Curious Deadline Day

Deadline day and Norwich City’s Cork-born striker, Adam Idah, is set to join and reinforce Brendan Rodgers’ striker options.  I also expect a left back, as backup for Greg Taylor, who will retain his place when fit.

At 6’ 3” Idah is 2” taller than Oh and will add heft to the squad, a quantity we discussed was lacking as recently as Monday.  Stephen Kenny gave Adam his first cap for Ireland.  The players biggest moment so far, he scored against the Netherlands in a Euro 2024 qualifier in September.

He is a curious signing for me.  Unlike the recent arrivals of Lagerbielke, Nawrocki, Bernardo, Holm, Palma, Yang, Tilio and Kuhn, Adam was not automatic first choice at his previous club.  None of the others were technically speaking “projects”, they were all being replied upon week-in, week-out, in leagues comparable to or better than Scotland.

Adam has started fewer than half of Norwich City’s league games this season, and has scored six goals from his 12 starts and 16 substitute appearances.  Ross County gave us a lesson in how effective big raw lads can be in Scottish football, and we have also signed a winger who (by all accounts) can cross, so logic dictates we sign a target man.  Let’s hope he arrives and batters a few goals in.

The summer window was one of transition.  Strategy was prepared by a manager who left the building, Brendan chose who he wanted from a short-list already prepared for him (Nat Phillips was an emergency exception).

This window, Brendan has had complete control.  As he made clear at the AGM and on a few occasions since, he signs the players.  He forms strategy and he is responsible for the decisions.  So that’s me reassured.