[retired_airwendeadwater]

How are you guys feeling about scharner? I've seen him play in austria, and i must admit i was surprised when he made it to england from norway back than. Happy he stays or would've rather offloaded him for the 6 million quid?

[retired_zersmiller]

Melchiot, good signing :thup:

[retired_gitfresh]

Originally posted by ZeRenato:
How are you guys feeling about scharner? I've seen him play in austria, and i must admit i was surprised when he made it to england from norway back than. Happy he stays or would've rather offloaded him for the 6 million quid?

I'd offload him for £3m to be honest because i'm getting rather annoyed by his comments to the Austrian media such as "I'm ready to play Champions League football", "I've had offers but i cant talk about them" etc etc

[retired_xs2khizar]

Originally posted by Dutch Dave:
Melchiot, good signing :thup:

In which alternate universe?

Bramble, Sibierski, Melchiot... would it be fair to think that Wigan have grown bored of Premiership life and are planning a return to the Championship?

[retired_zersmiller]

Originally posted by nerf:
Melchiot, good signing :thup:

In which alternate universe?
[/QUOTE]

He played an excellent season in the French League which got him in the Holland squad for the Asia trip. He played against South-Korea. Not the best of teams, but he did great :thup:

[retired_gitfresh]

Yup i'm quite happy with him after i've heard what Rennes fans and Birmingham (his first season there at least) fans have said about him.

Should be a good signing allowing Boyce to play at centre back.

[retired_gitfresh]

Martin Hunter, first team coach at Norwich set to be named as assistant manager according to The People.

Martin Hunter is the First Team coach at Norwich City and took up the role on July 26, 2006. He was caretaker manager of the club during the period after Nigel Worthingtons sacking and did apply for the job on a permanent basis. He lost out, however, to ex- Celtic and then West Ham Assistant Manager Peter Grant who was officially appointed on October 16th 2006.

Formerly the England U19 head coach, Hunter has worked with some of the biggest names in the game and was responsible for coaching current international superstars Joe Cole, Theo Walcott and Michael Carrick during his time with the youth set-up.

Hunter is also familiar with current City stars Ryan Jarvis, Ian Henderson and Joe Lewis, having worked with them at England youth level in the past.

He was with the Football Association for 13 years, initially joining as a regional director of coaching before landing head coaching roles with the U15s, U16s and finally the U19s. Before that, he was assistant manager at Bradford City A.F.C. and Stoke City F.C.

Hunter holds the prestigious UEFA Pro licence. He has also used his expertise in this field to run coaching courses to help others achieve that qualification.

One of the most talented and respected coaches in European football, the acquisition of Hunter by Norwich was seen as a real coup and he is expected to work closely with Grant as Norwich strive to regain their place in the Premiership.

Looks like we are interested in Savage again too. Would love that to happen.

[retired_gitfresh]

Former Wigan manager Paul Jewell has admitted failure to bring top players to The Latics was the real reason behind his exit from The JJB.

Jewell called time on his Wigan tenure at the end of last season after guiding them to survival on the final day with a win at Sheffield United.

However, the former Bradford and Sheffield Wednesday tactician had already decided his summer plans after growing tired of being shunned by football's top stars.

"I had gone as far as I could with Wigan," Jewell admitted to the People Sport. "Deep down, I knew it was time for a new challenge.

"I knew I had to get out at the end of the season because I couldn't face another close season spent lining up transfer targets, then being let down at the last minute.

"The bottom line is that the top players don't want to play for Wigan.

"It's not a big, glamour club with a huge stadium and masses of fans so they just won't come - and, in the end, I'd had enough.

"I want to work with top players but when they won't come to your football club it does your head in."

Wigan supremo Dave Whelan claimed pressure was one of the reasons behind Jewell's decision to walk away, however, this has been dispelled.

"I couldn't believe what he said," Jewell continued. "There were no pressure problems. My record speaks for itself in pressure situations."

Any chance of you actually shutting up, ever, Paul ?

[retired_elmejor13]

Andreas Granqvist becomes Chris Hutchings' 4th signing

The club has confirmed that 22 year old Swedish international defender Andreas Granqvist has signed a two year deal from Helsingborgs for an undisclosed fee.

He becomes the 4th signing of the Chris Hutchings era, quickly following the capture of Titus Bramble, Antoine Sibierski and Mario Melchiot.

A club delegation, led by Chief Executive Brenda Spencer, travelled to Copenhagen this morning to tie up the deal with Granqvist and his representatives.

The 6ft 3inch centre half was on loan at Latics from January and made one appearance, in the FA Cup 3rd round game at Portsmouth.

He impressed manager Chris Hutchings during his time at the club, who says he is delighted to tie up the deal for a player with a big reputation back home. "There was a lot of interest in Andreas," he said, "which is why I wanted to get this done quickly. Andreas has got bags of potential and I think he has the ability to make a real impact in the Premiership.

"He's good technically, he's strong and powerful and has pace, now it's up to us to make sure we harness that potential and turn him into a Premier League regular.

Granqvist said: "To play in England has always been a dream for me, and I am thrilled to have sorted out the move. I really like the atmosphere at the club and I feel I learned a lot from being involved last season.

"I feel I can now push and challenge for a regular first team place next season. I get on really well with the manager and I am very optimistic about the future now. I can't wait to get back and start challenging for my place."

Another one in the bag :thup:

[retired_nafrally]

I know Hutch is a decent fella and all, but Im missing Paul Jewell. I hope we haven't seen the last of him in football.