The appointment of Alex Neil has potentially thrown a spanner in the works in terms of transfer targets – or on the sheer contrary, it’s added the extra bit of spice that’s needed. Will the limited amount of time mean he’ll struggle to grasp a true evaluation of the squad’s ineptitudes, or will his no-nonsense character allow him to see past any pre-established ‘undroppable’ assets that linger around the club?
While I’ve tried to look past the regular scapegoating of a certain Steven Whittaker, there’s no doubt he’s a weak link. His inabilities are a recurring talking point, and although he’s supposed to be an attacking defender, he’s pretty limited in terms of defending and no better going forward than the widely preferred Russell Martin. Of course, in the Championship, you want your full-backs to offer width – especially if you’re playing a naturally narrow 4-1-2-1-2 diamond formation, but too often this season they have proven to be our downfall. It’s not just Whittaker. Olsson, in my opinion has had a pretty uninspiring campaign, and if Swansea come with big money following recent interest, I wouldn’t be against selling him. The difference? Whittaker has no mandate to play at right-back with the option of Russell Martin readily available. Olsson’s also a fairly decent defender when he wants to be – it’s just a shame he is completely bereft of the use of his right foot.
But generally, the combination of Russell Martin and Steven Whittaker is like watching a car crash in slow motion. The wheels begin to skid off the road, all control is lost, and suddenly, a goal is conceded. Often Whittaker even has those gangly giraffe-like legs that seem so discombobulated in relation to his expansive footballing mind that he runs around looking a rather lost. Similarly, his cheeky little trick of throwing himself to the ground has not fooled me; making a failed slide tackle doesn’t mean you’ve given it your best shot – nor does it leave you exempt from criticism. It means the player is past you and about to cross or score. Even Alex Tettey was more convincing on the right, when forced to occupy the position following Bennett’s injury and Howson’s red card, at Bournemouth last week.
There appears to be three answers to this conundrum: either, we buy a new right-back, sentencing Whittaker to the rest of the season on the bench, or buy a new centre-back, and push Russell Martin back to where he belongs. The final option is just to retire Whittaker, and make use on one of those 600 centre-backs we signed in the summer. And of course, put Martin at RB – I shouldn’t have to say – that should be a foregone conclusion. He’s had his fun in the middle. And he and Whittaker can carry on with their love-struck partnership when they meet up for Scotland. But please, Alex, realise that it categorically doesn’t work at Norwich. It never has, it never will.
So…who?
Sam Byram – Leeds United
It depends purely on whether we want to sort this problem now, or just stop the gap until the summer. Like most January windows, buying players can be hard, and usually the recipient gets a raw deal. But, and as I’ve highlighted, it’s certainly an issue that we need to tackle. Leeds United’s Sam Byram is perhaps the ideal candidate, but the fee Leeds would ask for is likely to be extortionate. With previous Premier League interest, it would appear to be a bridge too far, unless the board are willing to solve this problem once and for all, and part with some serious cash. I can’t see that happening, though. Shame, that would really rile the Leeds fans, especially with our previous player poaching that proved perfect amusement.
A cheaper option could come in the form of any number of discarded right backs, lower league defenders, or forgotten Premier League players. Like usual, it’s too hard to pinpoint the exact target, but it may be the case of getting someone on loan to ‘give the lads a boost’ – just like Pacheco, Lansbury and Vokes did in our promotion season. However, Martin at right-back, Cuellar and Turner/Bennett (when fit) in the middle and Olsson on the left would perhaps suffice. Miquel looks a little lightweight, although I’ve only seen him in on two occasions – Shrewsbury and Preston – the latter of which he was played out of position.
Moving up the pitch, and Norwich have adopted what is thought to be a diamond formation over the last season. Which, although Adams struggled under it, may not be a bad idea. However, we’ve often been caught playing some sort of crossbreed of a 4-1-2-1-2 and a straight 4-4-2, and in all honesty, I’m not sure we’re seeing the best of either. That’s because we like to use Nathan Redmond, and fair enough, he’s a fabulous player half the time – one defences are genuinely scared of when he really runs at them – but utilising just the one winger means that we become predictable. All our wing play is down one side. Just like when Robert Snodgrass was here – perhaps not on the same cataclysmic proportions. Often this season, the opposition have sourced Redmond as a danger, and doubled up, making him relatively ineffective. And while Bradley Johnson has often been on the other side, he’s not a winger, despite the fact he’d quite like to think he’s capable of being one.
That’s where a difficult question springs up; do you opt for the comparatively less defensive set-up of too attacking wingers, or do you sacrifice one of the strikers to help solidify the midfield (4-2-3-1?). Regardless, I think we need a new left midfielder – to provide us with the option at the very least.
But who? And for how much?
Scott Sinclair – Manchester City
A player whose progression has been thwarted after signing for big boys Manchester City, and likely to be being paid very generously for doing absolutely nothing. His name has floated about, but that doesn’t mean there’s any legitimacy in the recent rumours. He enjoyed promotion and a fine first Premier League season with Swansea, scoring 36 goals in 91 appearances, and consequently attracting the attention of the football world. While he was delighted to sign for the Manchester club in 2012, he probably now regrets it. He’s played just 12 times. A momentary escape came in the way of a loan deal to West Brom, and there he managed 8 appearances and also grabbed an assist. Although he may be on rather large wages, a loan deal is what I suggest. Perhaps with the option to buy if we managed promotion – who knows – but his pace and proven ability would mean the opposition have to worry about both sides of the field, rather than just the one.
Demerai Gray – Birmingham City
Another name that has been thrown about. And another player who has had Prem clubs sniffing. He currently plays for Birmingham, and at the age of 18, has bags of potential. But is it not just a parallel situation to that of Redmond, or even Murphy? Not quite the ‘finished article’? Perhaps not what we need right now – and Bournemouth reportedly had a £1.5Mil deal turned down earlier in the season. Then again, Gray might like to follow in the footsteps of the aforementioned Redmond, who also transferred from Birmingham.
Gary Mackay-Steven – Dundee United
This one’s a little less well-known. Apparently, Alex Neil has been keeping tabs on him, and with a £250,000 bid being sufficient (according to the BBC) to tempt Dundee United it may well just be a go-er. His main attributes being his pace, along with agility, and of course being left-footed, preventing the well-known pain that comes with playing a right footer on the left. His contract ends in the summer, meaning a deal is very much feasible, but realistically how does his quality compare to Championship level, having only proved himself in the SPL? Does his price tag say anything about his ability? Sheffield United had an £80,000 bid turned down, while Celtic hope to agree a pre-contract agreement for him to join at the season’s end (BBC).
Such is the nature of the transfer window, it’s nearly impossible to guess who a team will buy. We obviously don’t know the ins-and-outs, nor who the club are scouting. However I certainly feel that there is room for improvement in this squad – perhaps the necessary additions to help us get promoted. And hopefully, despite Neil’s limited amount of time, he can act on any weakness he feels present and prevent us from falling short later in the season.
