Norwich City were priced out of a January window move for Sporting Lisbon's highly-rated Dutch striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

Norwich City boss Chris Hughton confirms interest in Sporting Lisbon striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel

Monday, January 28, 2013
11:01 AM

Norwich City’s humiliating 1-0 defeat against Luton will not force Chris Hughton to alter his January transfer window plans.

The City chief confirmed an interest in Sporting Lisbon’s Ricky van Wolfswinkel at the weekend after watching his side dumped out of the FA Cup by the Hatters.

The highly-rated Dutch striker is reportedly attracting interest from Tottenham and Newcastle ahead of deadline day later this week. Hughton is also tracking Kansas striker Kei Kamara after previous bids for Celtic’s Gary Hooper and Swansea’s Danny Graham went public. The City boss used his Luton programme notes to outline his frustration at the club’s relative lack of activity in the market, but cup humiliation does not stiffen his resolve to bring in much-needed reinforcements.

“Not really. Anything we want to do (in the window) is because that is what we have planned,” he said. “This is a disappointment but that is separate. We do want to strengthen but it has been very frustrating in our efforts to do that. The result here doesn’t make me think even more what I would like to do; it is probably our results of late, more so than Luton. It’s very difficult at the moment, I must admit.

“For us close to it, we’re aware of everything that goes on. People from the outside feel it’s very easy to bring in the players you want, it doesn’t work that way.

“Hence, if you look at the strikers who have come in, you have to look at the circumstances in which they have come in and that’s generally big fees and big salaries. These are things we have to work round, but we’re still hopeful that come Thursday, we’ll certainly have some additions.

“Yes, I have see those reports on him (van Wolfswinkel) and there is an interest from ourselves but how far that interest has gone from us I don’t know. But certainly there is an interest.”

Hughton has the rather more pressing distraction of Tottenham’s Premier League visit on Wednesday. Former Spurs’ defender Sebastien Bassong will return after missing the last two league and cup defeats as a precaution with a calf problem.

Fellow defender Steven Whittaker was an unused substitute against Luton following a lay-off with a hip problem. Hughton confirmed left-back Marc Tierney was not considered for cup duty after suffering a dead leg in training during the build up.

“We trained here (at the stadium) on Wednesday. He picked up a dead leg and we thought he would be fine but that wasn’t the case,” said Hughton. “Yes, Bassong will be fit. Whittaker has been out for a period of time and the question is whether he is ready, but certainly regarding Bassong he will be fit.”

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69 comments

bring back vaughny! pace and power!

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joe b

Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Do you spend a lot of time on the streets, La Snott?

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Mad Brewer

Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Do you spend a lot of time on the streets, La Snott?

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Mad Brewer

Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Flier, there are several parallels between NCFC and RCD. Not positive ones I'm afraid. One of the best matches I saw at the Son Moix was when Mallorca lost 4-0 to A. Madrid - Torres in his prime! Adios - trabajo por mi:(

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el dingo

Tuesday, January 29, 2013
This is serious, I think there's a genuine feeling around the fans, the board and most importantly the squad, that we won't survive without new blood.

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Lobbo

Tuesday, January 29, 2013
With a name like that we gotta have him

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cutty

Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Guardian reporting Hoots may sell Holt if he can replace him with either Hooper or RVW.

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wivenhoebudgie

Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Seems the word on the street is getting louder. Norwich are soon to be relegation fodder - no one wants to join your sinking ship it seems.

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Liz Knott

Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Hola el Dingo! Yes, good win at Mallorca. They are really struggling which is a pity as I know they have good support from the guiris! I will be at the Malaga game on Sunday. Changed it to a Noon KO. Unheard of! Often it is late night, sometimes 10pm! Johnny Gavin echoes what I have been saying: there are good players at sensible money available all over the world. Malaga have just signed two very useful S American players with international experience, one on loan. They are out there. If we can't afford the inflated prices here, we should have been looking overseas. But the games I have seen Norwich play this season convince me that Hughton's tactics are wrong. Our build up is so slow and predictable. Goes backwards more than forwards. Not enough support for the front man etc.

