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‘Hello, my Darlins.’ A 1960s catchphrase from Charlie Drake in case you didn’t know. So a heartfelt welcome to our new left-back/wing-back, Darlin Yongwa. We’re told he’s a player that’s been on City’s radar for a long period. If that’s true and, knowing that area needed strengthening, why was this signing completed earlier in the window, knowing he was a free agent? Anyway… Last week, Philippe Clement hinted that Jacov Medic and Amankwah Forson were no longer in his plans and were training with the under-21s until a solution was found. Fast forward, and both got playing time against Cambridge with the caveat that they might be needed for first-team selection. Now that’s confusing for the players. I listened to the Pink Un podcast. Connor asked Paddy about City’s transfer finances, and he went on to explain that City had no money available, and if they had, it would have been spent by now, filling in the gaps in his squad. See the link below. Mark Attanasio has previously said we don’t need to sell to buy, so has this stance changed due to the new financial rules, and because City haven’t sold any player for a significant amount of money? Everyone knows that City still need a dynamic left-winger to balance the team. Now we’ve lost Ali Ahmed for an unknown amount of time, so could we start the first competitive game with Oscar Schwartau, Liam Gibbs or even Ante Crnac on the left? None of those options are going to get supporters off their seats. Could we borrow Mundle from Sunderland or someone of similar ilk for a six-month loan? But then, of course, there’s a loan fee and paying Premier League wages. Ben Knapper and his team must start to scour their list of players they’ve had on their radar for long periods and hope there just might be a gem they can snatch on a free. Typical Norwich, though. The season hasn’t started, and we’re already having a mini injury crisis: Lucien Mahovo, Kellen Fisher, and Jovon Makama are all out, with Ben Chrisene, Crnac, Matej Jurasek and Papa Diallo not yet fully fit, and Mirko Topic and Gabe Forsyth still to return to training. No one is saying the recruitment this window hasn’t been good but we still have a bloated squad that has got some areas that need filling. The big question is one that only Mark Attanasio can really answer: Can we spend to fill those gaps while waiting to sell players that are surplus to Clement’s needs? Last season was a transitional period, from Thorup to Manning, then on to Clement, who nearly turned a pig’s ear into a silk purse, as the saying goes. He’ll not want another season of ‘transition’ or broken promises. Attanasio and Knapper, the ball is in your court. Wanting success comes at a heavy price. Are you willing to go that extra mile to achieve the success the club and its supporters crave and the Head Coach wants to achieve?