Summer Transfer Thread: Speculation, Lies, Absolute Cr*p and Bosman Rumours

[The Situation]

We missed Coker greatly in our midfield this season. It was even more evident when we lost Petrov.

He's technically underrated as a footballer and I think too many of our fans underappreciated him.

[Concrete John]

Despite what I said about Makoun, I could also see NRC working in an OGS side.  Or at least what I understand an OGS side to be like.

He attacks through the centre rather than with width, so we would pack the midfield, which means plenty of simple options for him to pass to.  Having him do the disciplined holding role, which he's good at in terms of energy and tackling, would mean the other midfielders had plenty of freedom to get forward and attack, with him acting as the safety net if/when attacks break down.   

I don't think he will come back and would imagine there's plenty out there we could get to do that role, but if money is tight I've heard worse ideas!

[Merv]

I'm hoping, if Solksjaer is going to be appointed, he'll have his eye on some technically sound, gifted, disciplined, committed, hungry and cheap (transfer fee and salary) Scandinavian players.

[ozzjim]

Or at least be aware of how important global scouting is, he played in an ever changing United set up that bought players from all over the world. I am sure he will be aware of how important that side is, having listened to how intelligent he appears to be.

[Toronto Villa]

We missed Coker greatly in our midfield this season. It was even more evident when we lost Petrov.

He's technically underrated as a footballer and I think too many of our fans underappreciated him.

technically underrated? Are you joking? He couldn't find a player with the same coloured kit 5 yards away. I like NRC, but technically gifted he ain't. He's a classic break up the play bloke, but lacked the most important bit which is the ability to find a team mate with the next pass. He thought he was off to Real Madrid and ended up at the Reebok for good reason. Could we have done with him? Yes because we needed experienced heads and bodies. But he chose to leave and not sign a new deal.

[Concrete John]

NRC not being able to find a player five yards away is one of the many modern myths of football that his pass completion stats easily disprove.

[Rick_avfc]

We missed Coker greatly in our midfield this season. It was even more evident when we lost Petrov.

He's technically underrated as a footballer and I think too many of our fans underappreciated him.

technically underrated? Are you joking? He couldn't find a player with the same coloured kit 5 yards away. I like NRC, but technically gifted he ain't. He's a classic break up the play bloke, but lacked the most important bit which is the ability to find a team mate with the next pass. He thought he was off to Real Madrid and ended up at the Reebok for good reason. Could we have done with him? Yes because we needed experienced heads and bodies. But he chose to leave and not sign a new deal.

This

[tomd2103]

NRC not being able to find a player five yards away is one of the many modern myths of football that his pass completion stats easily disprove.

His recent performance at Villa Park suggested otherwise.  He might have just had a bad evening, but his passing was woeful.

[Toronto Villa]

NRC not being able to find a player five yards away is one of the many modern myths of football that his pass completion stats easily disprove.

John, maybe, and I know he and Makoun were superb at Old Trafford a couple of years back. But how many times did we see him do the dirty work and then give the ball away? We all saw it and is fundamentally why he never got to the next level after a lot of hype early in his career.

[Concrete John]

I'm not arguing he is an overly talented player, because he's, not, but this 'can't pass 5 yards' myth is just that - a myth!

He gets shown up when he tries to do more than he can, so needs to know his limitations, but as a player to break up play and then give it simple to someone better than him, he'd be a valuable asset.   

[UK Redsox]

I'm not arguing he is an overly talented player, because he's, not, but this 'can't pass 5 yards' myth is just that - a myth!

He gets shown up when he tries to do more than he can, so needs to know his limitations, but as a player to break up play and then give it simple to someone better than him, he'd be a valuable asset.  

Ray Wilkins made a pretty good career out of doing just that

[Toronto Villa]

I'm not arguing he is an overly talented player, because he's, not, but this 'can't pass 5 yards' myth is just that - a myth!

He gets shown up when he tries to do more than he can, so needs to know his limitations, but as a player to break up play and then give it simple to someone better than him, he'd be a valuable asset.   

The last bit is where he came up short, so many, many times though John. We've all groaned when he's done that.

[JJ-AV]

Nige is decent but he's not a top 6 player. I know we got there a few times with him in the side but it was inspite of him, rather than because. Look at the rest of that midfield; the likes of Petrov, Downing, Milner and Ash.

Why take him back? Understandable if we can't afford to sign someone else, but I'd rather us take a risk elsewhere or give Herd the shirt - we don't know how good they'll get, we know how good Nige is.

[VillaAlways]

Grant Holt has put in a transfer request according to SSN

[Concrete John]

Strange one that.

Do Norwich have a wage cap?  Maybe he's just trying to get that one bumper pay day while his stock is at the highest it's ever likely to be!