Sports The Football Discussion Thread!

It's always that way. I want us to get business done early yet I'll be complaining on deadline day when we don't do anything.

If my sources are to be believed we will complete the free signing of Jacques Maghoma from Burton soon enough.

Can't say I know a lot about that fellow. Scored quite a few goals from midfield last season though, it seems. 16 compared to 4 in each in each of the previous 2 seasons.

Only rumour with any substance this week here seems to be Leon Barnett to Cardiff, a decent player but not up to Bassong/Turner/Bennett standard. Oh and some Australian team are supposedly after Grant Holt.

I haven't heard of him before we started being linked with him. He seems a similar signing to Ledesma last season who we signed on the basis of him doing well for Walsall and getting 4 goals in 10 games from midfield. That worked out pretty horrible. I also think Spurs would've held on to him if he was even Championship quality as they have done with a lot of youngsters lately.

Surely that Holt rumour is a bit absurd? Is he not still in the first team?

Not as absurd as you'd think.

Hughton's preferred formation seems to be 451 and you'd imagine van Wolfswinkel will be that striker next season. With only 3 first team strikers on the books atm (Holt, RvW, Becchio) you'd expect another good player to join in that position, he could very well end up being 3rd or even 4th choice.

There's also the fact that Norwich fans are very quick to turn on him. You wouldn't believe some of the abuse he gets. I could imagine a nice pay packet and the Australian climate could be quite appealing.

That being said I still think he'll still be here, and important for us next season. The only move I could really imagine is one to Celtic, with Hooper going the other way.

It seems like an interesting situation given Holt's importance in the seasons preceding this one. It's odd that he isn't an iconic player among the club's fanbase.

I'm surprised Becchio isn't being rumoured to move on, he isn't going to get games for Norwich.

I think a lot of the resentment came from the transfer request last summer, of course his goalscoring form suffered under Hughton's tactics so that didn't help. For me he's up there with Malky Mackay and Darren Huckerby, we'd be stupid to let him go, even if we did bring in another top striker.

I hope we keep hold of Becchio and really give him a chance next season. He only got the odd few minutes here and there but I think he'll be an asset for us. His link up play with Howson for the last goal vs West Brom was great. There are people saying he was a panic buy but I don't believe a word of that.

Ah Darren Huckerby, I haven't heard that name for a while.

I see Becchio being kept around only for Hughton to realise he doesn't need him mid-September and emergency loan him to a Championship team (Middlesbrough would be nice).

Never have I seen a player try so many runs, easily the most exciting player I've seen in a Norwich shirt. It's a shame the super direct, pacey winger has been going out of the game. That being said we actually have a pair of twins in our development side that share a lot of his attributes, only 17 so I won't build them up that far but there's potential.

If he's not getting games and we stay up next season I guess a Championship side will be picking up a bargain.

I see a name I don't recall in the race for the Everton job. Ralf Rangnick. I hope he gets the job based on the fact his name sounds like a 70s porn star.

Also I wish I could see this as a good idea. It hasn't even been confirmed and I'm already having premonitions of Tommy Smith going through the back of RvW and taking him out for 6 months.
http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwic...s_over_ipswich_town_summer_friendly_1_2218299

We arranged a friendly against nearby Hartlepool recently, we're like good chums rather than rivals though so it's all good. Having a friendly against a rival is almost as odd as arranging a friendly against a team in the same league.

I see Victor Valdes has said he is leaving Barcelona due to the pressures of playing for them. Last time I checked he wasn't exactly the vital squad member every Barcelona fan looked at for success.

It would probably be a nice little earner but the risks outweigh that for me. That being said if it goes ahead I'll still go and watch.

I wonder if he'll be linked to Arsenal, like every other goalkeeper in the world.

I don't understand why we need a new keeper, Szczesny is fine thanks. We're better of using the money elsewhere.

It will spark reports of Reina going back to Barcelona again. Would it be ridiculous to suggest Brad Jones might soon be Liverpool's first choice keeper?

Arsenal should have an interesting summer, Wenger might finally spend now Fergie has been retired to have a shot at the title.

To take a step forward I think Arsenal really have to change that wage structure. 4th is the best they can hope for until they do.

Nothing happening in my part of the football world. I hate it.

Da Speshul 1 returns to Chelski. I guess that's good.

What I've heard is this: Valdes -> Monaco, Reina -> Barcelona, Suarez -> hell (well no, but not staying at England), Liverpool -> Championship :P

Certainly going to be interesting next year, with the top 3 all changing managers. I can see Pellegrini taking time to settle in, so City probably won't win.
As a United fan I'd love it if all the rumours surrounding Ronaldo come true (Except the ones that claim he'd come to Chelsea to be with Mourinho - he hates him just like the rest ), it'd certainly make Moyes' job a lot easier having a guy who's scored 201 in 199 for Madrid since leaving us. And it'd also most likely cripple Spurs as Ronaldo would command a high fee, most of which would be spent on Bale - even if he doesn't want to go, Daniel Levy's got a short-termist streak that would see £80million > building a team around the only player in the PL who really compares to Ronaldo.

Fabregas is apparently looking more and more likely to return to Arsenal? Depending on the size of Arsene's war chest I can see this happening. Would be good for the competitiveness of the league too, although United are also interested I think he'd go back to London for guaranteed playing time. Him combining with Wilshere and Santi Cazorla'd make one hell of midfield trio.

Also, did anyone see the England/Brazil game? Rooney's goal reminded me of that first one against Arsenal...really hope Moyes manages to keep him, although Kagawa would be limited stuck out on the wing for another season. Benitez-style squad rotation would be required :P


...and if you've made it this far - ever found it funny how Arsenal's manager is called Arsene? I have.

Some very interesting potential moves there, Amore. I think Ronaldo return, but it will be a few years down the line. A Fabregas return I can see happening as I doubt he gets as much notice at Barcelona in comparison to Arsenal, but I'm not sure if the Arsenal fans will be happy about it.

It used to be even funnier when they had Arshavin. I also liked it when Man United had an Angolan player called Manucho, I never personally refer to United as 'Man U' due to its connotations, but seeing as how everyone else refers to them as that it was quite good at the time.

Returns for the likes of Fabregas and Ronaldo can only be good for the league, I hope they happen.

I watched the first half but it was too depressing so I switched it off. Felt a little silly when I looked at the score later on.

Any Liverpool fans here?
I'm really worried about what will happen this transfer window. I hope we get good replacements for those who leave.

I hope Liverpool sign Diego Capel. Even if it is only to make these silly rumours on the Norwich forums go away.

No idea why the Norwich fans want him so much.