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malaga flier

Tuesday, January 29, 2013
forget Rip van Winkle,Hoopo,and Graham,Ncfc will do it on the cheap as they always do. Sat was awful but it was coming particularly after Newcastle, West Ham and Liverpool.CH tactics leave a lot to be desired so negative, how long does it take to get a cross in from the wide men,all that happens is that the ball is passed back to the half way line and then passed from the right across to the cetnre backs then over to the left back and we start our build up all over again,Its becoming boring CH we deserve a better show than this.Its fine CH saying if we dont concede we dont lose, but if we dont score we dont win either ! One up front is ridiculous,if the opposition score we have not got two goals in us.A guy i walked in with on Sat was upbeat, he said we will be ok today as we are playing 2 up front, ie:- Kane and Jackson,I said no mate we are not playing anyone up front, but he didnt get my drift.We are in a mess and will get relegated unless there is a change in the tactics Any more results like Sat and the fans may not be so forgiving,then we get a very hostile atmosphere inside Carrow Road. Its time to wake up CH

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Essex yellow

Monday, January 28, 2013
forget Rip van Winkle,Hoopo,and Graham,Ncfc will do it on the cheap as they always do. Sat was awful but it was coming particularly after Newcastle, West Ham and Liverpool.CH tactics leave a lot to be desired so negative, how long does it take to get a cross in from the wide men,all that happens is that the ball is passed back to the half way line and then passed from the right across to the cetnre backs then over to the left back and we start our build up all over again,Its becoming boring CH we deserve a better show than this.Its fine CH saying if we dont concede we dont lose, but if we dont score we dont win either ! One up front is ridiculous,if the opposition score we have not got two goals in us.A guy i walked in with on Sat was upbeat, he said we will be ok today as we are playing 2 up front, ie:- Kane and Jackson,I said no mate we are not playing anyone up front, but he didnt get my drift.We are in a mess and will get relegated unless there is a change in the tactics Any more results like Sat and the fans may not be so forgiving,then we get a very hostile atmosphere inside Carrow Road. Its time to wake up CH

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Essex yellow

Monday, January 28, 2013
Memo to M. Ellis. Mr. Carrow would give his left bollock to be in the house on wed but alas he lives in the states now and the last game he saw was QPR away last year where he had to suffer next to honest QPR fans themselves suffering from Warnockosis! Just think, it could be worse, we could spend loads of money and still be bottom of the league. Please go to the game and cheer the lads on, all I could here on sat was Luton fans. OTBC

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MrCarrowIsInTheHouse

Monday, January 28, 2013
Home-based players tend to be ridiculously over-priced, I would go for a striker from Europe, either RWW or Colombian international Carlos Bacca from Bruges who has a great scoring record in the Belgian league and would only cost 3 to 4 miilion max. Check him out on youtube ...

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Johnny Gavin Lives

Monday, January 28, 2013
I read a comment on Skysports earlier from someone moaning that Norwich look desperate because they are being linked to so many players. People need to realise that we are not a champions league club. We cant just express an interest in a player and expect them to come running. Van Wolfswinkel and Hooper are really exciting possibilities, and its a shame the clubs interest has been made public. If bigger fish express an interest, we might well miss out. Clubs like us, if they really want a type of player, have to have more than 1 option. Bigger fish will eat the smaller ones. Every club in the league keep an eye on everyone elses scouting activities. There arent many who go under the radar.

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HippoKL

Monday, January 28, 2013
NCFC is embedded in my hart and soul. wish that was convey on every one else involved with club?

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michael ellis

Monday, January 28, 2013
Michael onwards and upwards , Ged F#*k O+f

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mjc75

Monday, January 28, 2013
mjc75, you're totally correct. We need to carry on supporting the team (no matter how utterly clueless we are!) OTBC! All the best GedFans x

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Ged Steroo

Monday, January 28, 2013
MJC I most probably will but I get so frustrated at these results as we all must do?. Just wont success for NCFC the supporters deserve it ! !

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michael ellis

Monday, January 28, 2013
Michael Ellis , I was there on Saturday and yes it was disgraceful , but we follow our team through good times and through bad . As fans it's what we do , no matter how depressing it gets , stick with it .

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mjc75

Monday, January 28, 2013
hey guys does any one really read these comments in the team on the board or the manager. the best way to show our disapproval and anger of what is going on at NCFC is to stay away on saturday, stay in the pub go shopping with wife or partner take the kids to the pictures. if no turns up that will speak volumes. I certainly wont be going had enough of it 53 years and one brief moment in 92 when we got into Europe and we never capitalised on that. how do others do it ? why cant we ? and for last saturday it was an embarrassment to be a city supporter. amen

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michael ellis

Monday, January 28, 2013
I seem to recall you calling him Shambert, Ged! One makes me think you only dislike the personnel when they work for NCFC! Why might that be?

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Billy

Monday, January 28, 2013
Why bother Steroo , nobody cares . We are really not interested in your inane pointless waffle , go back to portaloo dump and double the attendance !

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mjc75

Monday, January 28, 2013
I'd give a lot to be where you are now flier - and you've got a good team to watch too! I saw more passion watching Llucmajor v Arenal (Div 26 or whatever) than at the Carra on Saturday.

