We needed a CB though.
We literally had two fit CBs for the first five weeks of the season - which was 8 games.
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We needed a CB though.
We literally had two fit CBs for the first five weeks of the season - which was 8 games.
twoblue
Player Valuation: £35m
I think we have seen his value already. Has had to cover RB, and has been our first choice back up CB while branthwaite and holgate have been injured. The season is going to be long and we will clearly have more injuries with the squad we have
He's had a hamstring injury so didn't play at Newcastle. Other than that, yesterday is the only match that he's been available for that he didn't play in.
He did okay in the derby at right-back and was shocking there against Southampton. He's not a right-back so doesn't need shoehorning into the side.
Holgate was our best defender last season and is further along than Godfrey in his development. Keane has been our better defender this season. They are probably our best two as a pairing, though both were poor yesterday.
Godfrey is going to get his chances. We were one injury away from having to play Digne at CB in league games for the first 5 weeks of the season.
Yeah, i get that. But he wasnt our 1st choice, and by the time we signed him it was clear he wasnt a priority to the squad. Its great signing players for the future as it should set us up for long term growth but not when we have gaping holes elsewhere. For example, an extra £10m (plus a player) might have got us Sarr, could have got us close to Zaha if you rate him. Could have been used to offer Donnarumma the big salary Raiola will be wanting etc
Instead we have spent it on a player frankly we may/may not use anytime soon.
The club bought a PL experienced young player that they rate in the long term when he was available at a relatively modest price for the market. This is the model of buying young players with time to mature and rise in value that some Blues are hailing but then in the same breath are criticising when players aren't straight into the first 11.
Braithwaite looked very good against Sheff Utd but also very inexperienced at other times and it's not difficult to see he still isn't ready to be 100% relied on at the top level - no surprise given his rapid elevation. Gibson is yet to kick a ball for the first team and has been sent out on loan to Reading but seemingly can't get a game there...not exactly a sign he's sufficient quality yet to rely on here.
No amount of uninformed might-haves or could-haves based on hugely speculative transfer values and the illusion that transfer deals work like FIFA or Championship Manager present a valid counter-argument to signing Godfrey.
A deal for Godfrey was there to be made, other deals may not have been. It's just as possible that the deal on Godfrey was made because it became apparent that there were stumbling blocks to other deals for other players. Obviously that's speculative and uninformed on my part but equally as valid as anything I've read criticising the deal.
Blue Shoes
Player Valuation: £10m
Do we think about starting him soon and seeing if he can form a solid partnership with someone? I think if we go with holgate at right back and then keane and godfrey in the centre that would allow us to be more defensive minded at the back and see us stop conceding so much, we were so so open yesterday, especially on the right hand side. The keane and Holgate partnership didn't really work with them letting free headers aots. Only 1 game obviously, but still.
Chrismac
Player Valuation: £15m
I get the idea, i dont get the timing. We originally went after a CH who i presume Carlo was signing to fit in near immediately, for whatever different reasons it didnt come off. As the window went on and the signings we made it was more and more obvious what positions we needed to bring in. I also get that we were short at the start of the season but when fit we have 5 CHs inc Gibson whether he ever plays for us or not, and a potential 6th (if cover's needed) if Gbamin gets and stays fit.
Youre using the term experienced PL defender pretty loosely as the lad had played 30 games in it for a team that had by far the worst defensive record in the league and if we are being honest not many outside of Norwich supporters ever heard of. But even at that, i get the model.
I just think the priorities were wrong and it will come back to bite us as the season goes on.
But hey, if Dom gets injured he might get a run up top
In terms of PL experience I mean that he has shown he is capable of performing at that level. I've had the argument before about the fact that individual players can be good within a poor side. Defending isn't the sole responsibility of the defence - it's a team game. Being in a poor Norwich side doesn't mean Godfrey doesn't have ability - Gana Gueye and Jack Grealish played in an awful Villa side that were relegated a few seasons back.
I think the signing was made because the opportunity was there. That may not have been the case with other positions and I don't dispute the requirement for strengthening. But if you can't do a deal for a priority position you really need that doesn't mean you shouldn't do any other deals. It's not a one at a time system, multiple deals are often being worked on at once all at varying stages.
He's been available for 4 (I think) league games. The fact he isn't an automatic starter at this stage really is a non-issue.
Additionally - Saying we have the likes of Gibson or Gbamin as an emergency central defender really doesn't counter the case for signing Godfrey. If a player isn't considered good enough, fit enough or ready to play to the level required then their availability is irrelevant. See Niasse, Bolassie or that garbage full back we got from Southampton whose name I can't remember!
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Brendan Janus
Player Valuation: £40m
We should give young George Telfer a chance !
AussieToffee11
Player Valuation: £8m
Wouldn't mind him thrown in next to Allan. Use his pace and ability to defend, and play James in front as a creative.
If he can't get a game at CB, then surely he is better than Siggurdson.
If he can't get a game at CB, then surely he is better than Siggurdson.
....he’s not a RB, he’s not a midfielder, he’s a CB. He‘ll have to grasp the opportunity when it arises and I think he will.
Maguire dominated on Saturday, it’s been a long time since we had a CB with the aggression to dominate. Keane/Holgate might be better than Keane/Mina but I guarantee Strikers in this league look forward to playing against either combination.
Maguire dominated on Saturday, it’s been a long time since we had a CB with the aggression to dominate. Keane/Holgate might be better than Keane/Mina but I guarantee Strikers in this league look forward to playing against either combination.
NilSatisOptimum
Player Valuation: £70m
Can you imagine the outrage from our supporters if that CB aggressive tackle actually injured an opponent there would outrage and demand we handed over points, 'aggressiveness is for looosers'.
....it’s the physical ability to mix it with strikers we lack. Keane will win his headers but he’s never aggressively dominating opponents. Holgate has more attitude but not the raw physicality or Rolls Royce engine needed. We continue to ship goals.
Time will tell if Godfrey is the answer but he’s certainly the ‘type’ we require.
I agree with that, and i'd extend it to include footballing intelligence as well. The best centre halves/partnerships just keep attackers at arm's length with front foot defending, whereas we're always saying people have had good games when they're making blocks and last ditch tackles. I remember going to Spurs a few years ago and Vertonghen just gave an absolute masterclass in dealing with Lukaku. He was neither faster or physically stronger but he just forced him into positions he didn't want to be, kept nicking the ball off his toes etc. We're badly lacking a defender who can do those types of things so I hope Godfrey is the answer.
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