90 replies to this topic

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

The Canaries had a fantastic first year up in the Premier League. Unfortunately, this means that some of their players, and their manager, are being sought for higher-profile positions. And already the team's biggest star looks to be wanting out.

Grant Holt's transfer request rejected.

I'm guessing it's because he thinks Lambert is leaving for a bigger club and wants to be able to follow him elsewhere. If either one or both of these guys leave the club it's hard to imagine them being able to stay up for another year, which is pretty much a bummer.

[DLew On Roids]

I wouldn't worry about it too much yet. Liverpool hasn't shown interest in Lambert and it looks like Villa is going to go for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The way Norwich City played this year, those are the only two bigger jobs open.

I think GRANTHOLT! told his agent to get him a payday. Given his age and professional history, this is his one big chance to get lifetime security money. I doubt he's been tapped up by a club that can offer him a big pile.

[Royal Reader]

I think GRANTHOLT! told his agent to get him a payday. Given his age and professional history, this is his one big chance to get lifetime security money. I doubt he's been tapped up by a club that can offer him a big pile.

Definitely agree with this. He is 31, and currently playing under a contract signed before he'd proven himself as a Premier League player, with two years to run. He's not likely to get the kind of money he could command now when he's 33.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

The team's director says there's no ill will between Holt and the club over the request. We'll see.

Norwich release American defender Zak Whitbread. He was pretty decent while in there, but was injured far too much in his time there. It's also no secret that our defense wasn't quite Premier-league material this past season, so they'll likely be heavily upgrading the unit going forward.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Paul Lambert says he's not going anywhere.

We'll see.

[Titans Bastard]

The team's director says there's no ill will between Holt and the club over the request. We'll see.

Norwich release American defender Zak Whitbread. He was pretty decent while in there, but was injured far too much in his time there. It's also no secret that our defense wasn't quite Premier-league material this past season, so they'll likely be heavily upgrading the unit going forward.

Whitbread is the most fragile American player since John O'Brien. If healthy, I think he could stick around a lower-table Premier League club, but he's not good enough to be worth all the injury hassle.

[DLew On Roids]

GRANTHOLT! doesn't seem to be a big fan of English. His tweets:

Just to stop the rumour mill again. I have expressed to the board and the CEO that I want to leave the football club. Due to disagreements.

I have loved my 3 years at the club and it sadness me to right this but want use to here it from me first.

Maybe he want native in East Anglia.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

He's a tire fitter and he looks like a Baggins. Hardly surprised.

In other news, Lambert wants to leave for Villa. For fucks sake. Theyre going to try to work out compensation, but this news bites my ass.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Lambert was introduced at manager at VIlla today, so it's over for him at Norwich. Norwich now talking to Chris Hughton of Birmingham City about their opening.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Hughton confirmed as manager.

Seven, what's the deal with him at Newcastle? Took them back up to the Premiership, but was sacked in the middle of the following season. What gives?

[Seven Costanza]

The Toon had a slight dip in form/results right before he was sacked. I think most folks in the know thought it was a panic move and really disliked it, although it ended up working out very well. I think the powers that be at Newcastle were desperate for a bigger 'name' (not that Alan Pardew was much bigger) and were frightened by the prospect of potentially being relegated again.

My totally uninformed opinion of the guy: great personality manager/ok tactician. Good coach. Very much like Francona in that regard- not a tactical genius, but he's going to get a lot out of his players. Very much a stand up guy by all accounts.

Seems like a great fit for a club like Norwich.

Edited by Seven Costanza, 18 June 2012 - 11:47 AM.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

G John Ruddy signs a new 4 year deal for Norwich with the option of a 5th year.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Guess who's just signed a new 3 year deal with the Canaries?

GRANT HOLT!


Also with Rangers collapsing Norwich has grabbed D Steven Whittaker and signed him to a 4 year deal.

[DLew On Roids]

Very pleased for your club, SJH. I thought GRANTHOLT! deserved a spot in the England team this summer.

[Royal Reader]

Good for him, hopefully he'll be able to get his family set off this one big contract.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

So are we gonna win a match or what?

Another draw yesterday, at home to West Ham. Blech. And Holt's yet to score this season.

They are at least getting points on draws, but they need wins. Soon.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Maybe we'll win a match by Christmas. Maybe.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Ok,so we won one by Halloween instead. Booyeah. Finally.

[sachmoney]

Your guys played great. Well deserved win.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

I think I'm more shocked by the clean sheet than I am by the win over such a good opponent. We had only one clean sheet all last season. Defense has been a problem for us, but we played great D on Saturday.

Holt has scored in 3 straight matches. He must be stoked about his upcoming role in The Hobbit. I think he's a Stoor.

[sachmoney]

If you take out the game against Southampton, Arsenal has scored 7 goals in 7 games. If you can get men behind the ball and stay organized (a la Sunderland or Stoke), you can keep a clean sheet against us. Norwich did a fantastic job of doing that, and Arsenal did a poor job of adjusting (trying to take advantage of counterattacking opportunities). It seemed like you guys were well drilled, and it made a huge difference.