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el dingo

Monday, January 28, 2013
Hey flier I forgot to mention - RCD 2, Malaga 3, je je. Enjoy your game on Sunday

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el dingo

Monday, January 28, 2013
Hola otra vez el Dingo! I am sat here on the Costa del Sol waiting, and hoping, for a significant signing at Carrow Road. Malaga has just the man...young Isco, brilliant on the ball and scores goals.....but as the club has put a price tag of €15m on him, I think that would be somewhat outside Norwich's budget don't you!!!! (and he don;t speak Norfolk, boy!).

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malaga flier

Monday, January 28, 2013
Totally agree Henry. It's as if we are prepared to fail. There's a total lack of ambition. Glad you agree. Gedders x

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Ged Steroo

Monday, January 28, 2013
Hola flier - mi diablo rojo (Real Mallorca, boo hoo hoo hoo). Back in England now but 2014 - secundo tiempo viviende Mallorca - espero! My written Spanish is terrible!!!

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el dingo

Monday, January 28, 2013
Ged, I don't think there is one person on this site who is a fan of yours, you write total rubbish every single time you come on here and to make matters worse you actually think you're funny! Obvious to even a child that you aren't a Norwich fan so why do you bother, do you not have anything else to do with your sad little life?

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mickncfc

Monday, January 28, 2013
Norwich are trying to buy good players by offering peanuts. If they offer peanuts then they will only get monkeys! Lets have a decent signing.

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Henry

Monday, January 28, 2013
This Winkle fella isn't very good, but even so I think we need to get realistic. He's too good for us. We need to set our sights a little lower and start preparing the squad for the Championship. What's the point in looking at players who will never consider playing in the 2nd or 3rd tier of English football. We need to start trying to unearth some gems from the lower leagues that have far lower expectations. Mr Lambert knew what he was doing, but Whooton is utterly clueless in the transfer market. But don't worry GedFans I'm speaking with him soon and will give him some pointers! Speak soon GedFans!

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Ged Steroo

Monday, January 28, 2013
How will anybody know if Austin or Davies can cut it , without being bold and trying . Besides Houghton and his coaching team know Davies , and Austin is young and improving all the time , scored plenty this season so far . £10m would get all three .

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mjc75

Monday, January 28, 2013
Danny Graham has asked to leave Swansea , McNasty get on the phone , I'll drive him to carrow road if required. Davies from Brum would be a great addition and an excellent partner for Bassong . Butland looks like he's going so give them Rudd for the rest of the season as part of the deal.

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mjc75

Monday, January 28, 2013
Please do not sign Curtis Davis or Austin....Both are Championship players and not Prem class,you might as well put the dosh down the drain if you sign these 2!!

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dave123

Monday, January 28, 2013
RVW would be a great signing let's do it. (see how easy this is?) Re earlier posting if your 1st choice defenders are injured you know you're going to get a leaky defence...Wouldn't that be the perfect time for plan B (all out attack)? (or am I missing something?)

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JMH

Monday, January 28, 2013
Just had a message saying I can buy a goalkeeper's shirt for £25.....or maybe a surplus keeper for £50?!

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malaga flier

Monday, January 28, 2013
I agree with mjc75, if we can't get RVW then Curtis Davies and Charlie Austin would be good additions to the squad. The poster who thought that we should just stiffen the defence and aspire to the occasional goalless draw needs a maths lesson. A team who managed to draw every match would have 38 points and even if that was enough to stay up, by the season's end there would no longer be a market in laxatives within the NR postcode area (or sedatives).

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waclor

Monday, January 28, 2013
Muchas gracias el Dingo. Yo voy a el futbol en Malaga en Domingo!

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malaga flier

Monday, January 28, 2013
Capri - You are of course right about nothing to lose. Not even your dignity after Saturday!!

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Laughalot

Monday, January 28, 2013
I share the concerns about late deals,,over-priced players and so on. Hughton is not in charge of the money or wheeler-dealing. His priority is to get the team sorted for the Spurs game. We have nothing to lose playing a team hoping to get into the Champions League. .

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Capri

Monday, January 28, 2013
If we cannot sign astriker lets get vaughn back if possible

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pete22

Monday, January 28, 2013
I have a strange feeling that a new striker is going to be presented to us fans on Wednesday night. Ricky, here, at £9-£10m could be the boost we are all looking for. Looks the part and I think that DM knows that something very positive and ambitious is now urgently needed.

