Rumours are rife this morning that Greek striker Angelos Charisteas is having a trial with City this week, we have heard this a couple of times this week already.   He certainly played for some of the top European sides including Ajax, Feyenord, Werder Bremen and Nuremberg.

Personally I can't see this one as having any substance to it, the player doesn't come across as a Lambert type of player, yet we know Ewan Chester has a large network of scouts.  We have posted it, just in case.

Reports suggest former midfielder Darel Russell is in talks with Preston North End,  Russell is a free agent after refusing the new contract offered to him by City,  at the time it looked odds on he would be heading towards Leeds Utd; who had expessed a great deal of interest.   With no disrespects to any Preston supporter, this hardly looks the move to a bigger club, he seemed intent on getting.  ` 

We all at some time or another get to hear differing stories and rumours about our club and it's players, most of them are nonsense but we do thrive on them; it is all part and parcel of live. We all like a little bit of gossip.

I was told the other day that Grant Holt's injury problems are worse than we are being lead to believe and that he could be missing from the first team for quite a while.  I can understand not rushing to break the news, wanting to give the player as much time as possible to get match fit; it is clearly the case that Holt is struggling, he hasn't featured at all so far this pre-season.The makes him quite a way behind the other squad members in terms of fitness, with still no sign of things changing in the final two friendlies before the big kick off.

Paul Lambert said only the other day that he thought Holt was only rated as 50-50 to make the opener,  he would have one heck of a lot of ground to make up in the remaining 11 days if he was to make it.  Also while talking about his list of players missing through injury; Lambert also said if he thinks he will need another player added to the squad he would be talking with "The Powers That Be"

I know that he could be referring to any position on the park, but he could also be referring to Holt in particular as midfield and defence have the extra numbers.
It goes without saying that Holt is vitally important to the team,  a Figurehead, a Tailisman and a Leader are some of the  terms that were bestowed upon the guy last season; when he was missing we did look to have lost a little edge to our game and certainly someone to lead by example  from the front; that is no disrespects to the other boys, Holt is a one off.

I know Lambert has until August 31st before the window on buying shuts,  he also has the option of a short term loan deal now and later should he feel he needs to; but if Holt is really struggling wouldn't it be better to make a move while there are still a few decent players left before they are snapped up.  One player looking to move or have a loan deal is Rowan Vine at QPR, he is still young enough and strong, would certainly make a good stop gap; I am sure he was once a City target under a previous manager.  Ideally I would love to see Holt'y lining up for the toss up against Watford, but that looks increasingly unlikely, this makes me feel a little uneasy; perhaps another bustling type striker wouldn't be such a bad idea if only on a 3 month loan deal until The Man is back. 

I hope that what I was told is so wrong and any reading between the lines is wide of the mark as well, but I still have this huge question mark over Holt's injury, is it going to take longer then we hope or think ?  Or can I lay aside my worries and sleep more peacefully at night ?

The Daily Mirror, has a small piece suggesting that Paul Lambert is thought to be making a double swop on Dagenham and Redbridge  for central defender Scott Doe and midfielder Danny Green, both 22. A bid of £250,000 should be enough to secure both players

*A Little more on the above two players: both have just signed new contracts at Dagenham;

Danny Green and Scott Doe have signed new three-year contracts with the club.

A brace by Chris Martin and single reply from Ameobi, was enough to give  City a well deserved victory at Carrow Road this afternoon, City more than held their own against their premiership opponents.

Martin's first came after some trickery from the Irish master Wes Hoolahan, he picked up on a sloppy pass rounded two defenders before crossing the ball to Martin for a tap into the empty net.   His second came onthe 75th minute some fine work by Macnamee, who hadn't been on the field that long,  Martin rose with the Newcastle defence to meet MacNamee's cross to flick the ball into the bottom corner, it may have got a touch on a defenders head on it's way.

Sandwiched in between came Ameobi's goal, Xisco cuts inside finding Ameobi who takes a quick touch before slotting the ball between Ruddy's legs.

A very good work out for the players in front of a respectable crowd of 13,195, Paul Lambert must be very satisfied with the work rate and application of his players as he starts to formulate his starting eleven ahead of the opening game in about a fortnight's time.

Paul Lambert has named the following squad for this afternoons friendly with Newcastle

CITY: Ruddy, R. Martin, Drury, Nelson (c), Crofts, Jackson, Surman, Hoolahan, Fox, C. Martin, Ward. Subs: Gill, Lappin, Johnson, McNamee, Francomb, Dawkin, Tudur Jones, Steer.

While for Newcastle the awaited return of Fraser Forster to Carrow Road will have to be put on hold, as he was injured during the week in training and hasn't made the squad.

Newcastle: Krul, Coloccini, Enrique, Nolan, Barton, Carroll, R Taylor, Best, Ranger, Edmundsson, Tavernier. Subs: Alnwick, Williamson, Guthrie, Routledge, Smith, Xisco, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Vuckic, Ferguson, Henderson.

Forgotten defender Rhoys Wiggins has left City to join newly-promoted League One side Bournemouth for an undisclosed fee.

Signed by Bryan Gunn last July,  he was restricted to just two starts in the Johnstones Paint Trophy last season and appearing as a substitute in the FA Cup tie away to Paulton, he spent a lot of the season on at Bournemouth making 19 appearences.

It comes as no surprise that Rhoys has been allowed to leave, nor his destination, it was pretty clear that he wasn't really in Paul Lambert's plans.  I personally didn't see him play, but still wish him all the very best of luck at his new club.




I wonder what is in store for  Owain Tudour Jones, Matt Gill  and in some ways Jens Berthel Askou after not figuring in Lambert's Germany plans.  Askou was for one of the finds of the season, looking very solid and commanding, would be a great shame to see him leave.  So far my only concern over the whole squad is at right back, where we have no cover for Martin now Spillane has gone; Martin has failed to convince me he is good enough for the championship, after struggling at times at the lower level.

A large sigh of relief must be going around Norfolk, I know it is in my house, with the news this lunch time that City have banned them dam horrible sounding horns (vuvuzelas) from Carrow Road.  I am really pleased that the club have taken this step following the lead taken by many other clubs around the country.

I would like to add a big thanks to David McNally for taking the time during his busy schedule to answer my e-mail and address the concerns expressed over this matter. 

City Statement

The overwhelming feedback is that Norwich City fans would prefer to generate the usual superb atmosphere they create for games at Carrow Road without the need for vuvuzelas.

I couldn't agree more.

Arsenal, Tottenham, Birmingham and West Ham have all banned controversial vuvuzelas from their stadiums this season, they join the likes of Preston North End amongst others who announced their decision yesterday.We have emailed David McNally asking for the Board of Directors to consider following the likes of the above the clubs and outlaw vuvuzelas inside Carrow Road.

We await an answer and or public statement on their intentions,  we believe the vuvuzelas  pose a safety risk, could be used as a weapon  as well as ruining the matchday ambience.  I am sure like me you are proud of the fantastic atmosphere we produce at Carrow Road, our passionate, loud and robust support should not be allowed to be drowned out by the use of these infernal things.

To help those of you like me who turn up at the start of every season take a look at the team and stand wondering who the heck is who players, with seven (so far) this season I may have my work cut out. 
So here's a little run down on our seven new faces along with an image of each, I am indebited entirley to wikipedia for the knowledge.

(Continued)