Well well, yet more new faces entered Colney training ground today….Gunn is certainly enjoying splashing the cash!
They’re like buses aren’t they…you wait and wait – every now and then one comes along, but it’s unreliable and conks out half way into your journey – until just when you think it’s better to walk, three mobile, fresh new ones come along at once! (ok, so I exaggerated that saying somewhat, but you catch my drift…)
Today we welcomed Simon Whaley – finally, as I was debating the heading ‘Whaley-or wont he’ at one point, after the long running saga that has been his transfer from Preston; Rhoys Wiggins from Palace, (Gunn didn’t take notice of my warning on that one then…funny that;) and Grant Holt – top scorer in League two last season - from Shrewsbury. Ben Alnwick, a goalkeeper, has also joined us on loan from Spurs for three months.
Simon says….yes I will join Norwich after all.
Picture: skysports.com
One assumes all this money is coming from the rebate and expected cash from the Clingan sale, though I’ve no idea how much we’re spending. what I do know is, is that I’m going to need to sit down with the names and profiles of each, as otherwise I might struggle to recognise our starting eleven against Colchester in two weeks time! Still, it’s all good.
Simon Whaley will be hoping he can fill the void left by Lee Croft on the right wing, although he is also useful at left-wing and through the middle which is a bonus. Gunn says he has the ability to score goals – which will certainly be an improvement on Lee Croft’s efforts anyway.
Rhoys Wiggins has been capped at Under-21 level for Wales, and played the end of last season on loan at Bournemouth. Somewhat untried at senior level – ok, he’s only played once – it will be interesting to see the position he takes up in the squad. One would presume cover for Drury, assuming he himself is fit come August 8th.
Grant Holt is a positive signing. Top scorer in League Two last season with 28 goals. Mmm…slightly more significant than our top hot-shot, Leroy Lita, who finished top of our charts with 7 (and that was in only a few months of being here – says it all doesn’t it really…) so we will certainly be hoping Holt can continue his goalscoring exploits in League One.
Holt has signed a three-year contract with a one-year option, and is the signing Gunny has wanted all along. Credit to those involved behind the season for letting Gunny go after his man. Let’s just hope it proves to be a valuable piece of business.
Ben Alnwick will provide cover for our new Aussie ‘keeper, Michael Theoklitos, whilst Declan Rudd is given the chance to progress in the reserve team.
Hands up if you want to join the City revolution??
Picture. skysports.com
All in all, it’s certainly in with the new – and it’s beginning to be out with the old. Sammy Clingan has finally been sent to Coventry, for at least three years, and he’s hoping Burnley will come back for Darel Russell soon. I wonder too if Wes Hoolahan will attract any bidders before the season starts…we shall see with that, although I’m surprised not to see him linked elsewhere.
Still it’s encouraging isn’t it?! To see some fresh, hungry players with the willingness to work hard, (here’s hoping anyway,) and they’re all on permanent contracts, bar Alnwick,…woohoo!! We had enough of loanees to last us a lifetime last season!
Well done Gunny and co – at least for making the effort to get new blood in. We obviously don’t know if they’re going to be any good yet, but still, let’s stay positive and trust the staffs’ judgement…for now 
On the Ball City!!!
2 responses so far ↓
Rachel what do you think of the prospect of ex potter daryl russell heading to burnley, do you think he will cut it in the premiership?
Report This Comment
Well, too be honest, I won’t be sad to see Darel Russell leave Norwich – if only so it means our disciplinary record improves! He let us down badly last season. Too many poor performances, even though he kept giving it all the talk in the local press. He was sent off twice, receiving 8 yellow cards. Not what you want when your team is fighting against relegation!
He did well at Stoke mind you, although I can’t see him cutting it in the Premiership. My opinion, he’s just not good enough to make the step up. But then I said that about Dickson Etuhu and he seems to be doing ok a Fulham! Still, Burnley might do better to look elsewhere. He may well end up being more of a liability than reliable.
Report This Comment
Leave a Comment