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Kent Anglian

Monday, January 28, 2013
Good to see some sensible comments rather than the hysterical overreaction immediately after the game. Yes an appalling performance for which the players selected should be thoroughly ashamed and can have no complaints when they are left out of the team & don`t even get on the bench. a bit of soul searching required!

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stayingup

Monday, January 28, 2013
Most constructive comment I can make is no comment.

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goldie

Monday, January 28, 2013
Muy bien Snr Flier. Vale.

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el dingo

Monday, January 28, 2013
Agree with Bootneck 100%

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Henry

Monday, January 28, 2013
Some very sensible comments here and I would totally agree with those who say we need to be more attack-minded. Because if you sit back in this league you will get punished and the opposition will always score against us. Most teams in the Prem have firepower. The only way to counter it is to take the game to the opposition much more. Brave hearts win battles. Faint hearts win nothing. Luton, Oldham, MK Dons and Leeds prove the point. All their opponents had better quality players. But eagerness and commitment saw them home. We used to be like that. I do not, either, go along with the idea that we shouldn't be critical of our performances, especially when they are so dire. The time to support the team is on the pitch. It would be a strange world if we sat back and just suffered in silence! Players and managers need to know what their fans think, good or bad. Does them no hard to get a kicking from time to time.

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malaga flier

Monday, January 28, 2013
It is the bankers who hold the purse strings,blame them.This JAnuary window has convinced me that it has to go.It creates artificial and highly volatile marketplace which is driven by marketising agents to whom NCFC pays £1million too much.It must unsettle players too as the speculation builds and rumours get out of hand.Is it time to dump the January transfer window in the recycling bin.

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Peter Watson

Monday, January 28, 2013
I wouldn't normally do this but I'm really fed up. Dick by name...

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el dingo

Monday, January 28, 2013
ncfc supporters are fast becoming part of the opposition instead of the very positive 12 th team member.For the beleagured players they will soon feel like christians in the colesium.this will hardly be helpful for climbing out of the downward spiral.hughton is a very experienced footballer and manager he seems in short a thoroughly decent bloke..if the fates are against us and we go down i would still be happy to see him as our mangager.when we were at our most successful there was afearless quality about the play, we put teams on the backfoot.if we have turner,whittaker and bassong back perhaps we can risk going back on the offensive.if we loose we loose but at least we,ll be out fought rather than just out bought

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dick

Monday, January 28, 2013
As I said in another post on here somewhere, no-one wins a war by sitting in the trenches and letting the enemy bomb the hell out of you, you must attack to win. And no-one wins a game unless they score more than the opponent. We need to play attacking football, concern ourselves with how we are going to win, not how good the enemy are, and just go out and try to beat teams, not just try to stop them beating us.

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Bootneck R.M.

Monday, January 28, 2013
I forgot to add.. I am interested in a 60 inch TV, but doesn't mean I will buy one..

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gordon52

Monday, January 28, 2013
absolutely right "The Gaffer" Listen to CH pre game, he always bigs the opposition team up, whoever they. We need to respect them and it will be a difficult game. Brilliant he has done half the motivation for them. There is such a thing about too much respect. then we sit back and wait for them to attack us before you know it could be too late, attack is the best form of defence. Someone said when Hughton was appointed "Norwich are in Safe hands " is this the idea of safety ..Gawd help us. Another full back playing the same way as the other full back we had as manager in the premiership Will the end result be the same ?

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gordon52

Monday, January 28, 2013
AJB, u sound like u have the same mentality as CH, "Don't concede, don't lose"... what about "Don't score, don't win." A strong defence is vitally important for sure, but for me firepower is the key to any team getting results. Some games may require a cautious approach at times, but Norwich should spend less time worrying about what the opposition are doing and get it down and play aggressively, like we did under a certain Mr. Lambert....

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The Gaffer

Monday, January 28, 2013
Someone on here said introduce no win no wages. Makes you laugh doesnt it. Its hard enough getting them here anyway. Most agents will want to wait until the last day to get the best deal. We will see. Still angry from Saturday

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sharky

Monday, January 28, 2013
Bootneck RM footballers are by nature greedy , the same applies to clubs sadly . They should let the fans sort the deals out , normal people doing normal things quickly and efficiently .

