Since last weekend’s defeat at the Monster Munch Arena brought our thirteen game unbeaten run to a screeching halt talk on the message boards has centred mainly on the exclusion of Darren Huckerby from the squad.
At this point I should make absolutely crystal clear that I love Hucks, and when I get my turn to do My NCFC will profess him to be my favourite Canary ever but let’s be honest here; The chances of him still being at the club next season are pretty slim. Glenn Roeder has come out and said that he thinks he will be on the move and Darren – or rather his agent – has said the same.
On his day he can still skin defenders and turn his full back inside out, but the problem is that “his” days seem to be growing fewer and farther between, and Hucks must know that.
Don’t get me wrong if he ends up in MLS as I expect (or pretty much anywhere for that matter) I will be right in line to grab myself one of their shirts with “Huckerby” on the back – provided they are available in sizes suitable for the “larger” gentleman of course – I’m just trying to be realistic.
That leaves Roeder with a difficult decision to make. On the one side he’s got an absolute fan favourite in Darren Huckerby, a man who is has rightly been ordained as a fully-fledged Canary legend. One of the best players to wear the yellow and green of all time. One that, “on his day” is more than a handful for most if not all Championship defences.
The heart says that if this will indeed be his last season playing in this part of the world he deserves a proper send-off. A chance to say goodbye in the “right way” if you like.
And then there’s the other side of the coin and the option of playing a loan signing; we’ll use Kieran Gibbs as an example.
If Roeder suspects Huckerby won’t be around come August then he needs to start planning for the future. The immediate problem there of course is that come August, Gibbs won’t be here in all likelihood either, so what makes him the better option?
In short I suspect it is just simply the hope that the host club (in Gibbs’ case Arsenal and Arsene Wenger in particular) see how their little diamond has been polished and allow the next generation of Mini-Gunners to learn their craft in Norfolk.
It’s an unfortunate fact but I guess that’s modern football in the Championship for you. Rightly or wrongly the immediate needs of this football club are more likely than not going to result in a trip along the loan route and Roeder is going to have to continually try and find the balance between immediate results and longer-term stability.
From http://www.bartleby.com/:
Between a rock and a hard place: Faced with two equally dangerous or difficult choices or circumstances: “Trying to please two supervisors is like being between a rock and a hard place.”
Yep, that sounds about right.
Good luck Ryan
Ryan Jarvis has signalled this week that he believes his future lies away from Carrow Road. I’ve never been one of the Fakenham youngster’s biggest fans, and as such I have to say I think it’s probably a bit overdue if that is the case.
To my mind being labelled “the next big thing” at such a young age was something he could never come to terms with and I hope he manages to get his career back on track at Notts County, for as much as he’ll probably be able to eat out off his Premiership goal against Liverpool for a while, that won’t pay the bills forever. Chris Martin please take note…
Roeder’s Taylor-made plans in ruins?
Martin Taylor looks as though he has trained his way into Alex McCleish and Birmingham City’s longer-term thoughts.
Roeder had indicated that there might be a deal to be had in the summer for the former loanee and player of the month for November, but Tiny has got his head down and worked hard at St. Andrews, and was rewarded with a starting berth against West Ham recently – which could well signal the end of the Canary boss’ mission to bring him back to the club.
I’m not as disappointed about this turn of events as I thought I anticipated being, although Tiny was a massive signing for us. His departure coincided with a timely return to form of Jason Shackell and the man that divides supporters more than any other, Gary Doherty.
Get well soon Gazza
I was saddened to hear of Paul Gascoigne being detained under the mental health act this week, if not entirely unsurprised.
On the pitch an absolute genius, off it injury problems along with reported alcoholism and depression issues hindered his career, earning him a reputation as one of English footballs most “wasted” talents.
When I was growing up Gazza to me was one of those love- to-hate players. If you’re not old enough to remember him in his prime just think Robbie Savage only with amazing talent and skill. There was a kid at my school who wanted to be him so much he even used to cry like him, and I wish that was a joke!
I’m not going to get into the whole “rise and fall of Gazza” debate as those type of articles to me always make it sound as if the person concerned has died, which of course he hasn’t. He just needs some serious help – which has probably been the case for a long time.
Until next week…
OTBC
What are your thoughts on the Huckerby situation? Is there more to it than meets the eye? Have we seen the last of Ryan Jarvis? Can we still get Tiny? Does it matter? Have you got any sympathy for Gazza? As always let me know what you think…
