Chris Hughton believes the additions of Kei Kamara and prolific ex-Leeds' forward Luciano Becchio will inject competition into a key area of his squad.
Norwich City boss Chris Hughton challenges Kei Kamara to earn permanent Premier League deal
Paddy Davitt
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
7:04 PM
Chris Hughton has challenged Kei Kamara to build on an impressive start to his Norwich City career and earn himself a permanent Premier League deal.
The on-loan Sporting Kansas City frontman opened his goal account for the Canaries in a storming second half cameo that earned City a priceless 2-1 top flight win over Everton at Carrow Road.
Kamara’s pivotal introduction left Hughton fielding inevitable questions on whether he is keen to take up an option on a longer term move for the Sierra Leone international when his initial loan stint ends in May.
“At this stage he has scored for us here so we will have to see how he develops,” said Hughton.
“He’ll help us but in terms of how much of a difference, I’m probably a little bit reluctant to single out one player. He is only one player in a team and this is his first goal and his second appearance coming on.
“Judgment time will come after a few games, but I have to say this is not a particularly tough group to integrate into. Anyone who comes into here is well looked after by the other players and he has fitted in very nicely.”
Hughton wants to reduce some of the rising hype surrounding Kamara’s immediate impact following his January transfer window switch from the MLS.
“It’s a great opportunity for him,” said the City boss. “I think Stoke looked at him. We had the opportunity to bring him in and jumped at the chance. Ideally, you want people who are going to come in and be good people as well.
“We have a lot of good personalities in the squad – we don’t have a bad one there – but he’s also not a young, inexperienced player. He is 28 and that is a good age and he is a good character, very down-to-earth and really delighted at the prospect of firstly being here at Norwich.
“He really wants to do well and it’s a good opportunity for him.”
Hughton believes the additions of Kamara and prolific ex-Leeds’ forward Luciano Becchio will inject competition into a key area of his squad.
Becchio was replaced by the Sporting Kansas loanee just before the hour mark against the Toffees, but Hughton is convinced the Argentine will make his mark.
“I thought Luciano worked really hard (against Everton). He’s a different type of player to Kei and it’s important to have that variety,” said Hughton.
“I thought the work ethic was excellent. Luciano sometimes found the ball didn’t bounce for him as he would have liked, but he managed to keep the ball up the park for us and I thought he worked incredibly hard for us.
“I am very comfortable with the strikers we have. If you look at those two and also Grant Holt and Simeon Jackson – who I left off the bench – we have different types of strikers now available.”
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16 comments
Another KK!
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
A joy to read your post, CanaryDan. You are spot on. I remember Kevin Keelan & Bill Punton doing that stuff a while back!
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Nice post by CD. Lets all hope we have star in the making. The height he gets is really something. What a bonus that can be. Also the timing of his powerful header. I wont forget that for a while. Oh dear repeating myself. Must be my age OTBC
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sharky
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
KK does seem to be special, I really hope he fulfills his early promise.
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DocOhNo
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
I must say that what particularly strikes me about Kei Kamara is his humility and his obvious joy to be playing for Norwich!! That is a trait that we as a club need. It is what made our team good enough to jump up the leagues in the manner we did over the past few years - we had players who (although they were not "stars") were proud to be playing for the badge and not looking at it as a stop gap for a bigger deal elsewhere....they were proud to be playing for the club and at Norwich's level. With Kei, I like his attitude and application - and the dance moves are also a brilliant bonus. Being the ripe old age of 31, my first footballing memory was of Roger Milla (sic) and his corner flag dancing celebrations. I like joy - especially when the players are paid the stupid amounts they are paid! Joy is under-rated in the modern game!
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CanaryDan
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
I must say that what particularly strikes me about Kei Kamara is his humility and his obvious joy to be playing for Norwich!! That is a trait that we as a club need. It is what made our team good enough to jump up the leagues in the manner we did over the past few years - we had players who (although they were not "stars") were proud to be playing for the badge and not looking at it as a stop gap for a bigger deal elsewhere....they were proud to be playing for the club and at Norwich's level. With Kei, I like his attitude and application - and the dance moves are also a brilliant bonus. Being the ripe old age of 31, my first footballing memory was of Roger Milla (sic) and his corner flag dancing celebrations. I like joy - especially when the players are paid the stupid amounts they are paid! Joy is under-rated in the modern game!
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CanaryDan
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Interesting comment by Hoots that he wants players to be "good people". No prima donnas or bad boys, I imagine he means? An uplifting sentiment. Well said, Hoots!
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
It was goal of the season and to be fait he looked in good nick in that game...just watched on YouTube ...proves how beer has added my brain as I was at that game!
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Herr Fleck
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Looked ok (physique not ability) when he played for us. Looked about 3 stone overweight by the time he got to Forest.
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Timbo
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Looked ok (physique not ability) when he played for us. Looked about 3 stone overweight by the time he got to Forest.
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Timbo
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Ahh Rosario...3 things i remember about you...film star looks (apparently ) , had a formidable 3rd touch and the ability to score goal of a season, or was it month?
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Herr Fleck
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
If The Horse does eventually gallop off into the sunset KK could well be his successor. Very much in the mould of Holty, Iwan, Sutty, Robert Rosario...( Oh maybe not...)...
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Timbo
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
What formation for Manyoo then? I'd go 4-5-1 to start and keep KK's powder dry for last 30 mins. Holt with Hoolie behind. Pilks and Snoddy wide. Whittaker for Martin . Just not sure playing 2 upfront versus a top side is wise, even if they rest a few.
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Herr Fleck
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
It was a bit special - as are the gumshield fangs.
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Swiss Canary
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Agreed SO different types are needed in a squad. KK powerful headed goal from such a height was a never to be forgotten moment OTBC
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sharky
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Luciano and KK will prove themselves to be great acquisitions in the run in methinks.
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Steady On
Tuesday, February 26, 2013