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mjc75

Monday, January 28, 2013
I'd be far happier not signing any strikers in this window and putting all the resources into getting an quality Centre Back to play with Bassong - dont concede dont lose! Team has goals in it and always has but we need to play the right system and play to our strengths

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AJB

Monday, January 28, 2013
What frustrates me the most is why we always seem to leave it so late to get deals done. I fully understand that there's always a battle on price agreement between buying and selling clubs. However, it has been blatantly obvious since pre season that we needed more fire power, so why weren't procedures or finances arranged before and bids placed on the opening day of the transfer period and finished a day or so later ? If I want to buy something from another company, we'll do the haggling, get the price agreed and job done, simple. The football world is too full of posturing, lies and deciet. Then there's the agent situation, no doubt the leeches will be there for their cut too. Are footballers really that thick that they can not understand the basic mathematics of a wage structure and demand. Surely the P.F.A. should have [maybe they do] people to do these negotiations therefore saving absolutely £Millions in the extortion racket each year too. Oh well, maybe I just think simple things should remain simple without the need to complicate them.

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Bootneck R.M.

Monday, January 28, 2013
What frustrates me the most is why we always seem to leave it so late to get deals done. I fully understand that there's always a battle on price agreement between buying and selling clubs. However, it has been blatantly obvious since pre season that we needed more fire power, so why weren't procedures or finances arranged before and bids placed on the opening day of the transfer period and finished a day or so later ? If I want to buy something from another company, we'll do the haggling, get the price agreed and job done, simple. The football world is too full of posturing, lies and deciet. Then there's the agent situation, no doubt the leeches will be there for their cut too. Are footballers really that thick that they can not understand the basic mathematics of a wage structure and demand. Surely the P.F.A. should have [maybe they do] people to do these negotiations therefore saving absolutely £Millions in the extortion racket each year too. Oh well, maybe I just think simple things should remain simple without the need to complicate them.

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Bootneck R.M.

Monday, January 28, 2013
Lets forget Hooper , overpriced and playing in a sub-standard league . Go back for Graham and get Charlie Austin for £3m , then Curtis Davies for £1.5m . But needs to be done quickly , clock is ticking .

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mjc75

Monday, January 28, 2013
Im sick of hearing about all these players we are interested in, but will not pay their full value. Come Thursday night, we will have signed somebody from Spurs on loan for the rest of the season. Trouble is, they cant score goals.

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Henry

Monday, January 28, 2013
This transfer window stinks of City trying to do things on the cheap. I’m impressed by the players being linked, but all that is worthless if we are putting in unrealistic bids. I know that we can’t do a Man City or a Chelsea and throw huge fees and wages down, but I’m worried that we are not being realistic in what we are offering. Like Spurs used to at the end of every transfer window, I don’t want City turning round and announcing players that they have been unsuccessful in securing. We are trying to play hardball and we are going to be left with a squad that are heading back into a relegation dogfight. It is time to get out the cash and speculate to accumulate. It is worth more than ever this year to stay in the top flight. The hierarchy of the club need to pull their wallets out and make it happen.

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DT

Monday, January 28, 2013
People thinking Hughton isn't being kept informed of progress with his transfer targets... my word... the stupidity...

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Steady On

Monday, January 28, 2013
The chances of NCFC buying overseas are rapidly dimishingly daily as the pound collapses under the weight of government QE, see max Keiser on the daily politics show, the only economist who knows what's going on in the UK. Overseas companies are starting not to accept pounds anymore for future holiday bookings

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Canaryinslovenia

Monday, January 28, 2013
No doubt RVW would be a good buy for us, but this transfer window is like a game of chess. CH probably knows a bit more than he is saying, but DM is probably the only one who knows the full picture. RVW would be an asset not only on the field, but on the books - his value is sure to rise with premiership experience!

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johnnyp

Monday, January 28, 2013
Apparently Sporting were holding out for £12 million for RVW and NC only bid £8 mil. Is CH really saying that he isn't being kept informed? I think it's more a case of CH keeping his cards as close to his chest as possible.

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CovCanary

Monday, January 28, 2013
Hmmm... you're RVW. Apparently it's Spurs, Newcastle, or....... Norwich. What do you reckon, RVW? Thought so. Good post wivenhoe. On The Cheap City!

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el dingo

Monday, January 28, 2013
one telling section in that report. Hoots admits an interest in RVW, but does not know what sort of interest or how far that sort of interest has gone.I sort of hoped that Hoots would have given McN a list of priorities to negotiate over, with one or two underlined with a note in the margin saying one of these two ,both if you can get them. 3 days left in the transfer window

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wivenhoebudgie

Monday, January 28, 2013
I think I would prefer RVW to Hooper as RVW can play as an attacking midfielder as well, which means he would suit our current formation. However, either (or both) would be a good signal of intent.

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CovCanary

Monday, January 28, 2013
“Yes, I have see those reports on him (van Wolfswinkel) and there is an interest from ourselves but how far that interest has gone from us I don’t know." So now they aren't telling Hughton how the transfers are progressing, never mind us! hmmmm......

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SussexYellow

Monday, January 28, 2013