NickG

post 36

what I find annoying is that we are not announcing the signings we made on the 17th for some reason.

looks like Ivan has it!

didn't he go from us to Watford?

true, Delldays talks as though they have won the league already

fair views imho, still don't know how many leaving

I posted, accurately, about their financial mess, having player leaving, no manager, crap board and therefore a lot to sort out before you can assume they will walk this league as you thought. They seem to be going **** or bust. still not sure they will be right up the top, will wait and see. Try and keep up!

as a 20 year old in a relegation side

twice you have posted that, do you really think they will struggle? I don't unless the finances implode, they will be top half.

if used alongside morgan would give an interesting cocktail in midfield, can't help thinking would be risky business to sign someone so unproven

parachute payments are no-where near enough to finance them, they have huge debts and could well go bust if they don't get promoted. Think the theory is, if you have over £100m of debt you can't afford and will never clear outside of prem - you may as well add a few million - will still go bust if you don't go up, just owing bit more, but gives you chance of promotion

he could go onto be decent player, good physique decent touch but looks some way of being ready for our first 11 - before any signings - so probably makes sense for him

many of the worlds great talents over the years, and now, have not been known for their defending but played a very central role - not just behind the forwards but right in the middle of all play. I just liked Ball's theory of the more your talented player, who can make things happen has the ball the better. Another attribute that Lallana has, that may suit CM, is the fact that he rarely gives the ball away / makes the wrong choice - plays it simple when he needs to.

sorry not sure which bit you disagree with.. that we are better than they were this time last year? Why not, think league 1 was as competitive - if not more so this season, our last half of a season (therefore with squad we take into this window) was better than their last half of a season on their promotion. In fact, we were pretty much matching them as they departed league 1 but had too much to make up. We have improved since then. I think its been well covered that they didn't spend big - in money, or names proven at higher level. I hope we do spend, it should improve our chances, but don't agree fantasy football all star signings is always the way to go.

no, its pretty irrelevant that Rochdale beat us twice and as you say proves nothing.

as Norwich were when? I think we are better than they were this time last year, agree league harder didn't we beat them twice in the season they went up? We have improved since then, we finished our league 1 more consistantly than they did etc

What position does messi play

no, thank you

I agree he can cross, but don't see it as his most dangerous - far more dangerous shooting from central position when he does drift in.

and a very well informed opinion!

I wonder if Norwich forums, this time last year, were full of concern about them not showing intent and signing established CCC players!

I know. Think Adkins will use different shapes again, but there are numerous posts about how we need an attacking CM (for 4-4-2) and was wondering whether we have a solution in house (on the bus)

Going back to the Alan Ball theory for MLT - give your best player the ball as much as you can - would Lallana work as a CM in a 4? His skill is holding the ball when players tight around him, tight control and neat passing - all good skills in CM. He is not the quickest winger, and I don't particularly see his best attribute as crossing. He works very hard and is quick to close his man down. Could this sort of line up be effective? Lambert / Connolly (or Guly or Barnard) Pilkington or similar Morgan Lallana Ox-C Harding Fonte Jaidi Richardson We have several Morgan, Hammond and Chaplow who all can be the deeper CM

we don't need proven championship players. We need players who will improve the team and fit in with the team spirit. Couldn't care less whether played in championship. I agree with post above that this league is harder than last year, and also just because Norwich did it doesn't mean everyone who follows will - but they have shown that you do not need to fill your squad with proven championship signings, not sure whether Swansea did as don't know much about their squad.

norwich didn't