Chris Hughton insists the present Norwich City squad hold the key to any potential transfer splurge.

Norwich City boss Chris Hughton keeping his options open for January transfer window

Paddy Davitt Friday, November 16, 2012
11:00 AM

Chris Hughton is braced for the January transfer scramble, but the Norwich City boss is not planning a major New Year spending spree.

The Canaries’ chief has already been linked with possible raids for Arsenal forward Marouane Chamakh and Maribor striker Robert Beric over the past week, but Hughton insists the present squad hold the key to any potential transfer splurge.

Hughton reiterated yesterday he is not solely focused on recruiting fresh firepower, despite sanctioning a Swindon loan move for Chris Martin following on from James Vaughan season-long switch to Huddersfield earlier in the campaign.

“Not necessarily. The reason we let Chris go out is because with Wes (Hoolahan) we have been playing him at this moment in that number 10 role really, which gives us four forward players with Grant (Holt), Simeon (Jackson) and Steve Morison.

“No, I think where we are is we are not desperate to bring anybody in, but as with everybody else if there are opportunities to strengthen what you have got then you would be interested.

“I can guarantee what will happen in the next few weeks is that the agents will be on the phone and it will be about players who are available and perhaps clubs who want to take your players. That is normal this time of the year and what each window brings to us. I think you have to keep your options open. Sometimes there is a nice surprise, but I have to say I have been delighted with what I have here.”

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11 comments

Could Charlie Austin be on the radar? He certainly knows where the goal is.

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Soglio Star

Friday, November 16, 2012
Please don't waste our money on Chamakh, if he cannot hit the target at Arsenal, someone tell Hoots that our goals are the same size as theirs!

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DaveG

Friday, November 16, 2012
I think Hoots is right to play this down and support the current strike force in the media. As he says, if he can strengthen the squad he will and the goals scored tally tells it own story. Let's build with prudence and avoid doing a QPR!

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BureValleyPaddy

Friday, November 16, 2012
That just sounds like businessman talk to me, "No no we're not desperate to buy anything.... But what are you offering?" Keeps the prices down if youre not desperate to buy. Clearly Chris cant be happy with the lack of goals, im sure he already has an unknown diamond in mind overseas IHWT :-)

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Carls421

Friday, November 16, 2012
Looking at some of the strikers' names being bandied about, is there any chance of getting Iwan out of retirement?

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DocOhNo

Friday, November 16, 2012
He better have another striker lined up!

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Michael D

Friday, November 16, 2012
Still, very positive comments from The Hughton on his squad - is he learning?

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shefcanary

Friday, November 16, 2012
And look where Palace are now!

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Mad Brewer

Friday, November 16, 2012
I think you`re right, Trevor. Palace had him on loan but didn`t seem to want him permanently.

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Mad Brewer

Friday, November 16, 2012
Probably because they dont want him anymore than we do really

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Trevor Sadd

Friday, November 16, 2012
I`m sure Hoots is not really delighted with 8 goals from 11 games. I wonder why it took so long to shift Chris Martin out?

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Mad Brewer

Friday, November 16, 2012

Norwich City’s search for firepower proved an arduous task

In the final part of a three-part series dissecting the Canaries’ successful battle to retain their Premier League status, Norwich City writer Paddy Davitt highlights the underlying factors behind a slim goal return.

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