chances if we had bought a striker in January whose three or four goals would have meant vital points. 

I agree that the defence is adequate and so capable of improvement but add ten goals to last time and we stay up comfortably. 

 

[dj161]

Arguably, it wasn't the defence that got us relegated anyway. True it wasn't brilliant but we lost a lot of games narrowly and drew games we should have won. The primary reason for that was our toothless attack. We would have greatly enhanced our chances if we had bought a striker in January whose three or four goals would have meant vital points. 

I'd say the strikers we had at the club would of kept us up, if they were actually given the ball occasionally, strange how players dont score when the ball is passed between defence and midfield for 90 minutes

 

[eatonparkboy]

I agree about the thought of buying new or better defenders but can anybody tell me who the better ones are who are unsettled at their current club or looking to move for more money?

We have been debating about strikers who in reality we haven't got a clue other than media reports or YouTube. So where are the defenders coming from who we can judge?

Shackell would have been most peoples choice but that has passed. 

 

[GJP]

Shackell would have only been backup to Bassong. I'd like someone to come in alongside him but that means benching the very popular captain.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Martin being the captain makes this really awkward. Is he very popular? All I ever seem to hear is him being slagged off!

 

[GJP]

He's a really top chap and an absolute model pro.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

He's a really top chap and an absolute model pro.

I like him, but he seems to have become the latest Andy Hughes/Jon Otsemobor/(insert team scapegoat here)

 

[Din]

Everyone likes Russell Martin, but I imagine a lot of those people (myself included) don't think he's good enough for the Premier League. As GJP says he's a model pro and a really nice guy, as well as being one of those who would give everything for our cause. For 4 seasons he was a superb right back for us, and if he'd have continued to be a right back throughout last season then there likely wouldn't be a problem with him this season, as he proved throughout the 3 years we were in the Premier League he's a more than capable right back, better than Whittaker. However he wanted to be moved centrally, which is fine, there's no harm in trying him there, and on the whole last season he was fine. But he needs to accept that if he's not good enough to play there in the Premier League then we can't just continue to play him there simply because he's captain.

The frustrating thing as well is that he seems to have lost his ability to play right back, as proved on the few occasions he played there last season he often got caught out. It would then be easy to keep him in the team as he could play right back ahead of Whittaker, who is also not good enough, and we could then bring in another centre back without losing our captain. 

 

[GJP]

Whittaker is a better right back, in my opinion.

 

[Din]

Still can't really believe that some City fans bit on that Destro bait.

Can't help but feel that Gayle is only going to happen if Hooper goes. Of course we'd then still have to be in for another big forward. Only way I can see Hooper and a player like Gayle in the squad would be that if we're planning on going 2 up top fairly often. 

Alex Neil said that we're interested, so it's hardly unfounded that our fans believed it.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/9946965/Everton-close-to-signing-Mason-Holgate-from-Barnsley

This is the kind of signing that disappoints me. We have a warchest that we dont seem to be utilising at the moment. If we are not an attractive propostion to the players we are targetting, we need to be looking at securing up and coming talented players, who might not quite be ready for the first team, but are likely to blossom in the near future and gives us players to fall back on (like shark teeth) in the event of relegation.

We could have competed I think with Everton for this young lad. They've been doing this for a while (cherry-picking the lower leagues, as with Lescott and Jagielka). 2m isnt a huge amount of money to pay to secure the future of a highly rated youngster.

I think we perhaps need a change in strategy. For a number of years we seem to have struggled to be able to get the players in that we want. We would be an attractive option for lads like him I feel, as we'd be offering a step up in class and wages. I think players like him are our talent pool really until we can be pulling in the Destros of this world. Perhaps we need to be bringing in 5 players like him for 10m and loaning them out like we did with Thompson and playing the long game. Look at Stones as this article cites as an example

(Bit concerned the article says he is only 198 years old though!)

 

[Din]

Whittaker is a better right back, in my opinion.

He is nowadays, but in the 2 years under Hughton Martin was the superior right back.

 

[GJP]

Was he? First year under Hughton Whitts had the better of it at RB

 

[Din]

Was he? First year under Hughton Whitts had the better of it at RB

Well Russell Martin started 30 league games that season, in comparison to Whittaker's 12, 4 or 5 of which were at left back. So I'd certainly say Martin was superior by a long way that season.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

He is nowadays, but in the 2 years under Hughton Martin was the superior right back.

Russ cant ping them in like Whittaker just has...

 

[Indy_Bones]

Russ cant ping them in like Whittaker just has...

I think Brighton's keeper would disagree with that...

 

[Canaryboy]

So you don't think Wisdom is good enough to dislodge either of them from the team? 

I was hoping that he would be

I may try criticising our players in the run up to every game  :lol:

 

[dj161]

Michael Turner has been linked with a move to Sheff Utd

http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/rumour_mill_norwich_city_s_michael_turner_touted_with_sheffield_united_canaries_monitoring_dwight_gayle_situation_1_4196002

now whilst I can see this happening it does leave us desperately short at the back with only Ryan Bennett left as cover at center back, we need to get someone in before the window shuts

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Would be a good signing for them in that league. Cant think we'd get any money for him though and surprised he would need to drop to League One. Probably behind Ryan Bennett these days though so if it gets him first team football good luck to him. Had a difficult period with us (somewhat like Bassong) at times our worst defender, at times our best. Good brave header and blocker, but lacks the pace to deal with a lot of Premier League attackers and only really effective when complimented by a player like Bassong.

The Bassong-Turner partnership was probably the most effective CB partnership I've seen us have when it was at its best during the unbeaten run.

 

[Boyerboy]

Aren't the rumours about Michael Turner and James Collins linked. Surely we are moving Turner to make space for Collins? You have to consider the two rumours together as neither makes much sense on its own!