[teddykgb]

I think I'm more shocked by the clean sheet than I am by the win over such a good opponent. We had only one clean sheet all last season. Defense has been a problem for us, but we played great D on Saturday.

Holt has scored in 3 straight matches. He must be stoked about his upcoming role in The Hobbit. I think he's a Stoor.

Are stoors the fat, playing themselves into shape ones? Grant looks like he enjoyed his contract offseason.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

He does look a bit plobby, but after making his transfer request he finally got his deal signed on July 3, so if he was off enjoying his new riches he didn't have all offseason to do it.

I think your point is essentially correct though: he looks to be playing himself into game form instead of being in game form at the beginning of the season.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

1-1 draw at Villa today. First time going up against Paul Lambert, who of course left Norwich after last summer under what the media like to call "acrimonious" circumstances."

Ugly match, but an away point is an away point

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Into the quarter finals of the League Cup for the first time in 18 years, bitches!

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

1-0 win over Stoke in a "turgid" game, per the BBC.

3 points is 3 points.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

0-0 at Reading. Yawn. Need the away point though, so I'm good.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

It's been more than 4 hours now, I should probably call my doctor.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

91st minute goal means a point on the road vs. Everton. Always a good result.

Not a good result: Ruddy's got a thigh injury and may miss a few games.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Also, Norwich are reporting racist abuse of Bassong via Twiter to the police.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

And the referee for Wed's match at Southampton will be....Mark Clattenburg.

[soxfan121]

Also, Norwich are reporting racist abuse of Bassong via Twiter to the police.

If the club were serious about protecting their player, they'd report it to the FA only, ignore the police and then fire the manager in two weeks when the report comes out.

Canaries be yellow, yo.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

John Ruddy out for 3 months with a thigh injury /sad trombone

Mark Bunn will start at keeper in his place.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Road draw points again!

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

2-1 at home over Sunderland. Unbeaten in 8 matches now. I approve.

[fletcherpost]

Is it just me or is Chris Hughton's hair getting greyer by the minute. I wonder if he's been round to Delia's for tea and scones with Stpehen Fry? Delia does a frightening scone.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Ha, yes, Hughton is looking awfully distinguished lately.

I think I would pay a great deal of money for tea and scones with Fry.

[fletcherpost]

We all would mate. Actually when i was needing money for college i sent him a letter and he gave me 100 quid. Signed it with a blue felt tip pen. I never even wrote to say thank you...it's still on my to do list. He was having hard time as well...it was when he was in this West End play that bombed and he did a runner. Fry is also very good at debating with Theists.

Godlike Mr Fry Aside. After the shit that went down at Newcastle I think there's an immense amount of good will towards Hughton in the football world - all the pundits speak well of him. I think he can keep Norwich up...it'll be a scrap but he's got the team well organised.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Oh god Martin, that's a fantastic story. He really did that for you? Amazing.

For some reason Hughton reminds me a bit of Francona...not sure why. He's got the club playing fine defensive football, which is quite a change from Lambert's style last year where they attacked and attacked and attacked some more. Lambert was successful with his style, looks like Hughton's doing well with his too.

[Seven Costanza]

I have nothing but admiration and the highest praise for Chris Hughton.

[Apisith]

Hughton doing an excellent job. Lovely to see him have success.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Yeah, that was quite the barnburner today. And Holt scored for the first time in forever too.

[DLew On Roids]

What do you call the dance GRANTHOLT! was doing after he scored? Maybe the Epileptic Robot?

[soxfan121]

What do you call the dance GRANTHOLT! was doing after he scored? Maybe the Epileptic Robot?

The Chris Penn from Footloose.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Looked like the Hobbits at the Prancing Pony.

In semi-related news, a Swansea fan was arrested after making a monkey gesture at Bassong. I hate people.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

2-1 over Wigan. 7th in the table. I don't think we were ever that high up last year.

[Apisith]

How is Hughton doing compared to Lambert? Is your team playing better? Or just being more clinical?

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

How is Hughton doing compared to Lambert? Is your team playing better? Or just being more clinical?

I think both men are getting similarly good results from different approaches. Lambert had them counter-attacking like mad, they were deadly with that approach and would often press the offensive tide even with a lead late. They had to do this because quite frankly the defense was weak. They ha only 1 clean sheet last season IIRc.

This year Hughton's got them playing far sounder defense, at the expense of some goal scoring (Holt had 15 last year and only has 3 so far this year). They had some personnel changes on the back line and they've improved in that area.

[DLew On Roids]

There was more ball-watching going on there than somewhere where there are lots of balls and people looking at them.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Bah, we're never gonna beat City, are we?

Down 0-2 inside of 5 mins, came back to fight all game long but eventually fall 3-4. 3 losses in a row now.