Norwich City supporters have been left somewhat frustrated and annoyed over this summer’s transfer silence. Much of the speculation surrounding the Play-Off winners has been based on Hull’s Robbie Brady, with other names thrown in, for example, Rudy Gestede, Joaquin Larrivey and Dwight Gayle to name but a few. However, if manager Alex Neil wants to guide the team to Premier League safety, he will need to look at more experienced players. I’ve found five players I believe would cut the mustard in yellow and green.
Goalkeeper: David Marshall (Cardiff)
The Scotsman, who played 94 league games for City between 2007-09, would no doubt provide sturdy back-up to current Norwich no.1, John Ruddy. During his time in East Anglia, Marshall produced some impressive displays between the sticks, and became a fan favourite, earning him third–place in the 2007-08 POTS awards. Not only that, but since leaving for Cardiff in 2009, Marshall helped the Bluebirds cruise to the Championship title in 2013, and the season after, the former Celtic keeper was included in Sky Sports Premier League TOTS in his first, and so far, only season in the English top-flight. Clearly, Marshall would have a lot to give, and for a likely modest fee at the ripe age of 30, coupled with some fans discontent with John Ruddy throughout last season, the former Canary would be primed to make the most of his rival’s bad spell, should it continue.
Left-back: Marcos Alonso (ACF Fiorentina) or Danny Rose (Tottenham)
Former Bolton and Sunderland full-back, Marcos Alonso, was recently linked with City and, quite frankly, I wouldn’t mind at all if he was our man. He is solid in all areas and fits the mould of an attacking full-back, which Alex Neil seems to like, and would provide sufficient competition for the recovering Martin Olsson. Although ‘sufficient’ is the main quality that puts me off Alonso, as Olsson’s occasional lack of defensive awareness was exposed last season, I firmly believe that we need someone who can challenge and potentially keep the Swedish international out of the team. Therefore, Danny Rose, an ex- England youth international, appears to be a more fitting option for me. He’s fast, attacking and fits one of CEO David McNally’s transfer criteria of British-based experience. Furthermore, he could be frozen out of Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who have recently signed left-sided Bundesliga defender Kevin Wimmer, although such a scenario may seem unlikely, looking at Rose’s contention for last season’s POTS award at White Hart Lane.
Centre-back: Steven Caulker (QPR)
Once again, stiff competition for places seems paramount if the Yellows are to maintain Premier League status, and one-time England international Caulker provides just that. He’s a 23-year-old with Premier League experience, and has the ability to plug the defensive holes in the back four that many teams exposed towards the back end of City’s charge to eventual promotion. He’s a cultured defender, having been given the nod by Brendan Rodgers at Swansea, as well as Andre Villas-Boas at Tottenham. He also played a major part in the eponymous Premier League campaigns of Cardiff and QPR in the past 2 seasons (during which he only missed three league games), and would undoubtedly be hungry to not complete a relegation hat-trick at Norwich City, making him a trustworthy addition to the squad.
Winger: Joaquin Sanchez (ACF Fiorentina)
Wingers have reportedly been on Alex Neil’s radar in the previous transfer window, being Robbie Brady this summer, and Craig Noone in January, who came up as a late media cat call shortly after the former Hamilton Academicals manager’s appointment. My pick is perhaps a wild-card. This becomes apparent when one takes note of Joaquin’s age, 34, and recent statistics—four goals and nine assists in Serie A in the last two seasons. However, he’s been a star everywhere he’s been, from La Liga’s Real Betis, where his stats were far more favourable, Valencia and Malaga. I believe that if we were to sign Sanchez, he wouldn’t take long to adjust to Premier League football, and could potentially prove to be a signing comparable to Leicester’s recruitment of Esteban Cambiasso this time last year, whose stunning late season form resulted in safety from relegation. Put simply, a player of Joaquin’s skill would be a worthwhile investment for City, to say the least, and it’s not as though he’s unavailable, given Fiorentina’s recent signing of Mohammed Salah from Chelsea on a permanent deal, a transfer away from La Viola doesn’t appear impossible.
Forward: Rickie Lambert (Liverpool)
Alex Neil currently has five strikers at his disposal, but somehow none of them have a convincing record in the Premier League. Ricky van Wolfswinkel, O Lobo, was a famous failure from arrival. His debut goal against Everton amounting to the only time he would hit the back of the net that year, and he hardly impressed at St. Etienne last term, with a lack of opportunities being the only excuse to spare his blushes. Gary Hooper only scored eight times when he played under ex-Canaries boss Chris Hughton. Cameron Jerome managed 11 goals in the Premier League at his best attempt, and Kyle Lafferty and Lewis Grabban have yet to play at in the league. The qualities that our strike force do have, at least while at their best, are goal-poaching in the form of RVW, skill and accuracy in Hooper, speed and strength in Wembley-hero Jerome, Lafferty’s height and Grabban’s movement between the opposition’s centre-halfs. So, in terms of traits, we are packed with diversity, making new additions hard to foresee. One forward who has been linked with Norwich recently is Rickie Lambert, who seems to be an increasingly perfect fit for the side. He’s selfless, by which I mean he has vision, he’s experienced at this level and has a proven goal scoring record by getting into double figures in consecutive seasons. He’s tall and strong, but lacks the pace of some of the City front men. His move to Liverpool last season hasn’t done him any favours, but I believe that his record at Southampton is more significant, as it can be argued that he wasn’t given a fair chance to endear himself to the Anfield faithful, with starts coming seldomly. After all, a professional footballer doesn’t become bad over night. (Well… let’s forget about Torres, shall we?)
